Adventures of a Formosan Mountain Dog
People keep asking me what breed Loki is. Some guess the German Shepherd, but then they can’t figure out the rest. When you Google Taiwanese Mountain Dog you’ll find Formosan Mountain Dog, Taiwan’s version of the dingo. He has some of the same traits, namely those antenna- like ears, body structure and shape of his face. So I guess he does fit nicely into Wild Dingo!
They warned us Loki wouldn’t be easy. It’s true that this dog’s got some major ‘tude when he doesn’t get his way. And he can hold a grudge. And it takes me 20 minutes to put on his harness and leash because of his fear of collars and leashes. He’s outsmarted all my treats and tricks and manages to play a good round of Houdini before our walks or car rides. His energy never ends. But his challenges are NOTHING compared to the Hell on Wheels Maggie was. Our saving grace is the dog park, where he is the belle of the ball. Everyone, people and dogs, loves Loki.
When Scott goes to Taiwan, sometimes he’ll come back with “Formosan” items, like the Formosan ugly hat or Formosan beads. Funny. He never brought home a Formosan Mountain Dog! (Now I know why.) We’ll have Loki model some of his native fashions in the near future. For now, I’ll bore you to death with all my baby doggie park pictures. Be warned. The photos look straight out of Michael Vick’s back yard. Swear to Dogs: No betting or money was exchanged during the making of these photos. No…these dogs are having the time of their lives.
My name’s Travis! Nice to meet you!
Loki: ok, Travis, GAME ON!
Travis: What’s that? I can’t heeeeaaarrrrr you!
The Malamute-Huskies arrive. Some people are sizests and run out of the park when these guys come. But Loki and Travis do not discriminate and are always happy to see the husky pack.
Sometimes Loki just has to show off.
Loki asked me to include this photo because it makes his butt look small.
Travis: Judo Chop!
Loki: Cheap shot!
After hours of running around, they plop down, exhausted.
But like Rocky and Apollo Creed, the match lives on.
Loki: Travis, I got chunks of guys like you in my poop!
Travis: It’s just so darn cute when you try to dominate.
Loki: I keeeeellled him!
Travis: Nee-ner-nee-ner! Plspph!
Loki: Travis, I told you to STAY DOWN!
(Um, Travis, I hate to tell you this, but when he sits on you, you’re his buddy forever.)
Loki: Oh no you dit-ent!
Travis: I don’t care what the word is on the street, you’re aces with me kid!
Travis is a perfect gentleman inviting this fur ball into the action.
Loki: I’m gonna fly like a butterfly and sting like a bee. Who’s gonna chase me?
That little Fur ball on the right handles himself very well among 4 Malamutes, Travis, Loki, a Boxer, and several other big dogs.
Loki: Come and get this Gracie!
Gracie: ok, I’ll try, but you’re so handsome, it may distract me!
Bushkie, the 8-month (!) old Huski-Malamute is one of the first dogs Loki met and wrestled with at this park. Although Loki knows him, he was afraid to play tug at first with him, but then gets brave and the game begins. Later on, both are a bit naughty and need a time out.
July 1st, 2008 at 8:23 am
GREAT pics and captions…..a riot. Bo, our 14-year old Cocker is not that spry anymore, though he still maintains enough vigor to hump a kitty every now and then.
July 1st, 2008 at 10:50 am
looks like fun…fur ball is cute…
July 1st, 2008 at 12:52 pm
What a lucky dog:)
July 1st, 2008 at 2:41 pm
“Loki asked me to include this photo because it makes his butt look small.”
you have gone mad…
July 2nd, 2008 at 5:29 pm
Hi?
My name is Candy, I’m from Taiwan. Thank you for the adoption of the Loki. Loki had suffered a lot in Taiwan, he just got the coldness and discarding with which remained faithful to his master, and he got beaten and was always hunger. All this had made a deep impression on me.
By luck Loki met with you, I really appreciated for your love to Loki. He really is a lovely dog, and faithful. I will continue concerned about him in your website. I believe it is God’s guidelines for Loki to your side, hope Loki to love you in place of Maggie … Thank you.
October 3rd, 2008 at 2:13 pm
Wonderful! I adopted a dog from a Taiwan rescue organization (http://www.savedogs.org/english/). She’s a handful, but I wouldn’t trade her for anything (see lifewithsugar.blogspot.com for day-to-day adventures). It’s awesome to see other Taiwanese dogs enjoying life with a little bit (?) of attitude. Love it!
November 20th, 2008 at 2:03 pm
I have a 3 legged Taiwanese street dog that got hit by a car and then I saved her and brought her back to Canada.
She is so happy and glad to be here!
Looks a lot like Loki
March 14th, 2009 at 6:45 pm
hey
we adopted a dog from taiwan too!
her name is cleo, and she is still a little shy. she is definentaly a mutt, but she looks a little like a formosan mountain dog! she was abandoned on the doorsteps of a rescue foundation, on a very cold night. she was scared of people when we first got her because she was abused, but shes getting much better.
VIVA LA FORMOSAN MOUNTAIN DOGS!!!
July 6th, 2009 at 1:00 pm
I have adopted a taiwan dog as well, she looks alot like the formosan. Her name is Lucy and she is very shy. she will be 3yrs on 7-14. I think she is just a wonderful breed. I love when people ask me what kind of dog is she. She is really beautiful. All black with the thick sickle tail and the pink belly. Teeth whitest white I have ever seen. And…. she can walk on her hind legs. I love her so much.
July 18th, 2009 at 6:01 am
My brother flew his dog to me in Montreal three years ago from Taiwan. We never knew what type of dog she was until today. She is definitely part Formosan Mountain dog. Her name is Lekima (named after a Vietnamese fruit tree apparently) We call her Lukie Lou. She’s darling. Many people ask us if she is a miniature German Shepherd due to her brown and yellow coloring. She has the curled tail and the most expressive ears. Luke can run like a whippet. One of the dog owners in our park calls her “rocket dog.” However, she is not good with small children. She spent the first six months of her life living in a park in Taipei before she was rescued. We believe that she was terrorized by children. My two boys and I love her.
July 27th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
There is one living outside the familymart by my house… someone just dumped her last week. We call her Dingo, she is so well mannered and affectionate. I feed her and took her to the vet to get checked up. No one wants to take her. They dont care about these dogs here. There are so many of them just wondering the streets. Most Taiwanese only want the imported dogs. It is so sad. They are such great dogs but everyone just treats them like a pest..
Chris
August 19th, 2009 at 6:05 pm
So wonderful to see all of the ‘Tugo’ lovers that are coming out of the woodwork through Loki’s blog. I recently returned to Canada after 2 years in Taiwan. I brought home with me 2 amazing pups, one being a Formosa Mountain Dog mix and the other is a french bulldog that we found abandoned (and very sick)in a field while on one of our walks.
I have to laugh when I hear the comments people have made about their Tugos as they sound just like my Laifuu. I would never trade him for the world!
In light of the recent Typhoon that has devastated many areas of Southern Taiwan in the past couple of weeks, there are many wonderful pups who have also suffered. Lots of good people are working night and day to try to take care of these pups but there are just so many! SO if you know of anyone interested in adopting a pup or helping out, these great dogs as well as the many other homeless dogs and cats, need help so lets keep spreading the good word about our amazing friends and hopefully we can see more success stories like Loki and our fur friends.
A small but mighty group that is always helping Taiwan Animals and is definitely doing their best to help the less fortunate abandoned and stray dogs in Typhoon hit areas is called ‘Bark Taiwan’. They are located in Kaohshiung City. Google ‘BarkTaiwan’ and check out their website. They are always eager to do whatever they can to find loving homes for dogs and cats, whether you are in Taiwan or overseas! The good thing about adopting a dog from Taiwan is that there is no rabies which means (in Canada and the USA) no quarentine! Yeah!
September 9th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
Hey, i live with my sister in BC and along with her 2 year old boxer she also has a TMD rescue from Taiwan ( through OceanDogRescue) and i have a 5 year old Belgain Shepherd and i was wondeirng what Travis in the above pictures is.. is he a BSD too?
September 16th, 2009 at 2:26 pm
Just adopted a rescue dog from Taiwan. They said she was a german sheperd/lab mix. It took me five minutes on Google to see that she is a Fomosan. I love her, but am concerned about the things I’ve read about their possible agression. We have to small children and three cats. She’s been fine so far, but has growled a bit at strangers. Please tell me about your good experiences with both humans and animals. She starts puppy school in a couple of weeks and I am introducing her to as many people and animals as possible, hoping to counter her hunting and guarding instincts. By the way…she loves me like I’m her mom. She’s only 12 weeks old and she is so agile and smart. Not like any puppy I’ve ever encountered.
Kat
September 20th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
I recently adopted a dog from Taiwan too. She’s been the sweetest dog. Take your time with your puppy. Lots of exposure to other dogs and humans will acclimate your puppy, especially because she is so young. My 1 year old dog adjusted almost immediately. They will form that bond first with you, once they feel comfortable they will train easier! Good luck and have fun!!!
September 22nd, 2009 at 2:00 pm
Thank you, guys! We need more GOOD people like you.
December 26th, 2009 at 11:16 pm
It’s good to see other people rescuing and loving these wonderful dogs I just recently adopted my Formsan from a group called srtay-dogs.org. They paid for everything such as his cargocost and all we had to do was pick him up in vancouver. I applaud these people because they pay for everything out of their own pocket.