The breed of the Kyrgyz borzoi Taigan in the thoughts of most people is an enigma. This breed is, in fact, rare and has qualities that separate it from the other breeds of eastern borzois. The taigan is really unique. It can adapt to the tasks and severe conditions of the high mountains and covered terrain, and has excellent sense of smell. This breed traces its origins to deep aniquity. In the masterful epos of Kyrgyz people, the “Manas”, which is more thousands years old and predates the epos of other people, there is description of the taigan as an entirely formed hunting breed with productive traits. The Kyrgyz were nomadic people who traversed almost all of Central Asia, finally settling in the mountains of Tyan-Shan. Along with them were their cattle herds and dogs. According to the seasons of the year, the ancestors lived in the mountains, in forests, steppes, deserts. They chose dogs which were very hearty and strong.

It is important to heed and value the knowledge of our ancestors concerning breed selection. There excellent examples of breeding pedigree domestic animals, such as the case of the Arabs and the Agaltekysky fast horses. On the other hand, there are, of course, dilettantes, who argue that ancient breeds are local representations of spontaneous breeding. This argument is a danger to good breeds which have benefited man through the pages of history, because such claims misinterpret the destination of the breed. Really, it is impossible to appreciate the ndurance of the breed, if the breed belongs to the largest section of the population. Instead it is necessary that a limited section be the pedigree and the rest of the population be of normal development.

Also there is the rumor that the taigan have lineage to the Afghan borzoi known as the tasy. This is not true. Any claim that the taigon breed appeared in Kyrgyzstan after being “delivered” here is absurd. Though the peoples of Afghanistan, Kyrygyzstan, and Kazakhstan have common borders, their civilizations developed separately. While trading of commodities did exist, the process of breed selection does not share the same analogy. The process of selection is based on more close interrelations, the most obvious of which is differences in geography and climate and adaptation to such particular conditions. From the course of biology we know about the law of homology which asserts that same conditions of existence lead to the rise of similar organism of animals, including breeds; for example, mole and mole-rat, shark and dolphin, jerboa and kangaroo, etc. In these cases environmental demands on animals are similar which result in organic similarities. When there are different environments with different demands, however, breeds assume distinction. This is the case with the Kyrgy taigan.

There are rumors that the taigan has a volatile disposition. This is not correct. Nomads did not need nervous and unpredictable dogs. Their livelihood of hunting and cattle raising relied on a dependable dog companion. This served as the basis of their choice in breeding, not frivolous choices which may prefer aggression for sport over reliability and cooperation. In Kyrgyzstan we have calm and good-natured dogs. But certainly this does not mean that dogs should be provoked or abused, to test their restraint.

One of the unique wonders of the taigon is its ability to hunt jointly with the golden eagle or other hunting birds, such as the falcon. For this, the puppy must be brought up with the young eagle, but not necessarily nestled. From a young age, the taigon and the eagle are trained to work together. A different school of thought calls that the puppy be nestled with the eagle.

The taigan can hunt not only as borzoi, but also as bloodhound (hound without voice). This is common in hunts enjoined by hunting birds. The notion that this something enigmatic, and a secret kept by the east does not have basis. Methods of upbringing and training are usual: by way of encouragement of the good and prohibition of the bad. Hence, the breed reflects the ways of Kyrgyz people. Dogs must be unpretentious and follow the heels of its human companion. When the human is absent, it must guard the horse and bullock-cart. When a beast appears, the dog must attack. At night, it must stand vigilant against threats. Certainly these traits require special methods of training, but they are simple, understandable, and not a secret. For example, to prevent the theft of the dog, there is one simple method. From the time that it is a puppy, the taigan has only one host. Others must not touch the puppy. When the puppy matures, it does not approach other humans, without its host. So, to steal the dog is impossible. Another example is the answer to the frequently asked question whether it is possible to accustom a dog to follow hard on horse’s heels. For this, the answer lies in simply feeding the puppy next to a horse.

So to have the right understanding of the qualities of the breed, it is necessary to have the notion about the people and the place that habituated it. This is true for not only taigans but for all other domestic animals.