The distinct qualities of the taigan allows it to effectively inhabit the high mountains of Central Asia. To learn the nature of these traits, it is adequate to understand the environmental and climatic conditons of Kyrgyzstan and their demands on organisms. It was the dry mountains of Kyrgyzstan where the taigan breed took shape. These conditions were not only harsh on dogs, but all forms of life, including people. Dogs were forced to adapt and evolve naturally. The most significant adaptation was coping with the changing atmospheric pressures on physiology. The taigan can live and function at elevations of 2700 metres, which gives it a tremendous advantage over other breeds. The taigan shares many common characteristics of the eastern borzoi. These include similar height, lean build, strong jaws, explosive energy, and unquelled tenacity against prey and predator. But the taigan pedigree has many distinctions.

There is much discussion on this topic by experts. In Kyrgyzstan, we take a strong position that this splendid breed is distinct, with its own identity, and that the taigan is not the Afghan borzoi as some would argue. Sadly though, this breed is often divided in to two groupings: The Afghan borzoi- the aborginal, strong, work dog - and the Afghan- the purely exhibition dog, without working qualities. In order to prevent this erroneous tendency, it is necessary to define the characteristics of the Kyrgyz borzoi, the Taigan.

The head: Wide, with flat check bones. A long and wide muzzle, with prominent superciliary arch. The forehead is straight, with a furrow in the middle. Breadth of the muzzle allows strong attachment of fangs to the jaw. Superciliary arches protect eye sockets from wounds. Taigan does not have “saigachina”, which reduces sight in broken terrain. The occipital bump is the result of the development of the sincipital comb, where the neck’s muscles adjoin. The breadth of head is defined by the cheek bones. Masticatory muscles are within the check-bones. From the lower jaw, these muscles are apart, but not as widely as that of the aborigen sheep dog. This means that the borzoi can close its jaws much faster.

Ears: Drooping, long, thin, with long fur. Thin ears are a slight radiator, though in general the dog cools using its tongue. The drooping ears, with thick fur, protect the aural cavity from wounds. The low disposition conforms to the structure of the skull.

Neck: Long and oval. This structure allows a wide range of movements.

Profile of the back: Strong, built back, with a long and prominent waist. The wispers are expressed, which permit wide shoulder-blades. Straight shoulders and a built back are typical of animals, which possess speed.

Crupper: wide and obliquely attached which allows endurance of movement.

Tail: Long, similar to a sable’s, thick and ossified at the tip.

An ossified tip is a sign of a pure breed taigan, distinct from other borzoi.

Fore-legs and hind-legs: Shoulders, forearms, thighs, shin and the metatarsus are long and straight. The ulna joint is withered, the metacarpus is perpendicular, and the knee joint is small. Puds are oval, claws are strong. These are are common for all borzoi dogs.

Fur coat: Long fur in the back of the head, also the neck, shoulders, front part of the chest, the fore and hind legs, as well as between the toes. Short fur on the other parts of the body.

Character: calm, but easy excited at the presence of prey or adversary. Such contrast reflects the work of the taigan, and its way of life. Though the dog may seem lazy at first, taigans are rigorously trained.

During the hunt, there are great require strength and explosive energy.

The hunt requires great strength and explosive energy. At rest, the conservation thereof.

The taigan is used in complex hunts in coordination with hunting birds, in particular the golden eagle. This requires that the taigan and the eagle are brought up together and assimilated. In such hunts, the taigan is used as a bloodhound.

Distinct attributes:

The distinctions of the Kyrgyz taigan from the Afghan borzoi are many: skeletal, muscular, thickness and length of fur, and the topography of its habitat.

Like the taigan, the Afghan borzoi also lives in mountainous areas. The mountains of Afghanistan have the same elevation as the Tyen-Shyan.

But the pastures of Afghanistan are below 2700 meters, while in Kyrgyzstan pastures are at higher altitudes. Also, the mountains of Afghanistan are less steep in general and less stony. In adapting to the peculiarities of its habitat, the taigan possesses defining qualities is strength, speed, and hardiness. Such qualities of course reflect physiological differences.

The strength of the taigan originates from its muscular make up and its skeletal structure which facilitates tremendous maneuverability and leverage. It has strong bones, a long and prominent waist, and an enormous chest with plenty of red corpuscles in its blood. Its speed is derived from its straight shoulders and long extremities.

Compared to the tasy, which also some erroneously parallel to the Kyrgyz borzoi, the taigan has very obvious distinctions: both skeletal and muscular. These distinctions again arise from differences in habitat. The tasy operates on the planes or steppes, and hence has different adaptations and physiology. Other obvious differences are a longer waist and also the ears: unlike the tasy, the taigan has close-fitting ears. And as earlier mentioned, only the taigan’s tail has an ossified tip.

All of these distinctions culminate as the taigan: great adaptability to the high mountains, its ability to acquire specialized skills, such as joint hunts with hunting birds, and unquelled strength and courage.