The taigan has excellent ability to locate advantageous points of view for sighting prey. The taigan prefers higher vantage points for the best viewing, sometimes staying in place for 20-25 minutes. In flat terrain, the taigan leaps periodically onto the saddle of the horse and from there he looks around. Typically, the taigan operates 170-200 meters away from the hunter. If there is favorable wind, the taigan hunts using his keen sense of smell.

Meanwhile the hunter moves with constant speed, not paying much attention to the dog. So, the taigan conducts independent searches, but at the same time communicating with the hunter. If a beast is sighted, the taigan independently darts off and attacks the beast. If the hunter first sees the prey, then he gives commands to the taigan through verbal or hand signals. The taigan catches beast the, trying to take the throat or neck. Taigans, trained for hunting wolfs, prefer to tear the groin or the tendons of back extremity. This manner of neutralizing the prey is most common. But there are exceptions. Taigan can take smaller animals in full length.

The hunt for the wild goat is the primary hunt of Kyrgyz borzoi taigan. Through years of breeding, the taigan passes harsh selection. The result is excellent qualities of the breed for the demands of hunting goats. For this task, the taigan is very adept. Wild goats live in alpine regions, among rocks or meadows at elevations of 3000 meters. During the feeding period (lactation), goats live in areas of vegetation. During snowy months, they move to the high mountain. Mountains provide excellent cover for the goat, and a challenge for the typical dog. But, not so for the taigan.

The hunt for the wild goat takes place on horseback in early morning. The speed, power, and maneuver of the taigan allows it to keep pace with the mounted hunter. But the hunter can also hunt on foot, as he relies on the alacrity of the dog. The wild goat typically climbs rock and elevated places. The taigan stays low, notifying the hunter of the beast’s location. While the taigan diverts the wild goat’s attention, the hunter approaches quietly for a closer shot. Quite often, the taigan whips up whole herds of wild goats using the same maneuver. Sometimes the taigan herds game toward the hunter. Experienced taigans do so intentionally.

Taigan can conduct independent searches. If the hunter is lackadaisical, the taigan hunts alone. The taigan is very adroit in searching for the beast. When it locates prey, he barks to alarm the hunter. The taigan is very insistent. It can try to ambush the wild goat before dark. In most cases, the taigan catches the beast at once.

At present, rams are not hunted, because the wild ram of Tyan-Shan has been placed in the Red book MSOP. Hunt for Marko Polo is permissible only for foreign tours. Before prohibition, however, the hunt for the wild ram was very prestigious and not rare. In the past when their numbers were abundant, the ram population was almost equal to that of the wild goat.

The hunt for wild ram also takes place on horseback, though sometimes on foot. The taigan catches or whips up game, depending on the situation. The wild ram prefers to escape to open areas, since it is not very maneuverable among rocks. The taigan attacks the wild ram, aiming for the muscles of the groin and tendons of the back extremity to deprive the ram speed. Then the taigan strangles the beast.

Sometimes a dog, with not enough training, tries to tackle and knock the beast off his feet. But this is physically impossible, because the mass of wild ram is more 100 kg and the speed of run is 35-45 km/hour. I witnessed a case of an adult male taiganoid – cross-breed of taigan with another dog- trying to go for the throat of a ram running at full speed. After this unsuccessful attempt, the taigan again tried to take the beast. The ram continued to run away, its mass and speed diffusing the taigan’s every attack. The dog was not trained to tear groins or tendons. As a result, the dog did not succeed to catch ram. Both dog and ram disappeared in the distance. Only one day later did the dog came back to the shepherd’s home.

The hunt for roe deer is more for sportive purpose. Roe deer prefer the bushy cover of mountains and alpine forests. Such is very broken terrain, with sharp ascents and descents. The taigan hunts for roe deer by sight and by sense of smell (and to a lesser extent, hearing).

Roe deer run very fast. They try to lose contact with the dog and then hide. Taigan pursues roe deer by sight. If roe deer manages to get out of sight, the dog will pursue tracks, relying on his keen sense of smell. This the taigan will do until the deer is caught. For the Taigan, there is no need to tear roe deer’s groin or tendons. It has adequate power to tackle and strangle roe deer. Such hunting without firearms is very effective also in the deciduous forests of the Baltic.

Nomads call the hunt for the fox as the ‘red’ hunt. This hunt requires adroitness, skills of the rider, intuition of the hunter and collectivism. The hunt for the fox takes place near the base of mountains where fox pursue mice. The hunt is carried out on horseback and timed before dawn. If there is broken terrain, then the hunt is very especially challenging and fascinating. Please, imagine yourself, the sensation of riding along ravines and hills, accompanied by a strong, fast, and beautiful dog.

The taigan catches up with the fox after pursuits which range from 200 to 1000 meters in length, and on the average are 300-400 meters. An experienced dog, after catching the fox, will toss up the beast before strangling it. The hunt in the presence of two taigans is even more interesting. In this case the taigan that catches the game tosses it up and other strangles it. Or the fox, escaping from one taigan, gets into the trap of the other taigan. In thick bush, the taigan pursues the fox by scent.

In the same way, the taigan hunts for the jackal. But wrestling the jackal is more difficult, for it is a formidable opponent. Even for the jackal though it is very difficult to resist the attack of a strong and experienced taigan.

The hunt for the hare, as a rule, does not involve taigan participation. Of course, the taigan is not averse to catching hares. The hunt for hair is not productive though, because this game pastures near from holes or other good cover.

The hunt for the wolf is a very difficult undertaking. The mountain wolf is very powerful opponent (mighty and big, like the kanad wolf). Typically the wolf is 70 kg in weight and 68-72 cm in withers. The hunt for the wolf demands special preparations. Only a dog with the necessary strength, tenacity, adroitness and utmost health should be chosen for this task. If the taigan is not of excellent shape and condition, then it is better to forego the hunt for the wolf.

The hunt for the wolf is best handled by well trained taigan teams. The hunt begins in the early morning by swift horseman. With the first sight of the beast, the pursuit begins. Once the taigans catch up with the wolf, they immediately tear the back tendons and then wait for the hunter. Very rarely does the taigan ever strangle the wolf without the presence of the hunter. It awaits the arrival of the hunter. Hunting by teams have special requirements: The dogs must not interfere with the other, and the role of a lead dog is very important. When wolfs assemble in packs, taigans must try to separate the wolfs. This is very important, because in winter wolfs congregate. As a result, the mortality of dogs is very high. It is a great pity to lose good working dog.

The selection of and training the taigan for hunting wolfs requires great planning. In breeding, emphasis must be placed on strong build and growth. Only the most tenacious and malicious puppies can be considered. Starting at six-months of age, the dog must be accustomed to the smell of wolf. Depending on the condition of the dog, training should begin when the dog is six months to one year old. Training is facilitated by the guidance of an experienced dog. At the first, it is necessary to begin training the dog for fox hunts, and to train for wolfs only 2 or 3 years later. After long training, the young taigon should accompany an experience elder when hunting wolfs.

Hunting with the taigan is not only hobby, but also a fascinating occupation. In olden times the hunt for beast was the main source of income. In years of hardship, taigans saved many people from starvation and death.