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Phu Quoc Ridgeback Dog |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Vietnam | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen | |
This breed is also known as |
Chien de l’île de Phu Quoc
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| The Phu Quoc Ridgeback is a breed of dog from the island of Phu Quoc in the southern province of Kiên Giang in Vietnam. The Phu Quoc Ridgeback is one of three breeds that have a ridge of hair that runs along the back in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat (the others are Rhodesian Ridgeback and Thai Ridgeback). The Phu Quoc is the smallest of the three ridgeback breeds. The Phu Quoc has been included in the Larousse dictionary and is regularly gaining attention in the Western world. In Vietnam, these dogs are still considered rare, and there were only 700 purebred dogs registered and recognized by the Vietnam Kennel Club. This means that, due to the rarity of the actual examples, they are unable to enter many international dog shows, as they are simply considered too rare to be able to judge the breed standard. A Phu Quoc Ridgeback won the Hanoi dog show in 2013. Originally from Vietnam, the Phu Quoc Ridgeback's history has not been well documented. Enthusiasts and few experts believe that all ridgeback breeds (including Phu Quoc, Rhodesian and Thai) originated in Asia or Africa, due to their distinct crest markings along the spine, but this has never been scientifically confirmed. It is also believed that, like the Thai ridgeback, the Phu Quoc has been used as a cart driver, escort, hunter and guard dog throughout its history due to its impressive appearance and muscular physique. According to the elders of Phu Quoc Island, the dog traditionally had four main colors: spotted, black, yellow and striped; however, colors have now become more varied. The rarest and most prized colors are pure black and yellow, with black eyes, black toes and a black-stained tongue. An adult dog weighs around 20-25 kg, with a small head, long neck, fairly long muzzle, thin but long ears and dark patches on the tongue. The tapered belly, straight legs and webbed feet enable Phu Quoc dogs to swim and run extremely well. They are also very good at climbing and can climb trees. An important sign of a true Phu Quoc dog is the sword-shaped crest on its back, with short, fine hair. When facing competitors or chasing prey, the hair on the back becomes erect, creating a crest that makes the dog brave and strong. Nowadays, it's hard to find Phu Quoc Ridgebacks, as they've mixed with other breeds. The Phu Quoc Ridgeback is best known for its ability to jump higher and run and swim faster than most other breeds. These dogs love to hunt, and are also known for protecting their home. This breed is extremely loyal, loving and naturally obedient, thriving on reliable human relationships. The Phu Quoc is an intelligent, inquisitive breed that loves to learn. Because of its need for strong human relationships and its obedient nature, the Phu Quoc Ridgeback responds well to basic training and commands. These dogs love to learn and please their owners, and can learn to perform most tasks that their trainer is willing to take the time to teach them. Establishing mutual respect and trust is key to Phu Quoc Ridgeback training. The breed is highly intelligent and can perform tricks without command. The Phu Quoc Ridgeback remains very rare outside Vietnam and can be difficult to obtain even in Vietnam. The only dogs known in Europe had a litter of four healthy puppies in September 2015 by a UK-based breeder. At least one of the puppies has since been exported to the USA. There are a handful in the USA and Canada. People looking to buy this breed will often encounter challenges such as inability to find a breeder, high prices, dogs that have been crossed with other breeds and long waiting lists. More and more visitors are beginning to come to Phu Quoc in search of the dogs, giving rise to a breeding camp on the island that sells dogs. Exporting dogs to countries outside Vietnam is straightforward in terms of Vietnamese documentation. The difficulties lie in the country of destination, where Australia and other rabies-free countries are difficult and rabies-free countries such as North America are relatively easy to transport. While the Phu Quoc Ridgeback is generally known as a healthy, friendly breed, they can sometimes suffer from a few health problems, including: hip dysplasia, various joint problems such as arthritis, patellar luxation - knee dislocation and bloat. They can live up to 16 years. This is despite coming from a country where veterinary care is rare and generally of a very basic standard. The main problem with the breed is making sure they receive the correct (and not counterfeit) vaccinations when they travel to the mainland from Phu Quoc to avoid catching parvovirus. The Phu Quoc Ridgeback was chosen as the mascot for Ho Chi Minh City's Nguyen Hue Flower Street in 2018, symbolizing the lunar year of the dog according to the Vietnamese zodiac. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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