Phu Quoc Ridgeback: A Comprehensive Guide to the Dog Breed

The Phu Quoc Ridgeback is an ancient dog breed originating from the Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam. They were originally bred as guard dogs to protect the island's inhabitants and their livestock.

Their unique appearance is characterized by a short, smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors, including black, brown, and fawn. The breed's distinctive wrinkled skin and broad head are also notable features.

The Phu Quoc Ridgeback is a relatively small dog, weighing between 20-40 pounds and standing between 17-22 inches tall at the shoulder. They are known for their athletic ability and require regular exercise to stay happy and healthy.

Their intelligence and loyalty make them excellent companions for active families or individuals.

The Phu Quoc Ridgeback is an ancient primitive breed that developed on Phu Quoc island off the coast of southwest Vietnam.

Originally, several regional variations with differing sizes existed, isolated by the difficult jungle terrain. These dogs lived alongside native islanders and served as hunting dogs and guardians.

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They were usually used for scent tracking over short distances in the jungle, often in packs of 3 to 6 dogs. By necessity, they are skillful jumpers, swimmers, and climbers.

The breed was not purposefully bred, instead relying on random pairings in the relative isolation of island life to continue to maintain their unique population. Unfortunately, purebred examples became scarce after the introduction of non-native dogs to the island.

Historically, Phu Quoc Ridgebacks were not recognized as a distinct breed until the 19th century, when French colonists took note of the breed and brought Phu Quoc Ridgebacks back to Europe.

The breed is thought to be a landrace that has survived for many years without any human intervention. Even many of today’s Phu Quoc Ridgebacks roam the streets of Vietnam, fending for themselves.

It was not until the late 1800s that several French colonists took note of the breed and brought Phu Quoc Ridgebacks back to Europe, marking the breed's first known departure from the island.

The breed is widely believed to be a descendant of the Korean Pungsan dog, according to a genetic analysis. This discovery suggests that the Phu Quoc Ridgeback is not directly related to the Thai Ridgeback as previously thought.

Despite the near extinction of the breed, genetic studies indicate that the Phu Quoc Ridgeback population is genetically diverse. This diversity is a testament to the breed's ability to adapt to its environment.

The breed was recently declared the mascot of the 2018 Ho Chi Minh Flower Show, symbolizing the lunar Year of the Dog as per the Vietnamese zodiac.

The Phu Quoc Ridgeback is a true athlete, built for speed and endurance. Their squarely built body is strong with clean lines, and the characteristic 'ridge' of fur on the back is a distinctive feature.

Their head is narrow and not overly long, with almond-shaped eyes that are a brown colour, the darker the better. Their ears are large and triangular, opening to the front of their face and set well apart.

The Phu Quoc Ridgeback's coat is short and coarse, and regardless of colour, the ridged fur should be slightly darker than the overall coat. Accepted coat colours include black, yellow, red, and brindle.

Females will stand at 48 to 52cm, while the male dog reaches between 50 and 55cm. Males will weigh from 18 to 20kg, while females will weigh between 12 and 18kg.

The dorsal ridge on Phu Quoc Ridgebacks is a unique feature, and it comes in five main shapes: music note, sword, saddle, half-saddle, and arrow-shaped. The ridgeback phenomenon develops when the neural tube forms in embryogenesis, leading to the characteristic hair follicle orientation.

Here are the accepted coat colours for the Phu Quoc Ridgeback:

The Phu Quoc Ridgeback is a low-maintenance dog that's perfect for families with kids. They're also a great fit for anyone who wants a laid-back companion.

This breed is known for being brave, intelligent, loyal, sociable, and relaxed.

The Phu Quoc Ridgeback Dog is one of Vietnam's four national dog breeds.

They're known for their athleticism, loyalty, and hunting ability, making them a unique and fascinating breed. Their distinctive feature is the ridge of hair along their spine, which grows opposite to the fur around it.

These dogs are extremely friendly with humans, showing little hostility to amiable strangers. They're also very sociable and relaxed, making them a great fit for families with kids.

The Phu Quoc Ridgeback Dog is one of the smartest dogs in the world, according to some devotees of the breed. They're intelligent and brave, making them a great companion for anyone.

The breed is recognized by the Vietnam Kennel Association, but not by the AKC. This is mainly because there are so few Phu Quoc Ridgeback Dogs in the world, making it tricky to define the breed's unique characteristics.

They were bred in three different sizes to hunt various types of game.

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The Phu Quoc dog has received recognition in several prestigious competitions. In 2009, it won second prize in the National Beautiful Dog Contest held in Vietnam.

This achievement demonstrates the breed's beauty and potential. The Phu Quoc dog's appearance must have impressed the judges to place it among the top contenders.

In 2011, the Phu Quoc dog was invited to participate in the FCI World Dog Show in Paris. Although it couldn't compete for the top prize due to not being listed in the FCI's official breed list, it still managed to win the CACS prize, a world-level certificate for beautiful dogs.

The CACS prize is a significant achievement, and the Phu Quoc dog's win in 2011 earned it the title of "Phu Quoc World Champion 2011".

The Phu Quoc Ridgeback breed has the ability to reproduce with other native breeds on the island of Phu Quoc.

There are no documented cross-breeds of the Phu Quoc Ridgeback breed.

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The Phu Quoc Ridgeback is a brave and noble dog that's loyal and loving toward its people, but can be cautious around strangers.

Their high energy levels make them a great fit for active families who can keep up with their love of swimming, running, and play. A tall, fenced yard is a must for these pups, who are excellent at jumping and climbing trees.

Intelligent and inquisitive, the Phu Quoc Ridgeback will learn quickly and keep any owner on their toes. They're naturally sociable and tend to get on well with other dogs and children.

Due to their independence, separation anxiety is not thought to be an issue in this breed. They're happy to entertain themselves and can even perform tricks in the hopes of getting some food.

Their loyalty is one of their essential qualities, and they will not hesitate to defend their territory when appropriate. They'll bark loudly when a new person enters their territory, though will rarely show true aggression.

The Phu Quoc Ridgeback is a very trainable dog, thanks to their naturally curious nature and high level of intelligence. They're generally passive and happy for the trainer to set the pace and follow instruction.

The Phu Quoc Ridgeback's grooming needs are relatively low maintenance. They have a short coat that sheds minimally, with heavier shedding periods occurring seasonally.

You'll only need to brush your Phu Quoc Ridgeback occasionally, as daily brushing isn't necessary.