Phu Quoc Ridgeback dogs are known for their intelligence, loyalty, excellent swimming skills, and unique ability to dig burrows when they give birth.
This breed is one of four rare national dogs in Vietnam. It is also one of only three dog breeds worldwide with a distinctive ridge of fur along its back, sharing this rare trait with the Rhodesian and Thai Ridgeback.
When visiting Phu Quoc Island in South Vietnam, you may like to see these beautiful dogs in their natural habitat.
Let’s dive into the details about this!
Content menu:
1. Origin of Phu Quoc ridgeback
2. Characteristics of Phu Quoc ridgeback dogs
3. Caring for Phu Quoc ridgeback
4. Common diseases with Phu Quoc dogs
5. Useful ways to distinguish purebred Phu Quoc ridgeback
6. Phu Quoc ridgeback price
7. A famous Phu Quoc ridgeback dog farm
8. FAQs
1. Origin of Phu Quoc Ridgeback
The Phu Quoc Ridgeback is a native dog breed from Phu Quoc Island in Kien Giang Province, Vietnam. Renowned for their intelligence, bravery, and loyalty, these dogs are easily recognized by the distinctive ridge of fur running along their spines—a trait shared by only a few breeds worldwide.
The correct origin of this breed remains a topic of debate.
- Some people think the breed originated in Thailand and was brought to Phu Quoc Island about 400 years ago by Thai fishermen during trading expeditions.
- Many others claim that the dogs came from France centuries ago. They accompanied their owners to Vietnam, where they eventually adapted to the island environment.
Despite these ideas, no definitive evidence supports either explanation. However, most dog-loving people in Vietnam consider Phu Quoc ridgebacks to have their origin on this island.
2. Characteristics of Phu Quoc ridgebacks
2.1 Dog hair color:
Phu Quoc Ridgebacks have three popular colors: tiger brindle, yellow, and jet black. Each color is associated with unique qualities that appeal to different breed admirers.
- Tiger Brindle: Like a tiger, tiger-stripe dogs are loved for their wild beauty and swirling on the back, with black stripes integrating light yellow feathers. The number of dogs born with this type is much less than that of other colors, so the price is higher.
- Red-Yellow: Red-yellow ridgebacks are relatively common and less expensive than tiger-stripe dogs. So many choose them as pets for families.
- Jet Black: This dog color makes it more mysterious, creating an elegant appearance.
2.2 Body characteristics of Phu Quoc dogs:
The head of a Phu Quoc dog is compact, with a moderately long muzzle and a slender body, looking like a running dog. Their heads are very well-proportioned to the body.
More highlights of their body features:
- The tongue is black or speckled
- Forehead wrinkles
- Straight or slightly bowed ears
- Eyes are black, almond-shaped eyes
- The chest is deep but not too wide
- Slim belly, big butt
- Curved tail like a bow
- Straight legs, webbed feet
- The tail is small, slightly short, and arched
- Weight 12 to 18 kg (female) and 15 to 20 kg (male)
- Height from 40 to 52 cm (female) and 50 to 55 cm (male)
- The dorsal flank has swirls and ingrown hairs (leaves or swords), often standing upright when chasing prey.
2.3 Genitive characteristics of Phu Quoc ridgeback dogs:
Phu Quoc Ridgebacks are known for their exceptional intelligence, more than the German Shepherd (Becgie). They quickly learn commands and can master them with just a few repetitions.
Their loyalty is perfect, and they always pay attention to their owners’ moods to please them.
These dogs are formidable hunters when catching small prey like mice. They can also catch bigger animals like deer and wild boar when trained well.
A typical habit of Phu Quoc ridgebacks is not eating food from people other than their owner, which helps them avoid poisoning traps.
Another notable trait is their excellent memory of recognizing their owner, even after long periods of separation.
Despite their wild nature and ferocity, these dogs are calm around humans. They rarely bite, reserving aggression only for threats, and typically bark loudly to warn of danger.
3. Caring for the dogs of Phu Quoc
3.1 Living environment:
Among dog species in Vietnam, Phu Quoc ridgebacks are enormously wild. They resist diseases in their original environment, the islands or sea regions.
However, when they become pets grown in a chilly region, they may get cold, so you need to wear clothes or keep them warm to avoid cold diseases, such as running noses or lung issues.
Another important note is that this ridgeback type likes opening spaces and digging holes. Thus, you need to create vast areas or gardens and plan a few sand sections for them to run and practice burrowing to stretch their legs.
Please keep them as close to nature as possible! If they do not run, they will gradually become weak, stop eating, and can die.
3.2 Nutrition:
Originating from the islands, Phu Quoc dogs like to eat seafood such as shrimp, crab, and fish.
They can also eat some vegetables and fruits, including white rice. However, you should not force them to eat fruits and vegetables that they do not like because that can easily lead to illness.
To support running and developing a strong body, Phu Quoc dogs need more calcium than normal dogs. Therefore, prioritize feeding them foods rich in calcium or add more calcium to their meals.
At the same time, this dog breed also does not like industrial foods sold in pet shops, such as seeds, pate, and sausages.
An interesting point is that they often hide leftover food in the sand if they do not finish eating, which is a genetic trait inherited from their desert island ancestors.
3.3 Sanitation & notes how to care for the ridgebacks of Phu Quoc:
- It is recommended that they should be bathed regularly to limit the dog’s skin diseases.
- Fully vaccinated the dogs.
- Please put them in a clean, cool place with lots of sunlight.
- Deworm every 6 months to eliminate worms and diseases of the digestive tract.
- Do not give Phu Quoc dogs a lot of food; too full is not good.
- Do not let them eat rancid or expired food.
- Do not chain the ridgeback often because they will become more aggressive.
4. Common diseases with this kind of dogs
Here are the common diseases that the ridgeback dogs often suffer from:
- Inflammatory bowel disease is a common disease in dogs. The reason is that the living environment has suddenly changed.
- Respiratory disease is caused by these dogs living on the island, and the climate is cool all year round. When raised in different weather areas, dogs often get respiratory diseases (pneumonia) in the winter.
- The Rabies virus causes rabies. This dangerous disease can infect humans through scratches and bites.
5. Useful ways to distinguish the purebred ridgeback
In addition to distinguishing Phu Quoc ridgebacks through the above characteristics of appearance and personality, we can also distinguish them based on one of the following tips to check their purity:
- Purebred dogs in Phu Quoc will have swirly hair on the back that grows back. This swirl has a length greater than 1/2 the length of the back.
- The shape of the swirly fur is very diverse. It can be an arrow, a leaf, or a sword, but it must be clear and symmetrical across the back and not bigger than the width of the back.
- The top of the eddy band can be more than one circular swirl that is also symmetrical.
Note: Only about 70-80% of purebred Phu Quoc ridgebacks have swirls. Dogs without this hair swirl are still purebred but are not appreciated.
6. Phu Quoc ridgeback price
One common Phu Quoc ridgeback puppy in Vietnam costs 3 to 6 million VND.
A red-yellow and black dog is 3 to 4 million VND.
The tiger-stripe Phu Quoc dog costs 5 to 6 million VND/dog.
7. A famous ridgeback dog farm
Thanh Nga Dog Farm is the most famous ridgeback place on Phu Quoc Island. Visitors can see the original ridgeback dogs at this farm.
The farm is located in Cay Thong Ngoai hamlet, Cua Duong commune, Phu Quoc district, next to the Suoi Tranh tourist area, towards Ham Ninh Village.
It takes about 25 minutes to travel by motorbike or car from Duong Dong City Center to this dog farm.
Thanh Nga Dog Farm was established in 2000 and currently fosters over 200 ridgebacks. The dog farm covers a large campus, including areas for wild animals, a breeding area, a training area, a climbing performance, a racetrack, a cooking area, nursing, and medical treatment.
When visiting this farm, you can see ridgeback dogs and their racing performance, explore the primeval forest, listen to the sound of flowing streams, and observe orchids and wild mossy green stones.
8. Vietnamese ridgeback FQAs
8.1. Does Vietnamdrive sell dogs?
No, we do not sell dogs. However, we love Ridgebacks and would like to introduce them to you as a pride of this unique Vietnamese breed.
8.2. Can I buy a Ridgeback dog and get it delivered abroad?
No, you can not buy it while you are still abroad. Shipping a pet, particularly a dog, from Vietnam is impossible for regular trading activity.
Thus, we recommend combining your journey to our country and choosing a cute Vietnamese ridgeback dog in Phu Quoc Island to carry it with you.
8.2. Can I see Vietnamese ridgeback dogs out of the island?
Yes, you can. Many dog farms in Vietnam grow ridgeback puppies for sale. However, you should check out the dog farms in Phu Quoc to get a better and more original one.
