Expats Pet Owner ’ s Guide for Vietnam
H ’ Mong Dog The H ’ Mong are a very ancient , ‘ primitive ’ dog breed raised as guardians and hunting companions by the ethnic H ’ Mong people of Vietnam . Their hunting instincts are largely unchanged by man and close to their ancestral wolves . They are powerful dogs , born with naturally ‘ docked ’ short tails , long straight muscular legs and with a thick coat of fur in the shades of black , brownish red , black & white and brindle . Dedicated admirers are forming ‘ dog clubs ’ from Saigon to Hanoi to help preserve , promote and create awareness of this primal dog breed . Their activities are recognized by the VKA ( Vietnam Kennel Association ) with official breed standards published . H ’ Mong dogs and their owners have representation in the Native Dogs in Vietnam Club with an annual national dog show featuring the H ’ Mong , and the Phu Quoc Ridgeback .
Phu Quoc Ridgeback Dog What can be further added to a growing ‘ cult ’ of very dedicated dog owners and breeders of the Phu Quoc Ridgeback dog in Vietnam . This dog is only one of three breeds globally possessing a peculiar , swordshaped ‘ ridge ’ of hair that runs along it ’ s spine , growing in opposite direction from the rest of their fur . Other breeds include the Rhodesian Ridgeback ( Africa ), Thai Ridgeback ( Thailand ) and includes an obscure larger , long-haired Cambodian Razorback originating from the north of Cambodia near the Laos border .
Phu Quoc Ridgeback dogs have uncanny characteristics of a cat , a monkey and fish . They have webbed lining in their paws to allow them to run on sand and swim in water and are known to catch fish . They climb trees and jump over high gates with ease and always spotted on the roof of a building or on the top of a tall fence . They run like cheetahs
and have flexible cat-like bodies . They hunt alone , or strategically within a pack in stealth and with precision .
They do make an ideal pet ; a medium sized dog , with low maintenance ( short hair requiring a quick bath once a month and little grooming ). They are sociable with family and other pets and very playful . They are intensely loyal and make a great guard dog . However , they are ‘ bundles of energy ’ and you need to ‘ run ’ those long legs every day . Not recommended for apartment living .
… and then , there are the myths surrounding their origins . One story is that they originate from the mating of a jackal-type of dog on Phu Quoc Island with the mythical ‘ Fu-Dog ’ that possesses a ‘ ridge ’ along their back , dating to the period of the Le Dynasty in Vietnam . Another story involves King Gia Long , the first king of the Nguyen Dynasty who fled to Phu Quoc Island after losing a battle and was befriended by a dog and was told where to find refuge . For the dog ’ s reward the King placed his sword on the dog ’ s back magically transforming into a ridge of fur . And some dogs do have a ridge
that appears like an ancient sword with a primitive design .
No one knows the whole story of their origins . If you do travel to Phu Quoc Island there are still a few elders left that will sit with you and state passionately their respect and love of these amazing dogs from the south of Vietnam .
Mê Thú Cưng | Volume 01 2017 | methucung . vn 67