Mê Thú Cưng - Pet Magazine for Vietnam Native Dogs in Vietnam Issue | Page 70

URBAN PETS Living with Pets in Vietnam
EXPATQ&A R udiger Z abler
Searching for perfection in the breeding of the
Vietnamese Phu Quoc Dog
There are many attractions that keep
Expats living in Vietnam. Whether from an
interest in the culture, the food, the love
of a person or the simple delight of living
in a warm, tropical environment. For one
Expat, Rudiger Zabler from Germany, a
surprisingly and unexpected passion and
dedication was developed for a rare native
breed of dog of Vietnam, literally unknown
outside this country.
Rudiger is a Expat handler, trainer, breeder
and enthusiastic student of the Phu Quoc
Dog (Vietnamese Ridgeback dogs). His
Zabler Kennels located in the Cu Chi
district of Saigon currently homes over 40 dogs. Rudiger, living in Vietnam for over
eight years has dedicated six of these
years to the understanding of this dog.
He remains committed, mentions he will
remain in Vietnam close to the origins of
these dogs from Phu Quoc Island, wanting
to be part of the history in the acceptance
and establishment of this dog breed
internationally. We recently spoke to Rudiger
as he was preparing for an upcoming VKA
(Vietnam Kennel Association) sponsored
Vietnam Championship Dog Show in
Saigon, where he has participated since
2013 winning various awards from his
dogs.
When and where was your first
encounter with a Phu Quoc dog and
your initial impressions? was instantly attracted to the unique ‘ridge’ along their
backs, impressed by their agile movement, powerful
stance and ‘look of intelligence’. My first direct encounter
was at my resort, where one particular dog barked
furiously at me at first and then slowly acknowledged
and identified my smell. Later when I went down to the
beach and returned to my room this same dog quickly
It was during my first vacation on Phu Quoc Island, in
2007, that I first became aware of this breed of dog. I first
saw a few of these dogs roaming around the island and
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Mê Thú Cưng | Tập 01 2017 | methucung.vn