Phu Quoc Ridgeback Dog Breed Facts (2023 Guide)

The Phu Quoc Ridgeback dog is exceptionally clever, trustworthy, loving, and a superb swimmer. There are three Ridgeback-type dog breeds: Rhodesian Ridgeback, Thai Ridgeback, and Phu Quoc Ridgeback.

Phu Quoc Ridgeback is a unique dog from the Vietnamese province of Kieng Giang and the island of Phu Quoc. It is one of the four native dog breeds of Vietnam. This dog is well-known for its fearlessness, intelligence, and quick wit. In contrast to other animals, it has a vertex along its spine, which gives the spine a distinct look.

The origins of this breed are the subject of various discussions. Many people think it originated in France and followed its owner to Vietnam, where it went lost on Phu Quoc Island decades ago. Others say, it originated in Thailand, where it accompanied Thai fishermen to Vietnam to harvest fish and trade.

Even with all of these possibilities, the origin of the breed is still not accepted due to a lack of proof. As a result, many dog lovers think that the Phu Quoc Ridgeback originated on the island of Phu Quoc.

Before exploring more about this beauty, check out this informative video.

Phu Quoc Ridgeback Breed Profile

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Appearance and Features

The Phu Quoc Ridgeback is a medium-sized dog that comes in various colors including tiger brindle, yellow, and jet black while the most expensive and rare color among all of them is the tiger. 

Interestingly, it looks like a Hound-type dog and it may be difficult for some to differentiate between and Hound and Phu Quoc Ridgeback. It has a very proportioned body and will have a unique black spotted tongue. A wrinkled forehead, straight ears, black color eyes, a deep chest, and a curved tail are among the common body features of this dog.

They have webbed feet that help them swim like a champion while they are excellent runners. They are excellent hunters and can also become ideal working dogs.

According to experts, this dog has a tremendous amount of intelligence and is considered much smarter than the German Shepherd. It is a highly trainable dog and will obey any order after a few instructions of training. 

What’s good and What’s bad about Phu Quoc Ridgeback Dogs?

These dogs come with a lot of positive traits and various negative traits. The most important of them are described below.

Pros:

• Intelligent – They may not be popular like many other breeds such as Poodle or German Shepherd but they have got enough intelligence to excel as excellent working dogs. 
• Easy to train – Their intelligence makes it easier for you to train them. They respond well to consistent training sessions and learn the commands quickly.
• Excellent Working Dog – With consistent training, they could become excellent working and hunting dogs.
• Protective – By nature, they are protective of their families. If you love camping, they could become an ideal camping guard for you.
• Longer lifespan – They are more likely to live longer than many other breeds. On average, a Pho Quoc Ridgeback dog will live for over 10 years.
• Social – It’s always wonderful to have a social and friendly dog that loves the company of other people and dogs and this dog has enough guts to become the center of attention in a dog park.

Cons:

• Expensive – It won’t be much expensive in Vietnam but if you plan to get one and import it to your country, you may need to spend a heavy amount for that. 
• Not for lazy owners – The Phu Quoc Ridgeback is like a small powerhouse that has lots of energy. It needs an active owner who can spend enough time exercising their fur baby.

Some Amazing Facts About Phu Quoc Ridgeback Dog

Great hunters

These canines are renowned to be excellent hunters, particularly of mice. If it sees a mouse, the mouse has little to no chance of surviving. It won’t sit still until it has completed its hunt. If trained, the dog may also hunt other big animals such as deer and wild boar.

Surprising eating habit

An interesting fact about the Phu Quoc Ridgeback dog is that it will never eat food if given by another person than its owner. Even if another person tries to feed it, it will not eat a single piece of food nor will it touch it. So this dog will never be caught in the poisoning trap with ease.  

Sharp memory

Another astonishing feature of the breed is its extremely keen memory. This dog will remember things for a longer amount of time, especially its owner and the time spent with its family. If a dog is sold or given to another person, it will recognize its owner when it sees him again, even if it’s been a long time.

Close to nature

Because their ancestors spent decades on Phu Quoc Island, these canines are used to the sun, wind, and plenty of room. Adopt this dog only if you have plenty of room for it to run about and play. Furthermore, maintain this dog as near to nature as possible; otherwise, it may become unwell, refuse to eat, and could even die.

Bottom Line

Phu Quoc Ridgeback is a medium-sized strong dog. It has a hound-like shape and is entirely different from other Ridgeback breeds. This dog runs very fast, swims pretty well, and can get well in both hot and cold weather circumstances.

These dogs are well known for their hunting and herding capabilities. They are considered to be one of the most expensive and rarest dog breeds in the World. Phu Quoc Ridgebacks are only found on Phu Quoc Island in Vietnam. 

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