Owning a dog can expect years of a smiling and fulfilling life together. Vietnam is known as the heart of vibrant culture and different dog breeds. The Vietnamese dog breeds are well recognized for warfare and loyalty.
Do you want to pet the best Vietnamese dog breed? Well, don’t worry! We can help you get an unconditional return of affection from a Vietnamese dog.
This article will help you in discovering the top 4 Vietnam dog breeds suitable for your hometown and lifestyle. You will get to know the features, size, price, and origin of every dog breed.
But before that read a brief introduction of the dog breeds of Vietnam.
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What Are Vietnamese Dog Breeds?
Do you know that Vietnam has a few national treasures that people might not be aware of? Vietnam’s history, legend, and it’s rich culture are a few examples of it.
Vietnamese dogs are quite less popular among pet lovers worldwide. These dogs are denoted as genetically diverse dogs on earth. Vietnamese dogs were developed into their distinct races and breeds.
When talking about Asian dog breeds, there is quite a variety of dog breeds in Vietnam.
Generally, Vietnamese dog breeds include Phu Quoc ridgeback, H’mong, Bac Ha, and Dingo Indochina-usually called Lai dog. In addition, Vietnam also has another dog breed which is “Cỏ“, this breed is the most popular dog breed in Vietnam.
TOP 4 Vietnamese Dog Breeds
As we said, Vietnam’s native dog breeds consist of the Phu Quoc Ridgeback, the H’mong, the Bac Ha, and the Dingo Indochina.
Every dog has its unique features. Most of them have their roots in myth and legend. All of them are popular for being loyal companions and protectors.
Some dog breeds have their legends and folklore. A few breeds hail from the south of the country, and others came from the north. Talking about breeds’ colors, they range from tan and brindle to black.
Phu Quoc Ridgeback
Phu Quoc Ridgeback is generally seen chilling around beaches!
Origin
Phu Quoc Ridgeback Dog is the most symbolic animal of Vietnam. Phu Quoc Ridgeback is a dog breed from the Phú Quốc in Kiên Giang Province island of southern Vietnam.
The Phu Quoc Ridgebacks are known for their pigmented tongues, webbed feet, and characteristic ‘ridgeback’ (it’s the fur that comes back along the spine). Earlier, they were used as a powerful breed as a guard and a hunter dog.
Appearance
The Phu Quoc Ridgeback is a well-muscled dog and a true athlete. It has a squarely built body with a clean ‘ridge’ of fur and lines. The head is narrow and not overly long, and the forehead creates wrinkles while concentrating on something.
Size
The male dog stands at 50 and 55cm, while the female reaches between 48 to 52cm. The weight of a male dog is 18 to 20kg and a female dog is 12 and 18kg. The ridge of the dog covers a minimum of 60% of the length of the spine. Their coat colors include black, yellow, red, and brindle.
Dog’s nature
The Phu Quoc Ridgeback dogs are intelligent. They are very friendly with their owners and learn quickly. This dog breed is very trainable, and you can teach them easily.
Care level & Cost
The Phu Quoc Ridgeback demands infrequent brushing for removing dead fur. The dogs shouldn’t be over-bathed because it can damage their skin. You can buy a puppy for $14,000 only.
The H’mong
Origin
The H’mong is known as the early pet of the H’mong ethnic minority, who settled in Lao Cai, Ha Giang in northern Vietnam. H’mong dogs have the wild nature of a wolf, yet later they are domesticated by the people.
Appearance
The H’mong dog has a toned, muscular, and moderately wide chest. Their ribs are pretty developed. Dog’s back is flexible, wide, and strong. They have visible concave streaks along the spine.
Size
H’mong size is generally 46 to 56 cm, and they have a medium-sized tail. Usually, female dogs are smaller than males, but not significantly.
If we talk about weight, their weight ranges from 33 to 55 pounds, and the male’s weight is slightly more than female dogs.
Dog’s nature
H’mong is known for being trained well and socializing dogs. H’mong is very smart and known for an excellent memory. They are friendly with their owners and children after training.
Care level & Cost
H’mong is from a mountainous area, so they need cool and cold temperatures. You need to offer a cool place to rest and more water to the dog.
Their prices are affordable locally, starting from $100 to $300. You can buy them a puppy at $20 – $50 from village areas. If you want to buy them in the US, the cost will be higher which is up to $1000.
Bac Ha Dog
Origin
The Bac Ha dog got its name from its place of birth (known as Vitespitz). They are known from the Bac Ha Highlands in Lao Cai. Since the feudal period in Vietnam, the Bac Ha dogs are believed to exist.
The Bac Ha dog breed is not only famous in Vietnam but also across the world.
Appearance
The Bac Ha dog’s head is very slim, with a long muzzle. The length of the muzzle is approx 2/3 of its head length. They have long and straight noses, with a round and broad forehead. They have triangular-shaped ears and can recognize noise quickly.
The Bac Ha dogs come in different colors such as yellow, brindle, black, white, brownish-red, and gray.
Size
Usually, Bac Ha is considered a medium-sized dog. It is strong and quite muscular. Unlike other dog breeds, it has a longer body height and length.
A Bac Ha dog’s height is approx 50 to 60 centimeters. Their weight is a minimum of 35 to 57 pounds.
Dog’s nature
The Bac Ha dogs are known for their intelligence and smartness. They are smart, with the ability to learn easily and quickly. Also, it is a very vigilant, disciplined, and loyal dog. The Bac Ha dogs are vigilant for strangers. However, they are friendly with their owner and children.
Care level & Cost
The Bac Ha dogs are usually fed rice and meat. Remember not to serve them raw things and fermented foods. You can get a puppy for $20 – $40 only. And if you search for a Bac Ha dog, then its cost is about $500 – $1000, and even more.
Dingo Indochinese
Generally, Dingo Indochinese dogs have owl-like capabilities; they can swivel their heads to 180 degrees with a great sense of vision.
Origin
Dingo Indochinese is also known as the Lai Dog. It is the National Dog of Vietnam. Dingo Indochinese dog was found approx 6,000 years ago in Vietnam. The Dingo Indochinese is known as a primitive breed in the mountainous and midland areas of Vietnam, and their country of origin is Australia.
Appearance
The Dingo Indochinese dog has a long and rectangular body with strong shoulders. Dog’s head is pointed and small in shape. They have black and a big nose for senses. Dingoes have medium-sized eyes, and their tongue has black spots.
These dogs have many colored coats, but generally, they have pure black fur. The dog is available in two colors, black and yellow. Dingo Indochinese dogs have white hair and bulbous tails (white tip).
Size
Generally, their body is average in size. The maximum height is up to 65cm and the weight is 55 to 66 pounds.
Dog’s nature
Dingo Indochinese is known as a cruel and wise dog. In an earlier time, people used to keep these dogs for watching their house. They are intelligent, so you can train them accordingly. With a feature of loyalty, they are also human-friendly. But we advise you to keep them away from children.
Care level & Cost
It is a very adaptable dog that can adapt to all types of harsh weather. It is easy to handle and be cared for.
The average cost of the Dingo puppies is approx $500 – $1000.
A Quick Wrap Up
You will be thrilled to know that earlier, the relationship between the Vietnamese and dogs was eating. Yes, people used to find dogs good food. But as the generation changed, citizens found dogs as the most loyal and lovable companions.
In this article, you have learned about the top 4 Vietnamese dog breeds. All these four breeds are loyal, intelligent, and trainable. They tend to be playful and great with kids after excellent training. All four breeds are ideal pets with low maintenance costs.
Now, you might have got enough knowledge about the best Vietnamese dog breeds. Before selecting one, we highly recommended comparing the features, cost, and compatibility of a dog so you can choose your favorite one among them.