Furry Diary

Bắc Hà

Also called Bắc Hà dog, Bac Ha dog, Vietspitz

Rare breedShort profile

From Vietnam (Lào Cai province, especially Bắc Hà and Si Ma Cai districts)1

At a glance the quick version

Weight, male22 to 28 kg1
Weight, female18 to 24 kg1
Height, male52 to 58 cm1
Height, female50 to 56 cm1
Sizemedium

As reported by Wikipedia.

deeply loyal to its family
highly intelligent, quick learner
good watchdog and hunting partner
1

Coat and looks how to spot one

double coat

A thick double coat with a lion-like ruff over the neck and shoulders and a richly feathered tail. The head is broad with a flat forehead, triangular ears and almond eyes.1

Coloursyellow-browndark brownblackwhite1

Personality what they are like

Devoted and protective toward its people, and bright enough to pick up new commands quickly.1

Daily activity how busy a day looks

A mountain hunting and guard dog that needs daily exercise and activity.1

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

The dense double coat and feathered tail need regular brushing.1

The story where it all began

The Hmong people of northern Vietnam keep this dog for hunting and guarding. It is thought to descend from heavy-coated mountain dogs of southern China that travelled with the Hmong when they migrated into Vietnam.1

Fun facts for the dinner table

  1. 1

    It is counted among Vietnam's Four Great National Dogs.1

  2. 2

    A Hmong legend says the first red-coated Bắc Hà pups were fathered by a wild dhole that came down from the mountains.1

  3. 3

    In October 2020 a Bắc Hà dog named Sói won the Vietnamese Native Breeds Championship Dog Show.1

Recognised by the official bits

Vietnam Kennel Association (VKA)
Recognised nationally; not recognised by the FCI.1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

A typical home-care rhythm for a Bắc Hà. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.

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Where this comes from

Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.

  1. Bắc Hà dog - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for all fields (secondary source citing VKA and Vietnamese press)

Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.