Hmong bobtail dog

Also called Chó H'Mông cộc đuôi, Hmong Stumpy Tail Dog, Aub Tsab Tws, Hmong dog

Recognised breedShort profile

From The northern mountains of Vietnam, where it lives with the Hmong people; its forebears are thought to have come from southern China.1

At a glance the quick version

Weight, male18 to 26 kg1

Weight, female16 to 24 kg1

Height, male48 to 54 cm1

Height, female46 to 52 cm1

Lifespan15 to 20 years1

Sizemedium

very intelligent

loyal to its family

sure-footed in rugged terrain

Coat and looks how to spot one

short, hard double coat

An agile, athletic medium dog with a short, harsh double coat without feathering and a naturally short tail that can measure only a few centimetres.1

Personality what they are like

Smart, loyal and affectionate with its own people, while staying reserved with strangers and watchful over its territory.1

Daily activity how busy a day looks

A highly capable hunting, herding and guarding dog that is at its best with plenty of activity and a job to do.1

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

The short, harsh coat is low maintenance.1

Home where they are happiest

Adapted to mountain life and copes well with changing temperatures.1

Company who they like around

Closely bonded with its family; its guarding nature means early socialisation with visitors is helpful.1

The story where it all began

According to Hmong tradition the dog's roots lie in China, and it is believed to have travelled with Hmong families who moved south into the mountains of northern Vietnam during the 18th and 19th centuries. There it served as a hunter, herder and guard for mountain villages.1

Fun facts for the dinner table

1
The breed is born with a natural bobtail, with tail length varying from about 3 to 15 cm.1
2
It is counted among Vietnam's 'Four Great National Dogs'.1
3
Hmong bobtails have been used by Vietnamese border police and the military.1
4
It is prized for finding its way through steep mountain country.1

Recognised by the official bits

Vietnam Kennel Association (VKA): Recognised with a national breed standard; not recognised by the FCI (per Wikipedia).1
Hmong Bobtail Club of America: Breed club founded in 2023 to promote the breed in the United States.1

The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you

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

Brushingevery week
Bathevery 8 weeks
Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 8every year

Start a free diary

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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.

Hmong bobtail dog - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for all fields

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