Phu Quoc Ridgeback
Also called Phu Quoc dog, Chó Phú Quốc
From Vietnam (Phú Quốc island, Kiên Giang Province)1
At a glance the quick version
Coat and looks how to spot one
short with dorsal ridge
A lean, muscular medium-sized hound with a fairly large head and a strip of hair along the back that grows the opposite way to the rest of the coat.1
Personality what they are like
A versatile, alert dog that hunts alone or in a group and keeps a watchful eye on its home.1
Daily activity how busy a day looks
High. Bred to run fast, swim and follow trails, so it needs plenty of daily exercise and activity.1
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The short coat is low maintenance and needs only occasional brushing.1
Home where they are happiest
Suits an active home with space to run; it comes from a warm island climate.1
Company who they like around
Can work alone or with other dogs and bonds with its household as a watchful companion.1
The story where it all began
This landrace developed on Phú Quốc island as a hunting and guard dog and was noted by French colonists in the 1800s. Numbers fell sharply in the early 1900s as outside dogs arrived, and Vietnamese breeders have since worked to restore it.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
It is one of only three dog breeds in the world that carry a ridge of backward-growing hair along the spine.1
- 2
It often has a blue-tinged tongue and webbed feet, which help it swim.1
- 3
Genetic studies place it closest to Korea's Pungsan dog rather than the Thai Ridgeback.1
- 4
It was chosen as the mascot for the 2018 Nguyen Hue Flower Street festival.1
Recognised by the official bits
- Vietnam Kennel Association (VKA)
- National breed standard1
- FCI
- Not recognised; allowed to appear at the 2011 World Dog Show without competing for the top award1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Phu Quoc Ridgeback. 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
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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.
- Wikipedia: Phu Quoc Ridgeback en.wikipedia.orgused for all fields
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.