Phu Quoc Ridgeback

There is considerable debate as to exactly when and how the breed arrived to the island of Phú Quốc. The breed was originally a landrace developed as a semi-feral companion to hunt for food and guard the homes of native islanders.{{Cite web|title=Phu Quoc Ridgeback {{!}} About The Breed|url=https://www.pqrassociation.org/phu-quoc-ridgeback|access-date=2022-02-06|website=Phu Quoc Ridgeback|language=en}} French colonists recognized the distinct dogs as a unique breed in the 19th century, and two resided at the Jardin d’Acclimitation in Paris.{{Cite journal|last=Canis|date=1939-10-01|editor-last=de Casanova|editor-first=Louis|title=Rare Breeds of the World|url=https://www.pqrassociation.org/_files/ugd/a5574f_fdef8b969b664648a52d2f59897ded8f.pdf?index=true|journal=The American Kennel Gazette|volume=56|issue=10|pages=7–9}}{{Cite web |last=Fils |first=Philiperr |date=1891-07-30 |title=Le Chenil : journal des chasseurs et des éleveurs : avec le Stud book continental des races canines |trans-title=Le Chenil: journal for hunters and breeders: with the continental stud book of canine breeds |url=https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k55720297 |access-date=2022-02-06 |website=Gallica |language=Fr}} Historically, Phu Quoc Ridgebacks were not purposefully bred, instead relying on random pairings in the relative isolation of island life to continue to maintain their unique population. According to native Phú Quốc islanders, there were originally three sizes of the breed, each uniquely bred to hunt different sizes of game over different terrains.{{Cite web |date=2011-08-05 |title=Truy tìm "căn cước" chó Phú Quốc – Kỳ 4: Lời cảnh báo trăm năm trước |trans-title=Searching for the "identity" of Phu Quoc dog - Part 4: A warning a hundred years ago |url=https://vka.vn/truy-tim-can-cuoc-cho-phu-quoc-04/ |access-date=2022-02-08 |website=Vietnam Kennel Association |language=Vietnamese}} Unfortunately, purebred examples became scarce after the introduction of non-native dogs to the island, with many French writers noting that the breed was near extinction by the turn of the 20th century.{{Cite book|last=Leighton|first=Robert|url=http://archive.org/details/newbookofdogcomp02leig|title=The new book of the dog : a comprehensive natural history of British dogs and their foreign relatives, with chapters on law, breeding, kennel management, and veterinary treatment|publisher=London; New York : Cassell|others=Webster Family Library of Veterinary Medicine|year=1911|pages=494|language=En}}

Due to the small population, no breed standards have been established and they are not allowed to compete in international competitions.{{Cite web |last=Gupta |first=Parth |date=2024-03-05 |title=Phu Quoc Ridgeback Dog Breed Guide - The Pet Max |url=https://thepetmax.com/phu-quoc-ridgeback-dog-breed-guide/ |access-date=2024-03-05 |language=en-GB}}

Despite the near extinction, genetic studies indicate that the Phu Quoc Ridgeback population is genetically diverse.{{Cite journal|last1=Thai Ke|first1=Quan|last2=Nguyen Van|first2=Tu|last3=Trinh|first3=Tran|last4=Hiếu|first4=Huỳnh|last5=Chung Anh|first5=Dung|last6=Tran|first6=Hoang-Dung|year=2016|title=EVALUATION OF GENETIC DIVERSITY OF PHU QUOC RIDGEBACK DOGS BASED ON MITOCHONDRIAL DNA HYPERVARIABLE-1 REGION|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330533325|journal=Journal of Biotechnology |volume=14 |issue=1A |pages=245–253}} It was commonly thought that the Phu Quoc Ridgeback derives from the Thai Ridgeback, but recent research suggests otherwise. According to a genetic analysis, the Phu Quoc Ridgeback is most closely related to Korea's Pungsan dog.{{Cite journal |last1=Trương Nguyễn Thị Như Mai |last2=Nguyễn Thành Công |last3=Huỳnh Văn Hiếu |last4=Trần Hoàng Dũng |date=2018-04-20 |title=Complete mitochondrial genome sequences of rare haplotype E4 from Phu Quoc ridgeback dog |url= |journal=Vietnam Journal of Biotechnology |volume=15 |pages=45–54 |doi=10.15625/1811-4989/15/1/12319 |issn=1811-4989|doi-access=free }} The breed population has been resurging as public interest grows. A Phu Quoc Ridgeback won the Hanoi dog show in 2013.{{Cite web|date=2013-10-15|title=Dogs in Vietnam: Not Just For Dinner Anymore|url=https://www.irrawaddy.com/news/asia/dogs-vietnam-just-dinner-anymore.html|access-date=2022-04-06|website=The Irrawaddy|language=en-US}}{{cite news |last1=Petty |first1=Martin |last2=O'Callaghan|first2=John|title=Challenging stereotype, breeding dogs for pets on rise in Vietnam |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/challenging-stereotype-breeding-dogs-pets-rise-vietnam-flna8C11396651 |date=15 October 2013 |publisher=NBC News}} The breed was selected as the mascot for the 2018 annual Nguyen Hue Flower Street in Ho Chi Minh City, symbolizing the lunar Year of the Dog as per the Vietnamese zodiac.{{Cite web|date=2017-12-14|title=Phu Quoc dog breed selected mascot of 2018 Ho Chi Minh City flower show|url=https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/lifestyle/20171214/phu-quoc-dog-breed-selected-mascot-of-2018-ho-chi-minh-city-flower-show/43142.html|access-date=2022-04-06|website=Tuoi Tre News|language=en-US}}

On December 6, 2009, in the "National Beautiful Dog Contest 2009" held for the first time in Vietnam, the Phu Quoc dog won second prize when competing with various dog breeds from Vietnam and around the world.{{cite web|access-date=2018-02-15|author=Diễm Thư|date=2009-12-07|title=Cơ hội cho chó Phú Quốc ra thế giới|url=https://thanhnien.vn/thoi-su/co-hoi-cho-cho-phu-quoc-ra-the-gioi-416039.html|work=Thanh Niên Online}}

On July 5, 2011, the Phu Quoc dog was taken to Paris for the first time to participate in the FCI World Dog Show 2011 - the world's beautiful dog competition in 2011. [2] At this event, the Phu Quoc dog won the CACS prize (world-level certificate for beautiful dogs, also known as the "Phu Quoc World Champion 2011").{{cite web|access-date=2018-02-15|author=Theo Báo Tuổi Trẻ|date=2011-07-11|title=Chó Phú Quốc du đấu xứ người|url=https://thanhnien.vn/thoi-su/phong-su-dieu-tra/cho-phu-quoc-du-dau-xu-nguoi-284007.html|work=Thanh Niên Online}} However, the Phu Quoc dog was given special permission to participate but could not compete for the top world prize as it was not listed in the FCI's official list of dog breeds.

File:Phu Quoc ridgeback.jpg

File:A pair of PQ dogs.JPG

Medium sized with a hound shape, but with a larger head and well-developed muscles, the Phu Quoc Ridgeback is genetically and morphologically different from the Thai Ridgeback.{{cite journal|last1=Quan|first1=Q.D.|last2=Nguyen|first2=T.C.|title=Based zoometric description of adult Phu Quoc Ridgeback dog (Canis familiaris)|journal=International Journal of Agricultural Technology|volume=15|issue=5|year=2019|pages=753–768|url=http://www.ijat-aatsea.com/pdf/v15_n5_2019_September/7_IJAT_15(5)_2019_Quan,%20Q.%20D..pdf}}{{Cite book |last=Durrwell |first=George |url=http://archive.org/details/bulletinsoci36soci |title=Bulletin de la Société des études indo-chinoises de Saigon |publisher=Robarts - University of Toronto |others=Sponsored by University of Ottawa |year=1899 |volume=37 |location=Saigon |pages=39–42 |language=Fr |trans-title=Bulletin of the Society of Indo-Chinese Studies of Saigon}} All or part of the Phu Quoc's tongue is blue in color and the feet are webbed.{{cn|date=April 2025}} Phu Quoc Ridgebacks are prized for their ability to run fast, swim well, and follow either a hot or a cold trail. As hunting dogs, they are known for their versatility, working both individually and in packs to take down a variety of prey including mice, fish, deer, and water buffalo. They also make excellent camp dogs, alerting to intruders.{{Cite book |last=Roussel |first=Lucien |url=http://archive.org/details/lachasseenindoc00rousgoog |title=La chasse en Indochine: Dix-neuf gravures |publisher=Plon-Nourrit |year=1913 |language=French |trans-title=Hunting in Indochina: Nineteen Engravings}}

The dorsal ridge on Phu Quoc Ridgebacks is described by shape, of which there are 5 main shapes: music note, sword, saddle, half-saddle, and arrow-shaped. The ridgeback phenomenon develops when the neural tube forms in embryogenesis, leading to the characteristic hair follicle orientation.{{cn|date=April 2025}}

File:Phú Quốc dog 1.JPG

In Vietnamese folklore, the Phu Quoc dog is considered the "royal canine" because in history, there were four Phu Quoc dogs that were officially recognized by King Gia Long in a solemn ceremony, not inferior to the noble titles bestowed upon the founding heroes of the Nguyen Dynasty.{{cite web|url=https://thanhnien.vn/thoi-su/than-khuyen-dai-tuong-quan-474586.html|title=Thần khuyển đại tướng quân|work=Thanh Niên Online|author=Hoàng Hải Vân|date=May 13, 2013|access-date=February 15, 2018}}{{cite web |title=BestForPets |url=https://bestforpets.org/ |website=Thần khuyển đại tướng quân |access-date=29 May 2023}}

The four Phu Quoc dogs (two males and two females) were raised by King Gia Long and accompanied him throughout his journeys. In the book "Nguyen Phuc royal genealogy and pedigree explanation," a hereditary book that records and explains everything related to the royal family, detailed information about these four dogs is described, not only their achievements but also their distinctive characteristics as Phu Quoc dogs.The book "Nguyen Phuc royal genealogy and pedigree explanation" is still preserved in the family of Mr. Nguyen Phuc Ung Vien, who is a descendant of King Minh Mạng. These Phu Quoc dogs saved King Gia Long from danger twice before his ascension to the throne. They helped him escape the pursuit of the Tây Sơn army and ensured his safety.

After ascending the throne, King Gia Long, when bestowing titles and rewards to his generals, did not forget to confer an honorary title upon the four Phu Quoc dogs: "Cứu khổn phò nguy Tá quốc huân thần Thần khuyển đại tướng quân", which translates to "The Great General of Divine Dogs, who saved the nation and assisted the king during times of peril." When the four dogs died, the king had them buried and established a majestic temple to honor them.

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Category:Dog breeds originating in Asia

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