Doberman207
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[IMGL="Dogs in Phuquoc Island"]http://www.thanhniennews.com/images/newsimages/cho-phuquoc-048.jpg[/IMGL]People who want to protect and preserve Phu Quoc dogs - a ridgeback breed in Vietnam, are working to establish a trademark for the valuable breed.
Until now, no State agency has registered the trademark on a national scale to protect them.
Of the hundreds of breeds in existence today in the world, only three breeds possess the unique "ridgeback" characteristics. They are Thai Ridgeback, Phu Quoc, and Rhodesian Ridgeback.
For Phu Quoc dog lovers, there is a sense of urgency to register and promote the trademark of Phu Quoc dogs for the lucrative world market.
Many have worked on their own accord to preserve the dog breed originating in Phu Quoc Island off southern Kien Giang province.
Website launched
Vuong Trung Son Co. has recently launched a website at www.chophuquoc.com.vn to feature Phu Quoc’s purebred dogs.
“We are test-running the website to introduce the dog breed as well as to emphasize the importance of protecting the breed. We will post more pictures and information about the dog breed’s natural traits and habits and the best methods to care for them,” said Le Hoang Tam, managing director of the company.
The company operates a farm in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang to breed 44 Phu Quoc dogs collected on Phu Quoc Island. At the farm, experts are always on duty to supervise feeding and care.
A dog training center owned by Pham Diem Binh also works to preserve and protect Phu Quoc dogs. Mr. Binh said his center sold 50 Phu Quoc purebred dogs, including 10 to France, at the end of 2004. The center is now home to some 500 Phu Quoc dogs.
A Vietnamese-American has offered to buy Phu Quoc dogs at the center for US$300 each.
Mr. Binh is concerned about the low prices of the Phu Quoc dogs compared with Thai Ridgeback due to lack of an international trademark. On the domestic market Phu Quoc dogs sell for only VND500,000 each, or VND800,000 -1.5mil for a six-month-old.
The trademark for Thai Ridgeback dogs has been registered for protection and therefore the price of a Thai ridgeback dog can be as much as US$1,000-2,500.
He intended to draw up a plan for registering the trademark of Phu Quoc dogs but fees that it’s a national trademark that requires attention from the Government.
However, he is determined to promote the dog breed by preparing to launch a website and make a documentary about Phu Quoc dogs this year.
Preserving purebred
“The State should issue standards on purebred Phu Quoc dogs,” said Mr. Binh.
Vuong Trung Son Co. has kept profiles for all Phu Quoc dogs at the farm and prevents cross-breeding to avoid hybrids.
Nguyen Van Bien, an agriculture lecturer of Can Tho University, has his own way to preserve the dog breed. Mr. Bien has conducted many research projects about Phu Quoc dogs.
He has argued on the origin of Phu Quoc dogs as Thailand claims the dog breed originated there. He joined Internet forums and arrived in Thailand to protect the Phu Quoc dog origins.
“Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs of Africa have big bodies. Thai Ridgeback weighs 20-30 kilograms while the Phu Quoc dogs weigh 18 kilograms or less,” Mr. Bien said.
“Another feature is that Phu Quoc dogs bark a lot while Thai dogs are quieter. I had to prove the body shape and habits of Phu Quoc dogs along with environmental and climatic conditions to disprove the Thai claims,” he said.
Fascinating dogs
Dog lovers are attracted by the distinctive ridge on the back of Phu Quoc dogs. “Hair along the ridge is tougher and longer and often stands on end whenever dogs go on the hunt or mount attacks,” said young businessman called Huynh Phuoc Hue.
Mr. Hue, owner of Coi Nguon handicraft establishment on the island, is seen as one of the pioneers in breeding Phu Quoc purebred dogs. He has spent time collecting documents and writing a book about the dog breed.
“They can run as fast as squirrels and swim as well as otters,” he said.
According to him, many people have failed when opening farms to breed the dogs on land as the dogs prefer to bathe in the sea. Also, female dogs often go to the forest and burrow into the earth to deliver puppies, bringing them home when they are healthy.
Another fascinating trait of Phu Quoc dogs is that they are very smart and able to understand what their masters want, Mr. Hue said. “While hunting in the forest, I only need to jerk up my chin and point a finger at prey, they immediately rush to the target,” he said. They also “know” how to cooperate in attacking prey, he added.
Currently, Phu Quoc dogs “guard” Mr. Hue’s farm where he breeds oysters for pearls.
According to Mr. Binh, Phu Quoc dogs have a slim and long body, high legs, wide and webbed feet and protruding ears.
He also said that Phu Quoc dogs are many times smarter than Berger dogs, so that breeders can tame the dogs without seeking help from professional trainers.
Reported by Hong Hanh, Thanh Dung & Thanh Xuan – Translated by T.H.
Until now, no State agency has registered the trademark on a national scale to protect them.
Of the hundreds of breeds in existence today in the world, only three breeds possess the unique "ridgeback" characteristics. They are Thai Ridgeback, Phu Quoc, and Rhodesian Ridgeback.
For Phu Quoc dog lovers, there is a sense of urgency to register and promote the trademark of Phu Quoc dogs for the lucrative world market.
Many have worked on their own accord to preserve the dog breed originating in Phu Quoc Island off southern Kien Giang province.
Website launched
Vuong Trung Son Co. has recently launched a website at www.chophuquoc.com.vn to feature Phu Quoc’s purebred dogs.
“We are test-running the website to introduce the dog breed as well as to emphasize the importance of protecting the breed. We will post more pictures and information about the dog breed’s natural traits and habits and the best methods to care for them,” said Le Hoang Tam, managing director of the company.
The company operates a farm in the Mekong Delta province of Hau Giang to breed 44 Phu Quoc dogs collected on Phu Quoc Island. At the farm, experts are always on duty to supervise feeding and care.
A dog training center owned by Pham Diem Binh also works to preserve and protect Phu Quoc dogs. Mr. Binh said his center sold 50 Phu Quoc purebred dogs, including 10 to France, at the end of 2004. The center is now home to some 500 Phu Quoc dogs.
A Vietnamese-American has offered to buy Phu Quoc dogs at the center for US$300 each.
Mr. Binh is concerned about the low prices of the Phu Quoc dogs compared with Thai Ridgeback due to lack of an international trademark. On the domestic market Phu Quoc dogs sell for only VND500,000 each, or VND800,000 -1.5mil for a six-month-old.
The trademark for Thai Ridgeback dogs has been registered for protection and therefore the price of a Thai ridgeback dog can be as much as US$1,000-2,500.
He intended to draw up a plan for registering the trademark of Phu Quoc dogs but fees that it’s a national trademark that requires attention from the Government.
However, he is determined to promote the dog breed by preparing to launch a website and make a documentary about Phu Quoc dogs this year.
Preserving purebred
“The State should issue standards on purebred Phu Quoc dogs,” said Mr. Binh.
Vuong Trung Son Co. has kept profiles for all Phu Quoc dogs at the farm and prevents cross-breeding to avoid hybrids.
Nguyen Van Bien, an agriculture lecturer of Can Tho University, has his own way to preserve the dog breed. Mr. Bien has conducted many research projects about Phu Quoc dogs.
He has argued on the origin of Phu Quoc dogs as Thailand claims the dog breed originated there. He joined Internet forums and arrived in Thailand to protect the Phu Quoc dog origins.
“Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs of Africa have big bodies. Thai Ridgeback weighs 20-30 kilograms while the Phu Quoc dogs weigh 18 kilograms or less,” Mr. Bien said.
“Another feature is that Phu Quoc dogs bark a lot while Thai dogs are quieter. I had to prove the body shape and habits of Phu Quoc dogs along with environmental and climatic conditions to disprove the Thai claims,” he said.
Fascinating dogs
Dog lovers are attracted by the distinctive ridge on the back of Phu Quoc dogs. “Hair along the ridge is tougher and longer and often stands on end whenever dogs go on the hunt or mount attacks,” said young businessman called Huynh Phuoc Hue.
Mr. Hue, owner of Coi Nguon handicraft establishment on the island, is seen as one of the pioneers in breeding Phu Quoc purebred dogs. He has spent time collecting documents and writing a book about the dog breed.
“They can run as fast as squirrels and swim as well as otters,” he said.
According to him, many people have failed when opening farms to breed the dogs on land as the dogs prefer to bathe in the sea. Also, female dogs often go to the forest and burrow into the earth to deliver puppies, bringing them home when they are healthy.
Another fascinating trait of Phu Quoc dogs is that they are very smart and able to understand what their masters want, Mr. Hue said. “While hunting in the forest, I only need to jerk up my chin and point a finger at prey, they immediately rush to the target,” he said. They also “know” how to cooperate in attacking prey, he added.
Currently, Phu Quoc dogs “guard” Mr. Hue’s farm where he breeds oysters for pearls.
According to Mr. Binh, Phu Quoc dogs have a slim and long body, high legs, wide and webbed feet and protruding ears.
He also said that Phu Quoc dogs are many times smarter than Berger dogs, so that breeders can tame the dogs without seeking help from professional trainers.
Reported by Hong Hanh, Thanh Dung & Thanh Xuan – Translated by T.H.