The Hmong bobtail dog ( Vietnamese: Chó H'Mông Cộc đuôi), is an ancient medium size

spitz Spitz (derived from the German word ''spitz'' 'pointed') is a type of domestic dog characterized by long, thick, and often white fur, and pointed ears and muzzles. The tail often curls over the dog's back or droops. While all of the breeds rese ...

dog breed and one of Vietnam's Four Great National Dogs (Vietnamese: tứ đại quốc khuyển). This dog was primarily used a hunter, herder and guard dog by the

Hmong people The Hmong people ( RPA: ''Hmoob'', Nyiakeng Puachue: , Pahawh Hmong: , ) are a sub-ethnic group of the Miao people who originated from Central China. The modern Hmongs presently reside mainly in Southwest China (Guizhou, Yunnan, Sichuan, Chon ...

northern Vietnam Northern Vietnam ( vi, Bắc Bộ) is one of three geographical regions within Vietnam. It consists of three administrative regions: the Northwest (Vùng Tây Bắc), the Northeast (Vùng Đông Bắc), and the Red River Delta (Đồng Bằng S ...

and today they are also used as border police and military dogs. While not FCI recognized, the Hmong bobtail dog is recognized by the Vietnam Kennel Association.

History

While much of the Hmong bobtail dog's history is speculative, they are thought to be descended from natural bobtails of

southern China South China () is a geographical and cultural region that covers the southernmost part of China. Its precise meaning varies with context. A notable feature of South China in comparison to the rest of China is that most of its citizens are not n ...

who accompanied the Hmong in their migration to Vietnam where they were crossed with native Vietnamese

jackal Jackals are medium-sized canids native to Africa and Eurasia. While the word "jackal" has historically been used for many canines of the subtribe canina, in modern use it most commonly refers to three species: the closely related black-backed ...

s. Hmong traditions and legends indicate that they originated near the

Yellow River The Yellow River or Huang He (Chinese: , Standard Beijing Mandarin, Mandarin: ''Huáng hé'' ) is the second-longest river in China, after the Yangtze River, and the List of rivers by length, sixth-longest river system in the world at th ...

region of

China China, officially the People's Republic of China (PRC), is a country in East Asia. It is the world's most populous country, with a population exceeding 1.4 billion, slightly ahead of India. China spans the equivalent of five time zones and ...

. The Hmong people were subjected to persecution and genocide by the

Qing dynasty The Qing dynasty ( ), officially the Great Qing,, was a Manchu-led imperial dynasty of China and the last orthodox dynasty in Chinese history. It emerged from the Later Jin dynasty founded by the Jianzhou Jurchens, a Tungusic-speak ...

in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and many fled to the mountains of

Characteristics

Appearance

Hmong bobtail dogs are square, muscular, medium sized dogs. Their double coat is short and hard, without any feathering.

Bobtail

Hmong bobtail dogs are

natural bobtail A natural bobtail is an animal's tail which due to a mutated gene grows unusually short or is missing completely. The genes for the shortened tail may be dominant or recessive. Because of legislation restricting or preventing docking, natural bob ...

s, no docking is performed. Tail lengths may range from tailless to full tail but the standard size is in length.

Temperament

Hmong bobtail dogs are highly intelligent dogs and are prized for their ability to guide their owners along complex routes through the mountains. While Hmong bobtail dogs are loyal and friendly with their owner, they are aloof towards strangers and protective of their territory.

Health

Hmong bobtail dogs are renowned for their excellent health, resistance to disease and extreme temperature. Their average lifespan is 15–20 years.

References

{{Spitz Dog breeds originating in Asia Animal breeds originating in Vietnam