Bắc Hà Dog

The Bắc Hà is a long-coated Vietnamese spitz from the northern highlands, kept by H'Mông families for hunting and guarding.

History

It takes its name from the Bắc Hà district of Lào Cai province, near the Chinese border, where mountain communities have kept it as a hunting and household guard dog. It is one of a small group of Vietnamese native dogs and, unlike the short-coated Phú Quốc, it carries a thick mane suited to highland cold.

Temperament

The breed is known for being alert, loyal to its own household and wary of strangers, independent in the way village-bred hunting dogs usually are.

Care and training

It needs regular exercise, secure boundaries and early socialising. The long double coat needs regular brushing and copes badly with heat.

Health

Generally hardy; nothing is widely documented as breed-specific. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.