Dog racing is a recent arrival to Phu Quoc Island, stirring up interest among many residents and visitors.

Jumping fences

Phu Quoc Island, in the southern province of Kien Giang, has been a tourist attraction for some time, not only because of its beaches, forests and specialties, but now also thanks to a unique racetrack for the rare Phu Quoc ridgeback.

The racetrack was built in Cay Thong Ngoai Hamlet in Cua Duong Commune by a local man named Le Quoc Tuan.

“We decided to build a kennel for ridgebacks with an aim to foster the conservation of this rare species of Phu Quoc dogs as well as diversify the tourism services of the island,” Tuan said.

Nguyen Chung, manager at the dog racecourse, said the facility was built in 2000 and is only the second of its kind in Vietnam after another in Ba Ria – Vung Tau Province. Initially, they trained 20 dogs, but now the number of trainers has increased to nearly 200.

The racecourse includes four racetracks with a length of 365 metres. Four dogs take part in a race and each competitor must overcome 12 different courses, including fences, swimming areas, tunnels and climbing walls.

Huynh Van Xay, a tourist, said, “I was excited to see the races. The dogs seem intelligent and lovely."

Phu Quoc ridgeback

The Phu Quoc ridgeback is one of only three breeds that have a ridge of hair running along their backs in the opposite direction from the rest of the coat. The others are Rhodesian ridgebacks and Thai ridgebacks.

A mature Phu Quoc dog weighs around 20 to 25 kilos. They have small heads, long necks and are thin with long ears.

Typical Phu Quoc ridgeback

Video: Phu Quoc dog racing