Hmong Bobtail Dog

The Hmong bobtail dog, also called the Hmong cộc đuôi in Vietnam, is a northern Vietnamese native dog associated with Hmong communities in mountainous provinces near the Chinese border. It has a naturally short tail that may range from a nub to a partial tail, along with a compact square body, erect ears, a broad wedge-shaped head, and a dense coat. Traditionally it served as a village guard, hunting partner, and all-purpose household dog.

Outside Vietnam the breed is uncommon, and many dogs described by the name are local landrace dogs rather than export-documented breeding stock. The bobtail should not be the only selection goal; good breeders pay attention to movement, temperament, fertility, and avoiding unnecessary narrowing of the gene pool. As a pet, the Hmong bobtail dog tends to be alert, active, and attached to familiar people, with enough prey drive and suspicion of strangers to require early handling, secure fencing, and regular mental work.

Colors: Albino, Apricot, Bicolor, Black, Black and Tan, Black and White, Black Mask, Blue, Blue and Tan, Blue Merle, Blue Roan, Blue Tick, Brindle, Brown, Brown and Tan, Brown and White, Chocolate, Cream, Dapple, Domino, Fawn, Fawn and White, Gold, Gray, Grey, Harlequin, Irish Marked, Leucistic, Liver, Liver Mask, Mantle, Mask, Melanistic, Merle, Mottled, Parti-Color, Piebald, Red, Red and White, Red Merle, Red Roan, Red Tick, Reverse Brindle, Roan, Sable, Saddle, Silver, Speckled, Spotted, Tan, Ticked, Tricolor, Tuxedo, White, Yellow