The Lài dog is a distinct landrace of dogs native to the northern mountains of Vietnam, but also sometimes used ambiguously to refer to any indigenous landrace of Vietnam including the Indochina dingo. It is considered to be one of Vietnam's four great national dogs, and the only one that is not recognized by the Vietnamese Kennel Club. The Lài dog is indigenous to the highland areas west of Thanh Hóa along the Mã River and in some remote villages in the northern border area where they function as a farm dog, providing pest control around the house, herding cattle or hunting for food in the forest. Today, this landrace is critically endangered with only a few hundred remaining.
Highland areas west of Thanh Hóa and remote villages in northern Vietnam
The Lài dog is one of Vietnam's four great national dogs and is native to northern Vietnam, though not recognized by the Vietnamese Kennel Club. This breed primarily serves as a farm dog, providing pest control, herding cattle, and hunting for food. It is indigenous to the highland areas west of Thanh Hóa along the Mã River and some remote villages in the northern border area.
A short haired Lài dog
Front profile of a Lài dog
Long-haired Lài Dog
Trainability
Responsiveness to training: —/5