Rescue and Redemption: The Story of How Chai, a Vietnamese Phu Quoc Ridgeback Dog, Found a Forever Home

FAMILY FEATURE: Vietnamese Phu Quoc Ridgeback Dog of the Month

Each month, we spotlight a Vietnamese Phu Quoc ridgeback dog whose story reminds us why we do what we do—and the people who open their hearts to them. This month, we’re proud to share the remarkable journey of Chai, a once-overlooked Vietnamese Phu Quoc Ridgeback whose second chance became a story of healing, growth, and unconditional love.

What began as a YouTube search about Rhodesian Ridgebacks turned into a life-altering encounter with a little-known breed from Vietnam. That accidental click led one family not only to discover the magic of the Phu Quoc Ridgeback, but to meet a misunderstood dog whose future once hung in the balance. Chai wasn’t the dog they planned for—but he became the one they needed.

From shelters and setbacks to trust and transformation, this is a story about patience, perseverance, and the incredible bond that can form when you see past fear and choose love instead. Through every challenge and breakthrough, Chai has not only found his forever home—he’s found his voice.

We hope Chai’s story touches you as deeply as it has touched us.

Here is Chai's story, written by one of his dads, Larry Matteucig:

In early 2020, just before the pandemic started, I traveled to Phu Quoc Island for the first time, went to the Phu Quoc Dog Conservation Center, and saw them up close.  The dogs at the center had not been socialized in any way, so my first impression was mixed.  They were intelligent and athletic, but didn’t appear to be particularly friendly.

Meanwhile, the pandemic came in full force which triggered a few changes in my life.  I moved to a new home with a large yard, secure fence, and a dog door already installed in the garage.  I was ready to have a dog.

I found the website for the Phu Quoc Ridgeback Rescue Network and sent an application to meet and greet Lightning who had been featured in a few Facebook posts.  In December 2020 there were no hotels available, so we knew that we would make a round trip of about 600 miles to the PQR ranch.  Although he was obedient to commands, Lightning didn’t trust me or warm up to me, so we knew he wouldn’t be a fit.  It didn’t help that Lightning knew I was terrified of him.  Then, in a scenario similar to the “Let’s get Mikey” commercial, Jean and Peter (who run the Rescue) said “Let’s get Chai”.  The interesting thing is that Chai and not Lightning had been considered aggressive, but I didn’t know that, and he looked so sweet and docile that I immediately felt comfortable with him.  I always wonder if his behavior would have been different if I knew he had been considered aggressive.  In any case, Chai immediately took to me and Hai, and he was immaculately behaved on the 300 mile ride to my home.

Chai immediately took to Hai at the very first meeting.

Chai’s early life is a mystery, but we know he had been a stray and had been taken into a shelter in Carlsbad (Southern California).  He was adopted out, but showed some aggressive behavior related to resource guarding, and was returned to the shelter, with the possibility of being euthanized.  Fortunately the shelter contacted Jean and Peter from the Phu Quoc Ridgeback Rescue Network, who took him into their rescue.  In less than four months Peter trained Chai to sit, stay, and down among other commands, fully crate trained him, and taught him not to resource guard.

Pictures of Chai from the shelter and an email to the Phu Quoc Ridgeback Rescue Network from San Diego County Animal Services in Carlsbad.

The process of introducing a rescue dog into a new home takes time and patience.  There are no short cuts.  For a few months Chai had to remain in my sight or be in his crate.  After a while he could be trusted to roam around the house on his own.  Fortunately he was never destructive and didn’t show signs of separation anxiety, but mainly for his own safety I still needed to be careful not to leave things around that he could chew.

His behavior towards people he didn’t know yet was typically shy and fearful, with the risk of aggression.  If I had guests, especially with  children, I would have Chai stay in his crate or wear a muzzle.  He’s much more comfortable with strangers now, but it took some time.  I imagine that his experience as a stray may have made him alert and fearful.  I also think that he may have been abused as a puppy because even now if I go to pet him he will sometimes flinch slightly.  Maybe I’m imagining too much, but those early experiences are probably ingrained in their memory.  However he no longer needs a muzzle, except when he goes to the vet, and even then it’s just a precaution.

Chai can be trusted with young children now.

Now his behavior is friendly and endearing almost all the time.  He has three main modes:  1) At other people’s homes he’s almost perfect, because he feels comfortable in a home, and isn’t protective or territorial.  2) At home he’s friendly to guests after a brief introduction.  I ask guests to let him greet them at his pace, and not to try to pet him until he’s comfortable.  Usually within five minutes he’s best friends with everyone.  3) Outdoors he presents more challenges.  I don’t let anyone try to pet him because he’s on high alert at all times and may consider others to be a threat.  However, there have been significant improvements too.  He used to try to lunge at bicycles or other dogs, but has become much more calm.  It’s important to anticipate situations that he might respond to, so I used to make him sit and stay (with treats) if we were crossing paths with another dog, or if I saw a bicycle coming.  That often worked, but not always, and I’ve learned that a quick tug with the leash is also effective.  Chai now associates reactive lunging with an uncomfortable tug, and has chosen to avoid it.

Chai has become a homebody, and loves nothing more than sleeping or watching the outside world from his favorite window, and protecting the house.  What’s interesting is that he’s so attached to the house that when I walk him to the street corner and try to turn, he doesn’t like to lose sight of the house and will sit, look back, and refuse to turn the corner.  Fortunately I’ve taught him to heel (using a treat) to get him to keep walking.

So after writing about the challenges and training, I haven’t explained how rewarding it is to have Chai as a part of the family.  Any effort I’ve put in has been returned tenfold by Chai who loves to please and show affection.

Chai on adoption day, on Dec 19,2020.

Four and a half years later he has some gray and has put on weight, but remains a very handsome dog.