🐕‍🦺 Rare Dog Breeds Tier List: Where Does the Vietnamese Phu Quoc Ridgeback Dog Rank?

Forest (Brindle) and Myrtle (black) in the UK. Myrtle was part of the litter that was sensationalized on the internet in 2015 as being worth £10,000 per puppy because of the breed's rarity outside of Vietnam.

The dog world is vast and vibrant—filled with breeds ranging from household favorites like the Labrador Retriever to exotic and elusive hounds like the Azawakh. But in the shadows of popularity lie the rare breeds—dogs you’ve probably never met, each with a story that borders on folklore.

Among them is the Phu Quoc Ridgeback—a sleek, intelligent, and agile hunter native to a single island in Vietnam. With its signature ridge of hair running along its back and strong primitive instincts, it’s as mesmerizing as it is mysterious.

So where does this breed rank among the world’s rarest? We created a tier list that evaluates rare dogs based on five key criteria: Rarity, uniqueness, temperament, global presence, and cultural significance.

Let’s dive in and discover where the Phu Quoc Ridgeback lands—and what makes a breed truly rare.

What Makes a Dog Breed "Rare"?

To build a meaningful tier list, we used the following criteria:

• 🌍 Global Population: How many exist worldwide?

• 📍 Geographic Isolation: Are they limited to a specific region or country?

• 📜 Cultural & Historical Importance: Do they play an important role in local heritage?

• 🧬 Unique Physical & Behavioral Traits: Do they possess characteristics found in few or no other breeds?

• 🌐 International Availability: Can they be found or bred internationally?

  
  

Using these factors, we organized breeds into four rarity tiers:

• S-Tier 🐉 (Legendary & Critically Rare)

• A-Tier 🏯 (Extremely Rare with Cultural Depth)

• B-Tier 🧭 (Uncommon but Emerging Globally)

• C-Tier 🌎 (Rare but Reachable for Enthusiasts)

  
  

The Rare Dog Breeds Tier List

🐉 S-Tier: The Rarest of the Rare

These breeds are practically legends—some bordering on extinction, with only a handful left worldwide. Owning one is nearly impossible, and many are protected in sanctuaries or research centers.

• Norwegian Lundehund – Bred to scale cliffs and hunt puffins, this quirky canine has six toes per foot and an incredibly flexible spine. Fewer than 1,500 remain.

• Telomian – A Malaysian native once used by indigenous tribes. It’s one of the few dogs that climbs trees, but is barely known outside Southeast Asia.

  
  

Verdict:The Phu Quoc Ridgeback is rare—but not vanishing. It doesn’t quite meet the “legendary” threshold of S-Tier, though it’s not far behind.

 S-Tier: The Rarest of the Rare - The Norewegian Lundehund

🏯 A-Tier: National Icons with Limited Global Reach

These breeds are culturally significant and rare, with limited exportation or international breeding programs. They’re treasured in their homelands—but less known worldwide.

• Thai Ridgeback – A cousin to the Phu Quoc, this dog is more widely recognized outside Thailand.

• Azawakh – A regal West African sighthound known for its elegance and deep loyalty.

• Mudi – A highly intelligent Hungarian herder, with a global population hovering under 5,000.

Where Does the Phu Quoc Ridgeback Rank?✅ A-Tier for sure.

• Why?

  • It's endemic to Phu Quoc Island, off Vietnam’s southern coast.

  • Sporting a black-spotted tongue, lean muscles, and a ridge sharper than a Rhodesian’s, it’s a true original.

  • Breeders are few and far between outside of Vietnam, making it incredibly difficult to acquire.

In terms of accessibility, cultural richness, and unique physical traits—it ranks solidly among A-Tier elites.

A-Tier: The Azewahk

🧭 B-Tier: Rare, But Making Their Way into the Spotlight

These breeds are still uncommon, but they’ve started gaining global interest—thanks to media, exportation, or breed clubs promoting their preservation.

• Xoloitzcuintli – Also known as the Mexican Hairless Dog, this ancient Aztec breed is becoming a trendy companion animal.

• Otterhound – A British breed built for water hunting, with only about 800 left worldwide.

• Karelian Bear Dog – A fearless Finnish breed still used today to deter bears in North America and Scandinavia.

  
  

Phu Quoc Ridgeback Comparison: It’s more geographically isolated and less globally recognized than these breeds. But with the right international exposure and breed stewardship, it could easily climb to greater prominence.

B- Tier: The Xoloitzcuintli 

🌎 C-Tier: Rare But Obtainable

These breeds are still considered rare, but they can be found with effort—often through specialty breeders or clubs.

• Bergamasco Shepherd – Famous for its corded, mop-like coat.

• Catalburun – A Turkish hunting dog with a distinct split nose.

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Phu Quoc Ridgeback’s Position?

📉 Far too rare for C-Tier. Its scarcity, lack of kennel club recognition, and regional limitations place it well above this tier.

C-Tier: The Bergamasco Shepherd

✅ Final Verdict: The Phu Quoc Ridgeback Is A Solid A-Tier Breed

While it’s not as critically endangered as S-Tier breeds, the Phu Quoc Ridgeback shines as a top A-Tier dog. Its combination of:

• ⚡ Unique physical characteristics

• 📍 Geographic isolation

• 🧬 Primitive traits

• 🇻🇳 Deep cultural roots in Vietnam

…make it one of the most distinctive and rarest dogs in the world.

🧩 Could It Move Up to S-Tier Someday?

• Yes, if:

  • Its population declines further.

  • Preservation remains limited to Vietnam.

• No, if:

  • It gains traction among international breeders.

  • Recognition grows across kennel clubs.

For now, the Phu Quoc Ridgeback is a rare jewel worth protecting—and celebrating.

🐾 Final Thoughts:

Rare dog breeds give us a glimpse into the living past—unfiltered by trends and untouched by mass breeding. The Phu Quoc Ridgeback, with its mysterious island origins and wild, untamed elegance, is a breed unlike any other. It may not be as rare as the not scale cliffs as well as the Lundehund—but it carries the soul of Vietnam’s jungles and the spirit of a true primitive hunter.

Conclusion:

📍 A-Tier Status: Earned.

❤️ Global Admiration: Overdue.