Meet Our Team

smiling woman in grey hoodie hugging a smiling brindle vietnamese phu quoc ridgeback dog with white cheeks and a blue collar

Dr. Jean Lieu

President

Jean was born in Vietnam and grew up in Kien-Giang province, the exciting birthplace of the Vietnamese Phu Quoc ridgeback dog! These incredible dogs have been a beloved part of her family since childhood. Today, she and her husband Peter are passionate conservation breeders, thrilled to have established the very first breeding program for breed outside of Vietnam! Alongside this, they manage a non-profit rescue that focuses on the well-being of these wonderful dogs. When she’s not busy treating human patients, Jean joyfully spends her time with her Phu Quoc dogs, showering them with love, attention, and all the snuggles they can handle!

asian man in military tan t-shirt and camouflage pants, and black baseball cap standing with arms folded. Two brindle vietnamese phu quoc ridgeback dogs stand in front of him in protective mode

Peter Lai

Senior Vice President

Peter is a U.S. Army veteran with service in Iraq and Afghanistan who has discovered a profound passion for the Vietnamese Phu Quoc Ridgeback breed since transitioning from the military. Since 2015, he has dedicated himself to the training, rehabilitation, and rescue of over a dozen PQDs and PQD mixes across Southern California. His extensive experience with this rare breed is unmatched outside of Vietnam, as he has worked with multiple dogs, including those with challenging behaviors that others may have deemed unmanageable. Peter actively partners with breeders and dog owners to help them and their dogs achieve their full potential through education, training, and practical experience, establishing himself as a respected advocate for the Phu Quoc Ridgeback.

Woman with white blouse and short grey hair and glasses,smiling, with her hands crossed in front of her, sitting at an iron wrought patio table with a pool in the background

Elizabeth Akers

Vice President

Elizabeth, a proud Cape Town native, has turned her lifelong love for animals into an incredible journey! In 1990, she established a rescue for Rhodesian Ridgebacks in California. Her passion has only grown since then, leading her to welcome Thai Ridgeback Dogs and two charming Quoc dogs into her heart. She's on a mission to educate everyone about these fascinating dogs and their genetic quirks, even launching the first website on Dermoid Sinus in the 1990s, filled with captivating photos! Nowadays, Elizabeth actively runs her non-profit Rhodeisan ridgeback rescue, has started a second rescue for horses, and shares her home with half a dozen Rhodesian Ridgebacks, 14 horses, and an array of delightful animals.

Team: Team

Meet our Advisors

A man in a black coat with blue dress shirt, unbuttoned at the collar, smiling

Minh Khang Nguyen

Vietnam Kennel Association, Phu Quoc Breed Judge

Vietnam Kennel Association, Committee Chair for the Preservation of Vietnamese Native Breed

Khang Nguyen has been raising Phu Quoc dogs since 2010. As an official judge of the Vietnam Kennel Association since 2015, an expert of the Phu Quoc dog breed, and the Chair of the Committee for the Preservation of Vietnamese Native Breed within the Vietnam Kennel Association, Khang has made tremendous contributions to the dog world in Vietnam in promoting awareness of Vietnam's indigenous dogs. He is a widely respected expert and has been called on by the Vietnam Kennel Association and many kennel clubs to judge dog shows all across Vietnam.

Woman with white t-shirt, black pants, glasses, smiling and holding a brindle Vietnamese Phu Quoc ridgeback dog on leash, who is also happy and smiling

Khanh Le

Breeder, Red River Kennel - Hanoi

Khanh is one of the country's most well-known breeder, based in Hanoi. A pharmacist by trade, Khanh is also President of the Pacific Kennel Club and has brought notoreity to the breed as she works constantly to improve and raise awareness of Vietnam's cultural treasure, the Phu Quoc dog. Of Vietnam's most prized Phu Quoc dogs, three belong to Khanh and are prized at over $300mil VND (approx $13,000 USD). Vietnam's Grand Champion Arrow (aka Loc, one of only four dogs to be conferred this title) also resides with Khanh in Hanoi.

A man in a blue short with an identifying arm band at a dog show, focusing on his brindle Vietnamese Phu Quoc ridgeback dog

Thoai Quan Tran

Breeder, Hung Quan Kennels - Saigon

Based in Saigon, Quan is known for his stunning dogs and for winning show after show all across Vietnam. Ti-Do, a famous fawn Vietnam Champion resides with Quan in Saigon. Well-known in the Phu Quoc dog community, Quan is respected for his uncompromising integrity when it comes to improving the breed and producing dogs that conform to the standards.

Team: Team