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Hound

Lài

A walker's guide to the Lài: how much exercise they need, what to expect on and off the lead, and what to ask the owner before the first walk.

Medium, 12 to 20 kgHigh energyPrimitive typeVietnameseStrong prey driveIndependent
Exercise a day60 min plus
Energy4 of 5
Walk styleAlert, independent, scenting
With other dogsWary of strangers

Overview

The Lài is one of Vietnam's native dogs, a medium-sized primitive type often described as the Indochinese dingo. It has the upright ears, wedge head, short coat and curled or sabre tail that mark primitive dogs across Asia, and it has lived alongside people as a hunter and village guard without ever being bred for a show ring. Encountering one in the UK is extremely unusual.

Dogs of this kind tend to be clever, cautious and self-directed. They bond closely with their own family, hold strangers at a distance, and keep a strong interest in anything that runs. None of that makes them difficult, exactly, but it does mean the walker is a partner rather than a boss.

Exercise and walking needs

Around an hour and a quarter a day, mostly on lead, keeps a Lài in good shape. They are light-footed and tireless rather than fast and explosive, and a long varied walk with lots of scent is better suited to them than repetitive games.

Short-coated and lean, they feel the British winter. Ask the owner about a coat for cold or wet days.

Daily minimum75 minutes
Ideal2 walks a day
Off-lead timeNot advised

On the walk

  • Prey drive: Squirrels, cats and rabbits will have the dog's full attention. Keep the lead short near hedgerows and anticipate the lunge before it happens.
  • Recall: Primitive breeds weigh up recall against whatever else is on offer, and the walker rarely wins. Off-lead time belongs behind a secure fence.
  • Strangers: Watchful and slow to warm up. Let the dog observe people from a distance and do not force introductions.
  • Other dogs: Reserved with unfamiliar dogs and may stand up for itself if pushed. Parallel walking with a calm dog is a better start than a nose-to-nose greeting.

Tips for professional walkers

  1. Build the relationship before you ask for anything. A Lài that trusts you will cooperate; one that does not will simply ignore you.
  2. Use a well-fitted harness. Primitive types can slip a collar when they twist after prey.
  3. Give the dog time to sniff. Information gathering is how this type relaxes.
Every dog is an individual. Treat this as a starting point and go with what the owner tells you about their dog. Anything to do with health belongs with the owner and their vet.

What to ask the owner

  • What does the dog chase, and how does it react when it cannot get to the target?
  • How does the dog behave with new people, and how long does it take to accept them?
  • Has it ever escaped a collar or harness, and what equipment do you trust?
  • Does it need a coat in cold or wet weather?
Phu Quoc RidgebackA compact Vietnamese island hound with a ridge down its backHmong bobtail dogA rare Vietnamese spitz type with a naturally short tailBắc HàA long-coated spitz type from the mountains of northern VietnamDingoAustralia's wild dog