Gallery
The Asong Gubat in Frame
A collection of images showcasing the beauty, form, and spirit of the Philippine Forest Dog.
Photo: Tom AsmusNewly Recognized • Indigenous • Primitive Breed
Asong Gubat
An ancient breed that has roamed the Philippine archipelago for roughly 30,000 years — loyal, elusive, and one of the last primitive dog lineages on Earth.
Discover the Breed ↓The Philippine Forest Dog is believed to have existed for approximately 30,000 years. Early settlers brought the ancestors of this breed to the Philippine islands as companions and hunting partners, forging a bond that predates recorded history.
The breed has lived alongside the indigenous Aeta people since long before the Spanish colonization of the Philippines. Together they hunted wild game in the dense tropical forests of the archipelago, developing a partnership built on trust and mutual survival.
Dog remains estimated to be 600–900 years old were unearthed at an ancient gravesite in Namayan, Santa Ana, Manila — confirming that the breed predates its modern rediscovery and has deep roots in Philippine civilization.
The Philippine Forest Dog was introduced internationally as the first official native dog breed of the Philippines during the Philippine Circuit Show 2023 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum — Asia's largest and most prestigious dog show.
The Asong Gubat has been endorsed as the Philippines' official National Dog Breed by the Philippine Canine Club, Inc. (PCCI), marking a new chapter in the country's canine heritage.
The Philippine Forest Dog standard describes a vigorous, agile, and athletic dog adapted to the challenging climate and terrain of its native land — a breed shaped not by human design, but by thousands of years of natural selection.
Distinctive brindle, black, or merle coloration with short fur that may be smooth or coarse. White markings, if present, should not exceed two-thirds of the body.
Permanently erect, pointed ears give the breed an alert, watchful expression — essential for detecting prey and danger in dense forest environments.
Unusually sharp, thick claws — more feline than canine — allow the breed to climb trees, scale walls, and maintain grip on steep, uneven terrain while hunting.
A small-to-medium build weighing 12–18 kg, with a lean, muscular physique, a straight back, and strong legs engineered for bursts of explosive speed and agility.
Reserved with strangers but deeply loyal and dependable with its human family, including children. A primitive breed that bonds profoundly with those it trusts.
Retains strong hunting and survival instincts — silent tracking, extraordinary jumping ability, and a keen sense of awareness uncommon in domesticated breeds.
Across the three major island groups of the Philippines, this breed carries different names — each reflecting how local communities perceived its mysterious, almost supernatural abilities.
In the northern island of Luzon, the breed is admired for its uncanny ability to catch birds mid-flight — a testament to its extraordinary reflexes and leaping power.
In the central Visayas region, the breed is known as the “witch dog” — its nocturnal habits, eerie silence, and ability to climb trees gave it an otherworldly, supernatural reputation.
In the south, the breed's striking brindle pattern and fierce hunting prowess earned it the name “tiger dog.” It is also most widely known here as the “Asong Gubat” — literally, “dog of the forest.”
In some parts of the Philippines, the breed is associated with the “sigbin” — a creature of Philippine folklore said to walk backwards and possess supernatural powers. The Asong Gubat's elusive nature likely fueled this legend.
Some individuals have thrived for up to 15 years without ever consuming commercial dog food.
A compact, small-to-medium build optimized for agility and endurance in dense forest terrain.
One of the most ancient and primitive dog lineages still in existence today.
DNA samples from ten Asong Gubat in Bukidnon were submitted to the World Canine Genome Project for genetic analysis.
The breed is said to only mate with others of its own kind — maintaining genetic purity across generations.
A collection of images showcasing the beauty, form, and spirit of the Philippine Forest Dog.
Photo: Tom AsmusThe Philippine Canine Club, Inc. (PCCI) is actively documenting and establishing the breed's purity with the ultimate aim of achieving recognition from the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) — the world's largest international federation of kennel clubs.
Decades of careful research have gone into defining the breed standard — documenting its morphology, temperament, and correct coloration to ensure the Asong Gubat is preserved in its truest form for future generations.
The conservation effort is not just about preserving a breed — it is about safeguarding a living piece of Philippine natural and cultural heritage that has endured for thousands of years.
Learn about the breed, support responsible conservation efforts, and spread awareness. Every conversation about the Asong Gubat brings this ancient breed one step closer to the recognition it deserves.