3 Things You Need to Know About the Philippine Forest Dog
Photographed by Shaira Luna
From stories of witchcraft to questions about its ancestry, the asong gubat carries a history as elusive as the breed itself.
For Vogue Philippines’ inaugural Dogue digital cover, the Philippine forest dog takes the spotlight. Also known as asong gubat, the forest dog is known for its distinctive brindle pattern, earning it the nickname “tiger dog.” The native breed is also prominent in indigenous folklore and myth, with its agility and melodic howling and calls also earning it the name “witch dog.”
As the breed is being recognized and celebrated, here are a few things you should know about the Filipino dog breed.
Their origins are unclear
While many claim that the breed is native to the country, its origins are something of a mystery. According to Ian Christopher B. Alfonso in Dogs in Philippine History, the asong gubat is said to have existed for 36,000 years, but there is no scientific evidence to support this claim.
In 1895, Spanish zoologist and friar Casto de Elera noted the existence of Canis pollokensis (commonly known as Pollok) in his three-volume scientific catalog, Catálogo sistemático de toda la fauna de Filipinas. The description of the Pollok shares similarities with the Philippine forest dog we know today, such as a brindle coat, small build, and upright ears. In Sebastián Vidal y Soler’s 1874 book, Memoria sobre el Ramo d Montes en las Islas Filipinas, he traced the existence of the Pollok dog. According to the author, the Pollok came from the Spanish mastiff.
While parts of the asong gubat’s origins can be traced, for Alfonso, the whole story is still lacking in substantial evidence.
The asong gubat myth
Apart from the name asong gubat, it is also known as a “witch dog,” particularly in the ancestral lands of Bukidnon. It is said that when you harm the forest dog, you curse your entire family. The mythical origin is rooted in the oral histories of indigenous communities, particularly the Lumad people and Aetas. Some local superstitions combine the breed with the mythical sigbin, a shadow-dwelling creator linked to witches and aswangs.
They are a rare breed
With its elusive and wild nature, the asong gubat is considered a rare breed. Often found in rainforest regions, it is uncommon and difficult to find outside its natural habitat. However, local organizations such as the Philippine Canine Club Inc. and Philippine Forest Dog Legacy Club have been working to document, preserve, and establish the breed’s purity with the goal of gaining official recognition from the Féderation Cynologique Internationale.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a rare, indigenous, and primitive dog breed said to be native to the Philippines.
The Filipino breed is also locally known as asong gubat, witch dog, or tiger dog.
The breed is best known for its brindle coat and its agility while moving through rainforests.
It can be found in Bukidnon and other Mindanao areas, such as Cagayan de Oro.
No, the breed is not a fully domesticated dog breed in the traditional sense.