The Thai Ridgeback is a breed of dog originating in Thailand, where it was historically trained for hunting and the protection of property and people. Although an ancient dog breed, it is still largely unrecognized in the West and has only begun to gain popularity as a pet in recent years.
Want to know more about this beautiful and unusual dog breed? Well, continue reading this breed sheet in which you will discover all about its origins, physical characteristics, behavior and the care that a Thai Ridgeback dog needs.
Origin
- Asia
- Thailand
FCI Nomenclature
- Group V
Physical Characteristics
- Muscular
- Proportional
Size
- Average
Height
- 55-70
Adult Weight
- 10-25
Life expectancy
- 12-14
Recommended physical activity
- High
Character
- Shy
- Very loyal
- Active
Ideal for
- House
- Walking
- The hunt
- Sports
Recommended climate
- Temperate
Hair type
- Short
- Smooth
- End
Origin of the Thai Ridgeback
" The Thai prefix in the name reveals that this distinguished breed of dog originated in Thailand, specifically the eastern part of its territory. Although the first written records of their existence date back some 360 years, these dogs are thought to be much older. In their homeland, Thai Crested Dogs were originally trained to hunt a variety of animals, such as snakes, boars, and pigs of all types. They were also used to escort wagons, protect property and defend family."
The limited means of communication and transportation available in Eastern Thailand have meant that these dogs have remained isolated for more than three centuries. In fact, it's been less than two decades since they rose to prominence in the West. Moreover, they have not gone through a process of standardization like most ancient dog breeds and they developed almost naturally and in isolation in their place of origin.
Therefore, Thai Crested Dogs today retain very similar characteristics to those described in the earliest writings about their existence. The FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale Canine) published the official standard for the Thai Ridgeback in 2003, placing it in section 7 of group 5, which includes primitive hunting dogs or Spitz-type dogs.
Thai ridgeback characteristics
The Thai Ridgeback is a medium-sized dog with a rectangular profile, a body slightly longer than it is tall, robust muscles and remarkable physical endurance.Males generally have a height at the withers of 56 cm to 61 cm, with an average body weight of around 30 kg. In bitches, the height at the withers varies between 51 cm and 56 cm, for a weight between 20 and 25 kg.
Their back is strong and horizontal, while their loins are wide and the croup is moderately sloping. These Thai dogs also feature well-tucked bellies and deep chests with well-developed and exposed ribs. The hips are also well developed, the thighs well marked and their straight legs end in oval feet.
They have a rather narrow and somewhat rounded head at the top, with a long snout and a moderate but well-defined stop. When alert, these dogs have characteristic wrinkles on their foreheads. Their necks are strong, muscular and appear slightly arched to the naked eye.
The Thai Ridgeback's facial region is characterized by a wedge-shaped muzzle and dark or amber almond-shaped eyes in individuals with silver or bluish coats.The lips are pigmented and fit snugly to the jaws. Their ears are medium in size and triangular in shape, they are well erect and tilt slightly forward. According to the official FCI standard, it is highly desirable for the Thai ridgeback to have a black patch on the tongue.
The Thai Ridgeback's coat is made up of short, fine hair, with a characteristic ridge over the back and loins, which is made up of hair growing in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat, and may or may not have ridges. whirlwinds and crowns on his limbs. Only solid colors of blue, black, tan, or red are allowed (preferably with a black eye mask).
Thai ridgeback character
The character of the Thai Ridgeback is as pleasant as its appearance. It is a vigorous, active and very versatile dog, which adapts easily to various activities and which, when well stimulated, shows an excellent predisposition to work and training.They are also endowed with great energy and they absolutely must follow an adequate routine of physical activity that will allow them to exercise and maintain a balanced behavior at home. When subjected to a sedentary lifestyle, they can be somewhat nervous and they may end up developing behavioral issues.
When properly cared for and exercised regularly, the Thai Ridgeback tends to be very loyal to his guardians and greatly enjoys the company of his family members. Likewise, they are independent dogs who will need to have their moments of peace and quiet respected, especially when sleeping and eating.
Also, it should be noted that Thai Crested dogs have historically been bred to protect their home and family. Therefore, they can be somewhat wary of strangers and need to be socialized from infancy to learn how to form positive relationships with other animals, people, and stimuli in their environment.
Taking care of a Thai ridgeback
Thai Ridgeback dogs need fairly simple grooming to stay he althy. Its short and soft coat is easy to maintain. It is enough to brush it once or twice a week to remove dirt and dead hair. Baths can only be offered when the dog is really dirty, or once a month at most. Remember that too many baths remove the layer of fat that naturally covers and protects dogs' bodies, making them more susceptible to many diseases and skin conditions.
Like all dogs, the Thai Ridgeback must have a complete and balanced diet to develop their physical, cognitive, emotional and social abilities. There are several different types of dog food that you can consider offering your ridgeback, whether it's basing their diet solely on balanced foods or looking at the benefits of a BARF diet.To ensure that you are providing the most appropriate diet for your best friend's nutritional needs, it is best to seek the advice of a veterinarian.
Thai Crested Dogs, on the other hand, require a special dedication to physical activity from their guardians. To expend their high energy, these dogs need daily exercise and ideally should have a safe place where they can run, jump and explore their surroundings freely. If that's not possible, you should walk your dog at least three times a day, and you can also consider introducing him to a canine sport, such as Agility. Remember that physical activity will be essential for your best friend to be he althy and not gain too much weight.
The Thai Crested is also an intelligent dog and will need to have his mind well stimulated to enjoy a he althy and happy life. Discover some intelligence games!
Thai ridgeback education
Thai Crested dog training should begin when it is still a puppy, preferably in the first weeks of its life. But if you decide to adopt an adult dog, you should know that it is also possible (and highly recommended) to educate and socialize dogs using positive reinforcement, lots of patience and affection.
The education of each puppy must begin with socialization, a stage that begins from the third week and lasts until the age of approximately three months. During this period, you will need to ensure that your puppy interacts with all types of people, animals, objects, stimuli and environments. Remember that your puppy's socialization will have a direct impact on his behavior as an adult. If you want to share your home with an obedient, well-adjusted dog, then you need to socialize it properly from the third week of its life.
During this first phase of the education of your Thai Ridgeback, you will also have to teach him to relieve himself in the newspaper and to manage his bite correctly. During this period, you will also have to gradually introduce him to the rules of the house, always in a positive way and never using punishments, reprimands and negative methods which can lead to serious behavior problems.
When your puppy has had their first round of vaccinations, you can start walking them outside and continue to socialize them with other dogs, other people, other stimuli, and other environments. This is the perfect time to teach him how to relieve himself in the street and begin to introduce him to basic dog training commands, which will be essential in encouraging obedient behavior and positive communication with other people.
When he reaches adulthood, around 12 months, you will continue to work steadily on the obedience commands he has already mastered, and you can introduce new tricks and more comprehensive tasks to keep going stimulate your dog's mind.When you've completed the basic training with your best friend, you can consider taking them through more advanced training, using specialized circuits or professionals.
Thai ridgeback he alth
The Thai Ridgeback is renowned for its excellent he alth and is unlikely to fall ill if properly cared for. As it has not been subjected to an intensive standardization process, it has a very low predisposition to hereditary and degenerative diseases which are common to most dog breeds.
Hip dysplasia is usually the most commonly diagnosed condition in this breed, but the Thai Ridgeback can also be affected by other common dog conditions, such as stomach torsion and problems dental problems related to the accumulation of tartar on the teeth and gums. It is therefore essential to provide proper preventive medicine to your best friend throughout his life.
Don't forget to go to the vet every 6 to 12 months to check his he alth, to respect his vaccination schedule and to deworm him regularly with good quality products adapted to his size, weight and his age. With proper care, a positive environment, and lots of affection from family members, the life expectancy of the Thai Ridgeback is estimated at 12 to 15 years.
Photos of Thai ridgeback or Thai ridgeback dog
