Mary Allen
Shoulder height: 51 – 61 cm
Weight: 20 – 30 kg
Age: 12 – 13 years
Color: red, black, blue, dun
Use: hunting dog, companion dog
The Thai Ridgeback is a very old dog breed that has its origins in eastern Thailand. It is a medium-sized, short-haired, exotic-looking dog with a pronounced hunting instinct and a great urge to move. It is considered intelligent but stubborn and only subordinates itself to clear leadership.
Origin and history
The Thai Ridgeback is a very old dog breed and comes from eastern Thailand, where the breed developed largely isolated from other breeds. It was mainly kept for hunting, but also as a guard dog. It was never bred to be a family companion dog. It is not yet clear whether there is a connection to the Rhodesian Ridgeback. Both have in common the breed-typical feature of the “Ridge”, a crest of hair on the back of the dog.
Appearance
Up to 24 inches tall, Thai Ridgebacks are short-haired dogs with smooth, soft, velvety coats. The Thai Ridgeback is the second dog breed with a ridge, alongside the more well-known Rhodesian Ridgeback. The ridge is an approximately 5 cm wide strip of fur on the dog’s back, on which the hair grows in the opposite direction (line) and forms a crest.
Its fur is red, black, blue, or light fawn. The small triangular ears are erect and medium-sized. Its tail is carried upright with a slight curve.
Nature
Thai Ridgebacks are robust, alert, and lively dogs with excellent jumping ability, a pronounced sense of hunting, and a great urge to move. They are unapproachable reserved towards strangers, affectionate and loyal in the family, without becoming overly attached to a specific person.
The very original dog belongs in the hands of a connoisseur. It is intelligent and docile but only submits to clear leadership. It is considered to be self-sufficient and independent, and its passion for hunting will never give way to blind obedience. So if you let it run free, you have to be on your guard at all times. Due to its enormous jumping ability, it can also overcome high fences without any problems.
The Thai Ridgeback needs meaningful employment and a lot of exercises. It is rather unsuitable for comfortable people or life in the city.