The thai ridgeback is a breed of dog native to Thailand, where it has been historically trained for hunting and protecting property and people. Despite being an ancient breed of dog, it is still very little recognized in the West and only in recent years has it begun to gain popularity as a pet due to its exotic appearance and its active and familiar temperament.
Origin of the Thai Ridgeback
The prefix "Thai" in its name reveals that this distinguished canine breed has originated in Thailand, more precisely in the eastern part of its territory. And although the first written records of their existence date back about 360 years, it is estimated that these dogs are much older. In their homeland, Thai Ridgebacks have originally been trained to hunt for different animals, from snakes to wild boars to wild boars. They were also used to escort carts, protect property and defend their relatives.
The limited means of communication and transportation available in the eastern part of Thailand have caused these dogs to remain isolated for more than three centuries. In fact, less than two decades ago they began to make themselves known in the West. In addition, have not undergone a standardization process like most ancient dog breeds, since they have developed practically naturally and in isolation instead originally.
For this reason, Thai ridgeback dogs continue to maintain characteristics that are very similar today to those described in the first writings about their existence. The FCI (International Canine Federation) published the official standard for the Thai Ridgeback in 2003, classifying it in section 7 of group 5, which includes the primitive or Spitz-type hunting dogs
Physical Characteristics of the Thai Ridgeback
The Thai Ridgeback is a medium-sized dog, rectangular in profile, with a body slightly longer than it is tall, with robust muscles and remarkable physical strength. Males usually show a height at the withers of 56 cm to 61 cm, with an average body weight of about 30 kg. In females, the height at the withers varies between 51 cm and 56 cm, weighing between 20 and 25kg.
The back is strong and level, while the loin is wide and the croup is moderately sloping. These Thai dogs also feature a well tucked-up belly, and a deep chest with well-developed ribs The hips are also quite developed, with well-marked thighs and straight legs ending in oval feet.
Its head is narrow and somewhat rounded at the top, with a long snout and a moderate but well-defined stop. When alert, these dogs show some characteristic wrinkles on their forehead that allow us to more easily identify them. The neck is strong, muscular and slightly arched to the naked eye.
The facial region of the Thai Ridgeback is characterized by the wedge-shaped snout, the dark or amber almond-shaped eyes on the individuals with silvery or bluish fur. Lips pigmented and well attached to the jaws. Their ears are medium-sized and triangular in shape, standing firmly erect and slightly tilted forward. According to the official FCI standard, it is highly desirable for the Thai Ridgeback to exhibit a black spot on its tongue
The coat of the Thai Ridgeback is made up of short, fine hairs, with a characteristic outgoing or ridge (ridge) on its back and loin, which are made up of hairs that grow in the opposite direction of their other fur, and may or may not present swirls and crowns at their ends. Only solid colors are allowed blue, black, light brown or red (preferably with a black mask on their eyes).
Thai Ridgeback Character
The character of the Thai Ridgeback is as attractive as its appearance and its origins. It is a vigorous, active and very versatile dog, which can easily adapt to the performance of various activities and tasks, showing an excellent predisposition to work and training, when they are well stimulated. They are also possessors of great energy and need to have an adequate routine of physical activity to spend it in a positive way and maintain a balanced behavior at home. When subjected to a sedentary lifestyle, they can be somewhat nervous and restless, developing behavioral problems such as destructiveness.
When properly cared for and exercised regularly, Thai Ridgebacks are often very loyal to their handlers and greatly enjoy the company of their relatives, maintaining a friendly and affectionate behavior in their family nucleus. Likewise, they are independent dogs that will need to have their moments of peace and tranquility respected, especially while they sleep and eat.
Also, keep in mind that Thai Ridgebacks have historically been trained to protect their homes and family members. Therefore, they can be somewhat suspicious in the presence of strangers and need to be socialized from puppies to learn to relate positively with other animals, people and stimuli in their environment. environment.
Essential care of the thai ridgeback dog
Thai Ridgeback dogs require a fairly simple grooming routine to maintain optimal he alth. His short, soft coat is easy to maintain, needing to be brushed only once or twice a week to remove dirt and dead hair. Baths can be offered only when the dog is really dirty, or once a month, but try not to bathe the dog more than once a week. Do not forget that excessive baths eliminate the layer of fat that naturally covers and protects the body of dogs, leaving them more exposed to numerous diseases and skin problems.
Like all dogs, Thai Ridgebacks need complete and balanced nutritionto develop their physical, cognitive, emotional and social. There are several types of dog food that you can consider offering your furry one, from basing their diet solely on the consumption of balanced feed to leaning towards the benefits of a BARF diet. To ensure that you provide the most appropriate nutrition for your best friend's nutritional needs, it is best to have the guidance of a veterinarian
On the other hand, Thai Ridgeback dogs require particular dedication from their guardians with their physical activity. To expend their high energy, these dogs need to exercise daily and ideally they should have a safe place where they can run, jump and explore their environment freely. If this is not possible, you should walk your dog at least three times a day and you can also consider the possibility of starting him in a dog sport, such as agility. Remember that physical activity will be essential for your best friend to maintain a he althy weight and stable behavior.
The Thai Ridgeback is also an intelligent dog and will need to have his mind well stimulated to enjoy a he althy and happy life. On our site, we tell you how to enrich your dog's environment, and we also show you some simple intelligence games that you can play at home with your best friend.
Thai Ridgeback Education
The education of the Thai Ridgeback dog should begin when he is still a puppy, preferably in the first weeks of his life. But if you decide to adopt an adult dog, you need to know that it is also possible (as well as highly recommended) to train and socialize the furry adults, always counting on the help of the positive reinforcement, a lot of patience and affection.
The education of every puppy should begin with socialization, a stage that begins in its third week and lasts until approximately three months of life. In this period, you will need to ensure that your puppy interacts with all kinds of people, animals, objects, stimuli and environments, ensuring that each of these interactions is thrive in a safe and positive environment. Do not forget that the socialization of your puppy will have a direct impact on her behavior in adulthood. Therefore, if you want to share your home with an obedient and balanced dog, you will need to socialize him correctly from his third week of life.
During this first phase of training your Thai Ridgeback, you will also need to teach him to relieve himself in the newspaper and to manage his bite correctly so as not to cause damage. Also in this period, you should progressively present the house rules, always in a positive way and without ever using punishment, scolding and negative methods that can lead to serious problems of behavior, such as aggressiveness.
When your puppy has completed his first cycle of core vaccinations, you can start taking him outside walking outside and continue socializing him with other dogs, people, stimuli and environments. This will be the ideal time to teach him to relieve himself on the street and begin to introduce him to the basic dog training commands, which will be essential to encourage obedient behavior and positive communication with other people.
When you reach adulthood, around 12 months of age, you will continue to work on the already assimilated obedience commands on a regular basis, and you will be able to present new tricks and more complete tasks to continue stimulating the mind of your furry. When you have completed the basic training with your best friend, you can consider starting him in advanced training, using circuits or specialized professionals.
Thai Ridgeback Dog He alth
The Thai Ridgeback stands out for having an excellent he alth and they rarely get sick when they receive proper care. As it has not been subjected to an intense standardization process, it shows a very low predisposition to hereditary and degenerative diseases that are common in most dog breeds.
Hip Dysplasia is often the most commonly diagnosed condition in this breed, but the Thai Ridgeback can be affected by other conditions as well common in dogs, such as stomach torsion, and dental problems associated with the accumulation of tartar on teeth and gums. Therefore, it is essential to provide adequate preventive medicine to your best friend throughout his life.
Remember to make visits to the vet every 6-12 months to check his he alth status, respect his vaccination schedule and periodically deworm him with Good quality products suitable for size, weight and age. With proper care, a positive environment and a lot of affection from their relatives, the life expectancy of the Thai Ridgeback dog is estimated between 12 and 15 years
