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Thai Ridgeback Breeders
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Thai Ridgeback Dog
The Thai Ridgeback Dog is one of the oldest breeds in Southeast Asia. The earliest written document describing the breed dates back to the early 17th century. Being a keen sighthound, it was used mainly for hunting wild boar, deer and tapir. Thai Ridgeback are affectionate with their families but reserved with strangers and make excellent watch and guard dogs.
The Thai Ridgeback Dog is found on the mainland of Thailand and is thought to be a cross between the Phu Quoc Dog (found on Pho Quoc Island, now a part of Vietnam), and other local breeds.  Muscular, strong, fearless and very athletic, the TRD resembles in many ways the Pharaoh Hound. The coat is short and smooth. The ridge on the top region which gives the dog its distinctive look, is formed by the hair growing in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat. The nose is usually black, but in blue dogs, the nose is bluish.
A loyal family dog, the Thai Ridgeback Dog is affectionate with his family but reserved with strangers and is also a natural watchdog. He will bark to alert about strange people or sounds but will never be a neighborhood nuisance. This is not a one-person breed as he becomes devoted to the entire family.
The Thai Ridgeback is considered a rare breed. The breed can be registered with the AKC Foundation Stock Services and can be shown in ARBA (American Rare Breed Association) shows and FCI shows. It is officially recognized by VDH (the all breed kennel club of Germany), KCTH (Kennel Club of Thailand), AKU (Asian Kennel Union), UKC (United Kennel Club) and many other clubs and canine organizations.
Photo courtesy of thai.ridgeback.free.fr
Thai Ridgeback Breed Outline
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Country of Origin: | Thailand |
| FCI Classification: |
Group 5- Spitz and primitive types; Primitive Type-Hunting Dogs (without working trial) |
| Utilization: |
Hunting and companion dog |
| AKC Classification: |
Foundation Stock Service (FSS) |
| Personality: | Intelligent, tough, active, loyal and fearless. Some lines may be more aggressive than other. |
| Size Category: | Medium/Large |
| Height: | 20-24 inches at shoulders (there is a tolerance of plus or minus one inch) |
| Colors: |
Solid color: red (ranging from deep mahogany to light chestnut), black, blue (or silver) and very light fawn (isabella). Black mask is preferable in reds. |
| Average Litter Size: | 5
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| Life Span: | 10-13 years |
| Grooming Requirements: |
They need little grooming. Because of their thin coats they do not do well outdoors in cold weather. |
| Shedding: | Little |
| Social skills: |
They have a strong prey drive and should never be left alone with small pets such as cats. |
| Suitability for Children: | Generally good with children of their family. |
| Exercise Needs: | Thai Ridgebacks are very athletic and active dogs and will benefit from moderate amount of exercise (two long walks a day). They love to run. |
| Train Ability: | Thai Ridgeback Dogs can be independent and stubborn. Very clean, with no "doggy" odor, Thai Ridgebacks are very easy to house break.
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| Health & Behavior Issues: | Due to natural selection the breed is very healthy. There have been identified only a few cases of hip dysplasia, PRA, entropion and dermoid sinus cyst. |
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