Thai Ridgeback: Breed Description, Care, and Maintenance

The Thai Ridgeback is an indigenous dog, also known as the Mah Tai or TRD. These animals are the national breed of Thailand. They have a muscular body, are resilient, and possess incredible jumping ability. A distinctive feature is the ridge of hair running along their spine. Representatives of this breed are robust and, with proper care, can live for approximately 13 years.

Historical background

The first mentions of the breed appear in manuscripts and drawings dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries. Thai Ridgebacks were originally common in Thailand, Indonesia, and Vietnam. They were used to hunt wild boar, deer, and birds, and they also accompanied important people on their travels. The dogs' habitat was isolated from the outside world, so their appearance remained unchanged for a long time.

With the advent of modern transportation, ridged dogs began to spread throughout Southeast Asia and other corners of the planet. In the 19th century, dog enthusiasts discovered ridged dogs on the Vietnamese island of Phu Quoc and identified them as a distinct breed. In 1993, the International Cynological Organization officially registered Thai Ridgebacks and approved the standard.

Exterior Description

The coat of Thai Ridgebacks is short, smooth and shiny, with virtually no undercoat. There are four types of wool:

• Super short velour (hairs length from 0.1 to 0.3 cm). Dogs with this coat type look unsightly, appearing bald from a distance. The coat offers no protection from annoying insects.
• Velvet (hairs from 0.5 to 0.8 cm long). The wool is soft and pleasant to the touch.
• Short (hairs up to 1 cm). An intermediate option between the velvet and standard type.
• Standard (hairs length from 1 to 2.5 cm). The coat protects against insect bites and adverse weather conditions.

Ridgeback colors approved by the standard

Color	Photo
Red (shade varies from light red to dark burgundy)
Black (may have brown, tan or olive tints)
Blue (color varies from light smoky to dark gray shades)
Isabella (the palette includes cream and pink shades, as well as tones of boiled condensed milk and tea rose)

Personality traits

Ridgebacks have an independent yet loyal nature. Males tend to be dominant, while females are friendly and love affection. Dogs of this breed quickly form bonds with their family members. Their highly developed intelligence and powers of observation allow them to pick up on intonations, so they listen especially attentively to human voices.

Young members of the breed are very active and do not tolerate loneliness. They require attention and long walks. As they mature, they become more lazy, preferring comfort and sleep.

These dogs get along well with children, enjoy playing games with them, and forgive them any mischief. They are loyal to other pets, but only if they were raised with them. Thai Ridgebacks are wary of strangers, but are unsuitable for guard dog duties due to their lack of aggression. However, their stern appearance and stately build make them resemble a fighting breed, so few people will want to encroach on their territory.

Pros and cons of the breed

You should only purchase a puppy from experienced breeders. Before purchasing, make sure the puppy has a puppy certificate and a veterinary passport with vaccination dates. New owners should review the pedigrees of the future pet's parents to rule out any genetic diseases and to understand the animal's appearance.

When choosing a puppy, you need to pay attention to the following aspects:

• Healthy puppies are curious and active.
• The exterior meets the standard.
• The puppies have many folds on their bodies, but they disappear as they grow older.
• The babies' ears are drooping and only stand up when they are four months old.
• There should be no purulent discharge in the corners of the eyes, the ears are clean.

Thai Ridgebacks are a rare and expensive breed. The average price for a pedigree puppy is approximately 100,000 rubles.

Care and maintenance

Thais can be kept in a city apartment or in the yard of a private house. These animals have short fur, so during cold weather they should be kept in a heated room, and they should wear warm overalls during walks. These breeds should not be chained, as they are very active, dislike being alone, and require ample space.

Ridgeback grooming includes the following procedures:

• Twice a week, the coat is brushed with a special rubber glove. This procedure improves blood circulation and removes dead hair.
• Pets should be bathed no more than once every three months using shampoo for short-haired dogs.
• The corners of the eyes are regularly wiped with a soft cloth soaked in warm water.
• Ears are cleaned once a week using cotton swabs. This procedure is performed carefully to avoid damaging the auricle.
• Claws are trimmed once a month with a claw clipper for large breeds.
• Teeth are brushed regularly with a special toothpaste for dogs. Tartar is removed at a veterinary clinic.

Nutrition

Thai Ridgebacks love to show their independence and tenacity. From the first days of a puppy's stay in the house, it is necessary to start training him. During training, the owner must be confident and patient. Harsh methods should be avoided to avoid damaging the animal's psyche. Reward the pet with treats for correct execution of commands.

Socialization should begin at four months of age. Take your dog for walks in public places and introduce him to other animals. To develop guard and hunting skills, it's best to enroll your pet in professional training. Given the breed's psychological characteristics, avoid long breaks between sessions.

Mating and care of offspring

The first heat in bitches of this breed begins at the age of 12 to 14 months, its duration is about 22 days. Dogs should be mated when they reach two years of age. The ideal period for mating is considered to be 11–15 days after the onset of estrus. Before mating, the animals should be given a good walk. Intercourse should take place in the male's territory. After 1–2 days, the mating is repeated to consolidate the results.

Pregnancy lasts from 56 to 72 days. During this period, dogs' mammary glands swell, and they become lethargic and apathetic. Before giving birth, bitches develop a sagging belly.

The birth must be supervised by a veterinarian. The nose and mouth of the newborn puppies should be wiped with a clean cloth to prevent suffocation. After birth, the mother will care for her puppies independently. The new mother will feed the puppies and lick them to stimulate their bowels.

Suitable nicknames

The pet's name will need to be pronounced many times a day, so it should be short and sonorous. When choosing a nickname, you can use the following methods:

• Find a list of names suitable for the breed on the Internet and choose the one you like best.
• Come up with a unique nickname yourself.
• Name your dog after a mythical character, favorite movie hero, city, or actor.

The following names are suitable for girls:

• Annabelle.
• Bonnie.
• Elva.
• Lauren.

Boys can be given the following nicknames:

• Amsterdam.
• Clyde.
• Lord.
• Ashton.

Health

Natural selection played an important role in the development of the breed, which is why Ridgebacks have strong immunity. To avoid health problems, you should follow these recommendations:

• Get examined at a veterinary clinic several times a year.
• Vaccinate your pets annually.
• Give anthelmintic drugs (Prazicide suspension, Drontal) once every three months.
• Treat dogs against fleas and ticks monthly from March to November (Lawyer, Dana).

Common Ridgeback Diseases

Thai Ridgebacks are characterized by a tenacity bordering on stubbornness, so only patient and confident people can keep them. This breed requires active time. Loneliness and a lack of new experiences can negatively impact their psyche.