All about Thai Ridgebacks

Among the fighting dogs, such an amazing breed as the Thai Ridgeback stands out. These dogs are unusually smart, wayward and hardy, and also ideally suited for maintenance in an ordinary apartment. In this article you will learn all the most interesting about Thai ridgebacks.

Thai Ridgebacks are large dog breeds. Due to the isolation of its historical homeland (Thailand) and the impossibility of selection experiments with other breeds they were able to successfully gain a foothold as an individual breed and acquire a number of characteristic features.

• Males are standardly slightly higher and more massive than females - from 56 to 61 centimeters at the withers, females - from 51 to 56 centimeters. In the case of these dogs, the ratio of height to body length is slightly out of proportion - 10: 11.

• Dog Weight depending on age and growth may vary, however, females usually are not heavier than 25 kg, and males can reach 35 or more kilograms.

• Like most domesticated dog breeds, Thai ridgeback animals live up to 13 years old. If the conditions of detention are favorable, as is the pedigree of the individual, then the life expectancy of the pet will increase to 15-17 years.

• Rounded skullflat in the occipital region. The shape of the head as a Thai is sometimes called a wolf. The entire head and muzzle are covered with a thin layer of thick hair, and characteristic skin folds are visible on the head, under the muzzle and on the forehead.

• The muzzle has a standard wedge-shaped shape, slightly shorter than the distance from the line of the eyes to the back of the head. Stop is clearly visible. The nose is well developed (black or grayish-blue), large nostrils.Cheeks are flat in shape, cheekbones protrude strongly against their background.

• Lips tight to the jaw, all teeth, including fangs, are hidden in the oral cavity. Jaws incredibly powerful, scissor bite. The teeth are tightly assembled, do not stand out against the general background. The tongue is usually dark in color either red or pinkish with the presence of black spots.

• Pointed Ears, elongated, triangular in shape and small in size. Set at a great distance from each other - on the sides of a round skull. In purebred individuals they always stand upward, with the front part (auricles) looking forward, a slight inclination forward is noticeable.

• Big enough eyes and almond-shaped, always set deep, eyelids thin, dark and tight to the eyes. Eye color is predominantly brown or dark brown (while individuals with a more saturated iris are preferred). Depending on the color, the requirements of the standard for eye color may vary, for example, in individuals of blue color, a lighter, honey or sand iris is permissible.

• The neck is not particularly longbut powerful, thick and flexible. There is practically no bend, just like a suspension. The individuals of this breed are characterized by skin folds on the face and neck. Through thick skin, you can easily feel strong muscles.

• The body is slightly elongated, but harmonious. The back is straight, the loin is even, the croup has a smooth inclined shape. Ribs slightly elongated and rounded to form a well-developed chest. The skin fits tightly to the entire body, without forming folds on the abdomen or chest, groin and abdomen tightened.

• The tail is long enough, narrowed from base to tip. Smooth, covered with an even layer of fine wool. In a calm state, it is either straightened or sickle-curved. Docking is prohibited.

• The limbs are not particularly long., but very powerful and direct, the shoulder muscles are remarkably developed, while the humerus and shoulder blades are directed exactly back. The hind limbs are distinguished by powerful muscular hips and rounded knees (a feature of the breed is that the knees are quite low). Metatarsus is exclusively straight. The paws themselves are tightly assembled, their shape is most often oval. The pads are dark and hard, which allows the dog to be in a state of activity for a long time. The claws are quite large, can be both dark and light in color.

• Thais are exceptional aesthetes when it comes to jogging and walking. Their movements are clearly verified, have their own rhythm. Each step of these dogs is consistent, there is no random scatter of paws, which allows them to develop tremendous speed due to the tremendous pushing force.

• This breed of dog is exceptionally short-haired., while the structure of the coat is soft and obedient. There is practically no undercoat for these dogs, which is why it is impossible to keep them on the street.

Thais have several types of coat, below will be briefly given a description of each of them. At the moment, an exact standard regarding the length of the coat does not exist, and therefore the data in different sources on this subject may vary.

• Standard. The longest-haired version is wool from 1 to 2 centimeters. It is considered more suitable for individuals living in the northern regions. Protects from the sun, cold, insects and other adverse external conditions.

• Short The most common variety. Hair up to 1.2 centimeters in length. This option is considered intermediate among the rest.

• Velvet (or "velor"). In this case, the hair is extremely soft and silky, perfectly retains heat, protects against frost. The average length is from 0.5 to 0.9 centimeters.

• Super short "velor". This version of the coat is considered the most unpresentable because of its appearance. From a far distance, such dogs seem almost bald, which becomes more noticeable in individuals with a light coat color. Moreover, such a short coat (from 1 to 3 millimeters) does not protect the pet in any way from the cold, or from the same insects and the sun.

Thai Ridgebacks have their own individual characteristics, by the presence of which it is possible to distinguish this breed from the rest. This is the so-called comb on the back, which is formed from specific hair growth. The crest can be of very different shapes, but the most common ones are in the form of a needle, guitar, pin, feather, saddle and arrow.

IFF standard permits as many as 4 colors in individuals of the Thai ridgeback.

• Red. It is considered one of the most common. Usually found in the following variations: burgundy, brown, dark red, cherry. There are no transitions in this case, however, slightly brighter areas on the hips and abdomen are acceptable. This also includes individuals of rich red color. This color is characterized by glossy overflows.

• The black. Most often, these are individuals of black color, however, with a different color tint. There are brown tides, and lighter - brown or olive. The main condition for such a color is that it is evenly distributed throughout the body of the individual. This color is not considered popular, because when mating, it suppresses the possibility of a different color in puppies.

• Blue. This includes a range of colors - from pale gray to rich pale blue shades. A distinctive feature of this suit is that in this case the color and the skin itself are grayish in color.

• Deer. This color is sometimes called "isabella". This includes delicate iridescent shades of pink and cream. The wool of such individuals has unique pearl tints.

Each breed of dog has positive and negative qualities. Some of these qualities appear in Thais only during the period of maturity, when the dog's body requires the most attention. It should be understood that most of the negative aspects can be safely smoothed out by patient training and proper care.

Positive traits.

• Incredible mind, the ability to make decisions quickly. All these qualities make the Thais wonderful companions and worthy candidates at exhibitions.
• They are easily trained and educated in experienced hands. They tend to build trusting relationships with the owner, which allows them to perform almost all tasks.
• Beautiful, harmonious and harmonious exterior. These dogs are considered companions of real aesthetes due to their specific appearance.
• The individuals of this breed are clean: they do not like to wallow in the mud, eat spoiled food or the excrement of other dogs.
• In addition to the phenomenal activity outside the walls of the apartment, this breed of dog has unique endurance and adaptability to a variety of terrain.
• If the owner manages to gain the confidence of the Thai, he will always be a mountain for him - he will intercede on the street, rush to save in the water, and lead people to help.
• The predisposition to track prey makes individuals of this breed wonderful companions in the hunt for birds and fur animals.
• Although these dogs are not suitable for keeping in street or aviary conditions, they often grow up as excellent watchmen and will not allow a stranger to cross the borders of an apartment. The innate protective qualities make Thais the ideal animals for families with children.

Negative qualities.

• Thai Ridgebacks are extremely willful - they are skeptical of all the commands and orders of the owner and tend to show their position. These pets need a strict approach to training; only a strong and patient personality can defeat their difficult character.
• If you want to take the dog for hunting, you should prepare for attempts to leave you in the wake of animals and birds. To avoid this, you need to take your pet to the forest more often on a leash and train him to calmly react to the surrounding nature.
• This is not the best breed option for owners who already have other pets at home. Thais are amazing owners and jealous - they tend to dominate other animals. In addition, if the Thai will notice that you are showing more care and attention to the other pet, be sure that he will not be greeted in the near future.
• Complete intolerance to physical violence and aggression by the owner. If the Thai man feels open aggression on your part, be sure that no obedience will be discussed. Thais are vengeful and aggressive towards their oppressors.

Each dog breed was formed in individual conditions, and therefore they all differ both physically and psychologically. The harsh conditions of the formation of the Thai ridgeback made these dogs strong, stubborn and self-willed. If in some situations these qualities are an exclusively plus, then in the first trainings they can cause a lot of problems for the dog owners. If you do not choose an individual type of training for a Thais, consider that the dog will grow up capricious, naughty and aggressive.

Thais are born pets. In the family circle of their masters, they are incredibly intrusive, good-natured and kind. They are ready to follow the owner everywhere, support any of his ideas and even the smallest hints of games. Thais are extremely sensitive to aggression. If we are talking about a newly purchased individual, any manifestation of aggression towards such a dog will be a real red rag for her. That is why Thais are not recommended to buy and train in adulthood - the chance of establishing a relationship of mutual respect between the dog and the owner is too small.

Thais differ from other dogs in the ability to quickly and deeply analyze the situation. If these pets are in the company of people from birth, very soon they will learn to literally read them. The main feature of Thais training is that the main message needs to be expressed not only through teams, but also through intonation and facial expression. These dogs perfectly recognize emotions and gestures. It is especially interesting to watch these dogs when they hear their nickname: the Thai instantly responds to his name, expressing interest through the shifted eyebrows and wrinkles on his forehead.

Ridgebacks in a few minutes can fully analyze the stranger and give his actions his assessment. If the dog sees that the owner treats the stranger with warmth, then the dog will take at least a neutral position, but is unlikely to let himself be stroked. If we are talking about guests who come to the apartment more than once, then individuals of the Thai ridgeback will behave with them liberally and openly, and will even hope for games and entertainment. For other people, Thais will always remain gloomy, serious and suspicious "grumblers." The trust of these dogs must be earned, and sometimes it is not so simple for an inexperienced person.

If the situation, according to the pet, gets out of control and the owner needs help, the dog will first issue a warning roar or bark, and only then can throw a fang at the offender. Fortunately, not everyone decides to neglect the external strength and power of the Thai and attack the owners of these dogs.

Ridgebacks are too active and restless to want one for a long time. At some moment, they will let you know that they need games or a walk, and in another they will calmly rest on their sunbed and fall asleep. Despite this behavior, Thai Ridgebacks very quickly adapt to the regime of their master (they will patiently wait for you from work before going to the simulated tray). They feel good inside the walls of the apartment, but from a long stay away from the street they can become aggressive.

If a Thai puppy grows at the same time as a kitten or dog of a different breed, then no problems with friendship should arise. Thai will also be anxious to protect another pet, as a full member of his family. If we are talking about buying a puppy or an adult Thai in an apartment with another adult animal, there will be no conflict here. Thais are very jealous and will terrorize another animal behind your back. Ridgebacks are irreconcilable with respect to street animals - they perceive them as entertainment and objects for fun and games.

In relation to the small members of the family, Thais are incredible kind. They are ready to give themselves completely to games with children, absolutely do not react to the harassment and reckless misconduct of kids. Thai Ridgeback feels a kindred spirit in a child, ready for adventure and fun for days on end. However, too frequent fun with children will be harmful to the education of Thais - children are too soft and restless and will give the pet a bad example. If possible, set aside separate time for fostering dances and for communicating with children. If you are talking about the appearance of children in a family with an adult Thai, you should not worry about the safety of the kids or about the obedience of the dog.

For Thais, walking and training is not only a way to put the body in order, but also a method of splashing out a huge amount of inexhaustible energy. They just love to spend time in the fresh air near the water or on picnics. All the energy of these dogs should go to the street (for this you will need horizontal bars, sticks and frisbee, tracks for running and jumping).

As already mentioned, the Thais have incredibly developed hunting abilities, this allows them to track even the smallest prey. On a street full of birds, cats and insects, walking with these dogs can be very difficult. Ridgeback enthusiastic about the chase may not even notice that he is behind the owner, and get lost.

When choosing nicknames for Thais, the hosts are not limited to any stereotypes. It can be either ordinary names (Bim, Jack, Tiffany, Bella), or quite unusual nicknames that have no direct relation to the breed.

Most often, owners turn to 2 factors when choosing a name for a Thai ridgeback:

• allocation of pedigree, power and strength - Zeus, Earl, Buran, Lord, Caesar, Apollo, Athena, Storm, Lightning, Lady;
• associations with color - Angus, Onyx, Panther, Marble, Zephyr, Brownie, Zlata, Scarlet, Diamond, Smoke.

In addition to these factors, you can refer to other principles when choosing a name: association with flowers, wild animals, natural phenomena, cosmic bodies, historical figures, and character traits.

This breed of dog has exceptionally short hair, which sheds only once a year. In addition, the lack of undercoat has led to the fact that these dogs do not have a characteristic dog smell.All this has made Thais excellent candidates for home maintenance. In addition, the intensity of molting depends on the type of hair, for example, individuals with velor wool cover shed significantly less than individuals with standard.

To get rid of all the problems with the hair of a Thai Ridgeback, it is enough to conduct regular combing at least 1 time per week. If the molting period has passed, and your dog does not stop shedding profusely, you need to contact your veterinarian. Perhaps this is the effect of a subcutaneous tick.

For hair care, you will need the following tools: a comb with soft and frequent denticles or a round comb, a soft brush. These tools will not only remove all the dirt from the wool, but will also make your pet a pleasant wellness massage. As you might have guessed, these dogs do not need a haircut procedure, however, with individuals of the standard type of hair, you can make rare trips to grooming salons.

Due to the almost complete absence of undercoat, these dogs can only be kept indoors without drafts. In addition, the place should have direct access to all other parts of the apartment - the pet must constantly see its owners and what they are doing.

For walking of these dogs in autumn and winter, blankets or warm clothing for dogs will definitely come in handy, without it they will instantly earn a cold or pneumonia. In addition, in such seasons it is recommended to saturate the dog’s diet with vitamins, as well as take care of regular vaccinations (especially if the dog spends a lot of time on the street among other dogs).

Try to avoid walking in rainy or damp weather. These dogs do not tolerate moisture in any form and will try to get around all the puddles in their path. In order to remove dirt from the paws and genitals, it is enough to rinse them with ordinary running water. The procedure for bathing with shampoo (for dogs with a gentle soft formula) and detergents should be carried out no more than 1 time in 2-3 months as necessary. In addition, if your pet loves outdoor activities, this does not mean that he loves to swim in the ponds - do not force the Thai to throw himself into the water or teach him how to save a drowning man. Excessive water procedures will lead to problems with the skin and psyche of the animal.

One of the most vulnerable areas on the body of this breed are the auricles. Being constantly in the open and expanded state, they become just a wonderful environment for the reproduction of bacteria. Ear cleaning should be done at least 2 times a week using cotton pads or using specialized ear cleaning products. The condition of the ears can be monitored both visually and by smell.

The eyes are another rather vulnerable spot on the exterior of every Thai. Every morning, eye mucus forms in the corners of the eyelids of these dogs, which freezes over time. If possible, remove this mucus every morning with a cotton pad. If the mucus is not wiped off in a timely manner, dry lumps form in the corners of the eyelids of the animal, which lead to irritation of the skin around the eyes and the appearance of “tear tracks”.

To care for the Thais mouth, it is unacceptable to use human pastes; for this, special dog products must be bought. Cleaning should be carried out at least 2-3 times a week to avoid the formation of tartar or plaque. In order to avoid these unpleasant moments, you can rinse your pet's teeth with special decoctions of herbs against tartar.

Before buying a Thai ridgeback, you should get a good nail clipper for large dogs. Already at the age of six months, very long claws can grow in pets, which, without grinding during walks and training, can interfere with the pet's life and even damage its health. Claw shortening should be done at least 1 time per month to prevent deformation and improper claw growth. When cutting white claws, cut just below the pink line, and in the case of dark claws - at the place of curvature.

Do not forget about caring for the paws of the animal - from frequent and long walks and training on the pads cracks and wounds can form. So that they do not bring the animal discomfort, you should treat them with an antiseptic and any greasy cream (you can use creams such as "Children's").

Pros.

• You can store a large amount of feed for a long time without fearing that it will go bad.
• You do not need to add additional vitamins and additives to ready-made feeds even in the winter season. In high-quality feed, they must be a priori contained.
• No need for power balancing. In finished feed, the doses of protein, carbohydrates and fats are already balanced.

Minuses.

• It is not so easy to add something new to such a diet. Some fruit or treat can harm the dog’s body, which is adapted only to prepared foods.
• Good prepared food, and especially in large quantities, will hit your wallet hard.
• Ready food needs special conditions of detention, otherwise it will grow moldy and harm the health of the pet.

Pros.

• If you are independently preparing a product, you are fully confident in its composition and quality.
• Relatively low cost.
• Puppies of any dog ​​breed are better suited to natural food in the diet - they trust her more and get used to it very quickly.
• You can safely add a new product to such food, while the diet will not change much. Diversity in nutrition is an extremely important point that must be observed in the feeding of any pet.

Minuses.

• Shelf life too short. These foods have the greatest nutritional value only in the first 2-3 days after preparation.
• All care about the quality of food, as well as the balance of trace elements in its composition will be on your shoulders. Not every breeder is able to control this.
• An insufficient amount of vitamins in the composition of such food, which means that you have to add vitamins and nutrients to the diet separately.

If everything is clear with ready-made feeds (premium or super-premium class), then there are requirements for natural food. Try to include boiled meat (with a small amount of fat - veal, beef, turkey, chicken breast, hare), offal or boiled sea fish, cereals (buckwheat, rice, corn, oatmeal on water), vegetables (as boiled , and fresh), dairy products (kefir, cottage cheese, cheese).

Depending on age, the frequency of nutrition varies: from 4 to 5 times a day to six months of age with a gradual reduction in feeding up to 2 times a day at an age of 10 months. That is, you will have to reduce the frequency of feeding at one time about 1 time in 2-3 months.

When feeding with prepared feeds, the necessary portion sizes are indicated on the product packaging and are calculated depending on the weight, height and age of the individual. If we are talking about natural nutrition, then the portions are calculated intuitively for the first time - try to monitor whether the pet leaves food in a bowl after a meal or, conversely, requires an addition. As a rule, Ridgebacks control the amount of food they eat on their own.

In winter and autumn, additional vitamins should be added to the dog's diet. All because of the thin coat of this breed - they have too great a chance to get sick, and therefore the body needs protection.

Make sure that the pet always has a bowl of clean and fresh water in the access area. In order for the pet to not curl it, it is better to screw the bowl to the stand or choose heavy metal models.

If you decide to change the diet of the animal, you should not abruptly introduce new products. Do it gradually. Before introducing a new product into the diet, make sure that the pet does not have allergies or usual intolerance to it.

Never give your pet food before a walk. - then he will become lazy and want to relax a bit, and all activity will come to naught. It is better to feed the Thais after a long and intense walk. In the morning it is better to give light food like cereals and vegetables (which do not make the stomach heavier and give the necessary strength for the day), and at night meat, fish or offal - they are better absorbed by the body during the dog’s sleep.

The following foods should be avoided when feeding Thais: river fish, artificial seasonings and additives, sugar-rich foods, legumes, fruits and berries with pits, raw meat, raw eggs, tubular bones (harmful to the animal’s teeth and difficult to digest), pork (too much fat), mushrooms.

Training a Thai ridgeback is not for everyone an easy task. These are extremely stubborn and wayward dogs that need an individual approach.

The very first thing that is required of you is to establish your authority in the eyes of the pet. You must make it clear to the dog who exactly is the owner of the house and who should obey whom. To achieve these goals, one should strictly outline the entire free and closed space for visiting and, at the slightest violation of the borders, immediately take the pet away.

Train and train as early as 1.5 months old puppy - It is at this age that dogs begin to understand what is required of them, and also have genuine respect for their owner. Since Thais sell only Thais older than 3 months in nurseries, start training immediately after the puppy arrives at your home.

Young individuals of the Thai ridgeback, especially in large families with children, use any attempts to put themselves above the rest. This can be constant pranks, scattering toys and things, endless harassment of other pets, fake aggression against family members. You can’t get rid of it in one day - all this is eradicated through long and patient training and repetitions of what is possible and what is not.

Your main quality in raising a young Thai is patience. In no case do not beat and do not yell at the pet - this will not lead to anything good, but only make the puppy angry and moody. “Fussing” with a pet is also not worth it; you must develop your own adamant style, where affection and encouragement are given only for obedience. There should be no concessions.

To establish a dominant position over a pet, use the following tools:

• always enter the door first, only then let the dog inside the room or room;
• take food before your pet eats it, while stopping any attempts to beg from the table;
• indicate the resting place in the apartment where the pet can only be in your presence (usually a bed, sofa or chair);
• when walking on the street, teach your pet to follow you and not go too far - in the future it will come in handy if you want to walk without a leash or collar.

Uneducated Thais often become the culprits of accidents with children and adults. Before the pet reaches the age of one, you should achieve a stable character from it without any manifestations of leadership over the owner.

According to owners, the Thai Ridgeback is an incredibly smart, but wayward breed of dog. The owners note that in the domestic circle these pets are unusually affectionate, adore children and protect them from other animals. These dogs are extremely wary of strangers - they won’t be able to bribe them with some sweetness or appease them with stroking.

In the families of the owners, without exception, Thais establish a dominant position among other animals, and also compete with other family members for the attention of the owner.

Among the negative aspects, almost all owners highlight the difficulty of training both young and adult individuals. All breeders strongly recommend starting dog training at 1.5-2 months and not making any concessions. If you once allow him to climb or go somewhere, in the future it will be impossible to drive him out, since the behavior of an adult dog cannot be corrected.

More about the Thai Ridgeback breed in the video below.