Characteristics of Thai Ridgeback dogs with reviews and photos

The Thai Ridgeback (TRD, Mah-Tai) is one of the oldest dog breeds. Thais attract attention with their noble appearance, interesting color and unusual ridge along the back. There are only three breeds of dogs with a crest in the world: the Rhodesian Ridgeback, the Vietnamese Phu Quoc and the Thai Ridgeback, which will be discussed in this article.

Description of the Thai Ridgeback breed

Popularity 130th place among 263 dog breeds

Lifespan:

about 13 years old

Height:

males: 61-66 cm, females: 56-61 cm

Country of origin:

Thailand

Average price:

from 1000 euros

Weight:

23-32 kg
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Breed characteristics

Advantages and disadvantages

• Pros:
• intelligence, intelligence, ease of training and learning;
• cleanliness and intelligence;
• endurance, energy;
• friendliness and boundless devotion to the owner.

• Minuses:
• highly developed hunting instinct - the dog can break off the leash and chase birds and other animals;
• independent and willful character;
• aggression towards other people's pets;
• predisposition to colds and obesity.

Temperament and character

Positive sides:

• sociability;
• intelligence and good memory;
• affectionate disposition;
• loyalty to owners and protective abilities;
• adapt to changing conditions;
• travel easily;
• cleanliness;
• restraint in expressing emotions;
• activity.

Negative features:

• tendency to leprosy (especially at a young age);
• know how to open locked doors, drawers, etc.;
• intolerance of loneliness;
• suspicious of strangers.

Key facts

The Thai Ridgeback, or MahTai, is a striking medium-sized dog similar in appearance to the wild dingo dog. This is an ideal friend for a large active family and a kind, caring “nanny” for small children. The animal gets along well with cats and dogs, although it may perceive turtles, rodents and birds as prey.

Description of the Thai Ridgeback breed combines:

• activity;
• friendliness, sociability;
• excellent memory and intelligence;
• cleanliness;
• remarkable guard abilities.

Animals get along well with family members, including small children, but such contact should always be supervised by adults. MahTai tries to avoid conflict situations, but does not tolerate rude treatment.

The dog can be kept in a country cottage with a large fenced area or a small apartment under one condition - physical activity during walking must be serious.

Characteristics of the Thai Ridgeback breed include a lot of factors:

1. Origin: Indonesian coast of Thailand.
2. Breed Registrations - The East Asian Canine Association standardized the native breed in 1982, FCI recognized it in 1983.
3. Character traits - an intelligent, peace-loving animal avoids conflicts and unnecessary worries, and is able to quickly respond to danger threatening family members.
4. With the right diet and maintenance, the life expectancy of the Thai Ridgeback is about 13 years, and health problems in the dog are rare.
5. Care is not complicated or painstaking.

Due to their delicate, soft skin and short hair, animals do not tolerate cold well, so you should take care in advance of having clothing in cold weather. They love warmth and comfort, preferring to bask on a bed or in a chair.

Thais do not like water; they rarely swim in a lake or river, even in sunny and hot weather. The puppy will need to be accustomed to bathing procedures from childhood.

Attitude towards children

The Thai Ridgeback, like any dog, should not love a child. He treats the baby calmly as long as he doesn’t touch him or hurt him. As soon as the child begins to act in a way that is incomprehensible to the dog, he may react unexpectedly. When introducing your pet and your child, try to ensure that both experience only positive emotions. Don’t try to infringe on the dog’s rights, but don’t give him too much. A Ridgeback that feels the authority of its owner and knows its place in the pack will not harm children.

Thai Ridgeback dog breed description, characteristics

History of the origin of the Thai Ridgeback

The history of the aboriginal breed goes back hundreds of centuries. Archaeological research shows that the Thais appeared more than 4 thousand years ago. Their ancestors were most likely dingoes. MahTaya with erect triangular ears, a characteristic crest (ridge), and a sickle-shaped tail can still be seen today in rock art.

The first evidence of the breed is found in the chronicles of the 17th century, where Ridgebacks are described as strong, fast, intelligent and loyal dogs of various colors with a characteristic crest on the back. At that distant time, they were used to protect homes from rats, snakes and when hunting wild boars, deer, and birds.

In addition, animals accompanied carts on trips around the peninsula. The isolated lifestyle of the inhabitants of Siam (aka Thailand) contributed to the preservation of the original appearance of the breed, and natural selection allowed the survival of the strongest and bravest individuals, who are still in excellent health today.

The development of the transport system made it possible to learn about Ridgebacks and the rest of the world. After massive deforestation and the cessation of hunting on the peninsula, animals began to be used as guards, watchmen, and heavy load tractors for shepherds, where they proved themselves to be the best. Today in Thailand, MahTai are an indicator of the high status in the society of their owner.

After the first puppy was transported to Holland (1990), the breed has been gaining popularity around the world. By the beginning of 2003, only 365 individuals of the ancient breed were registered.

Today dogs are successfully conquering the whole world, bred in the USA, EU, Asia, England and other countries. But even in our time, their number is relatively small - about 3 thousand, which is why MahTai dogs are considered elite and expensive.

Purpose of dogs

Dogs were originally used by the Thais as hunters. Strong and dexterous representatives of the breed could easily take down a wild boar or tapir, drive a deer, or catch a bird in flight. Dogs could resist poisonous steppe snakes, a quality rare for canids. Thai dogs regularly accompanied carts with cargo off-road as unrivaled guards.

There were simply no other dogs in these latitudes, so the chance of introducing blood from another breed was reduced to zero. But in difficult living conditions, only the hardiest and strongest individuals could survive. This was natural selection, which presented the world with practically healthy dogs with excellent qualities.

The owner of a thick, velvety bark, the Thai dog practically does not speak. He only barks in extraordinary cases if there is a good reason. Among owners, it is rare that anyone can boast that they have heard their dog bark.

Appearance of the Thai Ridgeback

General impression

It is easy to notice from the photo that Thai Ridgebacks are unusual, incredibly beautiful animals of medium size with well-developed muscles, a short and soft coat formed along the back by a ridge - a strip of wool that grows in the opposite direction and differs from the rest of the skin in color, length and form.

Head

Due to its origin, it is similar to a wolf's head. The forehead line is sloping, skin folds appear on it when the dog is interested or wary.

The skull has a rounded shape, thickened in the ear area. The muzzle is straight, its size in the Thai Ridgeback is 60% of the length of the entire head.

The dog has powerful jaws with strong fangs. Thin lips are pressed tightly to the teeth. Ridgebacks have a spotted tongue.

On the dog's head, medium-sized ears are widely spaced and slightly tilted forward. The shells are open, the tips are pointed. Cropping of ears is prohibited.

Large almond-shaped eyes are set deep. Dry eyelids are adjacent to the eyes, their cut is oval. Breeders value the brown color of the iris; amber color is also acceptable.

Neck

The pet's neck is muscular, set proudly and quite high. There is a slight bend, no suspension. The strength and power of the muscles can be easily felt with the fingers through the skin.

Torso

Slightly elongated in length, straight and strong back smoothly transitions into the lower back, rounded croup. The long ribs form an oval sternum that reaches to the elbows. The animal's groin area and abdomen are tucked up.

Front and hind limbs

The shoulder blades are protruded back. The forearms flow smoothly into the pasterns, their slight slope is clearly visible in profile. The dog's hind and front metatarsals are oval, all the toes are crowded. The pads are quite hard. The claws are strong, with light or dark patches.

The animal's hips are well developed. The angles of the hock joints are low and pronounced.

Tail

The tail, thick near the back, tapers to a tip. The dog holds it strictly vertically. When at rest, the tail drops to the hock joint.

Movement

Thais walk confidently, maintain a clear rhythm, and do not throw their limbs to the sides, which provides them with a strong springy push. Movements are light and free; when walking, the joints are parallel to one another.

Wool

Dogs have a short, soft body coat. There is no undercoat. The wool is shiny and resembles expensive velor. It is divided into several categories:

1. Very short

   – coarse hair 0.2-0.3 centimeters long covers the entire body, the animal does not look very presentable from the outside - a little bald. Such a cover is not able to protect the dog from insect bites; the body is often “decorated” with blisters and red spots.

2. Average

   – the length of the hair is 0.6-0.7 centimeters, it is soft and pleasant to the touch, and performs an excellent protective function.

3. Short

   – hairs up to 0.9 centimeters long are considered an intermediate species between the first and second types.

4. Standard

   – hair length is 0.9-2.4 centimeters, wool is able to protect the animal from insects and from drafts in the cold season.

The key feature of the elite breed is its pronounced “comb”. Its length should be no more than ¾ of the length of the back. A deviation of a few centimeters is allowed, which is not a defect in the standardized breed.

Thai Ridgeback colors

According to the breed standard, MahTai can have four coat colors:

1. Red

   – the most common tone, which can vary from light red to rich burgundy. The tone does not have pronounced transitions; it is lighter in the abdomen and hips.

2. Black

   - happens with a brown, olive, brown tint, which is evenly distributed throughout the body. Due to the fact that black color can overpower any other colors, it is not popular among breeders.

3. Blue

   – can be gray-smoky, dark and light-tender. Puppies that have white and light spots on the chest are discarded from the litter.

4. Deer

   – cocoa, tea rose, cream, pink tone. These dogs' fur shimmers in the light. A light spot in the chest area is acceptable.

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But these are not all modern Thai colors. On the peninsula you can find chocolate, tiger, and even dirty green animals. But the most popular coat color is red, as the people of Thailand associate it with wealth and good luck. Less popular is black, which is the color of death.

Thai Ridgeback size

The height of the Thai Ridgeback at the withers in adulthood reaches 55-60 centimeters in males and 52-57 centimeters in females. Thai Ridgeback weight: males - 33 kilograms, females - 25 kilograms.

Personality of the Thai Ridgeback

MahTai dogs are ideal companions for active families and single people. These are open, very sociable, friendly animals that completely trust their owner. Thai Ridgebacks happily take part in everything that happens around them. They quickly learn to distinguish people's moods and easily accept the rules and proposed daily routine.

Becoming a wonderful companion for loved ones, dogs are wary and cold towards strangers. The guest will have to try hard to earn the attention and affection of a strict, aloof pet. Innate distrust makes dogs excellent watchdogs and protectors.

Despite their strong attachment to their owner, the animals remain completely independent. They will never impose themselves or demand special attention to their person. Dogs value affection, love and care, prefer to be in the center of events, but at the same time tolerate loneliness well. Dogs rarely bark and only remind themselves of themselves with a quiet grunt when necessary.

Having a developed intelligence and lively temperament, Thais quickly and easily learn new information, achieving success in training. But fruitful results are achieved exclusively through soft, friendly and interesting cooperation.

Dogs will not tolerate rude and unfair treatment. They will simply stop accepting and listening to a person who begins to use physical force. A self-sufficient, intelligent dog is able to assess the situation and make the right decision. The owner needs to treat him with respect, trust and understanding.

The character of the Thai Ridgeback is peaceful and accommodating; over the years, pets become full-fledged members of the family, delighting household members for many years. But if inside the house the dog is “friends” with cats and other pets, there is no point in hoping that the same behavior will be outside the house.

MahTai has a well-developed hunting instinct - the dog is capable of starting a conflict on the street. In addition, dogs love to divide the surrounding animals into “us” and “strangers”. After which they sympathize with some, ignore others, and growl at others for no reason.

But the selective friendliness of the Thai cannot be compared with the boundless love for small family members. They will never offend the baby and will endure all pranks with enviable calm. Animals derive great pleasure from open and sensitive communication.

Advantages and disadvantages

The Thai Ridgeback dog breed has an independent, but very tactful character, which nevertheless requires an attentive attitude. Dogs cannot stand loneliness, trying to be close to their owner and accompany him everywhere. Males are more independent. In contrast, females are gentler and more affectionate. Thai Ridgebacks perceive strangers with tense distrust.

By nature, they are perfect hunters, easily picking up a scent even without preparation and capable of catching a bird on the fly, like a cat. But at the same time, they lack a sense of dominance over other inhabitants of the house.

Since dogs know how to be friends, turtles and guinea pigs, chickens and rabbits, as well as cats living in the house with them, become their friends.

especially sensitive to children, and it doesn’t matter whether the owner’s or a neighbor’s child happens to be next to them.

Education and training

Ideally, it is best to start raising and training a Thai Ridgeback from 1.5 months of age. But in real life this is impossible to do, since many nurseries sell puppies after 3 months of life. Kids quickly get used to new living conditions, and there should be no concessions at this time. Use only diplomacy and perseverance - rigidity and passivity should be completely excluded.

Ridgebacks have high intelligence, but, like many dog ​​breeds, intelligence is accompanied by stubbornness, willfulness, and independence. The right approach to training and the tips below will help you raise an excellent life partner:

1. In education, it is necessary to immediately establish a hierarchical relationship between the dog and the breeder, to show who is boss in the home. In all actions, the head of the family must demonstrate superiority - enter the house first, serve food first, etc., the actions of the animal must be performed only after his approval.
2. Training should be carried out consistently: the rules and basic commands must be clearly understood and immediately followed by the dog. This will require strong will and tolerance. If you are not confident in your own abilities, it is better to use the help of an experienced dog handler.
3. Remember that an improperly raised Ridgeback will try to dominate all members of the family. There are cases where the dog behaved aggressively, growled and rushed at people. Such individuals cannot be re-educated.
4. At the age of 4-5 months, a teenager needs to be taught basic commands and instilled in the principles of correct behavior in society. To do this, it is better to use food, play and social motivation.

The result of the training should be strict execution of all commands. The dog should not act at its own discretion; if necessary, punishing the pet is allowed (but not with physical force). Splashes of water, a loud shout, clapping your hands, a light blow with a wooden stick, a rolled-up newspaper or a towel on the back - something that will help point out the wrong behavior to your pet.

Important! Ridgebacks are very sensitive, rude and tactless treatment causes them to be withdrawn, aggressive and distrustful of others. The best results in training can be achieved with encouragement in the form of dog treats and affection.

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Nicknames and names

For a rare breed of dog with a special history of origin that appeared not so long ago in our latitudes, exotic nicknames are chosen. As a rule, these are noble, proud-sounding original names, even domestic ones.

Before giving an animal a nickname, breeders, who are the first to assign names to puppies, carefully study the meaning of each name. In addition, each nickname is deciphered, trying to choose one that matches the character of each baby in the litter. They often give nicknames using Thai or Vietnamese mythology, where characteristic names for Thais are given.

Graceful and graceful Thai Ridgeback females are given delicate, beautiful and often unusual names. As a rule, girls' names sound very gentle and soft.

Health and disease of the Thai Ridgeback

Centuries-old natural selection played a major role in the development of the indigenous breed. Ridgebacks have good health and rarely get sick.

Possible diseases

Most of the MahTai's problems are related to their special body structure. The most common diseases of the Thai Ridgeback are:

1. Dermoid sinus - There is no complete separation between the spinal cord and the skin, resulting in the formation of a thread-like opening that extends all the way to the vertebra. It can form in the cervical region or along the entire midline of the back. It periodically becomes inflamed, which promotes the proliferation of bacteria on the skin. The defect is difficult to detect at an early age, but is eliminated by surgery.
2. Incorrect formation of the hip joint - the head of the femur does not fully fit into the socket, which causes severe pain in the animal, preventing it from moving normally. Regular monitoring and the addition of symptomatic slow-acting medications to the diet are required.
3. Problems with the gastrointestinal tract of a very different nature.
4. Hypothermia and, as a result, a cold.

In the above cases, dogs are excluded from further breeding. To prevent infectious diseases, vaccination is used, which is carried out according to the generally accepted scheme.

In addition, dogs have eczema and dermatitis, obesity associated with poor diet, and cardiovascular diseases. All this can be avoided with proper care and regular visits to the veterinarian for a routine examination.

Reproductive health

Ridgebacks are animals with a sense of dignity and independent character. A bitch can react aggressively even to a permanent male dog, after which mating is out of the question. Breeders advise introducing animals earlier so that they can get used to each other.

Having become pregnant, the bitch becomes affectionate, calm and loving. At this time, she requires increased attention, frequent walks in the fresh air with minimal physical activity. If this is not taken into account, there is a high risk that the animal will not accept the puppies after birth.

Childbirth usually occurs between 57 and 62 days, it is good if a veterinarian is present, as complications often arise in bitches.

If you do not plan to breed the breed, it is recommended to undergo sterilization or castration. The operation to remove the reproductive organs is performed in the clinic under anesthesia; complications after this are practically zero.

Nutrition

When feeding puppies, you should follow the clear recommendations of the breeder of the nursery where the baby was purchased. As a rule, Thai Ridgebacks are feeders. They are selected with super-premium food for energetic breeds, the diet of which helps maintain the dog’s elegant appearance and ensures rapid weight gain without compromising the bone structure.

It is advisable not to switch to feeding natural products, since it is quite difficult to choose a balanced diet in which the dog does not lose its grace, and at the same time is well-fed.

But fruits and vegetables are not contraindicated for dogs within reasonable limits. Like all hunters, TRDs are very fond of raw meat. You should consult with the breeder and your veterinarian about adding it to the diet.

Features of feeding and diet

Thais can be given dry food or natural food, the main thing is not to mix them. It is better to choose balanced premium food, since cheap analogues provoke inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. The best today are:

• "Go";
• "Origen";
• "Bosch"
• "Akana";
• "Hills".

You can see many other brands on sale, and your veterinarian will tell you which one to choose. Feeding your dog natural food requires drawing up the right menu, which includes all the components necessary for a healthy and fulfilling life.

MahTai dogs can be given:

• raw, lean beef;
• boiled poultry fillet;
• offal;
• cartilage;
• cereal porridge;
• boiled fish without bones;
• stewed, fresh vegetables;
• fruits and greens;
• low-fat fermented milk products;
• occasionally raw chicken yolks.

The main thing in Thai nutrition is developing the right menu. Dogs quickly get used to the established regime and only in rare cases rebel and refuse to eat. In this case, there is no need to panic, since the dog will eat everything anyway.

The animal should always have fresh water in the required quantity.

Diseases

Dogs of this breed are naturally healthy and live about 12-13 years. The breeding of individuals with a given exterior weakened the natural health of this breed and contributed to the development of diseases transmitted by inheritance: joint diseases, skin problems (mainly among owners of velor wool), and disturbances in the digestive process due to poor quality nutrition.

Care and maintenance

Ridgebacks are ideal for keeping in a city apartment. They don’t smell like “dog”, and when they shed every year, there is practically no hair. Only a few tablespoons of wool can be collected from short-haired individuals. Excessive hair loss is a reason to contact a veterinary clinic to take a scraping and identify subcutaneous mites.

Caring for an animal's coat is very simple - brushing is done several times a week with a brush with natural bristles or a rubberized glove. They will quickly remove lost hairs and improve the animal’s subcutaneous blood circulation.

Since MahTai does not have an undercoat, it is better to keep the dog in a warm room without drafts. In cold weather, your pet needs to be dressed in clothes, otherwise he may catch a cold.

In the care and maintenance of the Thai Ridgeback, it is worth noting that dogs do not like to swim, they do not tolerate humidity and dampness, so walks in the rain should be avoided. If you encounter bad weather along the way, you can be sure that the pedantic animal will bypass all the puddles and remain clean. He will only need to wipe his paws from dirt and wrap him in a warm blanket.

The dog is bathed once a month in warm water with a special shampoo; there should be no drafts in the room. The ears are cleaned of wax and dirt with a cotton pad soaked in a special hygienic lotion or weak boric acid. No less attention is paid to the eyes - the characteristic discharge in the corners is removed in the morning and evening with a cotton swab and chamomile decoction.

Stone may form on the teeth, so for the purpose of prevention, they are cleaned with a brush and a special paste several times every 7 days. Regular pastes cannot be used, as they foam, have an unpleasant taste and smell for the dog, and can cause irritation of the oral mucosa.

Elite breed dogs are active, very energetic, and usually sharpen their own claws on the asphalt when walking. But you can help them with this - keep the limbs in warm water for a while (this will soften the hard tissue) and use forceps to remove the excess length.

The dog's paw pads also require regular inspection - they can crack and be injured by sharp, hard objects. In the first case, a rich cream will help, in the second - antiseptics.

For a healthy lifestyle

If you look at how some dog breeds behave, you can endlessly be surprised at their laziness. The Thai Ridgeback is the complete opposite. This is a very active and fast pet that simply loves to spend time in the fresh air. Do you jog every morning? Great, take your friend with you. He will not cause you any inconvenience, and he will also be very happy to frolic in the fresh air.

It should be noted that Thais develop quite quickly and actively intellectually. They become independent and self-reliant early. In addition, this is an extremely inventive breed. With a Ridgeback, you can play frisbee or any other game that requires activity from your pet. Since they love to run a lot, their endurance is at a high level, and believe me, you will get tired much faster. At the same time, after a hard day, the Thai loves to just lie down or unobtrusively play with his owner in a cozy environment. In general, we can say that this breed looks more organized compared to other non-aboriginal representatives.

Tips for choosing a puppy

Despite the elite nature and rarity of the breed, it is quite possible to buy it in Russia. But first you need to decide on the purpose of the purchase - whether the puppy will take part in exhibitions and breeding or become a pet. Its price and the choice of an official nursery will depend on these parameters.

Upon arrival, be sure to familiarize yourself with the parents’ achievements and documents, and carefully examine the puppy. Ideally, he should be moderately well-fed, have the correct color, shiny eyes and glossy fur with folds, show activity and interest in those present.

When choosing a Thai Ridgeback puppy, special attention is paid to the condition of the joints. The breeder must prepare documents for the dog: a veterinary passport with notes on deworming, vaccinations and metrics, which will be changed to the pedigree.

The baby is taken from the mother at the age of 3 months, when the initial rules of behavior have been formed. For the arrival of a new family member, you need to prepare toys, bowls, a soft and beautiful leash.

Breeders recommend adopting a puppy from official nurseries and under no circumstances from hand - only in this case can you count on the animal being purebred. The most famous institutions in the Russian Federation:

• Showline Melins Kennel, Moscow;
• Nellirel, Klin;
• GrAmySweet, St. Petersburg;
• Elfgrais, Kaluga;
• Mythaidog.

Each has its own advantages and characteristics; before visiting a particular nursery, it would be appropriate to familiarize yourself with the achievements, history, and customer reviews.

Reviews

Alexandra P.:

I came across an infinitely intelligent, but willful and capricious individual with the character of a cat. And yet, with her presence, joy settled in the house. A positive dog, a love dog and a companion dog. Three in one. One drawback is its difficult nature, and it’s also expensive.

Alexander:

Our hellish mixture of love and stupidity is 8 months old. Half of this time is continuous training with dog handlers. I have to admit that this is a dog for those who are well acquainted with the breed and the intricacies of education, and is not suitable for a family with a small child.

Zhenya:

My Riji is stately and handsome, the most loyal, but he is so difficult to deal with. You have to consult regularly, on almost every issue.

Katerina:

We have a very affectionate, most gentle and shy girl. Still shy and artistic. We love her madly, she is so beautiful. But I never, under any circumstances, advise anyone to adopt this breed if they have no experience in raising dogs. Socialize from birth, educate before you are born. We changed coaches four (!!!) times just to begin the education process.

If anyone is in the know, tell us about the most extraordinary dog ​​– the Thai Ridgeback. Share your knowledge about the breed. How to navigate each critical stage in a dog's development and how to achieve mutual understanding. Which toys are better, and should the issue of training be raised during walks? We welcome your feedback, which can be posted at the bottom of the article.

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How much does a Thai Ridgeback cost?

The MahTai breed is elite and rare, especially in the CIS. The price of a Thai Ridgeback starts at 1,000 euros and can reach 30,000 euros. It is determined by the baby’s pedigree and the parents’ achievements.

It is not recommended to purchase an adult dog, even if he has all the documents. The Ridgeback will not have time to get used to the new owner and will resist following commands.

If you go shopping at the poultry market, you are unlikely to find a balanced and healthy animal there.

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