Thai Ridgeback

Thai Ridgeback History

The Thai Ridgeback is a medium size, muscular, and athletic breed of dog that originated in the mountainous jungles of Thailand. The thick, double coat of the Thai Ridgeback is waterproof, and comes in black, blue, fawn, or liver. The soft ears of the Thai Ridgeback can be cropped or left natural.

Thai Ridgeback Physical Characteristics

The Thai Ridgeback is a medium-large breed of domestic dog, developed in Thailand. It is known for its distinctive ridge of hair that runs down its back. The breed has a well-developed musculature, and a sleek, athletic, and agile appearance. The hair of the back and sides is longer, thick and well-furred, while the hair on the front of the body is shorter, less dense, and finer. The tail is tightly curled over the back. Both male and female ridgebacks have four toes on each foot, while males have a dewclaw on their hind legs. The head is oval in shape, with the skull and muzzle of equal length. The nose is large and erect. The teeth meet in a scissors bite, and the pads of the feet are thick and hard. The ears are triangular and stand erect, with the outer ear hanging down. The eyes are generally dark brown, with lighter colored markings when the dog is young.

Thai Ridgeback Health

Description of breed health.

Thai Ridgeback Temperament and Behaviour

The Thai Ridgeback is a loyal, self-confident and fearless breed that often has difficulty being socialized. They are independent and tend to develop high levels of aggression toward new people, animals, and situations. They are protective of their family, but may be aggressive towards unknown people. They can be a challenge to train, but respond well to firm, consistent, and patient owners. They are suspicious of strangers, and should never be trusted around children or small animals.

Thai Ridgeback Activity Requirements

Thai Ridgebacks were originally developed for use in dog fighting and, as such, they are a powerful, aggressive, and dominant dog. They are very demanding and require a strong owner who can meet their needs. While they are not as high-energy as some other dogs, Thai Ridgebacks still have a lot of energy. They require regular exercise, both physical and mental, and a good number of toys to help them expend that energy. Due to their size and energy level, Thai Ridgebacks are not recommended for first-time dog owners. They need an experienced owner who can meet their intense physical and social needs and who can provide consistent leadership.

Kennel Club Recognition