All about Thai Ridgeback

Among the fighting dogs stands out such an amazing breed as the Thai Ridgeback. These dogs are extraordinarily intelligent, capricious and hardy, and also ideally adapted to the content in the conditions of an ordinary apartment. In this article, you will learn the most interesting things about Thai Ridgebacks.

Thai ridgebacks belong to large breeds of dogs. Due to the isolation of their historical homeland (Thailand) and the impossibility of breeding 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 standard slightly taller and heavier 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 and body length is slightly out of proportion - 10: 11.

• Dog weight depending on age and height, it may differ, but 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 on average. If the conditions of maintenance are favorable, as well as the pedigree of the individual, the pet's life expectancy will increase to 15-17 years.

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

• The muzzle has a standard wedge shape.The length is slightly less than the distance from the eye line to the occiput. Well noticeable stop. The nose is well developed (black or grayish-blue), large nostrils. Cheeks are flat in shape, with cheekbones strongly protruding from them.

• Lips tight to jawAll teeth, including fangs, are hidden in the mouth. Jaws are incredibly powerful, scissor bite. Teeth tightly assembled, do not stand out from the general background. The tongue is usually dark or red or pinkish with the presence of black spots.

• Ears with sharp tips, elongated triangular shape and small size. They are placed at a great distance from each other - on the sides of the round skull. In purebred individuals, they always stand up, with the front part (auricles) looking forward, a slight forward bend is noticeable.

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

• The neck is not particularly longbut powerful, thick and flexible. The bend is almost absent, as is the suspension. For individuals of this breed, skin folds on the face and neck are characteristic. Through thick skin, you can safely feel the strong muscles.

• The body is slightly elongated, but harmonious. The back is straight, the loin is flat, the croup has a smooth oblique shape. The ribs are slightly elongated and rounded, forming a well-developed chest. The skin fits snugly to the entire body, without forming wrinkles on the abdomen or chest, the groin and abdomen are tightened.

• The tail is quite long, narrowed from base to tip.Smooth, covered with a uniform layer of fine wool. In a quiet state, either straightened or sickle-shaped. Docking is prohibited.

• Limbs not particularly longbut very powerful and straight, the brachial muscles are remarkably developed, with the humeral bones and shoulder blades directed exactly backwards. The hind limbs are distinguished by their powerful muscular hips and rounded knees (the rock’s special feature is that the knees are rather low). Hocks exclusively straight. The paws themselves are tightly assembled, most often their shape is oval. The pads are dark and hard, which allows the dog to be in a state of activity for a long time. 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 precisely 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 enormous jogging power.

• This breed of dogs is exceptionally short-haired., while the structure of the wool is soft and docile. The undercoat of these dogs is practically absent, which is why it is impossible to keep them outside.

The Thais have several types of wool cover, below will be briefly described for each of them. At the moment, there is no exact standard regarding the length of wool, and therefore data from different sources on this subject may vary.

• Standard. The longest option 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 from frost. Average length - 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 from the cold, or from the same insects and the sun.

Thai Ridgeback has its own individual peculiarity, 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 a specific hair growth. The comb may be of the most varied form, but the most frequently encountered are in the form of needles, guitars, pins, feathers, saddles and arrows.

The ICF standard allows 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. Transitions in this case are absent, but slightly lighter areas on the hips and abdomen are acceptable. This can also be attributed to individuals of rich red color. For this color characteristic glossy play.

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

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

• Oleny. This color is sometimes called "isabella". These include delicate iridescent shades of pink and cream. Wool of such individuals possesses unique pearl tints.

Each breed of dog is distinguished by positive and negative qualities. Some of these qualities are manifested in Thais only in the period of maturation, when the dog's body requires the most attention. It should be understood that most of the negative points can be safely smoothed by patient training and proper care.

Positive traits.

• Incredible intelligence, ability to quickly make decisions. All these qualities make Thais wonderful companions and worthy candidates at exhibitions.
• Easily subjected to training and education in experienced hands. Tend to build trust with the owner, which allows them to perform almost all tasks.
• Beautiful, slim and harmonious exterior. These dogs are considered companions of true aesthetes due to their specific appearance.
• Individuals of this breed are clean: they do not like to wallow in the dirt, eat spoiled food or excrement of other dogs.
• In addition to the phenomenal activity outside the walls of the apartment, this breed of dogs has a unique endurance and fitness for the most diverse terrain.
• If the owner succeeds in winning the confidence of the Thais, he will always be a mountain behind him - he will intercede on the street, rush to save him in the water, lead people to help.
• The predisposition to stalking prey makes individuals of this breed remarkable companions in the hunt for birds and fur animals.
• Although these dogs are not suitable for keeping in a street or aviary setting, they often grow up as excellent watchmen and will not allow a stranger to cross the borders of an apartment. Inborn security qualities make Thais an ideal animal for families with children.

Negative qualities.

• Thai Ridgebacks are extremely capricious - they are skeptical of all the commands and orders of the host and tend to show their position. These pets need a strict approach to training, and only a strong and patient personality is capable of defeating their difficult character.
• If you want to take the dog to hunt, you should prepare for attempts to get away from you in the footsteps of animals and birds. To avoid this, you need to take the pet into the forest on a leash more often and train them to calmly respond 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 people - they tend to dominate other animals. In addition, if a Thai person notices that you are showing more care and attention to another pet, you can be sure that he will not be happy in the near future.
• Full intolerance to physical violence and aggression from the owner. If a Thai man feels open aggression on your part, be sure that there will be no question of any obedience. Thais are vindictive and aggressive to their oppressors.

Each breed of dogs 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 certain situations, these qualities are extremely good, then in the first training they can bring a lot of problems to the owners of the dog. If you do not pick up an individual type of training for the Thai, consider that the dog will grow up capricious, naughty and aggressive.

Thais are born pets. In the family of their masters, they are incredibly obsessive, good-natured and kind. They are ready to follow the owner everywhere, to 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 it. That is why Thais are not recommended to buy and train in adulthood - the chance of establishing mutual respect between the dog and the owner is too small.

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

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

If the situation, according to the pet, is out of control and the owner needs help, the dog will first issue a warning roar or barking, and then may rush with fangs at the offender. Fortunately, not everyone decides to disregard the external strength and power of the Thais and attack the owners of these dogs.

Ridgebacks are too active and restless to want something for a long time. At some instant they will let you know that they are in need of games or a walk, and in another they will calmly take care of themselves on their beds and fall asleep. Despite this behavior, Thai Ridgebacks very quickly adapt to the mode of their master (they will wait for you patiently from work before going to the imitated tray). They feel good in the walls of the apartment, however, 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 the other pet, as a full-fledged member of his family. If we are talking about buying a puppy or an adult Thai in an apartment with another adult animal, then there will be no conflicts here. Thais are very jealous and will terrorize another animal behind your back. Regarding street animals, ridgebacks are irreconcilable - they perceive them as entertainment and objects for fun and games.

In relation to the small members of the family Thais incredible goodness. They are ready to give themselves completely to games with children, they do not react at all to harassment and careless misdemeanors of kids. Thai Ridgeback feels a soul mate in a child, ready for adventure and fun all day long. However, too frequent fun with children will be harmful for the education of Thais - children are too soft and restless and will give a pet a bad example.If possible, set aside a separate time for raising dances and for communicating with children. If we are talking about the appearance of children in a family with an already adult Thai, neither about the safety of babies, nor about the obedience of a dog, you should not worry.

For Thais, walking and training is not only a way to bring the body in order, but also a method of splashing out huge amounts 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 exactly on the street (for this you will need horizontal bars, poles and frisbees, tracks for running and jumping).

As already mentioned, the Thais have incredibly well developed hunting abilities, this allows them to track down even the smallest prey. On the street, where is full of birds, cats and insects, walking with these dogs can be very difficult. Fascinated by the chase, the ridgeback may not even notice that it is behind the owner, and get lost.

When choosing nicknames for Thais, the owners are not limited to any stereotypes. These can be both ordinary names (Bim, Jack, Tiffany, Bella), and 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:

• the selection of thoroughbred, power and strength - Zeus, Graf, Buran, Lord, Caesar, Apollo, Athena, Storm, Lightning, Lady;
• Associations with color - Angus, Onyx, Panther, Marble, Marshmallow, Brownie, Zlata, Scarlet, Diamond, Smoke.

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

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

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

For the care of wool will need the following tools: comb with soft and frequent teeth or a round comb, soft brush. These tools will not only remove all the dirt from the wool, but also make your pet a pleasant wellness massage. As it was already possible to guess, these dogs do not need a grooming procedure, however, it is possible to make rare trips to grooming salons with individuals of standard type of wool.

Due to the almost complete absence of the undercoat of these dogs can be maintained only in a closed room 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 these dogs in the fall and winter you will definitely need blankets or warm clothes for dogs, without it they will instantly get 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 wet weather. These dogs do not tolerate moisture in any form and will try to bypass all the puddles in their path. In order to remove the dirt from the paws and genitals, it is enough to wash them with ordinary running water. The procedure of bathing with the help of shampoo (especially for dogs with a gentle soft formula) and detergents should be carried out no more than once every 2-3 months as necessary. In addition, if your pet loves outdoor activities, it does not mean that he likes to swim in the waters - you should not force the Thais to throw into the water or teach the rescue of a drowning man. Excessive water treatments 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 ears. Being constantly in the open and unfolded state, they become just a wonderful breeding ground for bacteria. Ears should be cleaned at least 2 times a week using cotton pads or using specialized ear cleaning products. The condition of the ears can be traced both visually and by smell.

Eyes - another fairly vulnerable place in the exterior of each Thai. Every morning, in the corners of the eyelids of these dogs, eye mucus forms, which eventually stiffens. If possible, remove this mucus every morning with a cotton pad. If the mucus is not wiped out in a timely manner, dry lumps are formed in the corners of the animal's eyelids, which lead to irritation of the skin around the eyes and the appearance of "tear paths".

For the care of the oral cavity of the Thais 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 is to get a good kogterezkoy for large dogs. Already in the semiannual age, very long claws can grow in pets, which, without grinding on walks and trainings, can prevent a pet from living and even harm its health. Shorten claws should be carried out at least 1 time per month to prevent deformation and improper growth of claws. When trimming white claws, cut slightly below the pink line, and in the case of dark claws - at the point of curvature.

Do not forget about the care of the paws of the animal - from frequent and long walks and workouts on the pads may form cracks and wounds. So that they do not bring discomfort to the animal, they should be treated with antiseptic and any fat cream (you can use creams like "Kids").

Pros.

• You can store a large amount of food for a long time without fear of spoiling it.
• In the finished feed you do not need to add extra vitamins and supplements even in the winter season. In high-quality feed, they should be a priori.
• No need to balance power. In finished feed doses of protein, carbohydrates and fats are already balanced.

Minuses.

• In such a diet is not so easy to add something new. Some kind of fruit or delicacy can harm the dog's body, which is adapted only to ready-made feeds.
• Good finished food, especially in large quantities, will hit the wallet a lot.
• Ready food needs special conditions of maintenance, otherwise it will become moldy and harm the pet's health.

Pros.

• If you are preparing a product yourself, you are completely confident in its composition and quality.
• Relatively low cost.
• Puppies of any breeds of dogs relate better to natural food in the diet - they trust her more and get used very quickly.
• You can easily 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.

• Too little shelf life. These products have the greatest nutritional value only in the first 2-3 days after preparation.
• All concern for the quality of food, as well as the balance of trace elements in its composition will be on your shoulders. Not every breeder can control this.
• Lack of vitamins in the composition of such food, which means that you have to add to the diet separately vitamins and nutrients.

If everything is clear with ready-made feeds (premium or super-premium class), then natural food has its own requirements. Try to make the pet's diet include boiled meat (low fat - veal, beef, turkey, chicken breast, hare), offal or boiled sea fish, cereal (buckwheat, rice, corn, oatmeal on the water), vegetables (like boiled , and fresh), dairy products (kefir, cottage cheese, cheese).

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

When feeding with ready-made feeds, the required 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 here are calculated intuitively for the first time - try to watch that the pet leaves after the meal in a bowl or, on the contrary, requires supplementation. As a rule, ridgebacks control the amount of food eaten by themselves.

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 a great chance of getting sick, and therefore the body needs protection.

Make sure that your pet always has a bowl with clean and fresh water in the access zone. In order for the pet not to turn 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 dramatically introduce new products. Do it gradually. Before you introduce a new product into the diet, make sure that the pet does not have any allergies or usual intolerance to it.

You should never give your pet food before walking. - then he will become lazy and will want a little rest, and all activity will come to naught. It is better to feed the Thai 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 provide the necessary strength for the day), and at night meat, fish or offal - they are better absorbed by the body during sleep.

The following foods should be avoided when feeding Thai: river fish, artificial seasonings and additives, foods high in sugar, legumes, fruits and berries with stones, raw meat, raw eggs, tubular bones (harmful to animal teeth and difficult to digest), pork (too much fat), mushrooms.

Training Thai ridgeback is not for everyone to be a simple exercise. These are extremely stubborn and capricious 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 boss and who should obey to whom.To achieve these goals, you should strictly delineate all the space that is free and closed to the public and, at the slightest violation of the boundaries, immediately unplug the pet.

Training and training begin at 1.5 months puppy - it is at this age that dogs begin to understand what is required of them, and also have a genuine respect for their owner. Since Thai kennels only sell over 3 months old, start training immediately after the puppy arrives at your home.

Juveniles of Thai Ridgeback, especially in large families with children, use any attempts to put themselves above the rest. It can be constant pranks, scattering toys and things, endless harassment to other pets, fake aggression against family members. One cannot 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 hit and do not yell at the pet - this will not lead to anything good, but will only make the puppy angry and capricious. There is no need to “make a fuss” with a pet either, you have to develop your own adamant style, where weasel and encouragement are given only for obedience. No concessions should be.

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

• always enter the door first, only then pass the dog inside the room or room;
• take food before your pet eats it, and stop any attempts at begging from the table;
• designate a place of rest in an apartment where a pet can only be in your presence (usually a bed, sofa or armchair);
• When walking on the street, teach your pet to follow near you and not to go too far - in the future it will be useful if you want to walk without a leash or collar.

Uneducated Thais are often responsible for accidents with children and adults. Before the pet reaches one year old, you should achieve a sustainable character from it without showing leadership over the owner.

According to the owners, Thai Ridgeback is an incredibly intelligent, but capricious breed of dog. The owners note that in the home circle these pets are unusually tender, they adore children and protect them from other animals. These dogs treat strangers with extreme caution - they will not be able to bribe them with some kind of sweetness or to cajole them with stroking.

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

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

For more on the Thai Ridgeback breed, see the video below.