The Thai Ridgeback Dog
The Thai Ridgeback dog is an indigenous breed of Thailand. Its place of origin is the Eastern Part of the country. Its outstanding characteristic is fierceness and for this reason it is reared as a watch dog, because houses in rural areas are not fenced as in towns and people stay away from home for most of the day to do farm work. In the old days, the Thais had to go out to hunt wild animals for food, such as rabits and deer, and needed the help of dogs because of their speed. Since this breed has a long body an extraordinarily deep chest and a well tucked-up waist, it is classified as belonging to the hound breed. Travelling in the days when carts were the main vehicles, people would take their dogs along wherever they went, however faraway it is, without any problems.. In some provinces, this kind of dog was called "Cart-following dog", serving as an escort dog. Though very fierce by nature, this Thai dog is not so fierce once it is outside the house compound or accompanying its owner to other places. When it is staying at within the house compound, if someone touches its owner, it will attack that person immediately. So it can be classified as a guard dog too.
The peculiarity of the breed is the ridge on the back formed by hair growing in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat. The breed is robust yet lightly built for mainly two purpose as a guard dog and as a hunting dog, it should be strong, athletic and alert dog, which is suitable for activities and endurance. They have a very strong wedge-shaped head with medium sized but erect ears, almond eyes, a powerful muzzle and strong scissor bite teech. A black mask is highly desirable on the reds coloured dogs and black markings on the tongue are prized. The body gives an impression of power, with good bone and the back being moderately long and slightly arched over the loin. The chest is deep and the loins wide and muscular. Stifles are only moderately angulated, but the dog must have agood tuck-up of abdomen. The tail is of particular interest being well set and carried witha very strong scimitar curve.
The characteristic expression of the breed gives the impression of fidelity, liveliness and watchfulness, alert to every sight and sound; fearless, but with a decided suspiciousness of strangers. In personality, he is a gentle charming but indomitable and independent pet dog. The breed is well know for being an one man type of dog and it is very devoted to his family, but its strong loyalty embraces all people which are well known.. A good temperament is always alert but also sensible and steady, the breed can also combine in a charming way, a curious attitude with a large portion od self-esteem.
The reason for the purity of the breed is that although the Dog Association of Thailand (DAT) has only been in existence since 1975, the breed has been known and cultivated in the area surrounding the Gulf of Thailand and in particular the island of Phu Quoc near the border of Combodia. It is thought the dogs were landed here by slave traders and merchands and due to the geographic isolation of this part of Thailand, where communications were very primitive, there has been little chance for the breed to intermix with other dogs.
Currently the Thai Ridgeback dog have been registrated with the Kennel Club of Thailand, and been recognized with both the Asian Kennel Union and the F.C.I. It is to be hope that every ethical breeder of this interesting breed will continue promoting the breed over the world.
BREED INFORMATION
The Breed Standard
The Illustrated Standard
Breeder Code of Ethics
How To Buy The Right TRD
Color Breeding in the TRD
The 12 Traits of the TRD
Scale of Points
FURTHER INFORMATION AND FAVORITE LINKS
The Canine Chronicle OnLine
Buyer Beware !!!!
The Seven Stages Apprenticeship For Breeders
The Hidden Pedigree
The Breeding Principles
Choosing A Mentor
Breeding/Knowing What You Want
7 Foundations Of A Successful DogBreeder
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