Thai Ridgeback

The Thai Ridgeback is a primitive-type dog from eastern Thailand carrying a ridge of hair growing against the lie of its coat — one of only three breeds in the world with that feature.

History

It developed in isolation in eastern Thailand, used to guard, hunt and accompany carts, and was largely unknown outside the country until the late twentieth century. The ridge it shares with the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Phu Quoc dog appears to have arisen independently.

Temperament

The breed is known for being independent, alert and strongly protective, deeply loyal to its own household and reserved to the point of suspicion with strangers. It is an athletic, agile dog that thinks for itself.

Care and training

It needs regular exercise, secure fencing — it climbs — and early, continued socialising. Training must be built on respect rather than repetition; it does not work for the sake of working. The short coat is easy.

Health

The ridge is associated with dermoid sinus, a congenital defect that breeders check for, as in the other ridged breeds. These are known patterns for the breed and a matter for a breeder and a vet; the measured facts are in the panel.