Thai Ridgeback Dog (TRD)

So here's where a bunch of my free time goes to these days.



Meet Kaya; the only girl in our household. She's a Thai Ridgeback, and is almost 2 year old. She became a part of the family just before the new year.

I'm sure most of you dog people are thinking, a Thai what? (And then the next common response is: "Oh, like a Rhodesian Ridgeback") Not exactly...

The Thai Ridgeback is native to Thailand (of course), and has been there hundreds, if not thousands, of years. They are a popular breed there, and people are very proud of them. Due to Thailand's isolation and lack of transportation, the breed has remained pure. They are not much removed from a feral dog, but are in fact a domesticated breed.

There are three breeds of dog which have a ridge down the back (the hair grows forward, instead of backwards): The Rhodesian Ridgeback (Africa), the Thai Ridgeback (Thailand), and the Phu Quoc Ridgeback (Vietnam). The Phu Quoc and the Thai have a common ancestor. However, there is not a common ancestor which is known between them and the Rhodesian, although many experts agree one probably exists.

They were first brought to US in 1994. There are only a few hundred in the states today. The breed is not officially recognized by the AKC (and most enthusiats actually would like to keep it that way, and not let the AKC interfere with the breed standard), but is listed in its FSS (AKC lite, if you will).

She's been quite the project, but we're slowly getting there. It's par for the course with the breed, however. They are very smart (independent thinkers), but also can be very shy (which she is to the extreme, sometimes). This makes training interesting...

 

Never seen one. Does not really look anything like the Rhodesian, does she have the graceful gate of the other Ridgebacks? Looks like they have a powerful jaw.
Was she a rescue, where you looking for this breed? Are they a working breed?

Nice to meet you Kaya Thank you Hunter for sharing her, very interesting.

 

Thanks Cheryl.

She trots mostly, but it is graceful and similar, yes. She runs like a Greyhound. And a very strong jaw; they were initially bread as a hunting dog for small game, to escort carts, and as a watch dog. She play bites (usually) gently, however.

I was specifically looking for the breed; it fit what I was looking for in a dog exactly. Doesn't shed (nor really needs grooming), is very clean, smart, a good size (but not huge), intelligent, loyal, protective, and devoted. They do not hardly bark, and when they do you know it's for good reason.

She came from a breeder who was initially going to hold onto her (and a few brothers/sister), but her daughter had a daughter (granddaughter) and she had too many dogs to handle. We elected to go with a year old dog over a puppy. In hindsight, I don't know if I'd go that route again or not. There were advantages, but a lot more hurdles than I expected too.

 

My friends swim coach has one, very pretty and has a cool personality! Probably my second favorite breed after Samoyeds.
I love yours!

 

When I looked at the images again, I can see the ridge. I know several Rhodesian and love them all. All are pretty darn large I would say around 80#. How large do the Thai Ridgebacks get?

Is she going to any basic obedience?

She will always probably be a little sand off towards strangers but she is young, I am not a huge fan of large breed lap dogs. I like independence in larger breed dogs and half a brain.

My favorites are Malinois, Anatolian shepherd, German shepherds and Ridgebacks, pretty much in that order.

 

Very cool Hunter...she's beautiful! I know what you mean when you say time consuming, as I have 3 of my own.

 

Very lean and strong looking dog. Now I know there is more than one type of Ridgeback. Looks like it takes the heat well. Thank you for sharing!!

 

Yeah? There's not many around. Thanks!

The Thai is quite a bit smaller; she's right at 19" and just over 40 lbs - which is about right for a female. Males are a little bigger.

Basic obience is pretty good, but you do have to work at it. She learns quick, but getting her to do it is the secondary challenge. Sit, stay, come, play nice, off, go lay down, wait, okay, outside, etc. We're still working on a simple "down" and perfecting a "heel".

Not a lap dog by any means. She wants to be with you and in the room you're in, but doesn't want or need constant attention. An occasional pet is enough.

Thanks Andy. This one is enough!

Thanks Jerry. Yeah, forgot to mention they gate the cold and love the heat, which also made it a good breed for me. She doesn't even pant when walking unless it's over 90. Walking in 110 degree heat isn't a problem either.

 

I had 2 Rhodesian Ridgebacks and body wise they are familiar to the Thai from about mid-chest back; except a Rhodesian is twice the weight if not more. Mine were both females and weighed in at 85-90Lbs at 10 years.

 

looks like she could kick some ass , what are they bred for ?