Thai Ridgeback

Taiwan DogXoloitzcuintli

Thai Ridgeback – General Description

The Thai Ridgeback (Thai: ไทยหลังอาน, RTGS: Thai Lang-An) is an ancient breed of dog. The breed was formerly unknown outside of Thailand, but is gaining notice in the Western world.[1] They are also known as a Mah Thai Lang Ahn. The Thai Ridgeback is one of only three breeds that has a ridge of hair that runs along its back in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat. The other two are the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Phu Quoc Ridgeback.

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Classification and Standards

• FCI Group 5, Section 8, #338
• AKC AKC (FSS) The AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS) is an optional recording service for purebred dogs that are not yet eligible for AKC registration.
• UKC Sighthounds & Pariahs

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Character & Temperament

Thai Ridgebacks are an intelligent breed. The energy level is typically medium to high, with most of the day spent lounging and activity periods occurring in sporadic bursts. Well bred and properly socialized Thai Ridgebacks make loyal, loving family pets. They are naturally protective of their home and family and can be aggressive or shy when not properly socialized. They are best kept by consistent owners who have a thorough understanding of dog behavior. Because of prior geographic isolation and lack of human contact, the Thai Ridgeback remains independent minded and much of the original natural instinct and drives remain intact, particularly prey drive. Due to its nature, the Thai Ridgeback is not recommended for the novice dog handler. They have an excellent jumping ability and may seek to roam if not properly contained. [3]

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History

The origin of the Thai Ridgeback is undocumented, but the breed was developed in eastern Thailand. The history of the breed is the subject of numerous hypotheses. It is generally considered a Pariah-type dating back to ancient times. The Thai Ridgeback may have mutated from another form of Thai dog which has similar appearance but with no ridge on the back. Rock art indicated that Thai dogs had accompanied a hunter since the new stone age of the country (over 2,000 years ago). Due to the isolation of Thai villages in the past, the breed had been inbred within the village for centuries. As a result, the appearance of the breed is quite uniform. Most lethal traits had been discarded through several generations of natural selection. The breed has a low level of inbreeding depression.

The third existing breed of ridgeback dogs is the Phu Quoc Ridgeback of Vietnam, which is somewhat smaller than the Thai Ridgeback. Based on genetic-based hypothesis, both Thai Ridgeback Dog and Phu Quoc Dog are likely to be descended from Funan Ridgeback Dog which originated over 1,000 years ago in Funan Era of the region. The Hottentot Dog or Ari Dog (as called by the tribe), a known African ridgeback ancestor of the Rhodesian Ridgeback, is now extinct. Its link to the Funan Ridgeback Dog is very likely in a historian opinion. The possible genetic connection among the three remaining breeds is being investigated through DNA studies.

The relationship between the Thai Ridgeback and the Rhodesian Ridgeback is uncertain, but possible through the Hottentot Dog or Ari Dog. There is minimal scientific proof that they are related.

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Size & Appearance

The Thai Ridgeback is a muscular, medium-sized pariah-type dog with a wedge-shaped head, triangular-shaped prick ears, and a very short, smooth coat. It has a pronounced ridge on its back formed by hair growing in the opposite direction that extends from behind the withers to the hips. Puppies are occasionally born ridgeless. Thai Ridgebacks have a muscular and streamlined body, making them extremely agile. The tail is carried upward called a sickle or sword tail. Its forehead wrinkles with enormous expression. Like many eastern breeds, the Thai Ridgeback has retained a ‘scissor jaw’ where upper and lower teeth interlock when the jaw bones clamp down. The tongue can be black or have black marks. Eyes are almond-shaped and brown but may be amber in blue dogs. The ears are set low and point slightly outward. The ears stand up progressively during the puppy growth period, they are not cropped. The back is straight and level. The coat is short, hard, and straight. Due to the length and density of the coat shedding is minimal, occurring once or twice yearly. Because this breed does not have an undercoat the hair does not usually bother people allergic to other breeds of dogs. Coat must be solid colors of blue, black, red or fawn with a black mask being acceptable on reds. However, brindle and white are also found but are not acceptable colors. For international show and competition, shoulder height should be 22-24 inches (56–61 cm) in males and 20-22 inches (51–56 cm) in females. The weight averages 35–55 lbs in females and 40-60 lbs in males.

Eight distinctive ridge patterns have been identified: needle, feather, arrow, lute, violin, bowling pin, leaf, and saddleback. All patterns are acceptable, but must be clearly defined and symmetrical. The broader the ridge, the more highly it is prized.[2]

For international show and competition, shoulder height should be 22-24 inches (56-61 cm) in males and 20-22 inches (51-56 cm) in females. The weight averages 35–55lbs in females and 40-60lbs in males.

Eight distinctive ridge patterns have been identified: needle, feather, arrow, lute, violin, bowling pin, leaf, and saddleback. All patterns are acceptable, but must be clearly defined and symmetrical. The broader the ridge, the more highly it is prized.

Genetics

Ridge

The ridgeback is under a control of two groups of epistatic genes. The first determines the existence of the ridge. The other determines the size of the ridge, from none to very large (down to the side). For the latter, the more the genes in the dog, the broader is the ridge. The ridge will appear only if there is at least one dominant allele in both groups.

Color

Coat color is also under a control of more than three loci/groups of genes. The first, an A locus, determines the color of the coat if it should be sable/balck and tan, or back. The second, an E locus, controls the red coat. The expression of the E locus is under control of a set of modifying genes, so the degree of extension of black coloration may vary. The third, a K locus, plays a role on wheather the coat would be of brindle color. The other group epistatically controls the dilution of the colors. Black can be dilute to gray/silver/blue/isabella, and red/brown/fawn will turn beige. The normal color is dominance over the diluted. In addition, there might be another locus controlling if the coat should be red or brown/fawn.

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Health & Maintenance

Thai ridgebacks are a hardy, overall healthy breed with few inherent health issues. The breed has reproduced in Thailand almost exclusively by natural selection until the very recent past. The domesticated population is small. Inbreeding depression has not been observed in the breed. Thai Ridgeback Dogs are prone to dermoid sinus. Modern lines of Thai Ridgeback, resulting from interpopulation crosses, may also be prone to hip dysplasia and other genetic disorders.

References

1. Thai Ridgeback Dogs of the USA Breed Info – http://www.trdusa.org/
2. About the Thai Ridgeback Dog – http://hem.passagen.se/yvkek/thaiom_e.html
3. Thai Ridgeback FAQ – http://www.thailandridgebacks.com/html/faq.html
4. [1] – http://pub.epsilon.slu.se/1669/

External links

• Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Thai Ridgeback
• Mythaidog.com – History of breed, FCI stansard, photos, videos of TRD

Photo Credits

1. Plums Jewel (www.thairidgebackdog.info) [GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
2. Regalthai (Own work) [CC-BY-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
3. Jake Gardner (Regalthai) [CC-BY-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
4. Pleple2000 (Own work) [GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0-2.5-2.0-1.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
5. HiSa Hiller, Schweiz (Own work) [GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], via Wikimedia Commons
6. Valentin930 (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
7. Leon Medov (Odessit2001)Odessit2001 at de.wikipedia [CC-BY-SA-3.0-de (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/de/deed.en)], from Wikimedia Commons

This article is licensed (except where noted) under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
It uses material from the Wikipedia article Thai Ridgeback

Videos

Animal Planet – Dogs 101: Thai Ridgeback

Breed Standard

Thai Ridgeback

FCI-Standard N° 338 / 25. 02. 2004 / GB

ORIGIN : Thailand.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 26.05.2003.

UTILIZATION :

Hunting and companion dog.

F.C.I. CLASSIFICATION :

• Group 5 Spitz and primitive types.
• Section 7 Primitive Type-Hunting Dogs.

Without working trial.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY :

The Thai Ridgeback Dog is an old breed which can be seen in the archeological documents in Thailand which were written about 360 years ago. It was used mainly for hunting in the eastern part of Thailand. People also used it to escort their carts and as a watch dog. The reason why it has kept its own original type for so many years is due to poor transportation systems in the eastern part of Thailand; it had fewer chances to crossbreed with other breeds.

GENERAL APPEARANCE :

Medium-sized dog with short hair forming a ridge along the back. The body is slightly longer than its height at withers. Muscles are well developed, and its anatomical structure is suitable for activities.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS :

Length of body : Height at the withers = 11 : 1O
Depth of chest : Height at the withers = 1 : 2

BEHAVIOR / TEMPERAMENT :

Tough and active with excellent jumping ability. A loyal family dog.

HEAD

CRANIAL REGION :

Skull : The skull is flat between the ears but slightly rounded when seen from the side.
Forehead : Wrinkles when the dog is attentive.
Stop : Clearly defined, but moderate.

FACIAL REGION :

Nose : Black. In blue dogs, the nose is bluish.
Nasal bridge : Straight and long.
Muzzle : Wedge-shaped, slightly shorter than skull.
Lips : Tight with good pigmentation.
Mouth : Black marking on the tongue is preferable.
Jaws : Upper and lower jaws are strong.
Teeth : White and strong with scissors bite.
Eyes : Medium size and almond shaped. The eye colour is dark brown. In blues, amber-coloured eyes are permitted.
Ears : Set on sides of the skull. Medium sized, triangular, inclining forward and firmly pricked. Not cropped.

NECK :

Medium length, strong, muscular, slightly arched and holding head high.

BODY

Back : Strong and level.
Loin : Strong and broad.
Croup : Moderately sloping.
Chest : Deep enough to reach the elbows. The ribs are well sprung, but not barrel-shaped.
Lower line : The belly is well tucked up.

TAIL :

Thick at base with gradual tapering toward the tip. The tip can reach hock joints. Carried vertically and slightly curved.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS :

Shoulder : Well laid back.
Forearm : Straight.
Pastern : Straight when seen from the front and very slightly sloping when seen from the side.
Feet : Oval
Nails : Black but can be lighter depending on coat color.

HINDQUARTERS :

Thighs : Well developed with well bent stifles.
Hocks : Strong and well let down.
Rear Pastern : Straight and parallel when seen from the rear.
Feet : Oval

GAIT :

Reachy stride with no pitching nor rolling of the body. Parallel tracking at normal speed. When viewed from the front, the forelegs move up and down in straight lines so that the shoulder, elbow and pastern joints are approximately in line with each other. When viewed from the rear, the stifle and hip joints are approximately in line. Movement in a straight line forward without throwing the feet in or out; thus enabling the stride to be long and drive powerful. The overall appearance of the moving dog is one of smooth flowing and well balanced rhythm.

SKIN :

Soft, fine and tight. Throat : no dewlap.

COAT

HAIR :

Short and smooth. The ridge on the top region is formed by the hair growing in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat. It should be clearly defined from other parts of the back. There are various shapes and lengths of ridge, but must be symmetrical on either side of the backbone and within the width of the back. Crowns or whirls at the head of the ridge are acceptable.

COLOR :

Solid color : red, black, blue and very light fawn (isabella). Black mask is preferable in reds.

SIZE :

Ideal height at the withers :

Males: 22-24 inches (56-61 cm)
Females: 20-22 inches (51-56 cm).

There is a tolerance of plus or minus one inch (2.5 cm).

FAULTS :

Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

• Any bite other than scissors bite.
• Unbalanced ridge.

ELIMINATING FAULTS :

• Aggressive or overly shy.
• Dogs without ridge
• Long hair.

Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioral abnormalities shall be disqualified.

N.B.: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.