Thai Ridgeback
An athletic, independent Thai guard and hunting dog with a ridge of reversed hair along its back.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at the withers
- Males 56–61 cm · Females 51–56 cm
- Weight
- Males 23–34 kg · Females 16–25 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–14 years
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Smooth, short
- Colours
- Red, Black, Blue, Isabella
- Bred for
- Guarding, Hunting by sight, Companionship
- Country of origin
- Thailand
- FCI
- Group 5, no. 338 · Spitz & primitive types
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with other dogs | 2/5 – Low |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 1/5 – Very low |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 4/5 – High |
| Easy to train | 2/5 – Low |
| Prey drive | 5/5 – Very high |
| Watchful and protective | 4/5 – High |
| Barking | 2/5 – Low |
| Shedding | 2/5 – Low |
| Grooming effort | 1/5 – Very low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 1/5 – Very low |
| Suits apartment living | 2/5 – Low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 5/5 – Very high |
| Copes with cold | 2/5 – Low |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- have experience with independent guarding breeds
- live in a warm climate
- can offer secure, high fencing
Think twice if you …
- are a first-time owner
- have small pets
- want a dog that's friendly with everyone
Care
Temperament
Independent, loyal and protective, it is affectionate with family and wary of strangers. It is athletic and quick, with a high prey drive.
Exercise
It needs an hour or more daily of exercise, including running in a secure area; lure coursing and agility are good outlets.
Grooming
The very short coat needs only a weekly brush and sheds lightly.
Training
It is intelligent but strong-willed and sensitive; patient, consistent, reward-based training and early socialisation are essential.
Health
Dermoid sinus, a skin defect along the spine, occurs in the breed and puppies should be checked for it; hip and elbow dysplasia are also screened. Ask the breeder for hip and elbow results and dermoid sinus checks.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Thai Ridgeback has lived for centuries in eastern Thailand, where it hunted, guarded homes and escorted carts, largely isolated from other breeds. It became better known outside Thailand from the late twentieth century and was fully recognised by the FCI in 2003.
It is an athletic, intelligent and strong-willed dog. With its family it is loyal and affectionate, but it is naturally suspicious of strangers and protective. It has a strong prey drive and can jump high fences. It needs a confident, experienced owner who offers good socialisation, consistent structure and plenty of exercise.
Did you know?
The Thai Ridgeback is one of only a few breeds with a ridge of hair growing against the rest of the coat along its back.