Thai Ridgeback - an exotic friend

• Pets
• >>
• Dog breeds

* Here is a photo of a typical representative of the Thai Ridgeback dog breed . You can send us photos of your animals by email, and we will post them on the website. Don't forget to send your pet's name.

Other breed names:

TRD, MahTai

Video

* We invite you to watch a video about the Thai Ridgeback . In fact, in front of you is a playlist in which you can select and watch any of 20 videos about a given dog breed by simply clicking on the button in the upper right corner of the window. In addition, the material contains quite a lot of photos. By looking at them you can find out what a Thai Ridgeback looks like.

Rate the material!

[Total votes: 4 Average: 3.3]

The Thai Ridgeback is a rare breed of dog that is the national treasure of Thailand. These dogs have gone through centuries of development, and their family even contains the blood of wild Dingo dogs. They walked side by side with humans for a long time, but did not lose their independence and self-will.

How to choose a puppy

Despite the fact that the breed is rare in our country, it is quite possible to purchase a puppy.

• First, you need to decide on the purpose of the purchase - whether the pet will participate in exhibitions or just become a pet. The level of requirements for the puppy, its price and a suitable kennel depend on this.
• When choosing a specific animal in a nursery, you should pay attention to its parents - their achievements, medical results and general appearance. Healthy animals, whose breed qualities have been confirmed by exhibition experts, are more likely to produce healthy offspring.

It is advisable to meet the baby in person; if this is not possible, ask the owner for photos and videos of the ridge, and copies of the parents’ pedigrees.

• The puppy must be assessed for compliance with the standard - correct color, build, bite, eye and claw color, etc. Ideally, the baby already has exhibition achievements (if a show-class animal is purchased).
• For any purpose of acquisition, the puppy should not show any signs of disease (you should pay particular attention to the test for joint dysplasia), must be well-fed and respond adequately to external stimuli.
• A young ridge is usually covered with folds; this is normal; with age, the skin will smooth out.

The breeder must provide the dog's first documents - metrics of the established FCI standard, which must later be exchanged for a pedigree, and a veterinary passport with vaccination and deworming notes. The animal must have a mark.

At the age of approximately 2.5 months, the puppy is ready to move to a new home. The owner can only prepare everything necessary for his arrival - leash, bowls, toys.

Nurseries

Experts recommend purchasing a puppy from specialized institutions, where you can get guarantees of purebredness, see the parents, and receive the appropriate documents.

Nurseries can be mono-breed, i.e. engaged in breeding only Thai Ridgebacks, or focused on several breeds at once. Some breeders may work with the involvement of foreign animals, or deal only with a specific color.

Some of the most famous nurseries in Russia are the following:

• Showline Melin`s Kennel (Moscow);
• TimeLine;
• Nellirel (Moscow region, Klin);
• GrAmmySweet (St. Petersburg);
• Mythaidog;
• Elfgrays (Kaluga).

Each has its own characteristics and advantages; when choosing, you should familiarize yourself with its history, the achievements of graduates, and reviews of puppy owners. Cynological forums and nursery websites will help with this.

In general, it is worth noting that the Thai Ridgeback breed is ideal for lovers of colorful exotics who want to actively spend their time in games or sports. The lively facial expressions and original character of Mah Taev will bring a lot of pleasure and fun to their owners.

History of the origin of Thai Ridgebacks

Ridgebacks are one of the oldest dog breeds. The name of the breed comes from the word "rija", which means "ridge on the back". These dogs have existed for more than three thousand years and served even ancient people. The homeland of the breed is also not determined: presumably, they began their existence in Thailand, although there is evidence that these dogs also lived in Indonesia. There is a possibility that Ridgebacks originated from crossing dogs with wild dingoes.

Thai Ridgebacks have, of course, been observed in large numbers near Thailand. Dogs came to the islands thanks to people who traveled by water and took their pets with them. Since at first the dogs had dense fur, on the islands they had to urgently get rid of it - it simply interfered with the normal existence of the dogs. So their breed of Thai Ridgebacks completely rejected the “fluffy” individuals.

Interesting fact: Semi-wild dogs, traveling with people, ended up on the Phu Quoc Islands, which are located in the Gulf of Thailand. The islands are closed, which is why the dogs had close sexual interbreeding. The islanders received a unique breed, which acquired only the qualities necessary for life on the islands.

Initially, Thai Ridgebacks led a yard lifestyle, but in the 19th century, colonialists from Europe arrived on the island. There were no similar dogs in Europe, so Ridgebacks immediately attracted the attention of travelers. Later, European dog handlers worked on the Thai Ridgeback breed - the dog needed “domestication”. Therefore, only in the middle of the 20th century, exhibitions began to be organized that popularized the breed.

History of the breed

The Thai Ridgeback is an ancient native breed that lived throughout Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia and Indonesia. The second name is MahTai. Belongs to the group of pariah dogs, which are characterized by uncertain origins. In Russia they are called mongrels. The MahTai is the national breed of Thailand.

The name Ridgeback is derived from the English words “ridge” - “comb” and “back” - “back”. It is explained as follows: a woolen “track” stretches along MahTai’s back, the pile on which grows in the opposite direction.

The origin of the breed cannot be determined. However, genetic analyzes have shown that Ridgebacks who lived in Thailand are older than their Cambodian and Vietnamese relatives. The isolation of Thailand prevented crossbreeding with other breeds, so the modern MahTai is not much different from the ancient “variant”.

Historical purpose of the breed: hunting, home guarding, cargo transportation. Ridgebacks are known for their ability to hunt on their own. They were a good help in the household because they could feed not only themselves, but also the owner.

The Thai Ridgeback received recognition from the FCI only in 1993. This breed is rare in Russia: about 400 animals are officially registered.

Thai Ridgeback - description of the breed

Thai Ridgebacks have been preserved almost in their “pristine” form to this day. This was facilitated by reproduction in a closed island. The dogs were closely related, which created a unique, colorful breed. The breed standard does not control weight, although it does state that weight should be appropriate for the dog's height. For example, a male 57-60 cm tall should weigh 28-34 kg at the withers. The preferred height of the bitch is 51-56 cm, and the weight is between 16-25 kg.

The head of Thai Ridgebacks is built like a wolf. The forehead is almost flat, the line on the side is pointwise rounded. The transition from the forehead to the nose is clear, but smoothed. These dogs have well-developed “facial” muscles, therefore, when the dog is concentrated, characteristic horizontal folds of skin appear on the forehead - this makes the facial expressions of Ridgebacks bright.

The length of the skull to the muzzle is approximately 3:2. The nose is smooth, slightly tapering towards the muzzle. The lower jaw is powerful, although the muzzle itself looks sophisticated. Dogs of this breed have expressive cheekbones, filled spaces under the eyes, and flat cheeks. The lips are dry, without pronounced pigmentation, fit well to the jaw and hide the teeth. The teeth have the correct bite.

The nose is always round and black. The eyes are small, set harmoniously, but a little deep. The iris of the eye has a brown tint, sometimes red. The ears are triangular, sharp at the ends, erect, very dynamic. The ears are set low and wide, slightly turned forward.

The body has a slightly elongated shape, proportional. The neck is thin, but not long, slightly wide and rounded. Pronounced withers, straight back, round and slightly sloping croup. The chest is well developed, the ribs are elongated. The abdomen is tight and toned. The paws are strong, straight, with pronounced hock joints. The tail of Ridgebacks is proportionally long, strong and elastic, slightly tapering towards the end, and set low.

Popular colors of Thai Ridgebacks

Thai Ridgebacks are short-haired dogs, although their body appears hairless. This is due to the fact that the dog's coat is very short and sparse, moreover, it blends with the color of the dog's skin, which necessarily goes tone on tone.

The Ridgeback's coat should always be glossy, bright and shiny. The hair grows close to each other, formally there is no undercoat, but the top layer of hair is very hard and smooth. Ridgeback skin is soft, wrinkle-free, and breathes well.

In fact, among Ridgebacks there is even a classification regarding coat length:

• Short hair is the shortest option, in which the hairs lie tightly to the body;
• Velor - wool 2 millimeters long;
• Standard – up to 2.5 mm.

It is problematic to distinguish the type of Thai Ridgeback based on the length of its coat. This issue is dealt with by specialists in this breed. Ridgebacks always have a solid color, with the skin being the same shade as the coat. There should be no spots or isolated white hairs.

The colors are as follows:

• Brown, which ranges from fawn to dark chocolate;
• Blue - it is better if it is the lightest shade, but darker shades are also allowed;
• Black Ridgebacks;
• The red-brown color of Thai Ridgebacks is unique in that pigmented, darker masks are allowed on their faces.

On the back of Thai Ridgebacks there is a crest - the same ridge after which they got their name. This stripe consists of guard hairs that are turned in the opposite direction and seem to stick out upward. The stripe grows from the withers, along the entire length of the back to the croup.

It is necessarily symmetrical, but its width and shape may vary slightly. Dog handlers especially appreciate narrow, clearly defined stripes. It is generally accepted that the wider the band, the more impurities that dog has in the blood.

Interesting Facts

This unusual breed has some interesting features, for example:

1. Ridgebacks are often compared to cats, because they can wash themselves just like these small animals.
2. Thai dogs are very fond of vegetables and fruits, which is quite atypical for the canine family.
3. They are afraid of water and cold, damp weather.
4. The facial wrinkles on puppies' faces, which are why they are compared to Shar-Peis, smooth out as they grow older.

Character and habits of Thai Ridgebacks

Thai Ridgebacks are independent dogs. For a long time they lived away from humans, thanks to which they acquired such qualities as unobtrusiveness, tact, and caution in behavior. These dogs are good for keeping in an apartment because they are odorless, do not shed, and are extremely clean. At the same time, Ridgebacks do not like to be left alone for a long time, and sooner or later they will demand the attention of the owner.

Thai Ridgebacks are not aggressive, but they also do not like to be touched by strangers. With poor upbringing, males of this breed can show anger and even become guard dogs. They may actively bark at strangers who encroach on their territory. Ridgebacks have their own opinions and can act independently of humans. They do not like to be treated rudely, so they may respond with rudeness.

Ridgebacks are resourceful and inventive. The dog must learn to trust its person so that further training does not cause difficulties. Ridgebacks do not like systematic repetition of commands - they are too smart for this type of training. If they get bored with something, they can become stubborn and refuse to follow commands at all.

Interesting fact: Thai Ridgebacks get along well with other animals, including cats. The dog just needs to make it clear that the animal will live with him side by side, and the Ridgeback will take this fact for granted. But dogs can react aggressively to foreign animals. For example, they can tolerate an intrusive dog on a walk, but will not tolerate other people's attention for too long.

Ridgebacks love children and play well with them. They are energetic, active dogs that need to run a lot and should be given plenty of positive attention. These dogs must be well trained, otherwise their hunting instincts will get the better of them, and the Ridgeback will run away from its owner on an impromptu “hunt.”

Who is the dog suitable for?

In historical descriptions, Ridgebacks were used for hunting. Nowadays they are bred as companion dogs, and Thais also have a well-developed guard instinct, so they are suitable for protection.

Ridgebacks get along well with all family members, including small children , but contact between the child and the dog must be supervised by adults. Ridgeback does not tolerate careless handling. This is not a breed that a child can ride on without fear and have their ears pulled.

with other pets . The exception is when several pets grow up together from a very early age.

These dogs can be kept in city apartments, but with serious physical activity while walking. Ideally kept in a private house with a large fenced area.

Thai Ridgebacks are recommended for keeping only by experienced dog breeders.

Interesting facts about Thai Ridgebacks

The Thai Ridgeback dog is the national pride of Thailand. This is the only dog ​​breed bred in this country. Thai Ridgebacks are allowed to be bred only in nurseries in Thailand, and all their crossings are regulated by the Canine Association.

This breed is almost not common in Russia and the CIS countries. This is due to the fact that Ridgebacks are dogs adapted for dry and very hot weather. They adapt well to steppes and deserts, but do not tolerate sub-zero temperatures very well. At the time of 2014, there were only 200 Thai Ridgebacks in Russia.

Thai Ridgebacks require an individual training regimen, which must be selected by a trainer. Otherwise, it will not be possible to raise a dog - it will be capricious and self-willed. In addition, Ridgebacks never see people as masters - it is only possible to cooperate with them, but not to command them. Because of this, it is generally accepted that these dogs have a cat-like character.

Thais love attention. If they want affection, they will impose themselves, climb into your arms and suck up to people in every possible way. In the family, they love to be in the center, love to play and follow their person everywhere. The slightest manifestation of aggression towards a Thai Ridgeback can result in disaster - the dog will forever become unfriendly towards people.

Thai Ridgebacks tend to analyze the situation. Thanks to intelligence, with age, dogs that grow up in close contact with people will be able to understand a person at a glance. They perceive gestures, facial expressions and emotions well, so training should be based on these aspects.

Choosing a puppy

A sniffling, puffing, floundering bundle of energy that requires constant release - this is what Thai Ridgeback puppies look like. They need constant attention from humans, because in the absence of the owner the dog feels unwell. Loneliness has a detrimental effect on the character of TRD even in infancy. Puppies should be walked, played with and socialized regularly.

Purchasing a puppy from the market or “from hand” is strictly not recommended. Only from a professional nursery, because the value of the breed is much higher than any monetary value.

Meeting a puppy, you may be surprised by the many folds on its body, like a Shar Pei. But, as the dog grows up, it loses them, with the exception of wrinkles on the face. With age, folds decorate only the animal's forehead.

Ears stand up by the age of four months, and in babies they are drooping. By this time, the iris is finally formed, and the eyes acquire their true color. Otherwise the puppies look like this:

• All colors except silver/blue have a black nose.
• The muzzle is wedge-shaped.
• The lips are tight and fit tightly to the mouth.
• The tongue is blue or speckled, which may appear as they get older.
• Scissor bite.
• Complete set of teeth.
• The eyes are slanted.

The kennel will be sure to introduce the puppy’s parents so that future owners have an idea of ​​the dog’s external characteristics. Also health certificates and dysplasia test. Over time, the puppy is also shown this test so that the individual is allowed for breeding. Each puppy in the kennel has a package of documents:

• birth certificate for a puppy, with information about the parents and their pedigree numbers;
• veterinary passport, which shows the dates of vaccination - what and when vaccinations were given;
• photocopies of parents' pedigrees, their titles, health certificates;
• Memo-recommendation on feeding the puppy from the breeder.

Recently, dogs have been microchipped. The chip number is entered in the veterinary passport. The cost of this rare breed, which includes the Thai Ridgeback dog, is discussed by the breeder individually with each client. We can only point out that females of exotic breeds are much more expensive than males.

Pros and cons of Thai Ridgebacks

The advantages of the Thai Ridgeback breed include the following points:

• Amazing intelligence and independence in decision making. Thanks to this, Thai Ridgebacks are good hunters, excellent guards and attentive companions. You can even leave children with them;
• In competent hands, Thai Ridgebacks are highly trainable. They know how to trust the owner and perform the most complex tasks;
• Aesthetic appearance;
• Dogs are clean - they will not bring dirt home, they will not eat bad food;
• The dogs are very hardy;
• Thai Ridgebacks are very loyal to their family if raised correctly. In this case, the dogs are ready to protect the owner in any circumstances.

The disadvantages of Thai Ridgebacks include the following:

• Thai Ridgebacks are very skittish dogs. They do not like to carry out uninteresting commands, they often defend their point of view and are mischievous. Only an individual training program can affect these dogs;
• During walks, you need to closely monitor the dog: they are good hunters, so they can get carried away in the pursuit of prey;
• It is better not to keep your Thai Ridgeback with other animals. Although they are loyal to them, they are very jealous and will draw attention to themselves;
• Thai Ridgebacks do not accept any aggression or physical violence. They remember such phenomena and are ready to take revenge.

To summarize, we can say that Thai Ridgebacks are suitable for people who know how to raise dogs. By getting a Ridgeback, a person gets a faithful comrade and a reliable companion who will not harm his family, will not harm children and will show self-esteem with his entire appearance.

Training and education

The Thai Ridgeback is not a lap dog and therefore requires early socialization. Despite the fact that MahTai has interacted with humans for centuries, he is stubborn and independent. From the first months of life, the puppy is taught to understand that the person is in charge, and the dog occupies a subordinate position. If the Ridgeback feels weak, he will not obey commands and imagines himself as the leader.

After the puppy arrives in its new home, the whole family must learn the rules of upbringing. These include constant adherence to prohibitions, drawing boundaries, and maintaining authority. If an animal is prohibited from eating from the table or getting into bed, it is always prohibited. In addition, you should not allow the dog to enter the door first or get food before the owner: this will lead to role reversal.

Ridgebacks are smart and active. They get tired of long repetitions and need varied training.

The dog should not be beaten or constantly scolded! This will not only destroy trust, but will lead to aggression or withdrawal.

Breeding Thai Ridgebacks

Breeding Thai Ridgebacks should be left to professionals, and definitely not done on your own. Only nurseries and official breeders can calculate all the risks when crossing individual individuals. The difficulty is that Thai Ridgebacks have low genetic diversity, so only certain colors can be crossed with each other. Otherwise, there is a high risk of getting non-viable offspring.

The knitting process also has its difficulties. Thai Ridgebacks are dogs with character and self-esteem. Even a bitch in heat can react extremely aggressively to a male brought to her. If this happens, it will be impossible to “make friends” with the dogs in the future. It is better to gradually introduce the animals to each other before the heat so that they get used to it.

Thai breeders breed Ridgebacks from the same litter or simply crossbreed close relatives. The dogs grow up together, so there are no formal difficulties. However, this method is not approved by canine organizations, since the offspring also have low genetic diversity.

Interesting fact: A pregnant Thai Ridgeback bitch becomes loving and affectionate. She, like a child, should be given a lot of attention, often spend time with her and go for a lot of walks in the first stages of pregnancy. If the dog is not given proper attention, there is a risk that it will not accept its offspring.

Thai Ridgebacks are active and lively dogs. The bitch should be protected from activity during late pregnancy and early after birth. A veterinarian must be present during the birth, as dogs often experience all sorts of complications.

Caring for Thai Ridgebacks

Thai Ridgebacks are easy to care for. These dogs feel great both in the house and in the apartment. But under no circumstances should they be kept outside. Firstly, dogs will begin to feel sad for their owners, because they need to be close to their owners. Secondly, the dog has a high risk of colds and other diseases - Ridgebacks tolerate cold very poorly.

These dogs have no smell, and their short hair requires minimal grooming. In fact, they shed, but it goes almost unnoticed: in February or March, the fur comes out within two weeks. The wool is smooth and dense, so it does not settle on clothes or get stuck in carpets.

Thai Ridgebacks themselves do not like to wallow in mud, so you won’t have to wash them often. After a walk, just wipe your paws with wet wipes. Dogs need to be bathed no more than four times a year, as their skin is very sensitive - frequent bathing causes allergic reactions. It is better to use special gentle shampoos and conditioners that do not cause allergies or irritation. If the Thai Ridgeback does get dirty, it can be washed without using shampoo.

Important fact: The coat should be combed with a soft rubber mitt. This normalizes blood circulation, and dogs really enjoy this massage. During shedding, this type of brushing should be done daily.

Thai Ridgebacks need to be walked frequently, but there is no need to overload them with physical activity: the dog itself knows how much energy it needs to expend every day. After a year of life, the load gradually increases to two hours of activity per day. Thai Ridgebacks' ears also need to be cleaned regularly. They need to be inspected and washed. It is best to do this with a cotton swab dipped in lukewarm water. Cotton swabs should not be used, including inserting them deep into the ears.

Thai Ridgebacks' nails wear down during walks, but sometimes they can be trimmed. Teeth should be brushed twice a week using special products for dogs.

Maintenance and care

The Thai Ridgeback cannot be kept outside, in an enclosure, and especially on a chain. Despite its strength, hunting instinct and excellent watchdog qualities, the Thai is a very clean, one might say pampered animal.

He needs to be close to people, he loves comfort. In addition, living in an apartment or in a house, the Ridgeback will not create any inconvenience for the owners. He takes care of himself like a cat, his fur is odorless.

Like every apartment dog, the Thai is given a place with a bed, toys, containers for water and food. But don't be too surprised if you find your pet under the covers in your bed in the morning.

His favorite places to sleep are an armchair, a sofa, but his priority is the master's bed. He goes to his bed reluctantly. Although it all depends on the upbringing and level of obedience of the pet.

Ridgebacks need daily walks (morning and evening). Young individuals should walk for a total of at least 2-2.5 hours a day. It is enough to walk sexually mature TRDs 2 times a day, each walk lasting 30-40 minutes.

Caring for a Thai is not difficult. It is only important to carry out the following procedures in time:

• We comb the coat 2 times a week using a natural brush or a special glove. During shedding, we remove dead hairs every other day. Although it is not at all difficult to run a rubber glove over the fur every day when cleaning your pet.
• We bathe once every six months. Do not overuse detergents, as their excess leads to washing off the protective layer of the skin. The Thai independently monitors the cleanliness of the wool. But the owner must wash his paws after each walk, at the same time inspecting him for signs of cracks and splinters.
• We trim the claws with a nail clipper as they grow. Before this unpleasant procedure for the dog, it is recommended to keep the paws in warm water.
• We clean our ears once a week, carefully observing for signs of infection.
• We wipe our eyes as needed.
• To clean your teeth, we buy special bones at a veterinary pharmacy or use a paste and a brush. The first option is much simpler.

You can feed your Ridgeback both natural products and industrial food. The main thing is not to mix the two types together.

With the natural method, the basis of the diet is meat. The rest: offal, cereals, fruits, vegetables, sea fish, low-fat fermented milk products.

Water should always be in the bowl. Be sure to keep food and water containers clean.

Diet of Thai Ridgebacks

Thai Ridgebacks eat well both homemade food and dry food. It is important not to mix these foods, as this will unbalance the dog's nutrition. It is best to choose premium food, since cheap food causes allergies and stomach diseases.

Premium food that you should choose for your Thai Ridgeback:

• Orijen;
• Akana;
• Go;
• Now Fresh;
• Bosch;
• Hills.

There are other foods that experts recommend - it is better to consult a veterinarian. If the owner wants to feed the dog homemade food, then it is important to properly balance its diet so that the dog receives all the necessary components from the food.

Thai Ridgebacks are allowed the following homemade food:

1. Lean raw beef;
2. Boiled chicken;
3. Heart, lungs, liver, kidneys - boiled or well frozen and heated;
4. Raw lamb;
5. Raw cartilage;
6. Boiled sea fish in small quantities;
7. Rice, buckwheat and oatmeal;
8. Raw chicken yolks no more than once a week;
9. Cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt;
10. Carrots, beets and cabbage – fresh and stewed. You can also give a clove of garlic once a week as a prophylaxis against parasites;
11. Fruits can be used as a reward.

The main thing is to develop a constant diet that the dog will adhere to. Thai Ridgebacks quickly get used to the regime. Sometimes they may rebel against this or that food, but there is no need to panic because of this: the dog will start eating anyway.

Care instructions

Caring for a Ridgeback is quite simple. Therefore, minimal actions will be enough to keep the dog in order:

• You can brush your teeth every other day using a special brush and toothpaste. With a natural diet, you can add cartilage to your diet, which will clear stones.
• In winter, after molting, dogs suffer greatly from the cold, so it is best to dress them in special suits or overalls for walks.
• You should only bathe your dog when necessary. On other days, just wipe your paws. The wool can be combed with a rubber brush. These dogs do not really like water, so they need to be accustomed to it from childhood.
• Nails are trimmed once every two weeks. The procedure should also be taught from childhood.
• If necessary, clean your ears with special means.

It is important to choose the right diet for your dog. You can feed your pet dry food, but then it is better to choose super premium food. If you want to give natural food, then you should use lean meat, vegetables and a variety of cereals. Before creating a diet, it is best to consult with a specialist. It is important not to overfeed the animal, but at the same time provide it with all the necessary minerals and vitamins.

Purebred puppies should only be purchased from trusted breeders.

Diseases and health problems

Due to the fact that dogs have been interbreeding with each other for a long time, forming close family ties, the genetic diversity of Thai Ridgebacks is very poor. Therefore, dogs are susceptible to certain diseases, some of which are congenital.

Hip dysplasia is inherited and leads to destruction of the socket of the joint. Because of this, the dog begins to limp, shows minimal activity, and staggers. In the final stages of the disease, the dog may stop walking altogether. It is impossible to diagnose this disease immediately, so dogs of this breed should be constantly examined by a veterinarian.

Dermoid sinus - this disease is also inherited. A sinus is a tunnel that lies on the surface of the skin to the soft tissue. When the disease occurs, the tube becomes inflamed and subcutaneous sebum and skin particles enter it. Sometimes hair can grow into it. This pathology can only be diagnosed in adults, when the body is fully formed. The disease can only be eliminated by surgery.

Important fact: Thai Ridgebacks are also susceptible to various dermatitis. Dogs with a velor coat type are generally more likely to suffer from them. If you take good care of your dog, the risk of such diseases is minimal.

Dogs of this breed may have problems with digestion, but the issue is usually resolved by changing their diet to a better and more balanced one. You should also make sure that the dog does not become overcooled - Thai Ridgebacks are sensitive to low temperatures.

Health and life expectancy

In general, the Thai Ridgeback can be called a prosperous breed. These are strong and hardy dogs with a good immune system. And yet, there are hereditary diseases in the breed:

• dermoid sinus;
• hip dysplasia;

With poor care and nutrition, Ridgebacks are prone to skin diseases, colds as a result of hypothermia, and diseases of the digestive tract. Regular examinations by a veterinarian and attention to the health of your pet on the part of the owner will help avoid these ailments.