THAI RIDGEBACK DOG BREED STANDARD

ORIGIN : Thailand

Patronage : Nihon

Utilisation : Hunting dog

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY : The Thai Ridgeback Dog is an old breed which can be seen in the archeological writing in Thailand which was written about 35O years ago. Mainly in the eastern part of Thailand, it was used for hunting. And people also used it to escort their carts and as a watchdog. The reason why it has kept its own original type for years is 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 : size (height at the withers) = 11 : 1O
Height of chest : size (height at the withers) = 5 : 1O
Length of the muzzle : length of the head = 2 : 3

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT : Tough and active with excellent jumping ability.

HEAD
Cranial Region: The crown is flat and has a gentle slope toward the stop.
Stop : Clearly defined, but moderate. Inclination is not abrupt.

FACIAL REGION :
Nose : Colour is black
Nasal bridge : Straight and long
Muzzle : Wedge-shaped. Dogs with fawn or red coat can have a black mask.
Lips : Tight
Mouth : Black marking(s) on the tongue
Jaw : Upper jaw is thick enough and lower jaw is strong
Teeth : White and strong with scissors bite
Eyes : Middle size and almond shaped. The eye colour is dark brown. In blues and silvers, amber-coloured eyes are permitted.
Ears : Set on either side of the crown, which is slightly broad between the two ears. Rather large triangular, inclining forward and firmly pricked. Not cropped.

NECK : Strong, muscular, holding head high.

BODY
Back : Strong
Loin : Strong and broad
Croup : Moderately round
Chest : Deep enough to reach the elbows. The rib is well built, but it is not barrel-shaped.
Lower line : The belly is tucked up.

TAIL : It has a thick base with gradual tapering toward the tip. The tip reaches hock joints. It holds up vertically or curves like sickle tail.

LIMBS
Front legs : The forearm straight
Hind legs : Well developed thighs and well bent stifles. Hocks are tough.
Nails : The nails are black or light through brown.

 

GAIT : Stride with no pitching nor rolling of the body. Track in two parallel straight lines. 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. Move in a straight pattern 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, tender and tight skin.

COAT :
Hair : Short and smooth. The ridge is formed by the hair growing in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat, starting from the withers and extending to the point of prominence of hips. It should be clearly defined from other parts of the back tapering and symmetrical.
Colour : Solid colour : fawn, light chestnut red through to deep red, pure black, silver and blue. N.B The fawn and red colours are allowed black masks on muzzle and black on the tail.

SIZE :
Height at the withers:
Dogs 22-25 inches (56-63.5cm)
Bitches 20-23 inches (51-58.5cm)

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.
- Any bite other than scissors bite
- Unbalanced ridge

DISQUALIFYING FAULTS : - Dogs without ridge/ Long hair
N.B.: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.