Breeds / Medium
Thai Ridgeback puppies
Independent, athletic and watchful, the Thai Ridgeback is a primitive Thai hunting and guarding breed that is affectionate at home and aloof with strangers.
The facts
- Size class Medium
- Country of origin Thailand
- Adult weight 15.9 to 34 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 35 to 75 lb
- Adult height 51 to 61 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Short smooth
- Shedding Moderate
- Typical lifespan 14 to 15 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
About the Thai Ridgeback
The Thai Ridgeback spent centuries as an isolated village and hunting dog in eastern Thailand, kept to hunt small game and guard homes, and they carry a ridge of hair growing forward along the spine. This is a muscular, athletic dog of 51 to 61 cm with a short smooth coat and almost no undercoat. Temperament is primitive in the useful sense: independent, constantly aware of their surroundings, affectionate with their household, reserved with visitors, and a serious climber and jumper.
Daily exercise matters, and it should include problem solving as well as walking. Grooming is minimal, an occasional brush with more when the coat drops once or twice a year. The thin coat means the dog feels the cold. Training needs patience and reward, since this breed will weigh up whether a request is worth obeying. Fencing has to be high and solid. Socialise a naturally aloof dog generously, or the breed may end up taking the blame for the result.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Thai Ridgeback puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Dermoid sinus, a skin tube along the spine found by careful examination of puppies
- Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed and scored for
- Skin allergies and demodectic mange, diagnosed by veterinary skin scrapes and allergy testing
Your Thai Ridgeback puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Thai Ridgeback.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 15.9 to 34 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 42 inch (42 x 28 x 30 in, 107 x 71 x 76 cm) for an adult of up to 34 kg; chew toys made for medium breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other medium breeds
American Cocker Spaniel
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Water Spaniel
Aussiedoodle
Australian Cattle Dog
More on the Thai Ridgeback
Previous: Thai Bangkaew · Next: Tibetan Mastiff
Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Thai Ridgeback breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/thai-ridgeback/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Valentin930, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.