A Complete Guide to the Thai Ridgeback Dog Breed

A Complete Guide to the Thai Ridgeback Dog Breed

Thai Ridgeback Breed Overview

People who regularly care for Thai Ridgeback puppies love this rare dog breed, but it’s not a breed for everyone. They call this breed the Thai Ridgeback, but they also go by the names Mah Thai Lang Ahn or Pariag Dogs. This breed is from a tropical climate, so they don’t do great in colder climates, but a couple of dog sweaters can aid this issue, and these dogs can live happily in most places. Even though most of these dogs are medium-sized, they can happily live in apartment buildings and smaller homes, as long as their owners are sure to provide proper exercise.

New dog owners shouldn’t get one of these dogs since they need so much training and work to stay healthy. This breed is great for many different types of families, and if you’re an experienced dog owner looking to adopt a Thai Ridgeback puppy, then this guide is a great way to learn everything you need to know about this wonderful breed.

Thai Ridgeback History

The Mah Thai Lang Ahn breed existed naturally for many centuries before they became useful pets for their owners. The primitive breed had already honed excellent skills on their own before becoming household dogs. Thai Ridgeback owners found that this breed made for excellent guard dogs. About 350 years ago, this guard dog breed was a great ally for many homes in Northern and Eastern Thailand. Although they were great at guarding, they also worked as hunting dogs, and they pulled carts for their owners. A Thai Ridgeback owner had a pet that could complete three different tasks and a companion dog all at once.

This breed is technically a part of the companion dog breed group. Although the American Kennel Club (AKC) hasn’t technically welcomed this dog as an official breed in their registry, they’re part of the foundational stock service group. They added the Thai Ridgeback breed to this group in 1977, and this allows the dog to be able to compete in dog sports while also acknowledging its purebred history and keeping a record of the breed’s traits and other characteristics that define the breed. For example, a defining feature of the Thai Ridgeback’s appearance is the fur that runs in the opposite direction on their back. The AKC has acknowledged this on their website’s quick description of these dogs.

The majority of these dogs were found on the eastern island of Dao Phu Quoc, located near the border of Cambodia and Vietnam. They made their way to the United States in 1994 and were added to the foundational stock service group in 1997.

Size

This breed can have a large variety of sizes and might weigh anywhere from 35 to 75 pounds. These dogs typically stand at similar heights, with their height ranging from 20 to 24 inches at their shoulders. This breed has a large size variance, and so many Thai Ridgeback puppies might be larger or smaller than these breed averages.

Typically, male Thai Ridgebacks can weigh between 55 to 75 pounds, and female Thai Ridgeback puppies can weigh between 35 to 55 pounds.

Thai Ridgeback Temperament

This breed is headstrong and loyal. Their years as working dogs have made them independent and energetic, and they love exercising because of it. However, they don’t work as often now as they used to. The muscle and energy they built up over their years as working dogs has lasted throughout these breeds, and it can make them very spunky. Thai Ridgeback puppies know how to keep their owners on their toes.

The Thai Ridgeback breed can get along well with other dogs as long as they’re well socialized, but they might not be great with other small animals like cats. Since they used to hunt dogs, they might have a strong prey drive and not understand that cats are family members.

Even though this breed can be big, they can happily get along with children, but their large size and spunk make them better fit in homes with older children, so they don’t accidentally knock over any toddlers. These dogs are very protective of their families, thanks to their past as guard dogs, and they might become aggressive to strangers if they aren’t properly socialized. This stubborn dog breed needs plenty of training from the get-go to ensure they’re super friendly and well-trained.

Intelligence

This stubborn dog breed requires a lot of obedience training. Their independent attitudes and natural intelligence mean they will often break the rules and push boundaries, which is why they require experienced dog owners.

They need a patient owner who can offer consistent and positive training lessons. It’s important always to keep training sessions short and sweet. This way, your dog is more likely to listen to you and enjoy training sessions more. Always end your training sessions with a treat, and be sure to include plenty of verbal praise, and you and your dog will bond incredibly fast.

Shedding

This breed can have a variety of coat colors. The Thai Ridgeback can be black, blue, red, light fawn, brindle, or white. They usually have shorter coats, so they don’t shed too much, but they will have two big shedding periods a year, and it’s a good idea to brush and bathe your dogs more often during these phases.

Thai Ridgeback Health

All breeds have their health risks. Although the Thai Ridgeback is, overall, a very healthy breed, some of these dogs will experience physical health conditions. Most dogs in this breed will never experience any physical health issues and will live a long life expectancy between 10 to 13 years.

All animals will experience stress and anxiety at some point, but often owners don’t need to do anything to treat these issues unless they’re seriously affecting their dog’s life. Thankfully it’s easy for owners to help their dog’s overcome these issues.

Common Psychological Health Conditions

Stress

Stress is common in dogs, especially if they haven’t received proper socialization training. Many pets also experience stress around loud noises as well.

When dogs are suffering from stress, they’ll show signs like tucking their tails between their legs, lowering their heads, cowering, shaking, or shivering. Many dog owners will be able to notice their dog’s emotions naturally because they’ll start understanding them over time. The first step in helping your dog with their stress is understanding what’s causing the stress and then helping them overcome it with simple treatment methods.

Owners can provide calming supplements to their dogs to help them overcome stress, or if it’s an option, they can try to help remove their dog from the stressful situation.

Anxiety

Many dog breeds suffer from anxiety, especially separation anxiety. High energy breeds, like the Thai Ridgeback, might experience anxiety more than usually if they don’t get enough exercise or mental stimulation.

There are plenty of symptoms your Thai Ridgeback will show if they’re struggling with anxiety, one of the most common examples being pacing, crying, or refusing to eat. Some dogs with separation anxiety destroy their owner’s homes when they’re alone because they have panic attacks.

Owners can help their dogs overcome anxiety by understanding the cause of it and treating it based on that issue. If your pet is anxious because they aren’t getting enough exercise, provide more exercise. Other ways to help your dog is to provide dog CBD or give your pet a calming space where they can go to relax and relieve their anxiety symptoms.

Calming Dog Products

Many owners are making safe spaces for their pets. These safe spaces are locations specifically designed to help your dog calm down and release their anxious energy. Usually, owners will provide their pets with a dog bed, some water, and a few blankets in these areas. Some owners like to give their dogs extra special items in their safe spaces and will give their pets calming zen treats, some toys, or even aromatherapy. The sky’s the limit when making a safe space for your dog, and owners have complete creative freedom when it comes to setting up these areas. It’s just important to make this space in a quiet area away from a lot of foot traffic in the home, and then you can begin building your pet’s sanctuary.

Common Physical Health Conditions

Hip Dysplasia

Hip dysplasia is one of the most common health issues dogs can have. This condition occurs when animals are born with a displaced hip joint. The hip joint works as a ball-in-socket joint that should glide smoothly when the animal is in motion; however, their joints don’t smoothly glide when animals suffer from this condition. Instead, they rub off each other roughly, causing arthritis.

Dogs with this condition might develop a strange run or hop, but they might also cry or yelp when anyone touches the leg that pains them.

If your Thai Ridgeback puppy suffers from this condition, you should treat them with joint supplements or dog CBD. You also need to be sure to provide enough exercise so their joints get plenty of natural lubrication and give them a soft place to rest their joints so they can relieve the pressure. As always, consult your vet with any serious concerns.

Dermoid Sinus

Dermoid sinus is a congenital disability that can be found along your Ridgeback puppy’s back, neck, or tail. They affect tubes that are supposed to drain out dead cells, but when the tube is defective, it can cause infections to occur, and depending on the severity of the situation, your dog may need a lot of help.

It can be very hard to notice this, and even vets struggle to see this condition. Thai Ridgeback puppies are more prone to this condition, especially because this condition is most apparent in the three ridgeback breeds, the Thai Ridgeback, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, and the Phu Quoc Ridgeback. This condition can be diagnosed within 3-5 week old puppies, and if the condition isn’t severe enough, pet owners may be able to treat their pup’s condition with over-the-counter antibiotics that can be bought at pet stores.

Elbow Dysplasia

One of the most common health issues many dog breeds face is elbow dysplasia. This condition occurs when a dog is born with a misplaced elbow joint. The elbow joint is comprised of three different ones that have to meet together perfectly not to have this condition, but many dogs are born with a defect.

When this condition occurs, most dogs won’t experience any symptoms until later in life. Often when they have symptoms, they’ll appear as arthritis or a strange run your pet might develop. They might avoid using one of their front legs from time to time, only to return to using it as if nothing happened.

Owners can best help their Thai Ridgeback puppy with elbow dysplasia by providing a comfortable place for their dog to rest their joints, as well as anti-inflammation supplements, which you can find at your local pet store.

Joint Health Options We Love

Oral Health

A dog’s oral health is one of the most important factors of their health. Poor oral health can lead to inflamed gums, which can cause your dog irritation or even pain when they eat or play with any chew toys. Poor oral health can also lead to much worse issues, such as respiratory or heart disease, which is why it’s so essential to your dog’s wellbeing that you brush their teeth.

Owners can care for their dog’s oral health needs at home by brushing their Thai Ridgeback puppy’s teeth once a week at minimum. It’s best if you can brush their teeth two or three times a week, but many owners find they don’t have the time for this. Many dogs also don’t like getting their teeth brushed, but the more regularly you do this, the more your dog will accept it, and eventually, they’ll come to enjoy getting pampered and then getting treats for being patient. It’s important to give your dog treats after brushing their teeth, so they can take away the experience as being positive. You can also give your dog oral health treats throughout the week to help care for the plaque and tartar build-up on their teeth. Below are two dental treats we suggest.

Oral Health Options We Love

Thai Ridgeback Breed’s Needs

Thai Ridgeback Exercise Habits

This fit breed is prone to weight gain if they don’t get enough exercise, so getting enough activity is vital to their overall health. They’ll need one to two hours of vigorous activity daily to stay healthy. In addition to that, these dogs were originally working dogs, and they will need plenty of mental stimulation to keep their busy minds out of trouble. There are tons of enrichment activities you can complete with your dog that will give them plenty of mental and physical stimulation.

Exercise Toys We Love

Nutrition

This breed requires a medium to large size dog diet, and it will depend on your specific pet and how big they grow. When they’re young, they will need puppy food that is safe for their growing states and puppy teeth.

Thai Ridgeback dogs need tons of exercise to stay healthy, so owners should also make sure to measure their dog’s food and count the calories their treats account for in their daily calorie intake.

Keep in mind, a dog’s calorie needs change based on their age, sex, health issues, weight, and activity levels. Their diets will change naturally throughout their lives, and you can always talk to your vet if you’re ever concerned they’re not getting the right diet.

Dog Food Based On Age We Love

Grooming a Thai Ridgeback Dog

The Thai Ridgeback puppy is special for many reasons, one of them being the ridgeback feature on their fur. Some Thai Ridgeback puppies will have a special crest along their spine that runs in the opposite direction of the rest of their fur. This breed is one of three that can have this unique feature, and the other two breeds are the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Phu Quoc Ridgeback.

Even though this marking in their hair is part of the reason they have the word Ridgeback in their name, not all dogs in this breed will have this special back hair, especially if they have shorter fur.

Thai Ridgeback dogs in this breed will only have medium-length to short fur. It’s a good idea to give them a brush once a week to keep them clean and spread their skin’s natural oils around. These dogs should be bathed every 8 to 10 weeks, or sooner if they get really dirty or develop a smell. Also, the Thai Ridgeback breed can easily get a sunburn, so consider buying dog-safe sunscreen for them in the warmer months. Make sure you only ever use canine-specific shampoo products.

Top Product Picks for The Thai Ridgeback Dog Breed

Many dog owners are so excited to bring their new pet home that they often forget how scary it can be for dogs to change homes. All your new dog knows is that the entire home they once knew is gone, and now they are in this strange environment with a person who doesn’t stop smiling at them.

It can be tempting to crowd your new pet as you try to get them to bond with you, but crowding your new pet can scare them off more than make them feel welcome.

When you bring your new Thai Ridgeback puppy home, the best thing you can do to build a steady bond with your pet is to let them explore your house independently. If you don’t trust your new puppy to explore on their own without tearing into the trash or making any accidents, then figure out a way to block certain doorways and let your pet explore limited spaces independently. Giving them the freedom to see their new home is safe and the freedom of choice to let them come to you is the best thing you can do for your new pet.

You should make sure you have plenty of things prepared for them before they walk in the door. It can be fun to take your new dog shopping for pet supplies, but your pet has already gone through so much change and excitement, it’s much better for them to let them stay at home for the first week or so before taking them out to more new and exciting places like the pet store.

Most dog adoption centers will make sure you have a leash before you pick your pup up, but you should get two leashes just in case one gets lost or broken somehow. This is also a great opportunity to buy an adorable collar for your pet. Some owners want to get harnesses for their dogs, but it’s important to make sure you know your new pet’s measurements before you purchase one, so you might want to wait until you have them home to measure their size and get a nice new harness for them.

Before you walk through the door with your Thai Ridgeback dog, you should have a dog food bowl ready, along with a water bowl so they can see they have food in their new home. If you have a puppy, you’ll need specific puppy food. Feeding your new pet upon arrival can be a great way to show them that they’re in a new home where they’ll be taken care of and given everything they need to live. If you want to do more than that, you can prepare for your new pup by purchasing some new dog treats and maybe even a bone or two.

Other things you can get to help welcome your Thai Ridgeback pup home include a dog bed, some toys, or a doggy sweater if it’s cold in your area. If it’s a warmer climate in your area, consider buying your new pet a cooling handkerchief, something you can soak in water and let them wear, so it keeps their backs cool on a hot day.

More experienced dog owners might want to prepare themselves for their dogs by purchasing all the items they might need too. You can get your pup a food storage container, portable water dishes to take on long walks, and doggy waste bags so you can clean up after them. If you want to take your pet for a lot of car rides, you should buy a doggy seatbelt. This way, they’re protected in case of an accident.

There are plenty of ways you can help your new pet feel more comfortable in their new home, and it might not take long at all for your dog to come to you for comfort. So, give them the space they want, and then when they do make their way to you while they wag their tail, you’ll know you’re going to have a great time with your new best friend.

Other Resources

1. American Thai Ridgeback Association
2. Association of Thai Ridgeback Owners
3. Adopt-A-Pet Thai Ridgeback
4. American Kennel Club Thai Ridgeback
5. United Kennel Club Thai Ridgeback