Thai Ridgeback

American Rare Breed Association

FCI-Standard N° 338 / 25. 02. 2004  / GB

THAI RIDGEBACK DOG

ORIGIN : Thailand.

UTILIZATION : Hunting and companion dog.

DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD : 26.05.2003.

FCI'S CLASSIFICATION : Group 5 Spitz and primitive types.              Section 7 Primitive Type-Hunting Dogs.  Without working trial.

BRIEF HISTORICAL SUMMARY :  The Thai Ridgeback Dog is an old breed which can be seen in the archeological documents in Thailand which were written about 360 years ago.  It was used mainly for hunting in the eastern part of Thailand.  People also used it to escort their carts and as a watch  dog.  The reason why it has kept its own original type for so many years is due to 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  :  Height at the withers  = 11 : 1O

Depth of chest   :  Height at the withers  =   1 :  2

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT  :  Tough and active with excellent jumping ability.  A loyal family dog.

HEAD

CRANIAL REGION :

Skull : The skull is flat between the ears but slightly rounded when seen from the side.

Forehead : Wrinkles when the dog is attentive.

Stop : Clearly defined, but moderate.

FACIAL REGION :    

Nose : Black.  In blue dogs, the nose is bluish.

Nasal bridge : Straight and long.

Muzzle : Wedge-shaped, slightly shorter than skull.

Lips : Tight with good pigmentation.

Mouth : Black marking on the tongue is preferable.

Jaws : Upper and lower jaws are strong.

Teeth : White and strong with scissors bite.

Eyes : Medium size and almond shaped.  The eye colour is dark brown.  In blues, amber-coloured eyes are permitted.

Ears : Set on sides of the skull.  Medium sized, triangular, inclining forward and firmly pricked.  Not cropped.

NECK : Medium length, strong, muscular, slightly arched and holding head high.

BODY

Back : Strong and level.

Loin : Strong and broad.

Croup : Moderately sloping.

Chest : Deep enough to reach the elbows.  The ribs are well sprung, but not barrel-shaped.

Lower line : The belly is well tucked up.

TAIL :Thick at base with gradual tapering toward the tip.  The tip can reach hock joints.  Carried vertically and slightly curved.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS :

Shoulder : Well laid back.

Forearm : Straight.

Pastern : Straight when seen from the front and very slightly sloping when seen from the side.

Feet : Oval

Nails : Black but can be lighter depending on coat colour.

HINDQUARTERS :

Thighs : Well developed with well bent stifles.

Hocks : Strong and well let down.

Rear Pastern : Straight and parallel when seen from the rear.

Feet : Oval

GAIT : Reachy stride with no pitching nor rolling of the body. Parallel tracking at normal speed. 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.  Movement in a straight line 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, fine and tight.  Throat : no dewlap.

COAT

Hair : Short and smooth. The ridge on the top region is formed by the hair growing in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat.  It should be clearly defined from other parts of the back.  There are various shapes and lengths of ridge, but must be symmetrical on either side of the backbone and within the width of the back.  Crowns or whirls at the head of the ridge are acceptable.

Colour : Solid colour  : red, black, blue and very light fawn (isabella).  Black mask is preferable in reds.

SIZE : Ideal height at the withers : Dogs    22-24 inches (56-61 cm) Bitches 20-22 inches (51-56 cm).

There is a tolerance of  plus or minus one inch (2.5 cm).

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.

ELIMINATING FAULTS :

Aggressive or overly shy.

Dogs without ridge

Long hair.

Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

N.B.: Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.