FEDERATION CYNOLOGIQUE INTERNATIONALE

SECRETARIAT GENERAL:  13 Place - B THUIN (Belg)

Standard of the

THAI RIDGEBACK DOG

ORIGIN AND PURPOSE:  The Thai Ridgeback Dog is an old breed which can be seen in the archeological writing in Thailand which was written about 350 years ago.  Mainly seen in the eastern part of Thailand.  Used for hunting, escorting of carts, and as a watch dog. 

GENERAL APPEARANCE:  Medium-sized with short hair forming a ridge along the back.  The body is slightly longer than its height at the withers.  Muscles are well developed , and the anatomical structure is suitable for activities.

TEMPERAMENT:  Tough and active with excellent jumping ability.

SIZE:  Proportions:  length of body (height at withers) = 11:10;  height of chest (height at withers) = 5:10; length of muzzle: length of head - 2:3.

Height at withers for dogs:  24 - 26 inches; bitches: 22 - 24 inches.

COAT AND COLOR:  Coat - 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.  A narrow ridge is preferred.  Color - Solid color; light chestnut red, the deeper the better; pure black, silver and blue.

HEAD:   Skull:  The crown is flat and has a gentle slope toward the stop.  Stop is clearly defined but moderate.  Inclination is not abrupt.

Muzzle:  Wedge shaped.  dogs with a fawn coat have a black mask.  

Nose:  Color is black.  Nasal bridge is straight and strong.  Mouth: Black marking on the tongue; tight lips.  Upper jaw is thick enough and the lower jaw is strong.  Teeth are white, strong and have a scissors bite.  Eyes:  Medium sized and almond shaped.  Eye color is dark brown.  In blues and silvers, amber colored eyes are permitted.  Ears:  Set on either side of the crown, which should be slightly broad between the two ears.  Rather large triangular, inclining forward and firmly pricked.  Not cropped.

NECK:  Strong, muscular, holding the head high.

FOREQUARTERS:  Chest deep enough to reach the elbows.  Rib is well built, but not barrel shaped.  Forearms straight.

BODY:  Back is strong.  Loin is strong and broad.  Croup is moderately round.  Belly tucked up.

HINDQUARTERS:  Well developed thighs and well bent stifles.  Hocks are tough.  Nails are black or light through brown.

GAIT:  Stride with no pitching or 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 one another.  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.  This enables the stride to be long and the drive powerful.  The overall appearance of the moving dog is one of smooth and well balanced rhythm.

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

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.

DISQUALIFICATIONS:  Dogs without ridge.  Long hair.

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