Q: What kind of dog is that?  Is it a mixed breed?
A: No, it is a rare, purebred dog, only recently domesticated and originally from Thailand.  They are natural hunting dogs (not hounds) that have existed for thousands of years. When categorizing breeds, it is considered a Spitz - Primitive.  Its closest relative is the Sharpei.  While they are only recognized by the AKC in their Foundation Stock Service (FSS), they are fully registerable in many rare breed associations including ARBA, NAKC and UKC.  

Q: What is their purpose?
A: In their native Thailand, they are primarily used as a sentry dog, a carting dog, and are also used to keep cobras at bay.  They have been known to kill cobras.

Q: How large are they when full-grown?
A: The males are larger than the females, averaging 22 to 24 inches at the withers and weighing 50 to 60 pounds. The females average 20 to 22 inches tall and weigh about 35 to 55 pounds as adults.

Q: Does the Thai Ridgeback Dog shed?
A: All dogs shed to some degree twice a year. In warmer climates, they won't grow a heavier winter coat, so shedding will be minimal.  Their coat is not cut; it is that way naturally although their coats do vary.  Plush or ridgeless coats are faults and those dags can only be sold as pet quality.

Q: What kind of temperament does the Thai Ridgeback Dog have?
A: They are naturally protective and can be aggressive toward other dogs if not properly socialized at a young age.  Because this is a primitive breed, this is not a dog for the inexperienced.  Please read all you can and make your decision carefully. 

Q: How long will a Thai Ridgeback Dog live?
A: Twelve to sixteen years is an average. 

Q: Are the Thai Ridgeback Dog's ears cropped to make them stand up?
A: No, they come up on their own, typically by 4 months.  If the ears are not up by 6 months, they will need some assistance and must be taped for a week or so.

Q: What colors of coat does the Thai Ridgeback Dog have?
A: Fawn (most rare), Blue, Red and Black (most common). With the red and fawn coloring, a black mask is acceptable. For show quality, the color should be solid with no white markings.

Q: Does the Thai Ridgeback Dog make a good house-dog?
A: Yes. The TRD is a very excellent dog to have in your home. They are easy to train and teach proper household manners. Electric fences (both underground and wireless) work very well and I highly recommend Cesar Millan's techniques for socialization and training. They really respond to an owner that is comfortable in the pack leader role.

Q: How do Thai Ridgeback Dogs get along with children?
A: No problem, as long as you socialize them properly like you would do with any dog, it is more a matter of how well the children behave around the dogs! Children must be taught how be the pack leader for best results. Dogs from my home will be socialized with children since I have two who will handle the puppies every day.

Q: Does the Thai Ridgeback Dog make a good watch/guard dog?
A: The BEST! The Thai Ridgeback Dog is an excellent natural watchdog and family protector, requiring only that the owner be seen as pack leader.

Q: Do Thai Ridgeback Dogs get along with cats?
A: Since my home has 3 cats, a dog from us is off to a good start. Please do be careful as they have a very strong "old" prey drive and they must be taught that EVERY cat is above them in the pack.

Q: Are Thai Ridgeback Dogs noisy? What bad habits do they have?
A: They rarely bark (Bella and Sonny rarely bark, Lexi is the one who barks to let us know something unusual is going on but stops when told). They are very athletic and easily able to clear high fences (electric fences addresses this). They also like to chew and dig so give them plenty of alternatives! They enjoy obedience, agility, fly ball, and lure coursing.

The DS is sinus, in that it is tube-like and does drain, and dermoid because it is skin-like.  It may or may not contain hair follicles or be lined with hair.  As the hair sheds on the outer coat of the puppy, so does the hair inside this tube.  The body's natural response to dead material is to flush it out and thus the serum builds up and expels the debris.  Not all of the DS are true tubes. Some are not hollow and the serum and debris cannot drain.  In these cases an abscess forms and the resulting swelling that accompanies it can rupture the skin.  This results in a very painful situation for the puppy.  At its worst, it is life threatening.

The D.S. is generally found on the midline of the neck, back, and tail along the spinal column.  Although rarely found in the ridge, there have been several cases noted.  D.S. have also been noted on ridgeless puppies.

The D.S. is a congenital condition, meaning that it is present at birth.  It can be palpated on the newborn puppies, and the affected puppies can be identified.  The affected puppies should have surgery to remove the D.S.  The affected puppies are pet quality only and must be spayed/neutered.

Lexi and Bella watching something in the distance