Thai Ridgeback Dog

		Thai Ridgeback Dog
		FCI standard Nº 338

Origin		Thailand
Group		Group 5 Spitz and primitive types
Section		Section 7 Primitive Type-Hunting Dogs
Working		Without working trial
Acceptance on a definitive basis by the FCI		Monday 26 May 2003
Acceptance on a provisional basis by the FCI		Saturday 06 March 1993
Publication of the official valid standard		Monday 26 May 2003
Last update		Wednesday 25 February 2004
En français, cette race se dit		Chien thaïlandais à crête dorsale
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar		Thailand Ridgeback
En español, esta raza se dice		Thai Ridgeback Dog
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd		Thai Ridgeback Dog

Usage

Hunting and companion dog.

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.
Stop		Clearly defined, but moderate.

Facial region
Foreface		Forehead wrinkles when the dog is attentive.
Nose		Black. In blue dogs, the nose is bluish.
Muzzle		Wedge-shaped, slightly shorter than skull.
Mouth		Black marking on the tongue is preferable.
Lips		Tight with good pigmentation.
Nasal bridge		Straight and long.
Jaws and teeth		Upper and lower jaws are strong. 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.
Underline and belly		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
Shoulders		Well laid back.
Forearm		Straight.
Pastern		Straight when seen from the front and very slightly sloping when seen from the side.
Forefeet		Oval. Nails black but can be lighter depending on coat colour.

Hindquarters
Upper thigh		Well developed with well bent stifles.
Metatarsus		Straight and parallel when seen from the rear.
Hock		Strong and well let down.
Hind feet		Oval.

Gait and movement

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 and weight
Height at withers		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 minusone 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 and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and its ability to perform its traditional work.
• Faults listed should be in degree of seriousness.

General faults

Any bite other than scissors bite.

Unbalanced ridge.

Disqualifying faults

Aggressive or overly shy dogs.

Dogs without ridge.

Long hair.

NB :

• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• The above mentioned faults when occurring to a highly marked degree or frequently are disqualifying.
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

Bibliography

https://www.fci.be/

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Thai Ridgeback Dog