Initially bred to be a hunting dog, the Thai Ridgeback is a pretty impressive-looking pup! Standing at around 20-24 inches tall, they’re a medium to large breed with a very short coat. They come in a variety of different colors, though silver and blue are often the most coveted. Despite having a very short coat, they do tend to shed, so beware of this if you suffer from allergies. You may want to look into a dog that sheds less than the Thai Ridgeback!
They are very affectionate with their families and endlessly loyal. Despite their love for their own people, however, they can be wary of strangers. Lots of early socialization is needed to show them strangers are good. Let them meet people at their own pace, but give them plenty of opportunities and have the strangers give them treats. This will help to reassure them that meeting people is a fun activity and not something to fear.
The Thai Ridgeback – Originally A Hunting Dog
They’re easy to train, so you’ll find that they want to listen to you. This makes teaching them manners and tricks a delight. Stay patient and always use positive reinforcement. This dog doesn’t have much of a stubborn streak, so you shouldn’t have too much trouble — but all puppies can be difficult at some point!
Because they were hunting dogs, you should be careful when introducing them to smaller animals. They might have a bit of a prey drive. Thai Ridgebacks, however, can live just fine with cats as long as you take things slowly. Teaching them a “leave it” command is vital, and never leave your cat alone unsupervised with a big dog — even when you fully trust them! Set both animals up for success.
A breed that you will love once you fully understand them.
