The last 18 yrs the Thai Ridgeback had found its way into the Dutch dogworld. We may say that the first Thai Ridgeback's were quite unsosial. These dogs behaved this way, because they were directly imported from Thailand and in this country man do not live as social with the dogs as we do here in Europe. So these dogs were hardly socialized and were also still close to there forefathers. This way of behavior is a way that many "dogknowers" may have seen/heard about, but deal with it in reality....hmmm...personally I would almost want to advise people to do a day programm at a zoo or wildlife reservation to learn and experience more about wild animals and their unexpected behavior. Ofcourse this is something that is very difficult to achieve, but serious thought comming from experiences with the Thai Ridgeback. This is experience we have gathered the last 9 years. Positive ones, but unfortunatelyt also many negative ones what we think is very sad. Therefore we want to piont out a few facts for you as a possible future Thai Ridgeback owner, or maybe you are one allready. You will truely be a very big factor in training and educating your Thai Ridgeback dog. The behaviour of your dog is as we speak due to many things the dog has learned from you. There are so many thing to tell and learn about the Thai Ridgeback that we have written down some things here below of what we think is important to know. We have tried to keep it as short as we could, but this was not always possible.

Your home situation:
We have learned that a Thai dog loves peace, rules and regularity. If this is not well maintained you will get a chance that the dog will try to play games with you. This may turn out in behaviour like just being opinionated or realy showing its teeth and gun with a loud roar. Puppy teeth do grow big! Thry to see for yourself how consequent you are in your own home, for example with cleaning, vacuming, standing up each day, diner times etc.etc. It does not have to be a 100% like this ofcourse, there are ofcourse situations that you as (future) owner are not able to predict, but let us say if you are able to achieve 80% than you are pretty much getting to offer your Thai Ridgeback the same goals.

Your puppy home for the first time:
As it is for many puppies a first time entrance into the future home makes a very big impression to the dog. Usualy a first day is so intence that many puppies are so tired that they sleep very well during the first night and it seems you have a great and easy puppy. With others there is a possibility that the puppy will drive you crazy with its barking ang screaming and people do not know how to handle this situation during the first or maybe seccond night. Ofcourse this is different per dog and also the way the puppy is held at its breeder will play a part in this behaviour. So be prepaired for restless nights and nightly needhikes. This is only in the beginning and if you are consequent enough it will all get easier and better in the nights. Sometimes could a bench or paperbox be an awnser for some, other prefer to lie in a normal dogbed/pillowed and it seems to work from day one. It is all a question of trying to see what works for you and the puppy. Try to let your puppyget used to you, its leash and surrounding during its first day and try to let not too many friends/family come over for a visit. Rather devide the curiosity, that is better to handle end keep controle of the situation for your puppy and its socialisation. Ask your breeder for advice about rasing and feeding, maybe also for a memmory from the litter for your puppy or you can give the breeder something to put in the litter box what you whish to receive onces taking the puppy home so it will have a oder on it from the litterpack.

Raising and punishing:
The Thai Ridgeback is very smart and clever in using its mouth and feet. We have experienced hos a 4 week old puppy was able to climb out from a rabbitcase so it was able to enjoy all the fun on the otherside of the fence. They are very could climbers and they have a big jumpingability. This jumping may bee seen as that a adult dog is able to jump at least 1,5 till 2 meters high from out a still standing position. Doors, trashbins, gardendoors, opening lids from things are all things that is no problem in doing for many Thai Ridgebacks. Around 3-4 months the puppy starts teething, this is a time that it must have thing where it is allowed to put its teeth in. So make sure if you want to save your furniture that you are prepared for this period with your dog. Ofcourse it is also a moment of raising your dog well too at also this period. We advice people that they have to be able to spend many time for at least 1 year in rasing the puppy, we rather prefer that people use 2 yrs, because pubirty is quite late with this breed. We are talking about learning manners and more important the socialisation of the dog! If there are changes withinh the family sitiuation (what is not always easy to prevent), than you will have a longer period with many challenges. Now we are speaking about challenges, raising a Thai Ridgeback is not easy and you do have to have a well observation eye for yourself. You also must love challenges in many ways to make sure your way of educating your dog will be a succes and you may live happily together for many years. It can even seem that after a period that these challenges have reduced of have disapeared, but one day your mamory will be refreshed and you may be put back into the memory of how you used to handle your dog in past situations. Again you must stand down in your principles and mannors. It may even be a must to count till tien! Observing a situation often gives you a better perspective. The way of punishing is something u must work out what is the best way for your dog. This is very different for many Thai dogs andis appears that a hard way makes your dog turn away from you and it will make up its own mind and this is very hard to turn back again and that the connection between owner and dog will be hard to regain. If you are too mild with your dog you will have a big chance that the dog will keep on trying to sets its limits every time. We often see when someone punishes its dog at a sudden moment, very shortly but directly, this has the most impact and it will hardly be forgotten by the dog. If you are lucky the a next time only a warning will do just fine. If you keep very consquent in your punishing you will even notice that woords can do many things. The Thai is very sensitive for your voice raisig and your posture, but your mood can do a lot with your Thai Ridgeback. The best advice withinh a family is to use 1 rule for everybody to correct the dog. Or even better if possible let one person be the boss! If you have a familysituation with many people and that everybody comes home at different times this last situation is ofcourse not possible to handle. If you wish to take a course, please do this at your own leveland observe your dog well of how it takes all the instructions and if it likes to work for you.

Home alone:
It is possible to keep a Thai Ridgeback home alone, but this must be learned ofcourse. If you intende to leave home suddenlyand leaving you pup alone, than you have a big chance it turnsout ina disaster and panic with your puppy. This will be a very negative experience en will give also bad memories for future situations and even result in very bad behavior. Wo we advice people to start early with training being home alone enslowely expending the time you are away from home. Make sure that your dog has had a good walk anf is very tired before you leave the house. Make a ritual each time you leave, such as putting on some music or radio to reduce sounds from outside the house a bit. Give your dog a place to stay where is enough water if you leave. Try to see when your pup takes its naps and plans your trips during these times. Try to expand this, but thry to be back the first times when the puppy is still a sleep and you will have to wake it up. This is a way that the chances of your dog getting more trust in staying home alone will grow. Do not forget the rewards and to let out your dog when you have just gotten home. Last thing, do not forget to check for damages!

Feeding:
In generaly the Thai Ridgeback is a sober eter. It realy eats oly what it needs and won't it more. So don't worry if your dog will not eat sometimes. Ofcourse you will have to keep an eye on its condition. As long as you are not able to count its ribs by just looking at it and your dog stays allert plus actief as you are used than there are no reasons to worry about its feedings. He/she will just have enough. Though if you do see a change in condition or action than you should visit the vet for a check up or surch you surrounding if something ma be a part of this change in behavior. There are people who love to feed their dog flesh. We must say that our personal opinion is that we do not approve with this, we ourselves and several other people have bad experiences with this breed and its behavior. Looking back to their way of feedings it was al in combination of flesh food. Why these negative experiences... de Thai Ridgeback will than behave more dominant or react quicker on situation. People are not used to thi kind of behavior and than have more trouble in getting order. Showing its teeth making biting moves, making dangerous sounds etc.etc Though it seems this kind of behaviour will show more quickly if the dog will not have the lost of energie it should need in combination of its diet. Than sometimes the situation in house or outside are undarebale. You can see this behaviour pattern in many ways like he likes the flesh so much, it is instinct etc.etc, but you can also see it in a way that maybe your dog is getting to much energie from it food and needs to loose it, or it may get too les energie from its feedings and needs more and will do anything to get it! So this reaction in behaviour will have many factors taking part in it so also with this it is very important to observe every situation. We also want te prevent this kind of behaviour ofcours in every situation you may think of to make sure ths breed will not be printed out to be an agressive dog. We all want to have a great social and unique breed!

Socialisation:
Socialising a Thai starts with the breeder and you as (future) Thai owner is expected to continue this for the next +/- 12 yrs. Yes, you are reading this well, you are naver finished in your duty of raising a Thai Ridgeback dog. Ofcourse there are many moments you may enjoy eachother in happy way's, we may compare it as raising children. There will allways be a moment that you have to interfere but also moments that you will have to make compromises. Though it is most important that you work things out together and allways use the same tactics if these work in a positive way.

Your family situation and children:
A Thai dog is surely a great family dog but once again only is it is raised in the right way and will not be left out of the family. This last thing is also very important. As we have said earlier, the Thai is an ancient dog. Or you may say it stand quite close to its forefathers such as the wolf in its behaviour. A wolf lives together as a pack, and yes there are rules among eachother within the pack, but if neccesary the whole pack will help eachother in time of needs. This is what the Thai Ridgeback will also expect from you and you will receive it in return. It is a game of trust and rewarding between eachother. So this is why this breed can be the familydog you wish to have, but there must be rules set and be followed by everybody within a family. There must also be some space for everybody including the dog to retreat so everybody can be themselvec upto a surtain level ofcourse. It will be best that you agree with your children who makes the rules, punishments en the way this will be used. So it will allways be "playing" cop between your dog and your children and this may take a lot of time and energie. You must know that this is something you will have with any breed en with the one will this work a bit easier than the other. But it is never easy raising children and a dog at the same moment and this is very important to realise. The communication with older children is often easier, they understand most things better and will many situation be easier to handle. But once again rules must be maintained and stay clear for everybody, than we dare to say that your Thai will protect your children, sometimes against you, but surely towards outsiders. Ofcourse we maintain the warning it is and will allways be a dog that is very close to its nature, thay have only a few ways how they can make thing clear with their behaviour. It is allways better not to leave children alone with the dog. This is a rule that suits all breeds.

Other (domestic)animals:
The Thai Ridgeback is very well capable to combine with other "domestic"animals, but again only if it is well socialised and not to forget this must happen from the very beginning!! Strange animals that make an unespected visit into your home or guarden are not surtain of what will happen. If something like this occurs in your guarden or home you may be prepared that your Thai wants to guard the properties, though outside is also a big chance that its hunting abillities will be awakened. We may say from experience that a Thai Ridgeback will accept animals at least if it is well socialised from day 1. If you say your Thai is behaving well with your own animals, than it is absolutely not surtain how it will react with the same kind of animals in an other environment or situation. As we have said earlier, a Thai Ridgeback has its own character and will also know the characters of other animals that live with it, it will know your character well and also those of your own pets. If it meats other animals it will start from the beginning in search for new boundries and knowhow about this "new"animal and its personal character. Though we advice you never to let your Thai Ridgeback alone at a sudden moment just as you will not do with childredn. It is a dog that will allways draw back to the ability to try to set new boundries at surtain times so you will have to keep an eye on that. As we say here in Holland you have to play "cops" between your Thai dog and other animals/children regulary. We have also noticed that this breedcan be well combined with cats, this may go well for quite some time, but every now and than, there is this moment of breaking truce and you will find a scrach on the dogs nose. Many people think it is strange that one day the dog will fight back at the cat, but the Thai is bigger and has bigger teeth in its mouth. So there can be a deadly seen to be dealt with. You may know the phrase living as cat and dog, and at these times you will learn what it realy me. Though it is allways dificult, because it can go well too, but if you have a cat and a Thai, you will have two piheaded animals together with both that have their very own character and want to receive equial attention etc.etc. A good capability of observing situations is necessary and also correcting both animals in its behavior are very important too.

Guarding ability:
The Thai Ridgeback is a guarding dog from origin. With a proper education it will protect its home property very well and also your children. It will be difficult for strangers to come near the dog and for surtain once you out on the street. Though this mainly happens with unsocialised Thai Ridgebacks. Your Thai Ridgeback will draw back if it will be appoached and will observe the situation first before taking further steps. It will also be difficult to pet the Thai then. Just after a while when it has the time to adjust and see that the owner is >OK> with the situation it will come closer and be more relaxed. Though this kind of chracter is still very difficult between the Thai Ridgebacks we know now. With some Thai dogs it will take a few secconds to adjust with others it may take hours/days before someone is capable in approaching the dog, even if you have no problems at all personally with your own dog But if the owner is not arround.....it will be very difficult how the dog will react. You may also see this difference with familymembers! Everybody behaves differently, reacts in different ways and a Thai dog will react on that. We may also say that a Thai Ridgeback will get more allert once the sun goes down and darkness arrives. You can keep a Thai Ridgeback in a kennel, if this is well built with a smal and heated kennel in it to take shelter in. It will be wise to make the choice if you want to keep the dog inside or outside and not both. If you choose to keep a Thai Ridgeback outside it will get a bit more distance in its character towards you and it will be more on its own and to choose one owner for surtain. It will be a big deal to combine these dogs with as many social aspects if possible or to keep the dog in its own dignety uptill a surtain level of course.

Hunting instinct:
Tha Thai has ver good eyes, ears and nose, that will be og good use during hunting times. A mice denn is found very easially and rabbits will be spotted froma big distance. For this reason it will be difficult to let a Thai Ridgeback loose from its leash. Its instinct will rise quickly and there is very less to stop it. Some people who own a Thai Ridgeback dare to let their dog loos, but are also very watchfull looking arround trying to spot things sooner than their dog. You must be aware that there might be days when you think well it is going ok and your attention will get less, please get a notice of this, because one day that great instinct of your Thai Ridgeback will be suddenly back. Even though may have been a year or more ago!

Stress:
Thee Thai Ridgeback is sensitive with stress. Changes withing the family, way of life, way of handling things, going on holliday, change in feedings etc.etc. can all react back onto your Thai Ridgeback in different ways. We are talking about ways such as eating less, more dominant behaviour, maybe even agressive behaviour, bad fur exchange, bad coat, diarrhea, loosing wait, scraching itself, pieping, barcking, howling etc.etc. And to be honest all of this can be a stress reaction onto your dog. It is of most importance if you think there is something wrong with your Thai Ridgeback to also think of surtain situations that may have this reaction before going to your vet for advice.

Bite incidents:
There has been different biting incedints with all dog rases including the Thai Ridgeback. Though with this breed we have come to the conclusion that many times there has been a bad way of observing the dog in that biting situation before it reacted in biting. And again the reaction it could have been avoided if...Again people have "forgotten" tha have or maybe now had a breed that is very close too its forefathers. So please be aware of surtain situations and be prepared of that may come or happen. Try to observe your dogs behaviour as often as you can, but also in its own environment. The Thai Ridgeback does this also with you what you may not allways be aware of, but only the way bodylanguage can be outspoken, the way you speak does say many thing with your Thai Ridgeback and it knows you very well. Try do know your Thai in the same way/ It is an acient dog and it does not need many signals from its surroundings to knwo what is going on. It needs this to stay a live in different situations if it lives in the nature to fight back or to run in safety.(If it is on the leash it will surtainly react different than when it is loose, the way of looking for protection if than different) The Thai is a guarding and hunting dog every minute of the day.....
We live in a small and social country and as lovers of this breed we like to keep it this way, but we do need your help with this issue so please take any effort in rasing and socialising this breed well.

Is the Thai Ridgeback something for you?:
If you have doubts after reading the above, than we have gained our goal. It are facts that not often ocure, but very important to know. Eventually we want to inform you well about the breed and make sure you have made a well thought through decision for this breed. We would be very sad if after a few years it turned out to be a bad choice starting with this breed. The Thai dog is very difficult to replace and eventualy many end up being put to sleep or a lifetime stay at a animal shelter. These are things that no doglover would like to think about. We glady inform people, but please make sure you have at least seen one Thai Ridgeback before buying and do not just get one from a picture!

If you wish to have a dog that will be a mate, protect you and your belonings?
If you wish to have a dog that has character and will show this in many different ways?
If you wish to have a dog that nows different moods?
If you wish to have a dog that does not love bad weather and rather be in the sun all day?
If you wish to have a dog that you realy have to raise and that is a challenge from time to time?
If you wish to have a dog that loves to be active, loves family and attention...?

THAN MAYBE THE THAI RIDGEBACK WILL BE SOMETHING FOR YOU!

If you have questions, doubts, remarks etc.etc please let us know or set a date to visit us.