Thai Ridgeback Dog

Country of Origin: The origins of the Thai Ridgeback (also known as the TRD or Mah Thai Lang Ahn) are largely unknown, but it is widely believed that the breed is related to the Rhodesian Ridgeback and Phu Quoc Dog, the only other breeds with a distinctive back ‘ridge’, formed from hairs running in the opposition direction to the rest of the coat. Some believe the Thai Ridgeback is a descendant to the Rhodesian Ridgeback based on the theory that all African breeds descend from Asian breeds. Another possibility is that the ridge originated in Africa from the African Hottentott Hunting dog. DNA studies are being conducted to investigate the relationship of the three breeds.

 In any case, the Thai Ridgeback was common in Thailand by the mid-1600’s, where it was used as a watchdog and escort. The Thai Ridgeback has changed little since the 1600’s due to the isolated nature of Thailand. Efforts to standardize and preserve the breed began in Thailand in the 1970’s. The number of Thai Ridgebacks in Thailand has increased substantially, and the breed is growing, but still very rare, in Europe and America. PLEASE NOTE: This breed has been accepted for recording in the AKC Foundation Stock Service (FSS). This is simply an avenue to maintain reputable records regarding the breed’s development. This breed is not eligible for AKC (American Kennel Club) registration.

  Size: The Thai Ridgeback has a height of 20 to 24 in at the withers and weighs 51-75 lbs (23-34 kg). It has a wedge-shaped head with distinctive wrinkled forehead, dark, almond-shaped eyes, and low-set prick ears pointed slightly outwards. Some Thai Ridgebacks have a solid black or black spotted tongue. Thai Ridgebacks are muscular with a flat back and sickle-curved tail carried high.

Coat: The Thai Ridgeback has a short, hard, dense, smooth coat which can be blue, black, beige, red, fawn, brindle, or white, the last two of which are not acceptable in the show ring. Its coat grows longer in winter. The Thai Ridgeback’s defining feature is the ridge down its back from the shoulder to the hips, composed of hair running in a different direction to the rest of the coat. The ridge pattern is classified into eight categories—they are (from thinnest to widest) needle, arrow, feather, violin, lute, bowling pin, leaf, and saddleback.

Character: The Thai Ridgeback is smart, obedient and watchful. It is very loyal and highly protective of its family. The Thai Ridgeback is known for being able to kill a Cobra! It is extremely agile and makes a good watchdog. Thai Ridgebacks crave their master’s affection. They can be suspicious of strangers.

Temperament: The Thai Ridgeback is naturally protective of its home and family, which can make it aggressive with other dogs, but this shouldn’t be a problem if the dog is properly socialized when young. Thai Ridgebacks have a strong hunting instinct which may become prevalent around smaller animals. Care: The Thai Ridgeback requires occasional grooming with a brush and comb, especially when shedding. The Thai Ridgeback is a very healthy breed for a dog with such limited stock. Potential health problems are dermoid sinus (a skin condition resulting from the ridge), and hip dysplasia (malformed hip joint which can cause lameness or arthritis).

Training: The intelligence and obedience of the Thai Ridgeback makes training a straightforward task, but it requires a dominant owner due to its independent nature and wild streak. Obedience training when young is highly recommended.

Activity: The Thai Ridgeback is very athletic. It requires plenty of daily exercise and a large fenced-in area to run around. The Thai Ridgeback is a great jumper and can make a fine hunting companion if properly trained.

from puppyfind.com

Alaskan Malamute

Country of Origin: The Alaskan Malamute hails from the Arctic region, where it depended on its thick coat to survive the extreme cold. It was first recorded living among the Mahlemuts in Alaska (Malamute means “village of the Mahle”). The Alaskan Malamutes were bred for size and power to assist in hauling the bodies of seals and polar bears back to the village. They performed an essential function and became valued workers and companions. The Alaskan Malamute was endangered by interbreeding during the Alaskan gold rush of 1896, but was rescued by a breeder and Alaskan Malamute enthusiast in New England in the 1920’s, and thereafter increased in popularity. Alaskan Malamutes achieved fame by assisting in Admiral Byrd’s trek to the South Pole in 1933 and served as pack dogs and search-and-rescue dogs in World War II. They are the prototypical strong, unrelenting sled dog.  Size: Alaskan Malamutes have a shoulder height of 58-63.5 cm (23-25 in) and weighs 34-38.5 kg (75-85 lbs). With broad heads and heavy bones, they are built for pulling weight. Alaskan Malamutes have large muzzles, brown, almond shaped eyes, and triangular, rounded ears. They have straight backs and large feet, with plumed tails which curl over the back. “Giant” Malamutes which weigh over 140 lbs are sometimes bred, but not as show dogs. Alaskan Malamutes are slightly longer than they are tall. Coat: The Alaskan Malamute has a dense double coat. The outer coat is thick and coarse and the under coat is greasy and wooly. The coat is either pure white or a mixture of white with grey, sable, black, or red, with white legs and muzzle. Alaskan Malamutes grow their coat in winter and shed in spring. Character: The Alaskan Malamute is friendly, affectionate, and loyal, but can have a mind of its own. They are energetic like puppies for many years, but mellow out in older age. Alaskan Malamutes bond very closely with their master. They don’t mind living outdoors as long as sufficient human companionship is available. Alaskan Malamutes are generally quiet, but may howl, and are fond of digging. Temperament: Alaskan Malamutes generally get along well with children, especially older children. Their friendliness makes them somewhat unsuitable as watchdogs. The Alaskan Malamute should be watched around smaller breeds or other pets due to a strong prey instinct. They may be aggressive towards other Alaskan Malamutes of the same gender. Early socialization is important to help the Alaskan Malamute get along with other pets. Care: The Alaskan Malamute does not require frequent grooming, but a good comb-out with a coarse comb is required when shedding. Alaskan Malamutes have litters of 4-10 and a life span of 10-12 years. They are susceptible to musculoskeletal and dermatological diseases. They are generally unsuited to hot climates, and should be given plenty of shade, water, and cooling when living in warm areas. Alaskan Malamutes will eat whatever they are fed, so avoid overfeeding to prevent obesity. Training: Although they are friendly and well mannered, Alaskan Malamutes need a firm approach in their training to achieve obedience. Some Alaskan Malamutes may be difficult to housebreak.  Activity: The Alaskan Malamute needs a lot of exercise. At least one hour a day of hard exercise is advisable. Alaskan Malamutes absolutely love to pull a sled or wagon, but also enjoy running and roaming. Alaskan Malamutes can become depressed and aggressive if not allowed to exercise. from www.puppyfind.com

THE COLLIE

The Collie  makes an outstanding sporting dog, and can be taught to do the work of the Pointer and the Setter, as well as that of the Water Spaniel and the Retriever. He can be trained to perform the duties of other breeds.  He is gifted at hunting, having an excellent nose, is a good vermin-killer, and a most faithful watch, guard, and companion.

Little is known with certainty of the origin of the Collie, but his cunning and his outward appearance would seem to indicate a relationship with the wild dog. Buffon was of opinion that he was the true dog of nature, the stock and model of the whole canine species. He considered the Sheepdog superior in instinct and intelligence to all other breeds, and that, with a character in which education has comparatively little share, he is the only animal born perfectly trained for the service of man.

At the shows this type of dog is invariably at the top of the class. He is considered the most tractable, and is certainly the most agile. Second to this type in favour is the smooth-coated variety, a very hard, useful dog, well adapted for hill work and usually very fleet of foot. He is not so sweet in temper as the black and white, and is slow to make friends. There is not a more  graceful and physically beautiful dog to be seen than the show Collie of the present period. Produced from the old working type, he is now practically a distinct breed. 

The skull should be flat, moderately wide between the ears, and gradually tapering towards the eyes. There should only be a slight depression at stop. The width of skull necessarily depends upon combined length of skull and muzzle; and the whole must be considered in connection with the size of the dog. The cheek should not be full or prominent. 

The muzzle should be of fair length, tapering to the nose, and must not show weakness or be snipy or lippy. Whatever the colour of the dog may be, the nose must be black. The teeth should be of good size, sound and level; very slight unevenness is permissible. The jaws Clean cut and powerful. The eyes are a very important feature, and give expression to the dog; they should be of medium size, set somewhat obliquely, of almond shape, and of a brown colour except in the case of merles, when the eyes are frequently (one or both) blue and white or china; expression full of intelligence, with a quick alert look when listening. The ears should be small and moderately wide at the base, and placed not too close together but on the top of the skull and not on the side of the head. When in repose they should be usually carried thrown back, but when on the alert brought forward and carried semi-erect, with tips slightly drooping in attitude of listening. 

The neck should be muscular, powerful and of fair length, and somewhat arched.  The body should be strong, with well sprung ribs, chest deep, fairly broad behind the shoulders, which should be sloped, loins very powerful. The dog should be straight in front. The fore-legs should be straight and muscular, neither in nor out at elbows, with a fair amount of bone; the forearm somewhat fleshy, the pasterns showing flexibility without weakness. The hind-legs should be muscular at the thighs, clean and sinewy below the hocks, with well bent stifles. The feet should be oval in shape, soles well padded, and the toes arched and close together. 

In general character he is a lithe vigorous dog, his deep chest showing lung power, his neck strength, his sloping shoulders and well bent hocks indicating speed, and his expression high intelligence. He should be a fair length on the leg, giving him more of a racy than a cloddy appearance. In a few words, a Collie should show endurance, activity, and intelligence, with free and true action. In height dogs should be 22 ins. to 24 ins. at the shoulders, bitches 20 ins. to 22 ins. The weight for dogs is 45 to 65 lbs., bitches 40 to 55 lbs. The smooth collie only differs from the rough in its coat, which should be hard, dense and quite smooth. 
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