General Appearance: The first impression of a good Thai Ridgeback Dog is that of a well-muscled animal, endurance and agility. Developed to serve the multiple purposes of guard and escort dog, not alone for beauty but to insure jumping ability, essential to arduous hike, never too plump or heavy while equipped for great speed. Extraordinary of deep chest and well tucked-up, the body is longer than it is tall. The peculiarity of this breed is the ridge on the back, which is formed by the hair growing in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat. The ridge should be clearly defined, tapering and symmetrical. It should start immediately behind the shoulder and continue to a point between the prominence of the hips, and should contain two identical crowns opposite each other.

Above: This TRD is adorned with a fantastic ridge on its back. It is a fine example of the Thailand Ridgeback dog.

Neck and Shoulders: The neck is strong, clean cut and firm; the head is raised and the neck carried high. The shoulder should be sloping and muscular.

Body: The whole structure of the body gives an outlook of great strength without heaviness. Extraordinary compact build.

Chest: The chest should be well-deep reaching to elbows and the ribs forming should be well sprung but not flat; they should not be absolutely round or barrel-shaped.

Back: The back is rather long but strong and firm.

Loin: The loin is wide, muscular and slightly arched with fair depth or flank. Abdomen must be tuck-up in the loin. The stifles angulation should be moderately bent.

Mouth: Sound white teeth meeting in a scissor bite. Altogether 42 teeth, 22 in the lower, and 20 in upper jaws.

Feet and Legs: Feet's toes, well-arched, pads thick. Straight front legs. The hind legs should be short, clean and sharply defined, nails jet black.

Tail: Well setup, carried with slight curve, tapering and dark in color to the point, well controlled.

Coat: Short, smooth, dense and close-lying. Skin very plain.

Color: Light Chestnut Red (the deeper the better) permissible for pure black, silver blue. A little white on chest, belly or above the toes or the whole body pure white is undesirable.

Size of Dogs: Weight: 50 - 65 lbs., Height: 22 - 24 inches. Bitches: Weight: 40 - 50 lbs., Height: 20 - 22 inches.

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