Rhodesian Ridgeback Thai Ridgeback Dog Breed

A Rhodesian Ridgeback-Thai Ridgeback mix, as a crossbreed, is not an official member of any breed group. Neither does any info exist about these hybrids' true origin; while a Rhodesian Ridgeback x Thai Ridgeback has probably existed naturally for a long time, no breeder or breed club has claimed its creation. These rare, energetic dogs are great either in a working capacity or as pets for active families, especially those living in rural areas with lots of space.

A few Rhodesian-Thai Ridgeback mix facts: they're medium- to large-sized, averaging 24 inches at the shoulders in height and 65 pounds in weight; they have short coats, usually with a ridge of fur along the back (hence the breed names)--and the coats shed moderately; and they're very energetic and will need a lot of exercise.

Some advantages and drawbacks to owning a Thai Ridgeback-Rhodesian Ridgeback mix:

Rhodesian-Thai Ridgeback dogs 101: these hybrids are the offspring of two breeds that are both athletic, independent, and strong-willed. Both parent breeds have histories of hunting dangerous game--the Rhodesian was developed to hunt lions in Africa, and the Thai cobras and wild boar--so a Rhodesian-Thai mix will have a bold, fearless nature.

This attribute makes these hybrids loyal, hard-working watchdogs--but it also means they'll need special consideration where living situations and training are concerned. For one thing, a Ridgeback mix is not at all suited to apartment life; homes with large, fenced yards are better. And perhaps more important: this hybrid can be defensive and confrontational with unknown people and animals, so the dog will need an owner willing to play the role of "alpha" in its life, starting during puppyhood. One such helpful method is leash training: starting when the dog is a puppy, make sure the pup walks beside or behind you on the leash instead of being allowed to lead or "tug" on it. This, in the pup's mind, establishes you as the leader--and it'll make other training easier as the dog matures.

A Rhodesian-Thai Ridgeback mix will also be strong and energetic, and will need at least an hour of outdoor exercise on a daily basis.

Like its parent breeds, a Rhodesian-Thai Ridgeback mix is built for sport. Its overall look is streamlined, muscular, and athletic, which allows the dog to be fast, agile, and strong.

The dog's head is the shape of a narrow wedge; the medium-length ears can be hanging or erect. The eyes are almond-shaped, and the muzzle is fairly long with softly hanging lips. The nose can be either black or brown. This hybrid's shoulders are muscular, the chest moderately deep, and the legs long and straight. The body is quite aerodynamic, and the tail is thin, sabre-like, medium-long, and can either droop or curve over the back.

The short, smooth coat has a distinctive feature that give the breed its name: a ridge of hair along the back that grows in the opposite direction from the rest of the coat. The ridge of hair can be thick and pronounced, or barely noticeable, and comes in numerous patterns.

The Rhodesian-Thai Ridgeback mix doesn't see a lot of variation in physical features. One exception is the ears: the Rhodesian has hanging ears, while the Thai has erect ones--so this hybrid's ears can be either or (and possibly somewhere in between).

Breeders use symbols like P, F1, F2, and so on to represent a crossbred dog's genetic material. For this Ridgeback mix in particular, the following applies:

• P: Purebred; 100% Rhodesian or Thai
• F1: P x P; 50% Rhodesian, 50% Thai
• F1b: F1 x P; 75% of the purebred parent's DNA
• F2: F1 x F1; 50% Rhodesian, 50% Thai

(The sequence continues up to F5 or higher.)

Breeders often use the F1b variation to accentuate one particular breed's genes. For the Ridgeback mix, this is done to develop smaller dogs, then market them as "Miniature Ridgeback" or "Toy Ridgeback" dogs. The Thai Ridgeback can be smaller--as little as 35 pounds or less--so breeders might develop a Mini Ridgeback by breeding an F1b cross with a small Thai as the purebred parent.

Protective, energetic, intelligent, affectionate, and at times stubborn and dominant, the Rhodesian-Thai Ridgeback temperament is one of loyalty and independence. These hybrids are usually friendly and loving with family members, and they'll be extremely protective of loved ones--but because of their history as hunters of dangerous game, they can be dominant (and even aggressive) if allowed. Without question, a Ridgeback mix must get training and socialization, starting at a young age. With plenty of early training/socialization, these hybrids can get along with kids and other pets; it's best, owners say, if your Ridgeback mix grows up alongside any children or other pets, so they learn to be accustomed to one another.

A Ridgeback mix is also smart, and can respond well to training--but the dog's potential stubbornness means a few repetitions might be necessary when it's learning commands or tasks. As with any breed, firm, consistent, reward-based training methods are best.

Another great quality of the Rhodesian-Thai Ridgeback personality is its watch- and guard dog skills. These hybrids are alert, confident, and basically fearless, so they're sure to bark at and investigate unknown sights or sounds--and odds are they have the physical ability to neutralize potential threats like intruders.

A Rhodesian-Thai Ridgeback mix, due to hybrid vigor (in which a crossbred dog inherits the healthiest traits of its parent breeds), is very healthy. Even so, these hybrids many suffer a few ailments common to the parent breeds. These include hip or elbow dysplasia, along with a congenital skin defected called dermoid sinus. Potential owners are advised to ask breeders for health screenings for the dog and/or its parents, or they can have their own veterinarians do the screenings.

Life expectancy for these hybrids is 10-12 years.