The Thai Ridgeback Dog is a breed very lucky to not have been mis-bred by breeders and owners. They have been bred by "Mother Nature" for centuries, and since only the strong survive, the strong and healthy were the dogs to reproduce. For these reasons, the Thai Ridgeback Dog is a very healthy animal overall. The number of Thai Ridgeback Dogs in this country is very limited at this time, we do know there are currently less than 200 living in the US. We must base our knowledge on the dogs we have here and the knowledge that other breeders throughout the world have shared with us.

To date, there have been three conditions that have been reported regarding the TRD. Although they do not occur in great numbers, the breeders must be dedicated in their breeding efforts to try to eliminate these congenital defects.

The first I will discuss, and the one which is more common than the other two is the Dermoid Sinus Cyst. A dermoid Sinus (DS) is categorized as a "neural tube fusion defect". During the embryo stages, the neural groove deepens and joins to form the new spinal cord and spinal column, the skin also fuses in the midline and the spinal column and the skin become separate. When this process partially fails, a DS forms. In these cases, a tube or sinus forms from the spinal column to the skin. They can be either open to the skin or closed. These tubes are lined with hair and when the natural shedding of the coat takes place, the hair inside of these tubes often is not expelled. The result is an infection due to a build up of hair and oils leading to abcesses. At this point it is a painful and potentially dangerous situation for the dog.

Dermoid Sinuses are often found on the midline of the neck, back and tail along the spinal column. This is a congenital problem, meaning the puppies are born with this condition. It is hereditary, therefore all puppies diagnosed with a dermoid sinus should not be bred and should be spayed or neutered.

There was a study done on the Rhodesian Ridgebacks, a breed that also suffers from DS. This is a study that could possibly lead to decreasing the number of dogs afflicted with Dermoid Sinus by providing supplements of folic acid. If you would like to read this report, which I believe is very informative, click here

The second is Canine Hip Dysplasia(CHD). To my knowledge, there have not been any dogs in the US diagnosed with this condition, but there have been a few cases in other parts of the world. I am going to provide a link to the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals(OFA) for those that are not familiar with CHD. Here you can find more information on this condition.

The third is a condition that has occurred in 2 or 3 dogs in this country therefore, it should be noted. Patellar luxation is a dislocation of the kneecap that is genetically influenced. Dogs with this deformity usually are affected by the time they are 5 to 6 months of age. The most notable finding is a knock-knee stance, the hocks will point out and the toes in. The dog may also show signs which include difficulty in straightening the knee, pain in the stifle, and a limp. Treatment will depend on the severity or grade of the deformity. If greater than a Grade I or II, surgery to deepen the groove and/or realign the tendons may be necessary. Diagnosis is quick, painless, and does not require anesthesia. The veterinarian will manually palpate the patella to check for dislocating or slipping. It will take a vet about 10 seconds to make an initial diagnosis. It is good practice to ask your vet on a regular, non-emergency visit to palpate the kneecaps to check for this condition.

These three conditions are all genetic. The numbers of Thai Ridgebacks in the US is very small; therefore, diagnosing and eliminating from the breeding pool any dogs affected with these conditions is the best tool we have to keep our breed healthy in the years to come.