A view point of the TRD - Pol. Lt. Col. Paswas Srithai  

This is a true story based on fact, and I don't mean to criticize anybody specially. I am writing this article with no bias because I promised the organizer that I would deliver an article for him.  

On Sunday November 30, 2003 I was invited by Mr. Sirichai Uccanibutr, a well-known celebrity from Chatuchak Magazine, to be the judge for an annual Thai Ridgeback Dog competition at Rama Gardens Hotel.

The environment around the competition area was quite good with a huge number of the dog-lovers. Most of all, what really impressed me was the weight-dragging competition of the American Pitbull Terrier. On that day, the winner could drag 1,500 Kg and it was another highlight of the event and, dare I say, it was better than having them biting each other. Moreover, there was also a cock competition which made the event very attractive.  

I had the impression of the event that our celebrity from Chatuchak had done another good job. Also, I used this chance to evaluate the quality of 50-60 Thai Ridgeback Dogs that had joined the competition. I found that most dogs were still in the development process and it mean that their quality varied. It made me nervous because I was not certain whether Thai Breeders would focus on the same things in the future or else try to create their own standard and ultimate goal. The reason is that while all dogs from the first round at least won prizes I could still see that each dog had bad as well as good points. I would not wish to criticize other judges but would like to mention what I saw from that day.  

I will briefly mention the weak points of the Thai Ridgeback competition in the Champion round as follows:  

1. The structure of the dog is too slim. They have too small bones which is unusual for the fast-running, strong and high-jumping dogs. Thai dogs should have a well-balanced structure along with the bones.  

2. The skull is too small and there is a too narrow gap between the forehead and ears.  

3. Some dogs do not have almond shaped eyes but round and big ones and too much white surface in the eyeball.  

4. Some dogs have a very pointed face with no zygomatic arch and too long a muzzle compared to the skull length, like a rat's face.  

5. Some dogs do not have the black lip colour and the lip is not tighten enough (or simply said they have flew)  

6. Too big ears, pointing outwards like the Pharaoh Hound, or sometimes too closed like the German Shepherd. They should have small medium ears.  

7. No fore-chest, and so it looks like their front legs are attached to the neckline.  

8. The corner of scapula and humorous is too wide which causes the uncomfortable step when the dog walks or runs.  

9. Very slim and lean body and also very narrow chest. The best Thai Ridgeback dog should have a gracious and strong figure.  

10. The ridge is not well balanced and has ultra-short hair. Some ridges are too wide. The arrow ridge seems to be well balanced in a sense.  

11. Short croup (too stiff). Some have a too pointed tail and it causes the ugly line around the area. The best croup should be medium-length.  

12. Over-angulations at the back legs.  

13. Unshaped tail. Some have a very pointed tail, short tail. The sword-shaped tail by the standard of the species means that it will curve only a part of the quadrant. Some have a short tail and it does not reach the hock joint.  

14. The underline in the belly area does not tuck up and looks more likely a pig's belly.  

15. Very wide paws and the foot's fingers are too small and point out. The foot should be tight and strong.  

16. The weaken pastern (too much slope, normally 80 degree) make it walk unstable.  

These above-mentioned weak points are not derived from only one dog but were seen variously among the dogs in the champion round. No dogs reached the breed standard at all. If the breeder realized these items and try to develop their own lines, we should have a better quality dog in the future.  

I hereby would say that each judge has his own judgment so that the results will differ, which after all does make the event very exciting.  

Article from Chatuchak Magazine

Translated (Thai to English) by: Thanapa Tuitiengsat

Edited by: Michael Croft/Noi October 2005