Prepare for unexpected vet bills
Thai Ridgeback dogs are a primitive breed that was reported as a hunting dog and a guardian in Thailand over three hundred years ago. Lure coursing is a dog sport that was developed with the idea of giving sighthound breed dogs a way to engage their natural instinct to chase prey in a safe and controlled environment. It is set up so that a lure, usually a white plastic bag, is quickly drawn along the ground by a series of pullies designed to mimic the speed and motion of fleeing prey. Thai Ridgeback dogs also tend to hunt by sight and speed, making them natural competitors for lure coursing, and they are listed as eligible to earn suffix titles as a Foundation Stock Service breed with the American Kennel Club, although they are not eligible to compete with the FCI, the American Sighthound Field Association, or the Canadian Kennel Club.
While these dogs are slightly smaller in size than many of the dogs that are more traditionally utilized today as drafting dogs, such as Bernese Mountain Dogs and Newfoundland breed dogs,  they are very powerful dogs and were used both to guard and to pull carts through much of Thailand’s history. This activity, when properly managed, helps to improve muscle tone and cardiovascular health for the dog, and may even help give your Thai Ridgeback greater confidence and a sense of accomplishment. Although the activity of carting itself does not generally involve a fee, procuring the equipment involved can be fairly expensive ranging from a few hundred dollars to nearly a thousand dollars.
This particular breed is typically very good at jumping and at catching, making them excellent candidates for the high-flying sport that is better known as disc dog. This team sport involves your canine companion catching specialized flying disks that you throw to them. It was first introduced to the world in 1975 when a dog by the name of Ashley Whippet, and her human partner, Alex Stein, jumped the fence of a televised baseball game and began an impromptu performance that showcased Ashley’s speed, jumping ability, and agility. This sport not only gives your Thai Ridgeback an intense physical and mental workout, but it also helps to encourage good communication between you and your canine companion.Â