Almost all dogs have a coat that grows in one direction. However, there are a few special dog breeds that have a ridge that runs along their back and grows in the opposite direction to the rest of their coat. Here’s your guide to the ridgeback dog breeds.
Thai Ridgeback
The Thai Ridgeback is considered to be one of the ancient dog breeds. It’s known for its excellent guarding abilities and agility. The breed has a very short coat and sheds little making it a suitable pet for allergy sufferers. It was developed in eastern Thailand and is still quite rare outside its native country.
While the exact breed history is unknown, it’s strongly believed to be an ancestor of the now-extinct Funan Ridgeback Dog. Thai Ridgebacks may have one of eight distinct ridge patterns. Generally, the wider the ridge, the more valuable the dog is considered.
Phu Quoc Ridgeback Dog
The Phu Quoc Ridgeback Dog is native to the island of Phu Quoc in Vietnam. It looks similar in appearance to the Thai Ridgeback, although it’s smaller in size. This breed is also believed to have originated from the Funan Ridgeback Dog.
It is a natural climber and is actually known for its ability to climb trees. The ridge on the back of purebred Phu Quoc is in a sword shape. Another distinct characteristic of this ridgeback dog breed is its webbed feet, a trait that allows it to swim more efficiently than other dogs.
Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large breed that was developed in southern Africa by the European settlers. It was used as an all-around hunting and guard dog. However, its specialty was hunting the African lion, an incredibly dangerous task.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback was created by crossing the settler’s mastiffs, hounds, and other European breeds with the native Khoikhoi dog, which had a ridged back. The Khoikhoi dog not only gave the breed its distinct ridge but helped make it more hardy and able to withstand the rugged African environment.
While some people believe it’s possible that dog breeds with a ridge could have developed separately in Africa and Asia, to many it seems more likely that all three breeds are directly related. However, whether the first ancestors of these ridgeback dog breeds first appeared in Africa and then traveled to Asia via trade or from Asia to Africa is another mystery.
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