Thanks everyone!
Thai Ridgeback Dog are a primitive breed, that werenāt ādevelopedā by humans. They were a domesticated landrace breed of wild canine. Definition of landrace from Wikipedia: āA landrace is a domesticated, locally adapted, traditional variety of a species of animal or plant that has developed over time, through adaptation to its natural and cultural environment of agriculture and pastoralism, and due to isolation from other populations of the species.ā
So they are a little different in behavior to many modern breeds. They retain strong instincts.
Thais are typically dog aggressive, and suspicious of strangers. But thankfully, Shayde has exceptionally good temperament in his lineage, as well as lots of socialization.
Besides being fortunate that Shayde has an exceptional temperament, we have been through a lot of training (which Iād like to be ongoing and into advanced levels eventually). Heās wickedly smart! It can be a challenge at times, since primitive breeds are not known for wanting to necessarily please humans, so it can be difficult to train them despite extreme intelligence. Theyāre a dominant breed, and very easily bored.
Because of all this, the breed is not recommended for beginning dog handlers (which I am). I have made a point to be serious about having a well behaved dog, regardless of challenges, and to get up to speed as much as possible with dog behavior, psychology, and handling.
My breeder signed me up for a breed specific online group, to learn more. I just lurk for information now since they pissed me off lol! Instead of helping me, they assumed I was just some stupid newbie who didnāt know what I was getting into. They assumed Iād be like all the other newbies I read about who had failures with the breed and of course itās the animal who ends up suffering or losing itās life. The way I was looked at by the group really reminded me of when someone (here) says they never had any animals before, but that they got Scarlet Macaw, and then asked a newbie question haha. I understand peopleās passion about the animals, but sheesh!
Shayde is, and will be a success story with us

. (Except for the time he jumped the 6 foot fence and ran away for a couple hours! We promptly made the fence higher)!
