Thai Ridgeback vs German Coolie - Breed Comparison

Thai Ridgeback vs German Coolie - Breed ComparisonGerman Coolie is originated from Australia but Thai Ridgeback is originated from Thailand. Both German Coolie and Thai Ridgeback are having almost same height. German Coolie may weigh 10 kg / 22 pounds lesser than Thai Ridgeback. German Coolie may live 5 years more than Thai Ridgeback. Both German Coolie and Thai Ridgeback has same litter size. German Coolie requires Low Maintenance. But Thai Ridgeback requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Hound dog
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Australia
Thailand
Height Male:
40 - 60 cm
15 - 24 inches
56 - 61 cm
22 - 25 inches
Height Female:
38 - 58 cm
14 - 23 inches
51 - 56 cm
20 - 23 inches
Weight Male:
15 - 24 kg
33 - 53 pounds
23 - 34 kg
50 - 75 pounds
Weight Female:
13 - 22 kg
28 - 49 pounds
23 - 32 kg
50 - 71 pounds
Life Span:
16 - 18 Years
10 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
4 - 6
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Australian Koolie - German Koolie - Coulie - German Collie
Thai Ridgeback Dog • TRD • Mah Thai • Thai Dog • Mah Thai Lung Arn
Colors Available:
Black, Red, merle
brown, red or blue, black
Coat:
smooth and comes in short or medium lengths
short, straight with ridge
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Alert, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Playful, Social
Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Protective
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Moderate
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

History

german coolieThe German Coolie is misnamed as it is an Australian bred dog and often called the Australian Koolie or Coolie. This Australian breed is more often just called a Coolie. The breed is a typical herding breed and a working dog that needs a job all the time. They have been a favorite of Australians since the late 1800’s when local dogs were bred with British working dogs.

Although all Coolie’s are not the same. Within the breed there is a lot of variation. This is because the Coolie was bred individually for different regions in Australia. In a very different writing the Koolie Club of Australia does not define the Coolie breed on confirmation as all other purebred dogs are defined. Instead the Coolie is defined by ability to work. In light of this most Coolie breeders state that the Coolie is a breed and the variations you see among regions are types within the breed.

As a herding dog, the Coolie brought a lot of skill to the Australian farmers and sheep herders. The Coolie will round up the sheep and bring them back to their enclosure at the shepherd’s command. They are upright, silent, working dogs. Not only do they herd sheep they are important at sheering to “cut out” the sheep or assist in the close quarters of lambing.

In Queensland North and New South Wales, the Coolie is medium boned, tall and agile ready to herd cattle over a long stretch of miles. In the Snowy Mountains of New South Wales and the Hunter Valley Region, the Coolie is shorter and thicker in order to be able to get cattle that are lying low out from the gullies and dense bush. The Coolies found in Victoria are the smallest of all.

No matter where they live and work, the Coolie is bred to help the workers there, the farmers, the stockman, and the grazier. All Coolies are adaptable and very agile. They all have a strong willfulness to accomplish what they are asked to do. The ancestors of these various Coolie was the British Collie – a smooth coated, blue merle. This Collie was crossed with the Black and Tan Collie from the Scottish Highlands. It is believed that these are the same Collie breeds that came to Australia to create the Heeler.

The name may come from the German immigrants working in South Australia and unable to pronounce Collie incorrectly they called the dogs German Coolies. There is also a fraction of German breeders who believe that the German Tiger dog was brought to Australia in the 18th century and then when the Collies came they were bred together. Many Coolie breeders have records showing that the breed has been in Australia for at least 160 years. It is also believed that the Border Collie and Kelpie (Blue Heeler) were mixed into the breed at sometime as well.

No bench standard exists for the German Coolie even though there is the Koolie Club of Australia. The mission of the club is to protect, preserve and promote the breed. The Australian Sporting Register was recognizing the Coolies in 2004. They are eligible to participate in the Australian National Kennel Council sanctioned sporting trials. They participate in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria through the individual states sporting register. Here they participate in herding, jumping, obedience, agility and tracking.

Several other recognitions as a herding breed soon followed. The Australian Shepherd Club of America, the American Herding Breed Association, were followed by recognition from others as well. They are not recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

thai ridgebackUntil recently the Thai Ridgeback was not known outside of its native land. However, after being recently recognized as a standard breed, the dogs are getting some notice from the western world. They are one of three known ridgeback breeds with the ridge running the opposite direction of the rest of her fur. The other breeds with this characteristic are the better known Rhodesian Ridgeback and the even lesser known Phu Quoc Ridgeback.

The Thai Ridgeback is believed to have originated in eastern Thailand but there is no documentation of their actual history. The breed is thought to be descended from the Funan Ridgeback based on a genetic hypothesis. It is thought that the same Funan Ridgeback is an ancestor od the Phu Quoc Dog. This Funan Ridgeback lived over a century ago. Along with the Rhodesian Ridgeback, all have a common ridgebearing ancestor.

It is still unknown where the original ridge came from but it has been shown that all of the ridgeback dogs have the same genetic mutation and even though the Rhodisian is from Africa, there is not a parallel mutation. The Thai Ridgeback is an active, energetic, tough dog. He is loyal, intelligent, and has great jumping ability.

Description

german coolie puppy - descriptionWith their strong ancestry among the family of collies and herders, the German Coolie shares the look of collies and shepherds. Even though they differ from region to region and there is no actual standard, they are medium sized dogs with blue or brown eyes or even one of each. The ears are folded over on top when relaxed but they are rigid and straight when he is more alert. The nose is either chocolate or red depending on the color of their coat.

They can have either a long, medium or short coat but most owners want the short coat that is smooth as well. The coat can be one color – red/chocolate or black; Bi – red/white or black/white; Tri – solid black or red with white and brown; Tri merle -merle with white and brown; Merle – red merles and blue merles. Regardless of color, the German Coolie has the look of a collie or German Shepherd.

thai ridgeback puppy - descriptionThe breed is medium in size and muscular in body. They have a wedge shaped head, a short coat that is smooth and pricked, triangular ears. The ridge on his back is pronounced as the hair grows away from the rest of the coat from the hips to the withers. Puppies can be born with or without the ridge. They are extremely agile. With what is often called a sword tail being carried up, the Ridgeback has wrinkles on his forehead, a black tongue or the tongue has black marks, and almond shaped eyes.

The coat sheds minimally and is dense, while the eyes are usually brown – in blue dogs they can be amber. The color of the coat is fawn, red, black or blue with a black mask on the reds. There are 8 different ridge patterns: Feather, violin, saddleback, needle, arrow, bowling pin, lute, and leaf. The broader the ridge the better the dog is considered for show.

There are two epistatic genes that determine the ridge and its size. The more genes of this type the individual dog has, the broader the ridge will be. There must be a dominant gene for the ridge to appear at all.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

german coolie dog - characteristicsYes, they can be very friendly with children is they are socialized and supervised.

Special talents

They have enough stamina to work for 14 hours a day.

Adaptability

They are very adaptable. They can be calm and steady when working a mother and baby lamb and then be able to forcefully move steers, bull, rams or weathers.

Learning ability

The breed is highly intelligent, and their learning ability is excellent because they want to please you.

. Children friendliness – Must be well socialized into the family.

2.Special talents – jumping and agility.

3.Adaptability – not good. Needs a high, unclimbable fense.

4.Learning ability – can be stubborn and independent.

Health Problems

german coolie puppies - health problemsThis is a relatively healthy breed without many genetic disorders found in purebreds due to the 160 years they have spent fairly isolated and allowing natural selection to take its course.

Blindness/Deafness

In Merle dogs there can be deafness and/or blindness. If you breed a solid to a merle you can eliminate that.

Joint Issues

These are not inherited but rather acquired due to the immense amount of jumping and running.

  1. Allergies
  2. Minor skin allergies are possible in some.
  3. Seizures

Rare but it does occur and can be fatal if not treated

thai ridgeback puppies - health problemsWith such a mysterious origin, there are not a lot of documented episodes of genetic illness as the breed has been isolated in Thailand and natural selection has driven reproduction. There are only a few issues that they are genetically predisposed to. These include:

• Dermoid Sinus – this is a genetic skin condition known as pilonidal sinus as well. This is a defect in the neural tube and the sinus might be removed. If the sinus is wrapped around the spinal cord and cannot be removed it can be tied off.

  • Hip dysplasia – can cause lameness and/or arthritis.

• Bloat – can be terminal if not treated as soon as possible. Bloat is a distension of the stomach and intestines which can twist and tangle, killing the dog almost immediately without veterinary attention.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

german coolie dogs - caringBreak meals into 3 a day feeding a high quality dry puppy food designed for dogs of his size. 11/2 to 2 cups per day.

Feeding the adult

Break meals into 2 a day feeding a high quality dry adult food designed for dogs of his size.

Points for Good Health

Traditionally good health. Great energy, intensity and devotion to work and owner.

Games and Exercises

This is an energetic dog that loves to work and needs to work. Regular routine exercise is needed daily. He needs to be stimulated mentally and physically. Find him a job. Make sure he knows what you want him to do. They work well with a human partner in games such as agility, tracking, flyball and herding. They need a large yard and a lot of play time. They are not couch potatoes and would be unhappy if they were stuck in a house or apartment

thai ridgeback dogs - caring1. Feeding the Puppy - Don’t over feed the puppy as they are inclined to become obese. Feed a high quality protein rich puppy for medium breeds. Feed in 3-4 smaller meals per day. As he grows be aware of bloat possibilities.

2. Feeding the adult dog - The risk of bloat is even greater in the adult and so is the risk of obesity. Don’t feed large meals and don’t feed before or after strenuous exercise. Feed in 2 smaller meals per day.

3.Points for Good Health - Agile and muscular.

4. Games and Exercises – Energetic and needs serious exercise. She loves to swim, retrieve, hike, hunt, and catch frisbees. Likes search and rescue and guard dog work.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. German Coolie vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. German Coolie vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. German Coolie vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. German Coolie vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. German Coolie vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. German Coolie vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. German Coolie vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. German Coolie vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. German Coolie vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. German Coolie vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. German Coolie vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. German Coolie vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. German Coolie vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. German Coolie vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. German Coolie vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. German Coolie vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. German Coolie vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. German Coolie vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. German Coolie vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. German Coolie vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. German Coolie vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. German Coolie vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. German Coolie vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. German Coolie vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. German Coolie vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Thai Ridgeback vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Thai Ridgeback vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Thai Ridgeback vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Thai Ridgeback vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Thai Ridgeback vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Thai Ridgeback vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Thai Ridgeback vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Thai Ridgeback vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Thai Ridgeback vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Thai Ridgeback vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Thai Ridgeback vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Thai Ridgeback vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Thai Ridgeback vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Thai Ridgeback vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Thai Ridgeback vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Thai Ridgeback vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Thai Ridgeback vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Thai Ridgeback vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Thai Ridgeback vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Thai Ridgeback vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Thai Ridgeback vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Thai Ridgeback vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Thai Ridgeback vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Thai Ridgeback vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Thai Ridgeback vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison