UMA NATH
umaanalysis@yahoo.co.in
Kerala
1) INDIAN PARIAH DOG
The
Indian Pariah Dog (also pye dog, pie dog, or pi dog) is the aboriginal
landrace, or naturally selected "breed" of the Indian sub-continent.
It is also called the Indian Native Dog and is nowadays referred to as the
INDog by experts and enthusiasts. The term "pariah dog" is not derogatory
in the canine context and refers to a class of primitive dogs of a specific
appearance known as the "long-term pariah morph."
India's Pariah Dog,
the dominant village and street breed, is thought to be a descendant of an
early Chinese immigrant according to Peter Savolainen, a professor of
evolutionary genetics at the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.[1]
However the place of origin has not been determined so far.
The Indian
Native Dog (INDog) is an ancient autochthonous (landrace) type of dog that is
found all over India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and even beyond South Asia. It was
featured on National Geographic Channel's film, 'Search for the First Dog'
along with the other related ancient types such as the Canaan Dog of Israel and
the Australian Dingo. This is the original breed of the country, found
free-living as a commensal of man all over the Indian subcontinent. Where not
mixed with the blood of European dogs or other breeds and types, it is similar
in appearance all across the entire country. The type represents one of the few
remaining examples of mankind's original domestic dog and its physical features
are the same as those of the dogs whose fossil remains have been found in
various parts of the world, from very early remains in Israel and China to
later ones such as those found in the volcanic lava at Pompeii, near Naples in
Italy. In India these were the hunting partners and companion animals of the
aboriginal peoples of India. They are still found with the aboriginal
communities who live in forested areas. Since these dogs have never been
selectively bred, their appearance, physical features and mental
characteristics are created by the process of natural selection alone. The
INDog has not been recognized by any kennel club although similarly ancient or
'primitive' dogs have been recognized such as the Azawakh and the Basenji both
of which are also sighthound and Pariah. It has been recognized by the
Primitive and Aboriginal Dog Society (PADS), a worldwide grouping of
enthusiasIt is a medium sized dog of square to slightly rectangular build and
short coat. The dog has a double coat, a coarse upper coat and a soft
undercoat. The most commonly observed colours are brown, range from dark to
reddish-brown, with or without white markings. Solid blacks are rare but some
dogs are pied. Spotted, brindle and white are considered faults. Spots are seen
in the undercoat of pied dogs. White markings at the ends of limbs and tip of
tail are common. Red/fawn dogs frequently have dark muzzles. The jaws have a
clean, scissor bite.
The head is medium
sized, wedge shaped. The muzzle is pointed and is of equal or slightly greater
length than the head. The neck is noble and the forequarters are erect. Hind
quarters are minimally angled. The trot is short. The eyes are almond shaped
and dark brown in colour. The ears are held erect and are pointed at the tips,
with a broad base, set low on the head and the tail is curled and held high,
when excited.
Adult Dogs: Height: 20
- 25 inches high at the withers Weight: 20 - 30 kilograms
Adult Bitches: Height:
18 - 23 inches at the withers Weight: 15 - 25 kilogramsts which is based in the
USA.[2]
IN Dogs are found
throughout the Indian subcontinent, often kept as pets in remote villages and
many are ownerless scavengers found in cities. However the ones in large cities
and towns are no longer pure indigenous dogs but are often mongrelized with
modern breeds.
They are territorial
to a particular area, though a certain amount of immigration occurs to maintain
population levels and also for the purpose of mating. They are more active and
engage in play during mornings and evenings. But during breeding season they
become more aggressive during the evening and late night hours to prevent the
stranger male dogs and also to protect the pups from other animals including
humans. Territorial aggressions are common in free-ranging dogs mostly during
breeding season (August to January). On some occasions some males enter into
another’s territory for extra-group mating.[3]
The pariah group of
dogs, including the INDog, breeds once a year. During the mating season the
oestrous female may mate with several males. Most of the aggression from the
alpha male is directed to the young males, but they are not driven away. When
the young males fail in the mating competition, they disperse. As a result the
pack size is maintained
2) MUDHOL HOUND
The Mudhol Hound is an Indian breed of dog of the sight hound type. The breed
is also known as Caravan Hound and the feathered variety is commonly referred
to as a Pashmi. In the villages he is known as the Karwani. It is a common
companion amongst village folk in India's Deccan Plateau, who use the dog for
hunting and guarding.
The Kennel Club of
India (KCI) and Indian National Kennel Club (INKC) recognize the breed under
different breed names. The KCI registers it as a Caravan Hound while the INKC
goes with the name Mudhol Hound.
The Mudhol/Caravan of
today has well-defined characteristics. The head is long and narrow, broad
between the ears with a tapering muzzle. The jaws are long and powerful, with a
scissors bite. The nose is large, and may be black, liver, or flesh coloured.
The ears are medium sized, very slightly rounded at the tips, and hang close to
the skull. The eyes are large and oval in shape, and may be dark or light in
colour. The expression is a piercing gaze. The neck is long, clean, and
muscular, and fits well into the shoulders. The forelegs are long, straight and
well-boned. The males are 68–72 cm in height at the withers and the females are
64–68 cm tall. The back is long, broad and well-muscled. The loins are wide and
deep. The chest is strong and deep with well sprung ribs. The abdomen is tucked
in. The hind quarters appear wide and well-muscled. The tail is strong at the base,
not too long, set low and carried in a natural curve. The gait is high-footed,
flexing all four legs, but should not be hackneyed. There are two coat
varieties—one with an entirely smooth coat and the other with silky featherings
on the ears, legs, and tail. All colours and combinations of colours are
acceptable.
he breed is
above all a working hound, capable of providing an excellent performance in the
field on a consistent basis, under gruelling conditions that would be far to
much for most other dogs. They are elegant, graceful and courageous. Its
physical strength couples with great speed and plenty of stamina to allow it to
catch and kill several types of game, from hare to blackbuck, over rough
country. It is not an ideal dog for the apartment dweller, as it needs a great
deal of space to exercise, although if arrangements are made to exercise the
dog regularly in a sufficiently large, safely fenced area, it may do well in a
flat or any other dwelling.
The breed, if treated
with kindness and respect, can be exceptionally loyal. They are not very
friendly, and do not like to be touched by strangers. However, a Caravan should
never be aggressive, as this sort of temperament is not ideal for a hunting
dog, which must tolerate other dogs and human beings, especially when they are
not intruding on his territory. It makes a reasonable watch dog, and can
protect that which he holds dear, should the need arise. He should always be
treated in a kind, consistent, fair, and respectful manner, otherwise he may
develop a nervous or vicious nature—either of which are difficult to live with.
2) CARAVAN
The Mudhol/Caravan is
an ancient breed, native to the Deccan Plateau of western India. This region
covers parts of the states of Karnataka, Maharashtra, and, to a lesser degree,
Andhra Pradesh. The name, Karwani, endures to this day in the villages, but it
was anglicized to Caravan Hound when the Kennel Club of India recognized the
breed.
Many hound dog
varieties like the Saluki and the Afghan Hound were brought by the Pathans,
Arabs, Persians and Afghans when they came to India through the Khyber Pass.
The Karwani is probably descended from these dogs. They followed their nomad
masters in caravans from place to place, hence the name - Caravan Hound. It is
said that the Afghans were given lands to act as a buffer between Aurangazeb's
Deccan kingdom and the Maratha Empire, therefore the dogs are also found in the
same area. They were bred for their functional qualities like the ability to
withstand the harsh weather, hunting skills, speed and endurance, among others,
rather than for aesthetic qualities.
In Karnataka, the
breed is also known as the Mudhol Hound, after a small town in Bagalkot
District. A former ruler of Mudhol, Sri Srimanth Raja Malojirao Gorphade
(Maloji Rao Ghorpade), is said to have presented a pair of hound puppies to
King George V of England. Upon inspecting these curiosities, the monarch found
them true to sighthound conformation and dubbed them “the Hounds of Mudhol”.
It is found not only
in Mudhol, but is widely kept throughout the Deccan; however, the Indian
National Kennel Club uses the Mudhol Hound name.
3) COMBAI DOG
The Combai is
usually tan or red brown with a black mask, and with a dark line along the
back. The chief differences between the Rajapalayam and the Combai breeds are
that the Combai has more powerful jaws, often with a black mouth, much more
pendent ears, a more savage temper, and a tendency to be much more active than
the rajapalayam. It is also slightly shorter than the Rajapalayam, but appears
heavier because of its powerful build. Their coats are easily maintainable, and
are less prone to skin disorders, fungal and yeast infections, and parasite
infestation. The breed, having evolved naturally many centuries ago, is more
immune to most diseases compared to the human-designed breeds.
As a guard dog,
the Combai is superior to the Rajapalayam. The Combai were used for hunting and
keeping watch. Nowadays, these are mostly used as guard dogs in farm houses.
Years ago they were used to guard people's cattle from tigers and leopards. A
Combai is as intelligent and sensible a family dog as a German shepherd, and as
ferocious as Rottweiler to intruders. It is an athletic and intelligent breed.
Against the popular belief of its savage temper, the Combai is very alert, a
good family dog, loves to play with children and enjoys human companionship. It
clearly senses who is welcome and not. As an intelligent dog, the Combai
strives to please its master and generally responds to the mood and command of
its master from its infancy. It is difficult to find a purebred Combai
now-a-days, as the importance of this dog has diminished.
In demanding
circumstances, they can fight intruders (whether humans or animals) until
death.
The Combai is a very
ancient breed of dog, used in hunting as early as the 9th century B.C., when
the Maravar kings held sway over South India. The Combai was used for hunting
boar, bison and deer. Once available in large numbers throughout Southern
India, the Combai is now restricted to certain parts of Tamil Nadu and to some
special kennels.
4) CHIPPIPARAI
The
Chippiparai is a sight hound breed of dog from the south of India. Thought to
be a descendant of the Saluki, today it is found in the area around Periyar
Lake. It is used primarily for hunting wild boar, deer and hare. It is also
used for guarding the home. Bred by royal families in Chippiparai near Madurai
district Tamil Nadu, it was kept as a symbol of royalty and dignity in
tirunelveli and madurai rulers.
The typical color is a
fawn, reddish brown, slight black tinged coat, silver-grey, with very limited
or no white markings and long curved tail. Other colors, particularly
variations of grey and fawn, also occur. This is a medium dog, around 25 inches
at the withers.[1] It has a short coat that is very close; on the whole the
coat if kept groomed has a shine on it. A shining, shell-like appearance is
greatly desired. This kind of coat makes it ideal for hot climates. This hound
is also less prone to ticks and fleas, with their short coat providing easy
detection. The overall appearance is very similar to that of the Sloughi, or
the Rampur Greyhound.
The Chippiparai is a
robust animal needing little or no veterinary care. It does need lots of
exercise, as it was and is a breed meant to hunt. Chippiparai is an intelligent
breed and a wonderful watch dog. Contrary to the belief that it is a one -man
dog, Chippiparai gets along well with people if it is properly socialized.
Chippiparai loves human companionship and it hates to be in isolation. It is
capable of great speed and can overtake a hare with ease.
The Chippiparai is a
treat to watch and, when seen running, it is a breathtaking spectacle, almost
floating through air. It is not a fussy eater, and eats to live and not vice
versa. It is easy to groom and does not shed much due to its short coat length.
The breed is rare in dog show circles and the blood line may be lost soon if
steps are not taken to ensure its survival. It does not cost much in its native
regions and with some attention and breeding programs the breed can be revived.
5) RAJAPALAYAM DOG
The
Rajapalayam is an Indian Sighthound. It was the companion of the royalty and
aristocracy in Southern India, particularly in the town Rajapalayam from where
it gets its name.
t is a large dog,
usually measuring about 65–75 cm (25–30 inches) at the withers. It is a hound,
and therefore should be kept in optimum working condition. It tends to be
heavier boned than most sighthounds, but shares the depth of chest and basic
body structure.
Its facial structure
is considerably different from that of a Caravan Hound, as it is meant
primarily for hunting wild boar. The tail has a slight curl.
The most prized colour
is milk white, with a pink nose and golden eyes. However, other colours
including spotted or solid, black, and brown, are known to occur. The spots
will start showing up by 80 days from birth. In the past, puppies of colour
were usually culled from the litters since the owners preferred the pure white
dogs. The coat is short and fine. An extremely handsome and graceful dog, the
Rajapalayam has a gait similar to the trotting of a thoroughbred horse. As with
many fully white dogs, there is a high incidence of deafness in this breed.
Puppies born with whitish or blue eyes are deaf. Many Rajapalayam dogs suffer
from mange, though this is usually not a serious problem. Though the breed
dates back a few centuries, the creators of the breed unwittingly ended up
fashioning an albino dog, characterized by the pink nose and the lack of
pigmentation.
The Rajapalayam was
used predominantly for hunting wild boar and as a formidable guard dog. It
needs wide open spaces and is very affectionate and devoted towards its owner,
although not always demonstrative.They do not usually like to be touched or
handled by strangers and are known to be one-man dogs. Most specimens are
aggressive and hostile towards strangers, and will attack intruders.
Socialization in puppyhood is important. Rajapalayams usually do not get along
well with other pets like cats, owing to their strong hunting instincts.
Rajapalayam hounds
were primarily bred and used by Nayak dynasty of Tamil Nadu, it is speculated
by some researchers that the Rajapalayam may have been one of the dogs used in
the breeding of the modern Dalmatian.[dubious – discuss] The Rajapalayam dog
was used during the Carnatic Wars and Polygar War to attack the British cavalry
in battle as Rajapalayams were very fast,strong and aggressive in attacking the
opponents. It is also believed that once 4 Rajapalayams saved the life of their
master fighting against a tiger and killing it bravely many years before near
forest in Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu. They are largely used to guard
the rice fields,houses and farms. Since last two decades Indian Army started
using them as guard dogs to support the army in the borders of Kashmir. The
pure Rajapalayam is more or less extinct, and only a few are to be found in
isolated pockets around southern Tamil Nadu. The breed may vanish all together
if efforts are not initiated soon to revive it. A dog breeding unit was
established at Saidapet, Chennai, during 1980–81. This unit primarily rears
native breeds like the Rajapalayam, Combai, kanni, and Chippiparai [1]. To
create awareness and encourage dog lovers to rear native breeds, the Animal
Husbandry Department of the Government of Tamil Nadu participates in dog show.
Localities have established a cooperative and interested families are given
female dogs and expertise that is required for large-scale breeding. The Indian
Postal Department has brought out postage stamps on the Rajapalayam, as well as
the Mudhol Hound, Rampur Hound, and the Himalayan Sheepdog. The Kennel Club of
India has taken up the cause of the Rajapalayam. With the club's cooperation,
the "Save the Rajapalayam Project" has been launched.
6) RAMPUR GREY HOUND
The
Rampur Greyhound is a breed of dogs native to the Rampur region of Northern
India, which lies between Delhi and Bareilly. The Rampur hound is a member of
the big sighthound family. In North West of India it is often described as a
smooth haired sighthound, substantially built. It was the favored hound of the
Maharajahs for jackal control, but was also used to hunt lions, tigers,
leopards, and panthers. It was considered a test of courage for a single hound
to take down a golden jackal. The Rampur is built to cover great distances at
high speed; thus capable of great endurance.
The length from the
withers to the base of the tail is about 36 inches, the chest is deep in front
but not very wide with well sprung ribs. The tail is long and tapering slightly
curving upwards and carried low; it is about 24"–27" in length. The
circumference of the neck is about 12 inches and its long arched and muscular
and rather broad where it joins the body. The length of the jaw is 9 inches and
are powerful with a scissor bite. The males measure 60–75 cm (24–30 in) in
height. The females measure 55-60 cm (22–24 in) in height. They weigh about
27–30 kg (60–65 lb).
They are approximately
greyhound size, but much wider and more muscular, similar to the Rhodesian
Ridgeback.The head of the Rampur is broader and more substantial than the head
of the English Greyhound. It has a flat skull and a pointed nose. It also has a
characteristic roman bend. Some other unique characteristics are their Roman
nose, ears set high, pendant style, and of most interest, their
"hare" feet. The Rampur's foot is a large "hare" shape,
with heavy webbing. Their toes are very articulated and flexible, even able to
bend backwards a bit. They are not unlike our own fingers in many ways. This
maneuverability helps to give them a cat-like balance, able to walk on ledges,
or to calmly clear a six foot fence. Colors are mouse-gray, grizzle, brindle,
parti-colour or most rare, black. Black however is the most sought after. Eye
color ranges from yellow to a golden brown. A word about the gray and grizzle
color. These two colors have the ability to blend completely with the foliage
of the forest, so much so that when the hound is still, you may not see them
from a distance of as little as ten feet, in broad daylight. Its bite is
extremely powerful.
4) KANNI
The Kanni is found in
and around Tirunelveli, Pollachi, Kovilpatti, Kazhugumalai, Kileral,
Kodangipatti, Sivakasi, and Madurai. It is said that the name Kanni ( which
means Unmarried Girl) comes from the fact that the dog used to be given as a
gift to the bridegroom just before the marriage. In fact, it was in the list of
dowry items offered to the groom. They are usually of four colours, brown,
cream, black & tan and brindle. The Kanni is kept by families who do not
sell them but may gift them if a promise is made to look after them well. They
are not allowed to roam on the streets and brought up as pet animals. They are
given a diet of milk in the morning, corn porridge in the afternoon and a
"Ragi" porridge in the evening. Meat is given once a week or once a
month only. The breed is now extremely rare, and on the verge of extinction.
Efforts to revive the breed have not been taken up, as specimens are few, and
there exists little information about them.
