No matter what, dogs and cat remains the #1 pets of humans. With availability several breeds of dogs, one can get confuse which one to choose or to adopt.
Though, all dogs are useful, not all of them are same. Like human, they are individuals too and each breeds has different prominent traits that make them unique than the other breeds.
From the streets to interios villages in India, various dog breeds can be found across the country but the most popular one is Pariah Dog also know as a Desi Dog.
In this article, we are going to enlist the most popular dog breeds in India that you will love to adopt or but from the pet store or breeder.
1. Pariah Dog
Pariah dog is an Indian native dog, we all are familier with and is commonly called as “Desi Dog” or INDog a term coined by a dog expert Mr. Gautam Das.
Over the centuries Pariah is adopted to the natural and cultural environment of India. As per the archaeological records and analysis of ancient domestic dogs DNA suggest that the pariah type dogs were used to live 4500 years ago in the subcontinent.
It is covered with short-coat and has medium-short size. Usually found in brown colour that range from the dark to reddish-brown.
| Height: 51 cm – 64 cm | Lifespan: 13 to 16 years |
| Weight: 12 kg to 20 kg | Group: Hound Dogs |
| Temperament: Loyal, Cheerful, Alert, Independent, Trainable | Best For: Guarding, Hundting |
2. Mudhol Hound
Mudhol hound is an Indian breed of “Sighthound”, which means its a type of dog that hunts using speed and the sight rather than usning scent.
It is primarily used for hunting and most popular in the Mudhol region of Karnataka and some part of Maharastra. In India, it is also named as “Kathewar Dog, Pashmi Hound, and Maratha Hound”.
There is a reason why this lean, long-legged and muscular beast is identified with the name of Mudhol. The 750 families in Mudhol are breeding this dog to make the living.
Historian beleives that the former ruler of Mudhol [Maharaja of Mudhol] gifted the the pair of hound puppies to the King George V.
Mudhol is known to be loyal to their owners while they are can attack to the stranger if they feel their owner is in danger.
| Height: 55 cm – 75 cm | Lifespan: 10 to 13 years |
| Weight: 22 kg to 28 kg | Group: Hound |
| Temperament: Energetic, Affectionate. Courageous, Sensitive | Best For: Good watch dog, Guarding, Hunting, Active singles |
3. Rajapalayam
Rajapalayam is a graceful and extremely handsome Indian dog.
With pink nose, milk white colour, 70 cm in length, tall neck, and with 30 to 40 kg weight, Rajapalayam dog flaunts its beauty perfectly. As compared to other sight hounds, it is more muscular and has heavy bones but it is equally carries the physical ability and speed of sight hounds.
Even though the main purpose of this breed is to hunt, it can also be a good choice as the estate guardian dog. With its poerful jaw it can injure the prey and bring it to the handler. If thats not possible due to heavy weight of prey, it will corner the prey and wait till handler takes on the prey.
It is alos known as Indian Gosht Hound or Polygar Hound and is native to Tamil Nadu mostly found in the city Rajapalayam.
| Height: 65 cm – 75 cm | Lifespan: 9 to 11 years |
| Weight: 30 kg to 45 kg | Group: Hound Dog |
| Temperament: Loyal, Protective, Trainable | Best For: Guarding, Hunting |
4. Chippiparai
One more long legged sighthound on our list is native to Tamilnadu.
Chippiparai flaunts the lean, streamlined body frame which is a perfect fit for speed. It is a sighthound and majorly used in hunting of hare. Due to its speed and training flexibilty, Chippiparai is used as a polic dog.
It is beleived that Chippiparai is a descendent of breed “Saluki” and its name derived from the “Sippipparai”, a village from the Vembakottai Taluk of Virudhunagar District.
| Height: 78 cm – 96 cm | Lifespan: 12 to 14 years |
| Weight: 15 kg to 20 kg | Group: Hound Dogs |
| Temperament: Intelligent, Loyal, Bit Reserved , Trainable | Best For: Police dogs, Hunting, Guarding |
5. Kombai
Predominantly found in Tamilnadu, Kombai is a breed of sighthound which means they hunt by sight rather than the scent. Though they are a dominant hunters, they can be a good guard dogs.
They flaunts reddishh-brown coat. long, muscular body and long, tapering tail which is often curled up over their back. Komabi dogs are affectionate breed and known for its loyality and high intelligence.
| Height: 58 cm – 78 cm | Lifespan: 13 to 14 years |
| Weight: 15 kg to 24 kg | Group: N/A |
| Temperament: Loyal, Brave, Social, Trainable | Best For: Hunting, Guarding |
6. Kanni
Kanni, a sighthound dog that mostly found in Tamilnadu and prominantly resembles like a coursing hound dog. He is commonly known as a”Maiden’s Beastmaste” in India.
The name ‘Kanni’ came from Tamil and it means ‘Pure’. It named so cause the breed is known for purity of heart and loyalty. While the “Maiden’s Beastmaster” is came from a tradition of giving Kanni as a gift to newly wed brides, just because the breed is known voracious defender of its territerry against the wild animals.
| Height: 55 cm – 62 cm | Lifespan: 15 to 16 years |
| Weight: 15 kg to 20 kg | Group: N/A |
| Temperament: Loyal, Independent, Trainable | Best For: Hunting, House Guarding, Active singles |