10 Lesser Known Breeds of Hound Dogs of India

Sighthound dogs are known by their shape, size, sight and speed, Specialize in hunting prey such as deer, black buck and hares. These hunting dogs have a very flexible back and long legs and have unique anatomical and physiological features.

Indian Postal Department has brought out postage stamps on the four Indian dog breeds that include Rajapalayam, Mudhol Hound, Rampur Hound and the Himalayan Sheepdog. The Himalayan Sheepdog or Himalayan mastiff are also known as Bhotia or Bangara locally, found in the Himalayan foothills of India.

Rajapalayam – Tamil Nadu

Rajapalayam Dog is also known as Indian Ghost Hound or Shikkar Hound, One of the native dog breed of Tamil Nadu along with Combai dog, Kanni, and Chippiparai. The Rajapalayam mostly found in the isolated pockets of Tamil Nadu state and known to live up to 12 years of age.

Rampur Greyhound – Uttar Pradesh

Rampur Greyhound is a the most popular breed of sighthound found in India, rarely seen outside Rampur region of Uttar Pradesh. The sighthound breed of Rampur Greyhounds are one of the rare breed of Indian dog with powerfully built.

Mudhol Hound – Karnataka

Mudhol Hound dogs are also known as Kathewar dog or Maratha hound, found and very popular in and around Mudhol Taluk of Karnataka. The Mudhol Hound breed is one of four Indian dog breeds that featured on a set of postage stamps.

Chippiparai – Tamil Nadu

Chippiparai are also dog breed of sighthound from Tamil Nadu state, found in the regions of Tirunelveli, Thenkasi and Thoothukudi. The Chippiparai dogs are most frequently found white in colour and regarded as the most intelligent India’s native dog breeds.

Kanni – Tamil Nadu

Kanni is another native and rare sighthound breed of dog found in the state of Tamil Nadu, around villages of Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi districts. Kanni Dogs are also known as the Maiden’s Beastmaster and used mainly for coursing, hunting Indian hares and known for their speed and hit speeds up to 60 km/h.

Kaikadi – Maharashtra

Kaikadi is a breed of sighthound from Maharashtra and parts of Gujarat, kept by the Kaikadi people. The Kaikadi dogs are not only hunting dogs but also worked as watchdogs for their masters in the night, known for their speed, hunting skills to prey on hare, monkeys, monitor lizards, mongooses and squirrels.

Kombai – Tamil Nadu

Kombai breed of dogs are an excellent guard dogs, One of the four native breed of sighthound from Tamil Nadu state. The Kombai named after the town of Kombai, Kombai dogs are muscular, powerful and athletic dogs and traditionally kept for hunting.

Mahratta Hound – Maharashtra

Mahratta Hound breed of dogs are found in Maharashtra, used for hunting by the nomadic Banjara people of the state. The Mahratta Hound or Mahratta Greyhound is a sighthound type dog breed, a lesser known dog outside his native reggion of Maharashtra.

Banjara Hound – Maharashtra

Banjara Hound or Vanjari Hound also kept by the nomadic Banjara of Maharashtra and used for hunting wild animals. The sighthound type dog breed is one of the best watchdogs found in India.

Hameerpura Sikar Greyhound – Rajasthan

Hameerpura Sikar Greyhound is a lesser known breed of sighthound in the Sikar district of Rajasthan. Sikar is part of the Shekhawati region between Agra and Churu on the National Highway 52.