Desi breeds & their global connections

India is the birthplace of some popular dog breeds. And these desi breeds have their origins in foreign soils. Let’s find out some Indian breeds who have strong connections to some of the popular breeds of the world.
 
Pallavi Bhattacharya
Indian Pariah: This native Indian dog bred naturally on Indian soil since time immemorial was initially thought to have originated from the Australian Dingo. But some Swedish scientists who conducted a DNA study on the dog however refuted this claim. Their study pointed to the fact that this breed had taken birth in China. The African Basenji Singing Dog from New Guinea, the Cannan Dog from Israel and the Dingo in Australia are said to be the relatives of this dog.
 
Bakharwal: This dog breed came into being in the Indian Himalayan range. The Molosser dog is regarded as its progenitor. The Gujjar and Bakarwal nomadic tribes in Jammu and Kashmir have bred this dog for hundreds of years to serve as a protector of settlements and a livestock guardian dog.
 
Bully Kutta: Some zoologists feel Bully Kutta, which is attributed to Pakistan, is originated from the old Persian Alaunts, Sage Koochee, Indian Mastiffs, Afghani Gawi Bulldogs, Assyrian Mastiffs and other canine breeds inducted into the Indian subcontinent by Alexander the Great. Other scientists assert that German Pointers, Great Danes, Bulldogs and English Mastiffs were crossbred into the Bully Kutta.
 
Chippiparai: This Hound of South India, is thought to be descendants of the Saluki. The aristocratic families of Tirunelveli and Madurai bred these dogs who served as hunting canines. Even in the present day, they are used for hunting purposes in South India.
 
Combai: The most prevailing theory is that the Combai owes his lineage to Indian Sight Hounds. They may also have developed from Mastiff-like dogs or by crossbreeding the Sight Hound and Mastiff. They may have Pariah Dog blood as well. Viewing the hair ridge of the dog’s back leads to speculations that they have a link with the Khoisan Dog and Thai Ridgeback. Others say that the Combai is the progenitor of the Ridgeback.
 
Gaddi Kutta: Mahindant, king of Madurai, created this breed by crossbreeding untamed Hounds, resembling Dingos with Tibetan Mastiffs for hunting reasons. Himalayan Shepherds say that the breed was formulated by breeding tigers with dogs, but this theory seems to have mythical connotations. This dog breed is intrinsic to Himalayan life.
 
Indian Spitz: This breed was gifted by the British who bred them from German Spitz. Unlike their foreign counterpart, they were of smaller dimensions and had less dense coats. These dogs genetically acquired the prowess to endure the sultry weather conditions of India.
 
Kaikadi: This dog was named after a nomadic Maharashtrian tribe with the same name. They are adept watchdogs and great hunters of jungle rats, monkeys, rabbits and other mammals of small size. Some scientists feel that the Kalkadi and Caravan Hound have the same ancestor.
 
Kanni: This Mudhol Hound is the forefather of the Kanni. The dog’s ancestors were hunting canines. The dog was given as dowry to the bridegroom. This breed which is on the brink of extinction is raised by farmers who don’t sell them but may gift them. They are regarded as special pets who aren’t allowed to wander on the streets.
 
Kumaon Mastiff: The Sindh Mastiff is considered to be this dog’s ancestor. Others theorise that they stemmed from the Molossers from Greece introduced by Alexander the Great. This Mastiff guarded the old Kumaon tribes in India. The breed is now an endangered species in the country.
 
Mahratta Greyhound: This Sight Hound, which is believed to be originated in Mahratta in India, is of uncertain origin. The very fact that he’s smaller than other Indian dogs and looks like the Saluki indicating that he is either descended from the Saluki or is of unadulterated Indian origin.
 
Mudhol Hound: This breed was an Arabian or Central Asian input to the Deccan Plateau. The Tazi or Saluki is thought to be their ancestors. This breed flourishes around the Mudhol lake of Karnataka. Shrimant Rajesaheb Malojirao Ghorpade caught sight of the fact that the Beda tribe was making use of this hound for hunting purposes. Abiding by the means of selective breeding, he gave this breed a new impetus.
 
Rajapalayam: The Nayak dynasty of Tamil Nadu brought forth this hound by breeding. These dogs were used in the Polygar and Carnatic wars. These canines have kept a watchful eye on homes, farms and rice fields. Historical records say that four of them together slayed a tiger together.
 
Rampur Greyhound: The Rampur Hound originated in Rampur was developed under the rule of Royal Highness Ahmed Ali Khan Bahadur in the preliminary twentieth century. He had wanted to create a swift and fierce breed capable of hunting wild boars. The breed was created by crossing Tazis, English and Afghan Greyhounds.
 
Sinhala Hound: The native home of this dog is Sri Lanka. The skeleton residues of these canines from Bellanbandi Palassa and Nilgala cave, going back to the Mesolithic era in 4500 BC, indicate that the Balangodas may have raised these dogs to drive game. This hound has uncanny resemblances with the Dingo, Kedar Dog and New Guinea singing dog.
 
Vanjari Hound: This greyhound is regarded as his predecessor. He’s a hunting dog used by the nomadic Vanjari tribe. He serves both as a herding and guard dog. Interbreeding with other canines is fast diluting the intrinsic features of this species.