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India is home to a number of Indie breeds of dogs. Sadly, some of them have already disappeared, due to indifference, as people prefer pedigreed dog over indie breeds which are often called as stray dogs.
People prefer pedigreed canine more than Indie breeds because of the influence of media. Pedigree pups are everywhere Social media, films, books, and so on.
Indie pups don’t get as much attention, so that is the reason people prefer pedigreed breed over Indie/ Desi breeds.
Here is a list of some Indie/desi breeds given below:
Bakharwal Dog:
Bakharwal is a mountain dog which is mainly found in Northern India. Specifically, they are originated in the states of Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
It look like a smaller version of the Tibetan mastiff. Its coloration is usually tan or black. Grazier tribes like Gujjars and Bakharwals use this breed to guard sheep and hunt.
Bakharwal is a powerful, heavy bone, medium to large size dog. These serious guardians are both courageous and loyal.
These breeds are hard to found as they are mainly found in Northern India.
Himalayan Mastiff:
The Himalayan mastiff, one of the largest Indian breeds, is the iconic guardian dog of the Himalayas. It is also known as Tibetan mastiff but can be found in many parts of the Himalayas.
A Tibetan mastiff stands 70 centimeters tall and weighing 73 kilo grams, The massive head, curled – up tail and luxuriant mane are characteristics of the breed.
The color is generally black, but tan and honey colored also occur in Himalayan mastiffs.
Jonangi:
This comparatively small-sized breed, standing only 20 to 40 centimeters tall and weighing around 20 kilograms, is found in the Godavari Basin of Andhra Pradesh.
Its characteristic feature is smooth and short hair that separates it from other dog breeds.
The forehead is usually wrinkled. The coat is very short, with a sheen that recalls velvet cloth.
Combai:
This is a legendary breed of South India. The combai, also known as Indian Terrier.
It is considered an extremely loyal, intelligent and powerful native breed. Tough and tenacious by temperament.
There is much variation in size. The height can be between 38 to 80 centimeters and the weight from 20 to 30 kilograms.
The muzzle and the tip of the tail are black and the body is usually tan in color.
Pandikona:
Pandikona are hunting dog found in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh and the state of Madhya Pradesh.
The Pandikona is a medium to large size dog that can come in many different colors although the most popular is fawn or light brown.
It has bat-like ears. They are very faithful and good with children.
Pati-Patia:
The pati patia breed found in Mayurbhanj and Korapet districts of Odisha is used by the tribals of the region for tracking prey and hunting.
It is a medium-sized dog with a sharp snout and half-folded ears. The dog’s coat is brown or black, and some dogs develop a distinct saddle.
The pati-patia is around 50 centimeters in length and weighs about 25 kilograms.
Alaknoori:
This breed got his name from the village where it was bred Alaknoor is Karnataka.
The breed is a close relative of the Caravan hound. It is a short-coated sighthound standing 65 centimeters tall and weighing between 22 to 28 kilograms.
The coat is usually fawn colored. The jaws are long and strong.
Chippiparai:
In recent years this breed had gained popularity, It is a breed of sighthound of southern Tamil Nadu.
It is a quite dog with long legs and a lean flexible body built for speed, these dogs are great chasers.
It stands about 63 centimeters tall and weighs 30 kilograms.
Kaikaidi:
Kaikadi dogs are found in Maharashtra, India.
It has thin, long legs but powerful thighs and its tail is long and tapering.
They may be white, tan and black color, but the most common color is a red-brindle.
They are small in size about 40 centimeters tall and weighing around 20 kilograms.
The kaikaidi is best suited for large open areas, not urban homes.
Kanni:
A sighthound, the kanni is a rare indigenous south Indian breed of dog found in the state of Tamil Nadu.
It is about 64 centimeters tall, and weighs around 35 kilograms. It has pendent ears, and a long, thin, rat-like tail.
The kanni is very slim breed. The coat is usually black and muzzle and legs are brown.
Mudhol Hound:
The deccan plateau is home to quite a few indigeouns breeds, and well known among them is the mudhol hound.
Mudhol hound is one of the most healthy dogs. They are very loyal breeds.
It is a large dog standing 70 centimeters tall and weighing around 30 kilograms.
The head is long and the coat is usually tan, although one can also find dogs with white coats with black or tan patches.
Rajapalayam:
The most valued of all the south Indian dogs is the legendary Rajapalayam.
The average height of the dog is 65 centimeters and its weighs around 35 kilograms.
It is not slim as the Chippiparai or Mudhol. The staple color is milk white though faint brown markings are quite common, the pink nose is standard.
Eye color can range from golden to brown and green. The Rajapalayam dog is courageous, intelligent and aloof.
Rampur Hound:
The Rampur hound was one of the earliest Indian breeds to appear in the show ring.
These sleek, smooth-coated sighthounds are originally from Rampur.
The Rampur Greyhound is a sleek athletic dog with tall legs, standing about 70 centimeters tall and weighing around 35 kilograms.
The tail is thin and long and held is low.
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