This post, as the title says is about 7 dog breeds that are largely unknown in the western world, and largely forgotten in their native land. Yet, they are all magnificent dog breeds that deserve as much a place of honor in your home as your Boxers, GSDs and Labrador Retrievers. So, without further delay here they are:

7. The Caravan Hound – This dog is so curiously named because they were known to travel along with gypsy caravans from place to place. They owe their ancestry to the Afghan and Saluki hounds that arrived in India through the Khyber pass several hundred years back. Over the years, the breed has had its naturalization in India and have developed characteristics distinct to themselves. They are found mainly in the Deccan valley states of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.

The Caravan is a sight hound that can have a height range of 68 – 72 cms for males, and 64 – 68 cms for females. You can read more about Caravan hounds, and see a few pictures over here…

6. The Mudhol Hound – The Mudhols origins are shrouded in mystery, but it has been speculated that their origins can be traced to the Salukis and the Sloughis that were domiciled in the Mudhol region of Bijapur, Karnataka. There are several mentions of this breed throughout Indian history, including one where a Mudhol was said to have fought and killed a tiger that attacked its owner, King Shauji Maharaj.

Mudhols are ideal for racing and hunting, but they also make great companions. A female Mudhol’s height can range from 57 to 62 cms, while a male is usually 65 to 70 cms tall.

5. The Pashmi – If you are wondering why the name sounds so similar to Pashmina, then your instincts are correct. The name “Pashmi” means woolen (literally), or “soft as wool”. Pashmis are found in South and South West Indian states of Karnataka and are owned by the farmers in the region. They are used for hunting small games like rabbits, rodents etc. Physically, the Pashmi’s are very similar to the elegant Salukis. In fact, it is the only Saluki variant of Indian descent that is feathered. Thus the name.

This dog was pushed to near extinction not so long ago, but it has managed to bounce back with the support of the Kennel Club of India. Even then, specimens of this breed are hard to come by.

4. Combai – The Combai is a bear hound that is native to South India. It is a pure hunting breed, and have been known to appear in historical artifacts dating back to the 9th Century. The dog is usually dark red or brown, and have a black mask. They also have a black line along their back that is very similar to the ridgeback dogs from Thailand and Rhodesia. It is not very tall, but very strongly built. Their stockiness gives them the appearance of a large dog.

3. Kanni – The word “Kanni” means “maiden” in South India. You guessed right. That is where this dog breed originates from. In fact, you can find this dog breed only in this region of India because an ancient tradition ensures that the breed remains pure and stays close to home. The people in these region consider the Kannis as valuable treasures. They stay with individual families, and are brought up on a vegetarian diet of milk and porridge. Families have been known to give their Kannis away as a dowry for a daughter’s marriage.

That is the only way you can obtain a dog of this breed, apart from getting it as a gift from someone from the community. Kannis are hardly ever sold. Physically, they resemble the Doberman Pinscher, and are usually black and tan in color. However, a cream colored variety of Kanni is also available, which is known as Palakanni.

2. The Rajapalayam – This dog, named after the city of Rajapalayam, is the ancestor of the modern Dalmatians and in all possibilities, of the harlequin Great Dane as well. In fact, the Rajapalayam bears a striking physical resemblance to a Great Dane. However, it does not possess the height of a Great Dane. The original purpose of breeding Rajapalayams was to hunt boars, however, with the passing of time, they became prized possessions of the elite because of their appearance.

A pure Rajapalayam is milky white in color with a pink nose and golden eyes. However, other colors, like spotted blacks, and fawn are also known to occur. Their coat is short and smooth and they are formidable guard dogs. Rajapalayams had almost become extinct due to negligence but have recently been revived as a breed through a number of breeding programs.

1. The Rampuri – The Rampuri, or the Rampur hound is a large, slender and graceful sight hound hailing from Northern India. The dog was bred by the Royal family of Rampur who wanted create a strong Indian hunting dog of royal gait. Records identify the fierce Afghan tribal dog, Tazi, and the mild mannered English Greyhound to be the parent breeds of the Rampuri.

The breed has inherited the Tazi’s massive size and the Greyhound’s mild manners. It is a wonderful companion dog, but true to its hunting genes, the Rampur hound is also a magnificent hunter. Would you like to own a royal dog like this? As you read, Dr. Suresh Bhimsingh, the owner of the DogsIndia website is offering two magnificent Rampuri for sale. If you’re interested, you can check the dogs out here.

Do you think this article contained insightful content? If so, please help spread the word about these wonderful dog breeds and save them from extinction.

Next week, I will write about seven more lesser known Indian dog breeds. Till then, keep commenting.

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