Posts Tagged ‘dog breeds’

Dogs seem to have been domesticated in various regions of the world in ancient times from the Grey Wolf.  In the Indian subcontinent, dogs featured as companions, hunters, workers, signs of royalty. As per the Encyclopedia Britannica, archaeologists have excavated Neolithic graves in Kashmir in which people were buried with their pets. Rock art in North Pakistan and in Central India shows people walking beside dogs or hunting with them. The ancient Indus people also liked dogs, and toy figurines of dogs with collars have been found at Mohenjo-Daro and Harappa. The Sumerian texts refer to the “red dog of Meluhha” as an important trade item from the Indus Valley to Mesopotamia.

Even today, the Indian subcontinent is home to some very rare breeds of dogs. A rich mix of the genetic structure of various glamorous ancestors, the average Indian dog roaming the cities of India, is genetically far superior in most ways to artificially developed breeds. These Indian dogs are perfectly adapted for survival.

1. Rampur Hound

Rampur Hound

Rampur Hound is a dog breed which likes human companionship and is compatible with other dogs. It has clean habits. They may appear lazy but will charge if needed. These breed was very popular about 100 years back when the Pathan traders used to carry them to Rajputana, Central India and lower Bengal. These breeds were used as popular hunting dogs.

The males measure 60-75 cm in height. The females measure 55-60 cm in height.
They weigh about 27-30 kg.
They may be black, grey, brindle, fawn or white in color

2. Rajapalyam

Rajapalayam Hound

This breed looks like a miniature Great Dane. Rajapalyam have powerful, muscular and heavy build. It is a typically boar hound which was used for hunting wild boar and hare. The dog needs plenty of freedom and space. If you properly trained the dog, they make excellent guard dogs.

The large dogs usually measure 60-75 cm in height.
The most prized colour is milk white, with a pink nose and golden eyes. However, other colours including spotted or solid, black, and brown, are known to occur.

3. Caravan Hound

Caravan Hound

The Afghans, Mongols, Persians and the Arabs brought many hounds like the Afghan and the Saluki when they came to India. The Caravan Hound probably owed its ancestry to these dogs. They were called so because they used to travel along with the caravans from place to place.

This breed was usually selectively by the villagers to withstand the weather, hunt or immune to many diseases and has plenty of stamina. They are very alert and keen.

The males measure 66-74 cm in height. The females measure 55-66 cm in height.

All colors and combinations of colors are seen in this dog breed.

4. Mudhol Hound

Mudhol Hound

Mudhol Hound is a hardy dog and a keen sight hound. But it has an independent temperament and the male has a tendency to attack at times. Mudhol Hound is obliquely placed. They give the dog an intelligent expression. It is a dog that needs plenty of exercise and movement. It can’t be managed in confined areas. They are ideally used for racing and hunting, though they make good companion and guard dogs.

5. Chippiparai

Chippiparai

The Chippiparai is a native hound to Southern India particularly the district of Thanjavur. This a one dog which does not like to be petted fed by anyone other than its master or handler. It has an independent mind. Chippiparai has a compact streamlined body built for chasing game.

It needs very little grooming and enjoys the outdoors. Its food requirements are very minimal. It is very hardy and resistant to climate change.

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Labrador retrievers have been trained for special needs and tasks as well as companionship. Its good nature, patience and affectionate attitude are some of the numerous characteristics that make them so popular; especially with children.

Labrador Retriever

This breed of dog is known to be patient, playful and patient with children and their unintentional rough approach at times, particularly when they are younger and that their motor skills are not as well developed as they will later be with time. It even becomes protective of children which make them ideal to have around your little ones.

This breed is also known as great hunting dogs because of their detecting and retrieving skills. As they are also great swimmers, partly due to their partially webbed paws, you can count on their performance during the hunting season.

Their sensitive nose allows them to have great detection skills which can also be used for detection work in the police crime unit. Rescue can also be part of their duties as they are strong, great swimmers as well as having good detection skills.

A Labrador retriever can also be trained as service dogs to assist people with special needs such as Autism, Epilepsy or any other seizures condition, visual impairment, physical handicap and so much more.

What kind of services can these dogs provide for people with special needs? Well, for people with Autism, they can bond with them and if they are non-verbal, they can understand and identify their needs in several areas. For physically handicapped people, they can retrieve certain things or do particular tasks for them.

For the visually impaired, they are their eyes which also help to ensure the safety of its owner. Concerning people with Epilepsy or any other condition related to seizures, especially if they are not under control, these dogs are trained to feel the seizures coming and ask for help even before they happen as they recognize the signs.

As you can see, a Labrador retriever can be so much more than a man’s best friend. So before you get a dog, research the breeds as you could be surprises by the characteristics, qualities and skills that some breeds can have.

Before I had a Labrador retriever, I thought they were too big to even consider having at home or around children. Now that ours passed away two years ago, I cannot wait to have another one for my young children. I know firsthand how gentle Labrador retrievers are with children and now that mine are also affected by Autism and uncontrolled Epilepsy, my husband and I are even more convinced that this breed is the best one for the needs of our children and our own.

Source: SaveArticle.com

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