Creature Companion - Interzoo Special Interzoo Special 2018 | Page 34

Indian Breeds
Let’s Talk
INDIAN BREEDS
By CC Bureau
T
he human–animal relationship has always been a little hazy in India, where love for animals, especially pets,
depends on the animal’s breed, its appearance and its ‘merits’ (does it behave in accordance with its owner’s
demands or not). Last but not the least, it also depends on the price paid to acquire said pet. Th e higher the
price, the greater the attributions of loyalty and capability to the animal, whether justifi ed or not. Dogs, of course, are
the most popular targets in India of all such labels and treatment among all the types of domesticated animals. To break
the popular trend of adopting only foreign breeds, we introduce you to Indian breeds.
Th e Indian Pariah Dog
Considered the oldest dog breed in the world, the Indian Pariah
dog came into existence about 15,000 years ago as a result of natural
selection, and not intentional breeding by humans. Today, the Indian
Pariah is a medium-sized dog with a darker jacket and a coat that
comes in a range of dull to ruddy shades. Th is dog, also called the
Pye dog (pye being an Anglo-Indian word from the Hindi pah,
meaning 'outsider'), is bred not only in India but also in other regions
of South Asia. In India, forest-dwelling tribes mostly rear this breed
for specifi c purposes.
Th e highly intelligent Indian Pariah is considered a relative of the
Australian dingo, another primitive breed that was never reared
by humans but evolved on its own. Th e Indian Pariah looks quite
similar to the dingo, and also to the African Basenji and the Podenco
Canario. Th e Indian Pariah dog, known for being territorial as well
as protective in nature, is also known to be loyal, social, smart and
intelligent. Th e breed has been accorded
recognition by the Primitive and Aboriginal
Dog Society (PADS). Th is naturally advanced
breed has a normal life expectancy of around
15 years in human terms.
Th e Chippiparai
Th is Indian breed is a hunter known for its
loyalty, and was fi rst bred by the royal families
of Madurai and Tirunelveli in Chippiparai in
Tamil Nadu. Th is