Creature Companion - Interzoo Special Interzoo Special 2018 | Page 36

Indian Breeds
Alangu mastiff s
Alangu mastiff s are tall and powerful dogs,
most oft en used for guarding or fi ghting
as they are known for their sharp instincts
and guarding aptitudes. Also called a Sindh
mastiff , they are the successors to the Indian
Bulli or mastiff s.
Th e Kanni
Th e Kanni, meaning ‘maiden’, is a rare indigenous South Indian
hunting dog that descended from the Saluki and is a further
extension of the Mudhol Hound. Th e Kanni is perfect for marking
games because it moves soundlessly. Interestingly, this dog used to be
given as a gift to a bridegroom by the bride’s family. Kanni usually are
brown, brindle, cream, or black and tan.
Th e current version of the breed's birthplace
is traced back to the Bhawalpur territory of
Punjab, parts of Rajasthan, and the forsaken
zone of Kutch. Today, the breed is ordinarily
found in two regions of South India -
Th anjavur and Trichy. Th ese dogs have intense
and erected ears and broad muzzles which are
shaded dark.
Th e breed is known for its loyalty. In appearance, they look similar
to the smooth-coated Saluki or a Doberman Pinscher, albeit with
natural ears and tail. It is not diffi cult to train them as they are of
independent mind and they know exactly what to do!
Sadly, the breed is now extremely rare and on the verge of extinction.
Eff orts to revive the breed have not been taken up as specimens are
few, and there exists little information about them.
Th e Indian Spitz
Th e Indian Spitz is a small canine breed
local to India, introduced by the British who
bred them from German Spitz puppies. Th e
Indian Spitz looks like a Pomeranian and
is a favoured pooch in urban India, easy to
raise in small fl ats with restricted lodging
space.
For the most part, the Indian Spitz is
smooth white in colour. Be that as it may,
once in a while, you can encounter black
and dark brown Indian Spitz pooches as
well. Th ough recognised as a splendid
and dynamic breed, it is smaller than the
German Spitz and has a lifespan of 10 to 14
human years. All Spitz puppies, including
the Norwegian Elkhound and the Samoyed,
belong to the same family. However, the
Indian Spitz is now recognised as a diff erent
breed by the Kennel Club of India.
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Creature Companion | Interzoo Special 2018