Unless you have been living under a rock, you must be aware of the Supreme Court and stray dog case issue. On August 22, the Supreme Court said that stray dogs, which are picked up, must be released after sterilisation and immunisation. (Image: File Pic)
While many of us are aware of popular dog breeds like Golden Retriever, Siberian Husky, and German Shepherd, do we know our very own Indian breeds? (Image: Canva)
One of the oldest Indian dog breeds is the Rajapalayam, which was introduced by none other than Tipu Sultan during his reign. A sighthound, their name cames from the town of Rajapalayam, in the Virudhunagar district of Tamil Nadu. Originally used for hunting, they are great guard dogs. (Image: Canva)
The India Pariah Dog is one of the most common stray dogs sighted on the streets of India. Their origin dates to around 4,000 years ago. These ‘desi kuttas’ are of a medium build. Easy to train, they are lovable and friendly. In fact, they can also be found in Bangladesh. (Image: Canva)
Do not confuse the Mudhol Hound with the Rajapalayam. A common sight in Karnataka, they look similar to their South Indian cousin and are also known as Caravan Hounds. They are super loyal to their owner, this making them excellent as guard dogs. (Image: Canva)
Chances are that if you have been to Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, you may have spotted the Himalayan Sheep Dog on your walks. While they come in various shapes and sizes, they have more fur than other Indian breeds, thanks to their natural habitat. This breed is commonly used by shepherds to look after their livestock. (Image: Canva)
The Rampur Greyhound is a descendent of the Afghan Hound. Typically found in North India, they are short-haired and have a powerful build. Sadly, their numbers are dwindling. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
The Tangkhul Hui is a popular Indian dog breed, commonly found in the northeastern state of Manipur. They vaguely resemble the Asiatic black bear due to their fur and dark visage. Since they are also getting smaller in numbers, efforts are being made to revive the local breed. (Image: Instagram)
