Rajapalayam: History, Temperament and Care

The Rajapalayam, also known as the Rajapalayam Hound, Polygar Hound or Indian Ghost Hound, is an Indian sighthound named after the town of Rajapalayam in southern Tamil Nadu.^[1] It comes from Rajapalayam taluk in Virudhunagar district, where it has long been kept as a guard and hunting dog.^[2]

Today's Rajapalayam is a milk-white dog with pink skin, a pink nose and golden eyes.^[2] It is often described as Tamil Nadu's most famous native breed.^[3] In 2020 Prime Minister Narendra Modi named it among the "fabulous Indian breeds" he urged people to consider when choosing a pet dog.^[4]

This profile is part of Finepedia's Dog Breeds of the World guide, which covers every major dog family from ancient times to today.

Key Facts

History

Origins under the Nayakas

The Rajapalayam is believed to have first been raised as a guard dog during the rule of the Nayaka dynasties in southern Tamil Nadu.^[1] Historical records indicate the dogs were used in the Carnatic and Polygar Wars in the 18th century.^[1]

From many colours to white

According to scientists quoted by The Times of India in 2014, the Rajapalayam was not always white. For centuries it ranged the countryside in black, brown and fawn. When officers of the British Raj took a liking to the hound, local zamindars (landowners) began breeding pure white dogs for them.^[3]

A researcher at the Institute of Veterinary Preventive Medicine in Vellore called the white Rajapalayam "an evolved breed", adding: "You cannot see them in any other colour." One well-known breeder in Madurai admitted he could no longer tell whether stories of coloured Rajapalayams were fact or folklore.^[3]

Twentieth century and conservation

The Rajapalayam has also been used by the Indian Army.^[1] In 1980 the Government of Tamil Nadu set up a dog breeding unit in Chennai to rear native breeds, including the Rajapalayam.^[1][2] India Post issued a postage stamp featuring the breed in 2005.^[1]

Scientists at the ICAR National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) carried out a formal phenotypic study of the breed, published in 2017. They concluded that "this unique canine germplasm needs to be documented and registered at National level" and that the breed could be popularised through dog shows.^[2] In 2014 an NBAGR scientist explained that only white dogs had been documented, so under the planned characterisation a dog without a white coat might not count as a Rajapalayam.^[3]

National attention in 2020

In his Mann Ki Baat radio address of 30 August 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said:

• "Rajapalayam, Kanni, Chippiparai and Kombai are fabulous Indian breeds."
• Indian breeds "cost less to raise and are better adapted to the Indian environment and surroundings".
• Security agencies were inducting Indian breed dogs, and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research was studying them.^[4]

He urged listeners to "consider bringing home one of these Indian breeds" the next time they thought of raising a pet dog.^[4]

Description

Body

The Rajapalayam is a medium to large sighthound.^[1] The NBAGR survey of 88 adult dogs and 21 puppies found medium-sized dogs with:

• a compact body and tucked-up abdomen
• a straight topline
• drop ears
• a semi-curved tail.^[2]

Wikipedia describes a muscular, wide chest, a slender abdomen, a slightly arched back, a long tapering tail and long, slender legs.^[1]

Size

Coat, skin and eyes

The coat is short and white. The skin, nostrils and eyelids are pink, the eyes golden and the nasal bridge straight.^[1][2] Wikipedia describes the nose as light reddish and the face as broad.^[1]

Temperament

The breed is known for obedience to people, but it needs training to get used to humans. Once trained, it is loyal to and possessive of its handlers.^[1] It needs regular physical work and exercise, and it tolerates the heat and humidity of the tropics well.^[1]

In the NBAGR survey, Rajapalayam dogs were mainly used to guard farms and farmhouses.^[2]

Breeding and reproduction

The NBAGR study recorded the following figures from breeders:^[2]

Wikipedia gives a litter size of one to eight and says the breed is generally not suitable for crossbreeding.^[1]

Health

The selection for white coats has come at a cost. "Years of in-breeding have made most of the dogs deaf and weak with shorter life spans and extremely low immunity levels," a Vellore veterinary researcher told The Times of India in 2014.^[3]

A Tamil Nadu dog documenter said most breeders kept no lineage records and usually mated dogs within the same family, causing what he called "a breeding depression".^[3] The breed's lifespan is reported as about 10 to 15 years.^[1]

Care

In the NBAGR survey, owners fed their dogs mostly non-vegetarian food twice a day, usually with milk, rice and egg. Breeders vaccinated and dewormed their dogs regularly.^[2] The breed needs regular physical work and exercise.^[1]

Related breeds

In 2020 the Prime Minister named the Rajapalayam alongside the Kanni, Chippiparai and Kombai, as well as the Mudhol Hound and Himachali Hound, as Indian breeds worth adopting.^[4] The Mudhol Hound has been trained for the dog squads of the Army, CISF and NSG, and the Kombai has been taken on by the CRPF.^[4]

See also

• Dog Breeds of the World: Ancient to Modern Guide
• Indian Pariah Dog
• Saluki
• Afghan Hound
• Chippiparai
• Kombai