Veterinary biosphere and one health: RAJAPALYAM

RAJAPALYAM

This is one of the few pedigree dogs that the country of India is known for. However, this dog breed is gradually dwindling and almost heading towards the stage of extinction, with Tamil Nadu being the sole Indian state to be the home to a small number of dogs of this breed. Of late, multiple efforts and initiatives have been undertaken to promote the breed and enhance their popularity in the nation.

Rajapalayam dog is mainly distributed in Virudhunagar, Tirunelveli and Madurai districts of Tamil Nadu. These dogs are medium in size with compact body. Coat color is white. Skin, nostrils and eyelids are pink. Eyes are golden.

WEIGHT:

Male: 25 kg

Female: 20 kg

HEIGHT:

Male: 60-65 cm

Female: 55-60 cm

LIFE EXPECTANCY:

9- 10 yr

LITTER SIZE:

7-8

ORIGIN:

Originally bred to hunt boar and used as guard dogs and in wars in India. The Rajapalayam were dogs of royalty.
The Rajapalayam dogs got their name because they were derived from Southern India, specifically in Rajapalayam.
The Rajapalayam is also called the Poligar Hound and was given this name because of the Poligar clans. Poligar clans were said to have owned this breed back in ancient Southern India. They received a reputation of being fierce, aggressive, and harmful due to how they were trained. Poligar clans were known for robbing people while on the road and often used their dogs as attack dogs.
There is not much known about the history of the Rajapalayam. Some say the Rajapalayam originated in the Nayak dynasty of Tamil Nadu while others say that the Rajapalayam was brought to this region by the Nayakars in the time of the Vijayanagara king’s reign. In the last theory, no one knows exactly where they originated from before the Nayakars.
These dogs were traditionally used as guard dogs, hunting dogs, and war dogs although some had them simply as a companion dog.
As guard dogs, they were known to protect rice fields, houses, and farms in India. They also were known to guard the border of Kashmir along with the Indian army.
The Rajapalayam was able to hunt large game and was most known to hunt wild boar. In one story, it is said that they were able to kill a tiger in order to protect their owner.
A well known legend suggests that when these puppies were born, they were thrown in a dark pit in order for them to grow up on their own and were only taken out once fully grown, making them temperamental towards humans. According to this ancient method, only the strongest would have survived.
Because of their already aggressive reputation, they were picked up by the army and used in war. As war dogs, they were known to fight in the Polygar and Carnatic wars against the British from around 1799–1805. They were fast, aggressive, and dedicated to their task which made them a great fit for the war.
This breed still lives today in rural or small villages in Tamil Nadu, India although they are slightly different from the original Rajapalayams. Some say the Rajapalayam was used to breed the modern day Dalmation although it has not been proven. There are current efforts to revive this breed and save it from complete extinction.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Most Rajapalyam owners favor a milk white-colored dog, with a pink nose and golden eyes. However, the Rajapalyam breed is also discernible in various other colors, including spotted or solid, black, and brown. The spots will start appearing nearly 80 days after their birth. In the previous times, colored puppies were usually culled from the litters since the owners preferred the pure white dogs. The coat of these dogs is short and fine in nature. An incredibly eye-catching and graceful dog, the Rajapalayam consists of a gait similar to the trotting of a thoroughbred horse. Most of the entirely white dogs are beset by deafness, and this breed is not an exception to this norm either.

CURRENT USE:

Hunting dogs , Guard dogs

TRAINING :

It is not an uphill task to train the Rajapalayam since this breed is quite wise. It is very important to remember that the task of training this breed has to be assigned to only a single person, i.e. the training program has to be begun and concluded by the same person. The dog does not react positively if the original trainer is changed.

BEHAVIOUR:

As they are independent, loyal and courageous, Rajapalayam also makes excellent guards for families.
They are distrustful of strangers and may attack any intruder entering the house.
They are single pet parent dogs, who are very protective and possessive of their pet parents.
They do not like to be touched or handled by others.
Rajapalayam pups should be trained for socialisation.
Sadly, Rajapalayams don’t have a good compatibility with other dog breeds.

HEALTH MANAGEMENT:

Rajapalayams are, in general, a salubrious breed. But, it is worth mentioning that caution has to be exercised after bringing a puppy home, as each and every breed can reel under genetic disorders, and other common diseases, like deafness, melanocytes, etc.

EXERCISE:

Rajapalayam dogs require large open spaces for movement and exercises. This is a must because of their inherent hound characteristics and fitness. They must indulge in a substantial amount of daily exercise along with running sessions. Short 10 to 15 minute walks may not be sufficient for them.

GROOMING: