The ban on import of foreign dogs for breeding and other commercial purposes in the country might be sad news to some, but it is certainly being celebrated by native dog breeders who feel it will offer the much-needed attention to native breeds, which have been neglected over the years.
The decision of Director General of Foreign Trade, however, has raised concern since the ban could result in heavy inbreeding, leading to disabilities among dogs.
“We have dog breeds that suit every purpose. We have breeds that can match any foreign breed when it comes to hunting and chasing, security and guarding purposes,” says A.R. Ramaraj, who breeds Rajapalayam, Chippiparai, Kanni and Combai, all native to Tamil Nadu.
Mr. Ramaraj’s Tony, a Chippiparai, passed all obedience tests a few years ago at a dog show. Local breeds are being sent to foreign countries as gifts, he adds.
A Kanni, owned by Madurai-based breeder Murugan, had won the best chaser award at a show in Dubai.
Desmond Morris, the author of ‘The Ultimate Dictionary of over 1000 Dog Breeds’, has recorded that although the primary duties of the Chippiparai were associated with hunting, the Madras Police had trained it as a police dog with some success.
“This has the advantage of avoiding the huge expense of importing foreign police dogs,” he had noted.
Mudhol hounds, a native breed in north Karnataka, has already proved their capacity as sniffer dogs. The Indian Army had recently included six dogs in the sniffer squad.
The native breeds are perfectly suitable for Indian climes. But years of neglect have rendered many dogs extinct.
Alangu, a native of Thanjavur, is no more. Shengottai dogs, capable of hunting cheetahs, as Desmond Morris claimed, have also disappeared. Good Combai dogs have become rare.
Though the Rajapalayam variety is thriving, inbreeding has killed many of its original traits and caused deafness.
Lyn and Peter Watson, Australia-based dog experts, had, a few years ago, made a strong case for the conservation of the Rajapalayam as a pure indigenous breed.
Arun Thangasamy, an expert on Rajapalayam dogs, agrees that the ban would create a new craze for native breeds, but wondered whether it could be effectively implemented. “Breeders use Kathmandu as a conduit to bring dogs to India,” he said.
Chennai-based veterinarian M.G. Mohamed Ali said as the existing stock of pedigree dogs in India had already developed genetic disorders like ‘hip dysplasia’, the ban would further worsen the situation. ( with inputs from Sruthisagar Yamunan )
