Caravan Hound
BREED INFO
- Group – Hound
- Height – 22-29 inches at the shoulder
- Weight – 11-13 KG
- Life Span – 10-15 years
The Caravan Hound (aka Mudhol Hound, Maratha Hound, Pashmi Hound) was used by people traveling in caravans throughout India and Asia. This is how the breed got its name. This breed is devoted to its owner and is shy with other people.
History
The Caravan was introduced to the Deccan Plateau of western India from Central Asia and Arabia, and can thus be considered a direct descendant of the Saluki or Tāzī. This region covers parts of the states of Karnataka, Maharashtra, and, to a lesser degree, Andhra Pradesh. The breed is popular in and around Mudhol Taluk of Karnataka and thus the breed got the name Mudhol hound
Shrimant Rajesaheb Malojirao Ghorpade of Mudhol (1884-1937) of the Mudhol State is credited with reviving the Mudhol hound. He noticed local tribal people called Bedar (Fearless); also called Berad (not – crying) using these hounds for hunting.[1] Using selective breeding, he was able to restore the royal Mudhol hound. On a visit to England in the early 1900s, the Maharaja of Mudhol State presented King George V a pair of hounds, which popularized the Mudhol hound breed.
The Indian Army has expressed its desire to use the Mudhol sight hound for surveillance and border protection duties. It has obtained six Mudhol dogs for testing at the Army’s Remount Veterinary Corps at Meerut. The dogs were bred after selection, at the Canine Research and Information Centre in Thimmapur near Mudhol in Bagalkot district of Karnataka. The CRIC is a unit of the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University, Bidar
Personality and Temperament
The Caravan Hound is intelligent, intuitive and protective.
The Caravan Hound needs a lot of socialization as a puppy to get along with people other than the family.
Hair, Care and Grooming
Silky texture featuring feathering on the ears, legs, backs of thighs, between hock and heel and on the underside of the tail. The coat needs very little grooming, other than the occasional bath and brushing. For the feathered-weekly brushing is all that is needed.
Health
The Caravan Hound is one of the healthiest breeds around and is not prone to any specific ailment. Their long lineage and the ability to face the harsh Indian weather has made them not only versatile but have also helped them to successfully avoid ailments as well.
The most common disease in the Caravan Hound is isssues related to the skin, they do not have fat layer in the body, which makes them vulnerable to rain and cold as their can develop chilly bites easily. In addition in harsh sun can give them a sunburn so a sunscreen will not be a bad option.
The other problem that can be seen in a Caravan is of marasmus, in this the liver malfunctions and the food is not absorbed in the body. In such a case your pet might eat a lot but or she will not gain weight in fact on the contrary it might just look malnourished
Training and Activity
Caravan Hounds respond best to consistent training with its owner.
This breed needs frequent exercise and daily walks.
Feeding
Enjoy a good cut of meat just as much as any other dog. Classic dog treats and nutrition from the store will suit these terriers just fine, but it’s worth the effort to try a little experimentation to find a regular diet that your dog really enjoys.
