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Every hound has his day?

The Chippiparai is an ideal pet. Why is this native breed struggling to find acceptance?

In 1981, a centre to promote native dog breeds was set up at Saidapet, Chennai. It helped the Rajapalayam, but did little for the Chippiparai. C.V. Sudersan of the Kennel Club of India believes there is hope for the Chippiparai if we act fast (The KCI has planned a breeding centre aimed at preserving 14 Indian breeds, but the project is yet to take off for want of land). Surely, the awareness about the Chippiparai today is heartening.

The hound is native to Chippiparai and 50 other hamlets located around Rajapalayam. The Kambalathu Naickers, who live in these places, have been breeding it for centuries.

K. Surendran Babu of Contemplate Kennels, who deals with the breeds found in and around Rajapalayam, says that Kambalathu Naickers depend greatly on the Chippiparai for their livelihood. The dogs have a reputation for being useful when hunting small animals such as rabbits. "They try to breed dogs with good bloodlines, he says.

Good bloodlines

However, observers believe that the effort to preserve good bloodlines sometimes encourages a controversial practice. "We know instances of families taking the best pups from a litter and getting rid of the rest. They are wary of those who introduce themselves as dog lovers."

Dog breeders like Babu manage to find a way out. "Many youngsters from this community work at the cracker-manufacturing units in Sivakasi. We approach owners of these units and get them to ask for the pups for themselves. When an owner has a request, an employee has to oblige," says Babu.

Although Babu breeds Chippiparai, he admits that those bred by the Kambalathu Naickers are immensely superior.

Because they know how to choose the dogs that can produce pups with the most desirable breed traits. They also take great pains to avoid accidents.

Always tied

"The dogs are always tied, except when they go into the forest for hunting. Which means accidental mating is ruled out." Prabhakaran David Boaz is fascinated with native breeds and the Dr. Boaz Memorial Hospital he runs houses about 20 Indian dogs. Babu believes the Chippiparai could make an ideal pet, because of its temperament. "It is a gentle dog. But it transforms into a different being, once it sets out on a hunt. It does not bark too much, but it makes an excellent watchdog. . The dog is generally very alert to the presence of strangers."

However, the Chippiparai's height can pose problems. "It can scale a wall that is six or seven feet high," says Boaz. "But with training, it can be dissuaded from doing so," says Babu. This dog can manage with measly quantities of food and yet take on hardy work. And if inbreeding is avoided, it will stay healthy and can be expected to live long.

PRINCE FREDERICK

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