I am Elangovan.
I have been keeping this, 'white-faced' breed of dog known as the, -
- Rajapalayam dog for the past 15 years.
While I initially started keeping them for my own use, -
- and currently in a bid to preserve this breed, -
- I am raising 13 female dogs and 2 male dogs.
Given the fact that this is a traditional breed of Tamil Nadu, -
- the general perception about these dogs in my region, -
- that their numbers have grown thin.
And because the breed has been affected by genetic defects, -
- owing to improper breeding methods, -
- I was compelled to attempt to rectify this situation.
And on this path, -
, I breed about 80 puppies a year.
Raising native Indian dog breeds, -
- is a commonly seen practice in rural regions, -
- where almost every household has a dog.
And even this has been affected with the incoming of foreign breeds, -
- where people generally perceive them to be better; and there is a reluctance to choose native breeds.
With that said, I appreciate youngsters, who understand the value, and, -
- who are passionately working towards resurrecting these breeds.
And on that line, I heartily congratulate the efforts being taken by Baarath (DesiHounds).
In regards to this breed, -
- it does not exhibit tremendous height or growth.
It can be termed as regular growth, where dogs stand between 26-28 inches in height.
They do not stoop (posture).
And since the face is completely white, it is free of patches of black or other shades.
If we look at the distinctive quality of this breed, -
- that these dogs are highly affectionate towards their owners.
Apart from its length, height and its physical elegance, -
- it is a breed that can be easily kept in homes.
Hence, people eagerly seek the Rajapalayam dogs.
The special attribute of this breed is that , even if all these dogs are built for hunting, -
- they can be raised in flats, apartments and metropolitan cities.
The major reason that people from cities such as Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Mumbai, -
- procure these dogs with great interest is because, -
- these dogs can be raised with ease with relatively limited space, and in modern buildings too.
Like all native Indian dog breeds, these dogs are mostly maintenance-free, -
- and do not require any meticulous care.
A bath weekly once is sufficient.
It does not require any routine, special exercise regimen of any sort.
For their diet, they do well with what we usually prepare at home - nothing special.
This is what is noted in the villages as well.
The dogs thrive on small portions on whatever the meals cooked in the households.
Whether it is a portion of the rice from breakfast, -
- or some leftover porridge dinner, the canines do fine with it.
Essentially, they do not have great dietary requirements, and do well with leftovers.
This is one of the great attributes of native Indian dog breeds.
For me, the defining quality, more than others, -
- for the Rajapalayam dogs,
- is their ability to understand and relate.
Now let us take for instance, that you have four members in your household.
These dogs, have the ability to keenly observe, -
- and relate to the different members of the family, individually.
There may be one very affectionate member of the family, -
- and when this person gets angry, the dog responds by keeping a low profile.
Even if dogs in general are considered loyal in nature, -
- different breeds of dogs exhibit different degrees of this, -
- and Rajapalayam dogs are specially so.
These dogs are capable of undying loyalty towards their owner(s).
Even if you were to house or give away this breed of dog, -
- your friends or associates, it will always remember and recall you.
Foreign breeds are more or less, not this way.
Rajapalayam are extremely friendly dogs.
And very efficient property guardians too.
With the arrival of strangers, they ceaselessly bark, informing, until the owner commands to stop.
These qualities make the breed a complete package, -
- and therefore highly sought for, by many people, all over.
The interesting thing is that, -
- in my region, and in its vicinity, -
- people from all communities keep these Rajapalayam dogs.
Unlike some breeds which may be limited to ownership by certain economical strata,
- this breed is exempt from that.
In these areas, -
- it is commonplace where, people who own about 2-3 of these dogs, -
- can raise their family from the income they generate.
When their dogs bear pups, there are customers to take them.
As far as I know, there are 40 or more families here, -
- who derive income for their households this way.
The only reason that so many people are able to rear this breed, -
- because it is absolutely low-maintenance.
This breed would never be a burden on its owner.
With this breed, post proper socialization, you can almost forget to care for the dog.
Once the dog is about 6-8 months of age, -
- it will naturally assimilate itself, -
- according to your family structure, -
- and home, and become a natural part of it.
So, if you visit the owner(s) of, -
Rajapalayam dogs, just once, to see how they are -
- this would convince you in getting this breed for yourself.
Another major consideration is that, the acute heat that we are experiencing, -
- is something that these dogs have the capacity to withstand.
Also, since it has short hair, unlike German Shepherds or similar breeds,
- hair fall is almost non-existent.
Owing to our region's climatic conditions, -
- the Rajapalayam dogs have very short hair.
And since this is the case, you can be assured that, -
- keeping these dogs at home, will not result in allergies in little children.
Being a breed native to Tamil Nadu, it is well-adapted, -
- to prevail in all the various environmental conditions.
If you can manage it, these dogs, love a cool spot where they like to lounge.
Overall, it is a dog suited for almost any household and/or environmental condition.
Many people are eager to get this Vellai Moonji/Rajapalayam Naai.
Not only for selecting Rajapalayam dogs, but for any dog in general, -
- I would like to share what little information I have on this subject.
A dog gives birth to between 5-8 pups.
This is natural for almost all dogs.
So when you come to buy pup(s), -
- asking for a pair of pups (male and female), -
- and what a breeder would naturally do, is offer you two pups as asked.
You, the buyer, would understandably feel satisfied with getting this pair of puppies.
What I request you is, to kindly not buy dogs this way.
Kindly do not purchase them this way.
First only purchase a male or a female pup.
And after giving a gap of 3-6 months, -
- those who initially purchased a female, get a male and vice versa.
The logic behind this, is that, the more you strive to procure pups from different mother dogs, -
- the more genetic vigour your dogs will naturally possess.
Looking beyond the fact, that these pups would have different temperaments, -
- choosing pups without this discrimination, -
- has been one of the major causes for the destruction of this specific breed.
When you get two pups from the same mother dog, -
- they are confined to a situation in which in-breeding is inevitable.
So when you approach a breeder, to buy two pups from different lines, -
- in a bid to make some fast cash, -
- they may offer you pups, claiming them to be from different parent dogs.
In regards to this breed, people who retain four pups at the same time with them, are very rare.
So, if you avail the services of a broker, -
- who convinces you that the pups are from different parent dogs, please exercise caution.
To avoid this test, -
- if you wait for a few months, as mentioned, you could obtain pups as desired:
- from different parent dogs.
So, if you get puppies this way, -
- you can be assured, a 100% to, -
- get pups with the same genetic vigour, -
- as their parents, as you had hoped for.
Please consider this as my humble request (to all potential owners).
The only con when choosing this way, are the travel costs for an extra trip.
Though it may appear convenient to you, to pick up two pups from the same place, -
- at the same time, -
- this extra step that you take, will ensure the preservation of the whole breed.
Now, for instance, if you take the family structure of Tamil communities, -
- with relationships such as Maternal Aunt, Sister-in-Law etc, -
- we must also strive to create such a lineage for the animals that we keep.
If you bear this concept in mind, -
- and when you allow a gap between choosing two pups, -
- you are automatically credited of doing your part in conserving this breed.
Next what I would like to discuss, something that is common to all dogs.
When we name a dog, -
- better than introspecting if the dog responds to the name, or whether we fancy it, -
- it is apparent that the dog comes to accept it.
Now, I have named my dogs, -
- where one is called Madal, because she has large ears.
Another is named Aadhirai.
Since my name is Elangovan (a classic Tamil name), -
- so, I have this tradition of naming my dogs after characters, -
- from the Silapathikaram (one of the great epics of Tamil literature)
One of my best dogs is named Koundi.
One of Kannagi's friends.
Aiyyai is the name given to another one of my dogs.
She was a very close friend.
Annam is another name.
Kutti Sri is another.
Also, since I am a Eezham supporter, -
- one of dogs is called Sittu; a famous singer there.
So when dogs are given such names, they understand the significance.
When I want to name four puppies, among 15 dogs, the puppies take in the names.
These dogs naturally take to their given names.
Thank you to have listened to my presentation of thoughts, -
- regarding native dogs, and specifically, the Vellai Moonji/Rajapalayam dogs -
I am proud to have gotten this opportunity. Thank you.
Greetings.
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