Chippiparai

Chippiparai are great guard dogs for protecting homes because of their sharp and brave endeavour. These dogs are famously called ‘One man dog’ because they form great companions and dedicate their life to being with the owner for the rest of their lives.

They originated in Southern India, specifically Tamil Nadu and have been compared with Greyhounds owing to their equally agile and lean body. 

However, these dogs are very close to extinction and unless we want to see them in just history books, it is very important for careful and dedicated breeders to maintain and then improve their population count.  

Quick Information

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History

Chippiparai dogs were originally preferred and excessively bred by the royal families in Madurai, Tamil Nadu. They were a symbol of dignity and courage amongst rulers of Tirunelveli and Madurai. Due to their courage, they were seen as fierce hunters and were bred for the exact same reason i.e. to catch and kill preys like wild boar, deer, hare and so on. 

However across centuries, their population went on decreasing and they are now categorised as extinct with a handful of them left. 

Temperament And Behaviour

Chippiparai dogs are known for their quality devotion and loyalty towards their family. They might come out as reserved in the beginning but when they are adequately trained and socialised, they tend to be more active with humans. They are known as ‘one man dog’ because they tend to imprint to one person, get overly protective about that ‘one person’ and later on cone out as stubborn or rude to others. They spend their whole life serving to that ‘one person’. 

These dogs have are instinctively attracted towards catching and killing preys and hence aren’t good towards smaller animals, to an extent that they may kill other pets of the family, if any. Given that, they can be trained easily when they are regularly socialised with other people. 

Health And Care

• Chippiparais, in general, are relatively healthy dogs who are not prone to obesity and require very occasional veterinarian visits.
• However, they might be genetically prone to getting the condition of ‘Hip Dysplasia’ where the thigh bones do not properly fit in the hip joint. In such situations, they display extreme pain and exhaustion. 
• Another common condition seen in them is ‘Patellar Luxation’ where the dog’s kneecap gets dislocated and their ball and socket joint moves in both directions. 
• Both of the condition can be treated with regular medication, if mild, but might require surgery if the situation gets extreme. 

Grooming

• Owing to their short but smooth coats, Chippiparais do not demand much grooming.
• They have dense and flowing hair. They just require brushing maximum twice a week.
• They love to get massages for which hound mitt or soft brushes can be used. 

Training

• Due to their immense intelligence and desire to please, it is easier to train Chippiparai dogs as compared to other hound dogs.
• They need regular exercise and attention to prevent them from getting de track and to protect them from channelizing their energy towards inappropriate things. 
• They can also become nervous and hence it is better to train them from a trainer who is ferm yet gentle, and not harsh.
• To keep their nervousness and suspicion in check, they should be socialised from an early age. Familiarising them with different faces, environments, scents and sounds is also of utmost importance. 

Frequent Asked Questions – FAQs