Caravan Hound

The Caravan Hound (pronunciation: Car-a-waan) is a breed of dog.

Aliases Mudhol Hound, Hungarian Mudi, Canis Ovilis Fenyesi, Maratha Hound, Pashmi Hound Size Large Height (Male) 25 - 30 Inches (66-74 cm) Height (Female) 23-26 inches (55-68 cm) Weight 100 lb. Shedding Average Grooming None for smooth, weekly for feathered Life Expectancy 10-15 years Origin India Group Hound Recognition KCI, INKC, DRA

Description

The head is long and narrow, but broad between the ears with a tapering muzzle. The jaws are long and powerful, but deceptively weak looking. The nose is large and may be black, liver, or flesh-colored. The ears are moderate in size and hang close to the skull. The eyes are large and oval in shape, being dark hazel to amber, large and oval in shape. The expression is a piercing gaze. The neck is long, clean, and muscular, fitting well into the shoulders, which are well-laid back. The forelegs are long, straight, and well-boned. The back is long, broad and well-muscled with a slight curve over the loin. The loins are wide and deep. The chest is strong and deep with well sprung ribs. The abdomen is tucked in. The hind quarters appear wide and well-muscled. The tail is strong at the base, not too long, set low and carried in a natural curve, never curled over the back. The gait is high-footed, flexing all four legs. The fine coat may be short and smooth or of a silky texture sporting fringes on the ears, legs, backs of thighs and tail, and may be any color or combination of colors, but are normally, fawn, red, cream, black, or interspersed with white.

Temperament

Aloof and independent but highly intelligent and a keen hunter, reserved with strangers. It needs a great deal of socialization starting from a young age. Owners of this breed need to be calm, with an air of gentle, but firm authority over the dog. The rules of the house must be made clear in a way the dog can understand. They are ever alert and keen. If treated with kindness and respect, they can be exceptionally loyal. They are not very friendly, and do not like to be touched by strangers. However, a Caravan should never be aggressive, as this sort of temperament is not ideal for a hunting dog, which must tolerate other dogs and human beings, especially when they are not intruding on his territory. It makes a reasonable watch dog, and will protect that which it holds dear, if need be.

Health Problems

As the Caravan Hound must be fit to survive, the resulting dogs suffer from no specific health issues. These dogs were usually bred selectively by the villagers to withstand the weather, hunt, or for other qualities they appreciated, rather than for color and beauty. This breed is known to be quite immune to many diseases and has plenty of stamina.

Living Conditions

The breed is a working hound, capable of providing an excellent performance in the field on a consistent basis, under gruelling conditions that would decimate most other dogs. It is elegant, graceful and courageous. Its physical strength couples with great speed and plenty of stamina to allow it to catch and kill several types of game, from hare to blackbuck, over rough country. The Caravan Hound is not a suitable dog for life in an apartment. It does best in a home with access to a large, fenced yard. It does not fancy cold, wet climates, and is happiest outdoors in tropical climates. If kept in a cold environment, extra protection such as winter coats and doggy boots are required. This breed needs plenty of human interaction and must be an integrated member of the family. It does not handle being crated for long periods of time very well. They should always be treated in a kind, consistent, fair, and respectful manner, otherwise they may develop a nervous or vicious nature -- either of which are difficult to live with.

Exercise

A tremendous amount of exercise is one of the key ingredients to a well adjusted Caravan, as being a sighthound,it is necessary to remain physically and mentally sound. Daily long walks where the person is physically holding the lead are essential, coupled with long, weekly or bi-weekly running sessions in a large, enclosed, safe area. It can become deaf to its master’s calls should anything catch its attention and trigger a chase, so it is advised to never allow them off a leash on unfenced ground.

Origin

The Caravan is an ancient breed, native to the Deccan Plateau of India, covering parts of the states of Maharashtra, Karnataka, and, to a lesser degree, Andhra Pradesh. It is an offshoot of the Saluki, first introduced into India by caravaning traders and mercenaries from various parts of Asia. Local people began referring to them as “karwani” meaning “of the caravans”, a name which still endures in the villages. The name was anglicized to Caravan Hound when the Kennel Club of India recognized the breed. In Karnataka, the breed is also known as the “Mudhol Hound”, after a small town in Bijapur district. Sri Srimanth Raja Malojirao Gorphade, a former ruler of Mudhol, presented a fine pair of these dogs to King George V of England, who upon inspecting them, found them true to sighthound conformation and dubbed them “the hounds of Mudhol”. However, since it is not found only in Mudhol, but is widely kept throughout the Deccan, the correct name remains Caravan Hound. The feathered variety may be referred to as a Pashmi.