Mudhol Hound, which recently became the first Indian dog breed from Karnataka to be inducted into the army and shall be guarding the borders of Jammu and Kashmir, was the highlight of the second day of the international dog show here on Saturday.
The Mudhol Hounds have travelled 530 km, all the way from Bagalkot, to participate in the show. The dogs were accompanied by their owners dressed in traditional headgear. They enthralled the audience with their energy, agility and strength.
The lean and tall hounds hail from Mudhol in Bagalkot district and is known for its hunting skills. The Mudhol Hound, famously known as the Caravan Hound, boasts of an extremely good vision. The dogs hunt by their sight and don't depend on scent. They are very sharp and can detect enemy border, explosives and drugs, and so, are indispensable when it comes to conducting search operations and patrolling by the army.
"We have received an incredible response this year. We had over 63 breeds participating this year. We are proud to include the Indian breeds that are slowly gaining recognition, given their great adaptability to various climates and their agility," said Manjunath M R, a dog behaviourist, who played a role in the induction of the Mudhol Hound into the army.
While the Mudhol Hound impressed the young and old alike, the visitors were delighted to see the Hatchiko (a fictional Japanese Akita dog known for its loyalty) in real life. The Hatchiko, which also inspired a Hollywood film, competed in the show.
The day witnessed the participation of rare breeds like the Jack Russel Terrier, Siberian Husky, Chow Chow, St Bernard and Saluki. The show also featured small dogs like the Miniature Pinscher and Doberman Pinscher, which stand at a height of 30 cm and weigh up to five kg. The finale of the international dog show will be held on Sunday.