Chippiparai is an Indian bred canine that is quite rare to be found in the country and is not that easily available. This breed is most famous in the Southern parts of India and it proves to be a good family pet. These pooches are loyal, energetic and possess great guarding abilities. Furthermore, they are not at all affected by the extremely hot climatic conditions which can be seen in many parts of India as their tolerance to high temperatures is pretty great. Also, Chippiparai is a tremendously affordable breed and its maintenance and care are also fairly easy on the pocket for its owners. So, all in all, this native Sighthound will be an awesome option for the potential dog owners of India.
Chippiparai dogs may appear a bit skinny and bony but they are surprisingly well-built and are fairly hardy. The official standards for this breed are given as follows:
The average height of the Chippiparai canines is around 24-28 inches (at the withers) and their weight usually lies between the range of 16-22 kilograms. The male and female Chippiparais are not that different when it comes to their overall size.
|
 GENDER |
WEIGHT |
HEIGHT |
|
MALE |
16-22 kg |
24-28 inch |
|
FEMALE |
16-22 kg |
24-28 inch |
They have an evenly spread short coat which is very close and has a somewhat shiny appearance to it. It requires a fairly little amount of grooming and its ideal for hot climates.
Chippiparais have a lean and scraggy body with a decently long neck that sits well on their shoulders. Their chest is not that deep and broad and the back region slants gracefully towards the tail which is quite long, tapering and is always carried in an elegant sickle-like curve. The forelegs and hind legs are fairly bony and long and they provide a good amount of stability to the rest of the structure.
They have a long and slender head with dark colored eyes which are shaped like a lozenge (rhombus-like). Their ears are rose-shaped, medium in size and are mostly forward facing and dropped down.
The jaw region is finely developed and the teeth are evenly placed inside the mouth. The overall muzzle is long, narrow and fairly strong.
Temperament
Chippiparais are very athletic and active canines that remain happy and satisfied as long as they are receiving the proper amount of exercise and physical work. They are not meant to sit idly inside the house for long durations and potential owners should have the proper knowledge of the high exercise requirements of this breed. These canines are very loyal to the ones who are trustworthy to them and they possess great protective instincts for them. But, gaining the trust of these dogs is not that easy as they remain a little reserved at the beginning with everyone but if they are well socialized with a lot of different people at an early age, then they are more welcoming and friendly in nature. These canines have an awesome watchdog ability and are also highly territorial in nature, hence, they are considered great guard dogs and are known to protect their owner’s home and property from any intruders or housebreakers. General character traits of the Chippiparai breed are listed below:
The lean and graceful canine that is known as Chippiparai was developed in India. This breed was bred for hunting purposes and was extensively used for tracking wild animals. This breed was very good at its job and it still possesses a good amount of hunting instincts, and thus these dogs are not meant to share the same house with other small animals like cats, rabbits et cetera.
Chippiparais are very athletic and agile and they are often compared to a Greyhound because of that. It’s a perfect breed for someone who is looking for a canine with excellent guarding abilities. These dogs always remain alert and aware of their surroundings and they know how to effectively protect their home from any kind of external harm.
Chippiparai is a great breed and anyone who decides to bring this lean and elegant canine into their life will be very happy and thoroughly contented by their choice. In a world, where most people opt for a foreign breed, someone should give a chance to the native breeds as they are equally wonderful and amazing.
There is only one kind of Chippiparai canines present but in some parts of India, the black & tan and black & sable colored Chippiparais are known as Kanni.
The common colors in which this Indian hound breed is found are:
|
Adaptability |
**** |
Sensitivity Level |
*** |
|
Affection Level |
*** |
Potential for mouthiness |
*** |
|
Apartment-Friendly |
*** |
Drooling Potential |
* |
|
Barking Tendencies |
** |
Energy Level |
**** |
|
Friendly towards dogs |
*** |
Health Issues |
*** |
|
Friendly towards other animals |
* |
Intelligence |
**** |
|
Child Friendly |
** |
Playfulness |
*** |
|
Exercise Needs |
**** |
Shedding Level |
** |
|
Grooming Needs |
* |
Social Needs |
**** |
|
Good for novice owners |
** |
Stranger Friendly |
** |
|
Trainability |
*** |
Watchdog Ability |
***** |
|
Tolerates Heat |
***** |
Tolerates Cold |
** |
A high-quality nutritious diet will be a good option for a Chippiparai to keep it healthy and fit. It has a lean body and should remain like that only, hence, overfeeding should be strictly avoided and also the average calorie consumption by this breed on a daily basis should be properly monitored and controlled.
As stated earlier, these canines require a lot of exercises to remain fully satisfied. They enjoy long walks at good speeds with their owners in a park or an open field. These dogs also like to play numerous games with their family members and are happy to spend the majority of their time outside the house.
Chippiparais require consistent training from a well-experienced owner at an early age to become well-mannered and able canines when they grow up. They are mostly positive towards various kinds of training exercises and are not that hard to train. But, they can be a little stubborn and aloof during the training sessions and hence they require a knowledgeable trainer who can consistently maintain their attention and teach them various skills and commands efficiently.
Their short and glossy coat does not shed in large amounts or frequently. It mostly sheds during the shedding season which comes only once or twice a year. Also, their coat requires very little grooming to remain neat and tidy. Occasional brushing, bathing, and trimming of nails are more than enough to satisfy the grooming needs of this breed.
Chippiparais are generally very healthy, but they can get affected by some health-related problems during their lifetime. Some of the common health issues found in these dogs are:
These canines are not required to be taken to a vet’s clinic for regular health check-ups because of their general fitness and good health.
This breed is believed to be originated in Chippiparai near Madurai district in Tamil Nadu which later become the inspiration behind the nomenclature of this breed.
The Chippiparais were a symbol of royalty and elegance in the past as they were bred by the royal families and they served as a loyal companion to many nobles and great rulers.
These canines were primarily used as hunters and they were quite effective in finding and killing games like hare, pig, deer et cetera. The true ancestor of this breed is not known to many people but some speculate it to be the Saluki.
Today, the Chippiparai is mostly found in the area around Periyar Lake and is considered a decent house pet but it still possesses a good amount of hunting and guarding instincts which are, in fact, being utilized by farmers and field owners residing in the southern part of India.
