Mudhols first Indian dogs to be inducted into the army
Our desi Mudhol hounds are all set to become the first Indian canine breed to be inducted into the army. Six dogs were sent from Karnataka to the army's Remount and Veterinary Corps (RVC) centre in Meerut last year and have since then undergone intensive training. They are expected to join by the end of the year, possibly in J&K.
Till now, the army had Labradors, German Shepherds, Belgian Shepherds
Dogs were first inducted into the Indian Army in 1959. Since then, thousands of dogs of foreign breeds-Labradors, German Shepherds and Belgian Shepherds- have been trained in tracking, explosive and mine detection, guarding and assaulting and more at the Meerut RVC centre. Many canine units have also received top honors like Sena Medals, Shaurya Chakras and Chief of the Army Staff's commendation cards.
About the first Indian dog breed chosen by the army
The Mudhols, a cross between Persian/Turkish varieties and local dogs, were initially bred by the Ghorpade kings back in the 1920s. They are known for its endurance, stamina, sharpness, agility and disease resistance and can live through harsh tropical conditions. However, they can't tolerate very low temperatures. Now the army plans to induct them in guard duty.
Lessons included battle inoculation, specialized training and more
"Initially, the dogs were kept in quarantine to check if they have any diseases. They then underwent basic obedience training, then battle inoculation and specialized training," said an officer at RVC Meerut. "The most important aspect was building the bond between the trainer and the dog to understand the animal's behavior and ability." "A lot of scientific thought" had gone into the decision.
