Mudhol Hound vs Podenco Andaluz - Breed Comparison

The Podenco Andaluz hails from the Andalusian region of southern Spain. It is believed that this dog is likely to have descended from the European hunting dog.

Because of the lack of distinctive characteristics, and also the similarities the dog shares with other dog breeds, the dog isn’t typically recognized in its own right. They have always been used as hunting dogs. The Andaluz is actually one of the lesser known Podencos and it isn’t recognized by the FCI.

This seems to be the breed of many names. The Mudhol Hound comes from India and has been called the Caravan Hound, the Pashmi, the Karvanit, the Karwaani and the Pisuri Hound. Like so many other Indian breeds, the Mudhol Hound bears a strong look of the Greyhound. He is a sight hound and as such is lean and fast. He is ancient, healthy and loves his people.

The ancestors of the Mudhol include the hounds bred by the tribes of Bedar near Mudhol and Halagali. In Maharashtra the Maratha warriors were also breeding hounds which are included in the Mudhol Hound lineage. It is believed that there is Tazi and Saluki heritage in the Mudhol as well.

All of these Indian hounds were good at guarding, hunting and as companions. Then the King of Mudhol began to breed them specially for hunting and succeeded in developing a sleek, slender dog. The King of England at the time, George V, was so impressed he dubbed them the Hounds of Mudhol.

The Mudhol Hound hunts rabbits and other small animals with their incredible sight. No matter if the breed was on a postage stamp in 2005 and is a great family companion, it is first and foremost a working dog. He was specifically bred for the tough working conditions in the mountains of India. They are courageous, loyal and graceful. They are committed to their people but a little standoffish with anyone else and make good guard dogs.

They were used by the Indian Army as border protection and surveillance dogs. They use them for testing of their veterinary corps. They have been deployed by the Army in Kashmir and Jammu in 2017, just as they were centuries ago. They were effective at taking down soldiers and horses alike.

They were also chosen for breeding at the Canine Research and Information Centre, part of the Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University in Bidar. With a very high prey drive they can get along with other dogs their size but cannot be trusted with smaller pets.

The Indian National Kennel Club lists them as the Mudhol Hound while the Kennel Club of India recognizes them as the Caravan Hound.

There are three different Andalusian Hounds - small, medium and large, but for the sake of space, we refer to the medium sized dog. The medium sized dog stands at between 42 and 53cm and weighs roughly 20 – 22kg.

The dog has short hair, large erect ears and a long tail. Regarding color, most of these dogs are a reddish brown or plain brown color with some having patches of white.

Temperament:

The Andaluz is a dog which is reserved with strangers, but with their owners they are loyal and loving and never aggressive. The Andaluz is considered a one-man dog but he is more than capable of showing love and affection for all members of his human family.

This dog will benefit from training and socialization as this makes him more sure of himself and more obedient. He is an intelligent dog and won’t battle to learn simple commands. You’ll find your Podenco Andaluz to be sweet, calm and gentle indoors with training. He loves to lie close up to you,preferably on the couch right next to you!

The Mudhol Hound is a good looking sight hound. Slender, sleek, muscular. They have narrow, long heads with a muzzle that tapers. They have long and powerful jaws with a large black nose. Their eyes are oval, large and brown with a look that pierces, and they have long, muscular, and clean shoulders. The legs are straight, long and strong with a broad, muscular, long back. Like most sight hounds when you seen them coming at you straight on, they have the appearance of being one dimensional.

There are two types of coat and many acceptable colors. The coat can be silky on the tail, legs and ears or it can be completely smooth from head to toe. The coat can be grey, black, cream, red, fallow, and fawn. It can also be one of these colors and a small amount of shite blended it.

This dog has always been a hunting dog, and an excellent one at that. These days he is also a companion animal. It is very sad that these dogs have been given a cruel deal in Spain.

For those that make it into a loving home, they have proved to make excellent low maintenance dogs who are willing to provide their human family with faithful love and companionship that only a dog can provide.

Children friendliness

Yes but they are much better with older children.

Special talents

Speed and stamina

Adaptability

They can adapt but they are better off in the country than an apartment.

Learning ability

They are very smart and learn easily.

Your Podenco Andaluz is a robust dog breed and doesn’t battle with any health conditions. However, having said that, every dog can battle with some of the more common dog illnesses, and then your dog may well have to visit the vet.

Remember, that to give your dog the best chance, the dog should receive vaccinations to protect him from some life-threatening diseases.

Leishmaniasis:

This disease is brought about by the protozoan parasite Leishmania. The dog gets into trouble with this disease when sand-flies transmit parasites into the skin of the dog. The disease spreads to most organs, with kidney failure being the most common cause of death.

Heartworms:

This is a fatal disease that is contracted through the bite of an infected mosquito. It is serious and will require veterinary intervention as its a disease that can create problems with the animal’s heart.

Rabies:

This is a fatal viral disease that can be passed on to your pet and affects the central nervous system. A dog with rabies is nearly always a dead dog, sadly. Symptoms include excess drooling, aggression and seizures.

Like so many of the old breeds raised in a lot of isolation, the Mudhol is a very healthy breed. There are no genetic illnesses and they have a long line of dogs able to deal with the weather in India and avoid any sickness. However, they do have a few conditions they are prone to.

• Skin susceptible to burns and cold as the Mudhol does not have any fat layers.
• Marasmus – a liver condition in which the food eaten is not absorbed. The dog can eat a lot and not gain weight.
• Hip and Elbow Dysplasia – can cause arthritis or lameness.
• Eye Issues such as cataracts and luxation of the lens.
• Prone to ear infections.

Exercise:

This has always been a hunting dog so he is used to running long distances. He is best suited to life in the countryside as opposed to life on a small property in the city. You will certainly need to take him on walks. If you are lucky enough to live near the beach, you can take bat and ball and hit the ball hard with the beach-bat, allowing your dog to race at top speed to fetch it.

Grooming:

Regular brushing, at least twice a week will be required for the Podenco Andaluz. It’s a good idea to check your dog over for any odd lumps and for ticks and fleas. Keep his nails trimmed and check his ears and eyes for infection.

Diet:

Every dog requires a good diet if good health and longevity are to be expected. Always check the labels of commercially manufactured dog foods to ensure that your dog gets a good dose of protein in.

The best quality foods have a good balance of vitamins and minerals in them, whereas some of the poorer quality foods have bad ingredients such as preservative, colorants and fillers.

Try and give your dog some wholesome home-made food such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, spinach and carrots. Also, some raw meat occasionally will benefit your dog too, after all dogs have always been carnivores.

Feeding the puppy

The Mudhol puppy needs a high quality dry food. They should eat three to four times a day in smaller portions. A total of 3 to 3.5 cups per day.

Feeding the adult

The adult Mudhol should eat about two and a half cups of high quality dry food twice a day. Do not overfeed the Mudhol and don’t let him run right after eating.

Points for Good Health

Outstanding speed and stamina

Games and Exercises

This is a high energy, active dog that needs a lot of space and exercise. She needs to be able to run freely as long as she wants at least a couple times a day. He has incredible endurance and a very high prey drive. They must be in a fenced area unless on a leash. They are great at lure coursing, fly ball and agility.