Mudhol Hound vs Hokkaido - Breed Comparison | PetzLover

The Hokkaido breed originates in Japan and is also called Ainu-ken, Ainu dog, Seta or Do-ken. The last being its common name in Japan. It is believed that the Hokkaido is descendent from the Japanese Matagi-ken, meaning hunting dog, deer hunting dog or bear hunting dog. It was the Ainu peoples that brought the breed to Tohoku. Many years later the Yayoi people brought in another breed of hunting dogs. These breeds were in isolation for most of their existence and therefore they had little influence on the further development of other breeds.

The Ainu dog was used in searches as well as hunting and became in 1937 “a rare species in Japan that is protected by law”. At that time the Official Name of the breed was set in place as Hokkaido-Inu. But they are still called Hokkaid0-Ken by most Japanese people.

This is a very rare breed of dog. It is hardly known outside of Japan and in country there are about ten to twelve thousand remaining. Of those about nine hundred to one thousand are registered in Japan every year. It is guessed that less than thirty exist outside Japan.

The Hokkaido breed is the oldest Japanese breed of dogs. Today they are great indoor companions, loyal and friendly. Most people in Japan still call them the Ainu dog.

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.

The Hokkaido breed is medium in size but very strong in build. Dogs bred outside Japan tend to be smaller. They have wide, deep chests, and long thick coats compared with Japanese dogs from other breeds. It is a double coat of long fur on top and short softer fur underneath for the second coat. Their ears are triangular and small while their eyes have a triangle outline. The double coat could be sesame, white, red, black, black and tan and wolf-gray.

They are an intelligent breed with an impulsive gait. They are alert, courageous and suspicious. They were used for guarding the city gates. Their skull is flat and broad and the tongue, like the chow chow, is blueish. black. With a black nose and a wedge shaped muzzle, the Hokkaido is a handsome dog. His lips are with black and tight. High set, thick tail over the back or slightly curved to the side.

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.

Children friendliness

Children friendliness very good with every member of the family and that includes children

Special talents

They have terrific stamina and good judgement

Adaptability

Good. They can adapt to live anywhere

Learning ability

They are intelligent and anxious to learn

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.

Often breeds that are isolated like the Hokkaido, have a pretty good health history but there are a few serious issues that they face.

CEA- Collie Eye Anomaly

1/3 of all dogs have it while 2/3 are carriers. This disease is congenital and there is no cure. It affects the sclera, retina and choroid. It can be mild or it can cause blindness.

Hip Dysplasia

Affecting joints and cause arthritis and lameness.

Luxating Patella

Floating kneecap – not as prevalent here as in smaller dogs.

Heart Mumurs

Could be mild or serious. Could require a pacemaker.

Idiopathic Seizures

Seizures of an unknown origin. Can be treated with medication not cured.

Psychogenic Polydipsia

Excessive, uncontrollable urge to drink large amounts of fluid without a stimuli.

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.

Feeding the puppy

The puppy needs about 300 -400 calories per day in 3-4 servings per day

Feeding the adult

The adult dog needs about 250-350 calories a day to maintain good weight and health. Feed 2-3 times per day.

Health Factors

Strong, stamina

Games and Exercises

These dogs love exercise and definitely need it. They will get to be anxious or bored if they don’t get enough exercise. A back yard run is fine but remember that the Hokkaido is a jumper and make sure your fence is at least six feet high. They need daily walks even if you have a fenced yard. Martindale collars or harnesses are needed when walking them.

These dogs love games and competitive activities. They are good at hunting and guarding of course. There are other activities they can excel at and enjoy jogging, biking with you, and hiking. In competition they enjoy and are good at agility, flyball, lure coursing, rally, weight pull, dock diving, and obedience. They do not participate in confirmation.

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.