Its breed originated in the southern part of Tamil Nadu, as the name suggests. Rajapalayam is a town in Virudunagar, so the breed is named after it. Indian ghost hounds are another name for these hounds.
The Rajapalayam was bred in Tamil Nadu by the Nayak dynasty. Some scholars believe they have a presence in modern-day Dalmatia, but there are no records to support this claim. These dogs were used in the Carnatic and Polygar wars, according to speculation.
These dogs have been used to guard rice fields, houses, and farms since time immemorial, and legends surround them. According to one story, four Rajapalayams worked together to save their master’s life by killing a tiger. The Indian Army has deputised them as guard dogs on Kashmir’s borders due to their fierce loyalty and guarding potential.
It is a large dog that typically measures 25–30 inches and weighs 30–45 kg. The Rajapalayam, which is mostly found in the centre of Tamil Nadu, was bred to be a complete hunter and estate guardian, and it has characteristics that allow it to excel superbly. The Rajapalayam is unique in two ways. It is primarily used to hunt wild boar without the assistance of a handler.
The Rajapalayam was bred to be a lively hunter with a voracious appetite for pleasing his or her master. They make excellent family guard dogs. They are a variety of strangers, and their large size can frighten almost any intruders who enter your home. Keep in mind that these fearless sentinels will not like being petted or even touched by strangers; on the contrary, they may charge at strangers if they perceive them to be threatening.
First, it serves as both a bay dog and a catch dog. Second, the Rajapalayam can hunt by sight as well as track by scent. When hunting, they can be relentless pursuers who are not deterred by complex terrain or bodies of water. This pet is not affected by the weather because they were bred in the subcontinent and do not suffer from the summer heat. When the dogs find their prey, they kill it and bring it back to the handler. If the dog is unable to bring down its prey, it will injure and corner it until the handler arrives. This dog can hunt alone, in pairs, as part of a pack, or alongside its owner.
Rajapalayams are more muscular and boned than most hounds, but they share a deep chest and basic body structure that exudes speed and physical ability. Its facial structure differs significantly which has a slightly larger head and more powerful jaws with slightly curled tail.
Many Rajapalayam dogs suffer from mange, though this is usually not a serious problem. They are robust and need minimal maintanance.
This is one of the few Indian-bred pedigree dogs that has been developed in the country and is now on the verge of extinction; there are only a few pockets of this breed left in Tamil Nadu. In recent years, there have been numerous efforts made to encourage breeding and popularise it in the country.
In one such effort, the Tamil Nadu government’s Animal Husbandry Department has sponsored dog shows and even set up breeding centres in the state to prevent the extinction of this breed. This breed was even featured on postage stamps to raise awareness for the dog breed.
