It all began with a Rajapalayam. S Theodore Baskaran has raised several dogs over the last five decades. His love for them didn’t stop with just that — he has put together profiles of 25 breeds in The Book of Indian Dogs, which includes some rare breeds, as well as the popular ones such as Chippiparais and Mudhols.
Excerpts from an email interview with the film historian and conservationist.
Give us a brief about your book.
India, a vast geographical area, with varied climatic zones, from the snow-bound Himalayas to the scorching plains of South India, has spawned varieties of life forms. And, dogs breeds are among them. Over eons, different breeds have developed in these regions. I have written about 25 breeds under three categories: work dogs, companion dogs and hounds.
I am sure there are more, some of which I could get only the name of , such as the Malapatti of Kerala. I have given a profile of each breed.
Tell us about the lesser-known breeds that you’ve written about.
Certain communities had raised certain breeds, like the Banjara Hound nurtured by Lambanis. I have seen them 10 years back, but now it is difficult to find a good specimen. The Pashmi Hound, an elegant dog recalling the looks of the Afghan Hound, can be seen in some places in Andhra. Fortunately, some enthusiasts in Hyderabad are taking an interest in saving this breed.
How long did it take for you to finish the book? Tell us about the research involved.
I got interested in this subject when I acquired a Rajapalayam in 1970. I have been dreaming of this book for many years and putting down notes. In 2015, when I was in Ann Arbor, US, my historian friend Trautmann persuaded me to sit down and write. When I got back home, I began writing daily. I kept a journal on how many words I put in each day. I completed the book in six months. I have been researching on the subject over the years. Today, many rare imprints, of the early 20th Century, are available online. It is a great gift of technology. The journals of the Bombay Natural History Society came in handy. So did the gazettes of the Kennel Club of India. I met breeders and judges of dog shows and talked to them.
Could you share a few interesting aspects about a breed or two?
The Himalayan Mastiff is a magnificent dog. Early European mountaineers, with an eye for dogs, were fascinated on seeing them. Travelling near Kalimpong, I once saw this dog with a farmer. In the olden days, they were trained for military purposes also: the ancestors of these dogs are reputed to have fought the hordes of Attila the Hun. The other Himalayan breed, Lhasa Apso, makes a wonderful companion dog, and could easily be raised in apartments.
I see the dog as a bridge between the world of humans and that of non-human lives. They bring so much joy and companionship. There is a responsibility in owning a dog, not unlike that of parenting. But we should not be anthropomorphic towards the pet. It is not a furry child. It is a bundle of instincts.
You should never keep a dog tied. It is like solitary confinement for humans. Unfortunately, dog ownership is not taken seriously in our country. People abandon dogs and puppies. There are 30 million ownerless dogs roaming the streets, uncared for, spreading death and disease, and feeding on garbage and carcasses. The stray dog situation has never been so bad. The Animal Birth Control scheme has been a total failure.
Tell us about your experience in raising dogs.
We had a Tibetan Spaniel, a lovable little dog, Tashi, with us for 15 years, as a close part of our lives. I got her in Tawang. She did well in Coimbatore and Bangalore.
Dogs get used to different climates quickly. I see Huskies from the Arctic gambolling happily on Chennai’s beaches. We also raised two Fox Terriers, Alli and Paari, both champions and we bred them. Our kennel was called Foxhole!
We now have a honey-coloured Dachshund, Jenu (honey in Kannada). He is adorable. I love this breed. It is easy for us to take him in the car or carry to put him on the table at the vet’s.
Is there a story behind the dog featured on the book’s cover?
This is a Kombai, an iconic breed of Tamil Nadu. I photographed this at a speciality dog show for Indian breeds in Nagercoil last year. These dogs are reputed to be fearless and independent. Gazetteers mention that during the Poligar days, the British would exchange a horse for a Kombai.
