BSF Mudhol hound wins national canine competition

Riyaa, the victorious female Mudhol is the offspring of a pair of puppies provided by Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries sciences university, Bidar

Riyaa, a Mudhol hound of the BSF K9 unit won the all-India championship at the All India Police Duty meet in Lucknow on February 16. It is the offspring of a pair of Mudhol hounds supplied by KVAFSU, Bidar. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

A Mudhol hound from the Border Security Force K9 unit won the canine competition held during the All India Police Duty Meet held in Lucknow on February 16.

Riyaa, the victorious female Mudhol is the offspring of a pair of puppies provided by Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries sciences university, Bidar.

BSF officials have described it as a historic event as it was the first time that an Indian Breed was pitched in a competition and it secured the first position. A total of 43 teams comprising 116 dogs including various foreign breeds had participated in the competition. Ashok Kumar Kumawat, constable general duty was Riyaa’s handler.

In Frames | The march of the Mudhols

Growing up strong: Mudhol hound pups are fed milk and supplements, after they are weaned. The puppies of a native breed could grow up to be champion dogs serving in the Army or various security forces one day.

Mom is the best: Pups separated to be bathed and fed try to reach their mother in an adjacent room in the Canine Research and Information Centre at Thimmapur, in Karnataka.

Midday break: A Mudhol hound takes rest to beat the searing heat of the afternoon. Pairs of dogs are given to farmers for breeding in order to boost the population.

Loyal streak: A brindle Mudhol hound; the dog breed comes in various shades of brown, black and white.

Patient wait: A Mudhol hound looking for a caretaker who comes for cleaning and feeding every day.

Walk in the sun: The dogs are in playful mood when out in the open. They are fast runners and skilled at surveillance.

Moment of aggression: Any fight between the dogs is immediately dealt with by the caretakers at the research centre.

Dark beauty: A pitch black coat is rare among the Mudhol hounds.

Nimble feet: Stepping in to break up a dogfight can be a real challenge as these native dogs are not only agile but also strong.

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The BSF dog squad was declared the overall champion in the 67th AIPDM. It bagged two trophies and a Gold medal in tracker trade. Riyaa was declared the Best Dog in competition.

The team achieved success under the leadership Neeraj Verma deputy commandant (veterinary).

The Director General of BSF appreciated this historic feat and congratulated the team, the K9 team announced on Twitter.

In the ongoing AIPDM in Lucknow, BSF K9 bagged the 1st Position with the Indigenous dog Breed Mudhol Hound named Riyaa, handled by Ct(GD) Ashok Kumar Kumawat.
With the win a history was created as it was for the first time that an Indian Breed was pitched in a competition and it… pic.twitter.com/nIjUif6txY

— BSF (@BSF_India) February 16, 2024

“Three years ago, a team of BSF officials visited the Canine Research and Information Centre and procured six Mudhol puppies. Now its offspring has won the National championship. We are proud and happy,’‘ said B.V. Shivaprakash, director of research, KVAFSU, told The Hindu.

“Mudhol hounds won the first Made in India awards in 2014-15. The Indian Army inducted them in 2017.”

A team of BSF officers pose with the six puppies they procured from the Canine Research and Information Centre of KVAFSU in Mudhol in Bagalkot district in 2021. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

CRIC has provided Mudhol puppies to various security, investigative and vigilance agencies at the State and national levels. They include the Indian Army and Air Force, Remount Veterinary Corps, Sashastra Seema Bal, Central Reserve Police Force, Central Industrial Security Force in Sriharikota, Border Security Force, Bandipur Tiger Reserve, State police from Karnataka and Odisha and the elite Special Protection Group that protects VIPs including the Prime Minister.

The centre sells around 150 puppies with tracker chips and genealogy certificates every year. The government fixed price is around ₹12,500 per pup. Details can be had from CRIC in-charge Sushant Handage and the CRIC website.