Kanni
The Kanni - also known as the Maiden's Beastmaster - is a rare indigenous South Indian sighthound breed of dog found in the state of Tamil Nadu. The breed is used mainly for coursing game. Kanni name is exclusively called to black and tan and black and sable variety, while single colored variety is known as Chippiparai. Kanni is a royal indigenous hound dog breed in Tamilnadu, India.
During ancient times it was generally used for hunting by Zamindars (Aristocrat) and Landlords. In the beginning, such breed of dogs existed in Tamilnadu especially in Southern districts like Tirunelveli, Tuticorin, Virudhunagar, and Madurai.
The name Kanni means "pure" in Tamil and was given to this breed for its loyalty – purity of heart. The Kanni is also known as the Maiden's Beastmaster for its voracity with which it defends its territory against other wild animals and because they are often gifted to the newlywed bride as their guardian. Even though they had different colors in this breed gifting only black and tan colored dogs during marriages was generally followed as a practice. This leads to the wrong naming of the black and tan colored breeds as Kanni in dogs as well as goats in future. Even though the native people call this breed Kanni, Kennel Club of India (KCI) registered this with two names. It registered the black and tan colored dogs of this breed as Kanni and the rest as Chippiparai respectively.
Kannis are medium-sized dogs. The breed standard height at the withers is 65 cm (26 in). The standard weight is 20 kg. Body size is medium, straight top line, tucked-up abdomen. They have a straight head. Eyes are a golden color with strong jaws and a black nose. The ears are medium size and flat. Ears type erect, dropping, semi dropping. The tail is semi-curved
Kannis have shot coat. Coat colour found in brown with black, fawn, pale red to dark red, cream, white, red with white, ash known as Santhana Pillai, Sevalai, Karum Sevalai, Reththa Sevalai, Mayila Pillai, Karamba Pillai, Keeri Pillai, Semmarai, Sampal, Paal Kanni, Seng Kanni, Karung Kanni and Parukki in Tamil languages.
Some are generally black throughout the body and have fawn colored dots on eyebrows, face and legs those are called as Paal Kanni
Some are generally black throughout the body and have dark tan colored dots on eyebrows, face and legs those are called as Seng Kanni
Some are generally black throughout the body and have fawn color both side of face and legs those are called as Karung Kanni
The ones which have black and fawn color equally distributed throughout the body with fawn covering head and legs and blacking covering rest of the body parts are called as Parukki
Plain fawn colored Kanni -This type of Kanni have plain fawn color distributed throughout the body this is called as Santhana Pillai
Light red colored Kanni -This type of Kanni have light red color distributed throughout the body this is called as Sevalai
Dark red Kanni -This type of Kanni have dark red color distributed throughout the body this is called as Karum Sevalai
White Kanni -This type of Kanni have white color distributed throughout the body this is called as Mayila Pillai
Black and fawn mixed Kanni -This type of Kanni have black and fawn color combined together throughout the body this is called as Karamba Pillai
Brown and white Kanni -This type of Kanni have white present in forehead, neck, chest, tail end and paws such types are called as Semmarai
Ash Kanni -This type of Kanni have ash color distributed throughout the body this is called as Sambal Kanni
The Kanni is usually shy but will always defend its home or master, if the need arises. The Kanni dogs are extremely faithful and easy to train but they will always think independently when on a hunt. They are a good companion, loyal and friendly to family.
This breed is used for hunting deer, hare, and other rodents. Kanni generally run very fast to catch their prey. It smells and traces the hare. While hunting, it can quickly respond to the hand signals and gestures of its owner towards a running rabbit. The key to the Kanni's capability as a coursing dog can be found in its light but muscular build, large heart, double suspension gallop, and extreme flexibility of its spine all like that of Cheetah.
Such breed dogs live in temperate climate zone. Minimum veterinary care is enough. They need free space and territory conscious. Hence this breed is suitable for the village and not suitable for city life. Not a finicky eater, Kanni eats millet, corn, ragi, jowar and rice porridge with milk or curd and non-veg foods.
Sources:
http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mag/2005/01/09/stories/2005010900860800.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanni