Four Mudhols to join Indian Air Force soon

Bagalkot: The Mudhol Hound breed of Karnataka origin is becoming more popular day by day and in now all set to be inducted into Indian Air Force (IAF) in February.

The IAF officials from Uttar Pradesh had approached Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries Sciences University of Bidar seeking seven Mudhol puppies.

The dogs are now being bred at the Canine Research and Information Centre (CRIC) of Thimmapur near Mudhol that comes under the purview of the varsity.

At present Mudhols can be seen serving in Indian Army, CRPF, BSF, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, Andhra Pradesh and Rajasthan Police Departments. There are a total of 40 Mudhol hounds, which are being used for breeding and research purpose, in CRIC.

Apart from the state, Mudhol hounds are also in high demand at the coffee and tea estates of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Assam.

Last year the Canine Research and Information Centre (CRI C) at Timmapur in Bagalkot district, which has been set up to promote Mudhol hounds, handed over four puppies to BSF and two to Bandipur Tiger Reserve of the forest department.

It may be recalled that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had praised desi hounds, including Mudhols, in his Mann Ki Baat and urged people to adopt them, since then the demand for the famed local dog breed has doubled with paramilitary, forest and other departments showing interest in including these slimly built and razor-sharp canines into their squads.