Pandikona Dog: The Forgotten Hunting Dog Breed from South India

pandikona dog

The Origin and History of Pandikona Dog Breed

Pandikona is an Indian hunting dog breed hailing from a small village in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh that goes by the same name. Kurnool is a dry and arid zone, but Pandikona has adapted to the warm weather well. The main occupation of the 10,000 odd people living in the Pandikona village is agriculture.

It is a primitive dog breed that has retained its ancestral behaviours. Attributing their territorial instincts, Pandikona dogs are known to help the villagers guard their properties, livestock and the villages for centuries. Although usually tolerant towards children and young strays, they can turn aggressive towards other dogs or strangers upon sensing a threat from them.

This fearless sighthound, also known as the Indian Doberman due to its close resemblance with the European Doberman, is endangered by extinction. There’s a lot to know about this forgotten breed.

๐Ÿถ The Appearance of Pandikona Dog Breed

Pandikona dogs have simple looks. The hunting and running instincts of these medium to large-sized dogs explain why they must have notably strong and muscular legs. They have a short-haired coat which is generally fawn or light brown. However, they can be found in many different colours such as black with white patches. Pandikona dogs have medium-length muzzles and large, pointy ears that slightly droop. Their long, thick tails are usually upright and adorably curved upwards. 

  • ๐Ÿ“ Height: 20-26 inches in males; 19-24 inches in females
  • โš–๏ธ Weight: 25-32 kilograms in males; 20-26 kilograms in females
  • ๐Ÿ—“๏ธ Life expectancy: About 10 to 15 yearsLitter size: About 4 to 7 puppies

๐Ÿ˜ก The Temperament of Pandikona Dog Breed

Despite being a hound, Pandikona dogs are good-natured and affectionate, especially towards their human families. Their territorial instincts drive them to be protective of their households. Having a history of being a guard and hunting dog in the Pandikona village, any strangers or other dogs and animals naturally appear as a threat to them.

They tend to attack if they sense something amiss. However, they are more accepting and forgiving of children and young strays and are not known to cause harm to them. Once a strong bond is established between a Pandikona dog and a child, it will protect the child by all possible means. 

Loyalty is in their blood, but so is their free-spirited nature. They are a promising breed when it comes to protecting their family, but they do not get overly attached. Having an independent side to them, they wander off when they need to, but their loyal side brings them back to their family. 

There are two reasons why Pandikona dogs are not commonly found as pets. First, since it is a dog breed with average intelligence, they are not so easy to train. Beginners may struggle, but experienced trainers may be able to train them better if they start young. Pandikona dogs move in hierarchical packs and form intelligent internal communication systems.

If we trace their history back, they are not known to take commands from humans. Secondly, Pandikona dogs are highly energetic and release their energy by running around freely in large open spaces. Hence, an apartment is not an ideal setting for them. However, if you are living in a house with spacious surroundings, you should not hesitate to adopt one!

๐Ÿฆฎ Living with a Pandikona Dogย 

Although Pandikona dogs are not commonly found in homes, there are some points to note if you decide to have them as a pet. The pros include good health, easy maintenance, watchdog ability and easy adaptability with all members of the house, including children and elders. However, they are hard to train, not apartment or stranger friendly and not recommended for first-time owners.

๐Ÿ•โ€๐Ÿฆบ Living conditionsย 

Originating in the dry and arid region of the Kurnool district, Pandikona dogs are used to living in harsh conditions. However, due to lack of exposure to cold climates, ideally, one must not take them to colder regions. Furthermore, they do not enjoy indoor environments and need large outdoor spaces to spend their time. So, if you are planning to adopt one and keep them in your indoor or office spaces, it is not advisable. 

๐Ÿพ Emotional and social needs

Pandikona has an average emotional and social level. They do not get overly attached to their owners. They are not demanding of a specific kind of environment – noisy households, changing routines and children in the house do not bother them. Their nature does not allow them to expect an emotional and affectionate bond with their owners. They can do without cuddles and pets and can be left alone for a few hours.

๐Ÿฆด Interactionsย 

When we talk about interactions, Pandikona dogs perform average. They are loyal and affectionate towards their owners, but they are not friendly with strangers, other pets, and stray dogs and cats. Their natural territorial instincts drive them to see anyone other than their household as their threat and can even attack if things cross the line. However, their protective nature towards kids and elderly persons is notable.

๐Ÿฉ Grooming and Maintenance

Pandikona dogs have a short fur coat that does not require much grooming and maintenance, such as regular brushing or trimming. Bathing them twice every month should be more than enough to maintain optimal hygiene levels, and flea treatments may be required from time to time. Ears and eyes need to be regularly cleaned to prevent infections. Thus, their needs are minimal, making it a perfect match for those who do not have the time, skill or money to maintain a dog.

๐Ÿซ Health problems

Pandikona is a healthy dog breed with rarely any major health issues. Being an outdoor dog, its immune system is strong enough to fight infections. If you have a Pandikona dog at home, you can be assured that you will not have to make frequent visits to the veterinarian.

Activity

Having high-energy levels, Pandikona dogs fit well in spacious settings where they can run around. They cannot sit indoors all day, ruling out apartment owners to adopt one. If you have a house with an open backyard as well as the time to take your dog for daily exercise, then it makes sense to bring a Pandikona dog home.

โšฝ Training

Training Pandikona dogs is not an easy task due to their strong hunting and territorial instincts. It can be managed better if they start training and socialising from a young age, but eliminating all of their instinctive traits is close to impossible. Secondly, as a Pandikona dog has average intelligence, novice dog owners will find it hard to teach it commands. In such cases, it is best to get an experienced trainer to help you.

โ“ FAQs on Pandikona Dog Breed

How much sleep does a Pandikona dog need?

Pandikona dogs have average sleep needs, meaning 12-14 hours a day.ย 

How easy is it to gain weight for a Pandikona dog?

It is possible for a Pandikona dog to gain weight if there is not a good balance between nutrition and daily activity. Pandikona owners should ensure enough physical activity and nutritious food in their daily schedule.ย 

What is the bite force of a Pandikona dog?ย 

Pandikona dogs have an ordinary bite force between 200 and 400 PSI and do not tend to bite unless threatened.ย 

Do Pandikona dogs bark a lot?

No, Pandikona dogs bark occasionally and when required. They are not known for excessive barking.ย ย 

Why are Pandikona dogs nearing extinction?

As it is mostly found in the Kurnool district of India, Pandikona is a rare dog breed. It is said that the breed did not gain popularity because the locals of that area did not allow anyone to adopt the puppies. They did not trust the people to take good care of the dogs. Therefore, the Pandikona dog breed is said to become extinct soon.ย 

Conclusion

Pandikona is a forgotten and almost extinct breed from India. Using their fascinating qualities, these hardy hounds have been of great help to the people of the Pandikona village. If you are planning to adopt a Pandikona dog, ensure that you have the time and resources for it. Open space and daily physical activity are all this dog needs. Apart from that, as it is a healthy breed, you need not worry about their grooming and maintenance. The social and emotional needs of this dog are also minimal. You can certainly expect loyalty, affection and protection for years to come from your Pandikona dog! 

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