Chippiparai

30-65 lbs
20-25"
India
Tamil Greyhound, Tamil Sightdog, Tamil Coursing Dog
The elegant and beautiful Chippiparai was once the pet of choice with the Indian nobility. Sadly, they declined in favor during the British rule and have been battling against extinction. There is no denying the beauty nor the intelligence of this dog, they are both talented hunters and gentle calm family dogs. Easy to train, they do have a touch of stubbornness, which usually is overcome with their devotion and the strong bond that they form with their owners. They rarely bark and get on well with other dogs, although miniature dogs and other small fluffy animals may be considered as prey. This dog is a born protector and their devotion and affection for family members make them an ideal guard dog. As you can see from their slim body shape, they don't require much food considering all of their energy. And while some may say the dog looks almost gaunt, the Chippiparai is meant to be slender. Consider this dog only if you have time to keep them company, and you can take them out for some serious exercise each day. They need that exercise and the space to run which makes them ideal for the country or a home with a large secure yard; they are unsuitable for apartment living.
purpose Purpose
Hunting, Companion, Guarding
history Date of Origin
Ancient Times
ancestry Ancestry
Saluki, Taigan, Afghan Hound, Hortaya Borsaya

Chippiparai Health

Average Size
Male Chippiparai size stats
Height: 20-25 inches Weight: 30-65 lbs
Female Chippiparai size stats
Height: 20-25 inches Weight: 30-65 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Canine Hip Dysplasia (Chd)
Minor Concerns
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Drug Allergy or Sensitivity
  • External Parasites
Occasional Tests
  • Complete Physical Examination
  • Complete Ophthalmologic Examination
  • Electroretinogram (ERG)
  • Eye and Ear Examination
  • Hip and Elbow X-rays

Chippiparai Breed History

While the Chippiparai is believed to be linked to the Saluki, an Egyptian breed of dog, there is little proof or records to back this up. The Chippiparai once was a favorite of the king's entourage and was a treasured hunter. In those happier times, the breed was treated as an asset and was often gifted to other nobles or important people. They were considered a worthy dog and revered for their amazing hunting skills, adaptability, and endurance.  Sadly, with the onset of the British rule, the dog lost favor as new foreign dog breeds were introduced. Part of the British rule involved making the Indians feel inferior about their lifestyle and belongings, and they promoted the British dogs as superior. The Indians wanted the English dogs, and many species of Indian dogs were neglected. With the loss of their royal patronage, the Chippiparai lost their standing amongst the local people, and were considered only a dog that a hunter may have time for. The numbers of the breed have declined to such proportions that they are feared to be on the brink of extinction. A lot has been done to try and revive the popularity of this breed amongst the Indian people, and while research goes on to try and build the breeds numbers up it seems to be a race against time for the lovely Chippiparai. The breeders have never recorded the origins or development so new breeders are hindered by low numbers that they are trying to resurrect the Chippiparai from. Let us hope this beautiful hound recovers to grace many households in the future.

Chippiparai Breed Appearance

Tall, willowy, and elegant are words used to describe the Chippiparai, as well as being lean and narrow in the body. While some would say that this dog looks emaciated, the truth is that the thin skinny body with clearly visible ribs is the correct appearance for this breed. They have narrow long limbs with elegant rounded paws, a deep chest that provides stamina, and a tucked up tummy that gives them that Greyhound or Saluki build. The face and head of the Chippiparai are long and narrow, and their ears are either rose ears or are semi-erect. While the muzzle is long and narrow, a hint of the substantial power in those jaws is noticeable. This dog has beautiful eyes that face forwards, giving the dog an impressive range of vision. Their expression is often gentle yet intense, and always very keen. The eyes are dark in color although the lighter coated dogs can have lighter eyes. The coat is perfect for the stifling hot and intense heat of India, being very short and exceptionally smooth. The Chippiparai has a range of coat colors with the most common being fawn, a red-tinged brown, grey, and a slightly tinged black coat. White markings are often a feature.
Eye Color Possibilities
brown Chippiparai eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Chippiparai nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
fawn Chippiparai coat
Fawn
brown Chippiparai coat
Brown
gray Chippiparai coat
Gray
gray Chippiparai coat
Gray
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Chippiparai straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Chippiparai Breed Maintenance

The Chippiparai is easy to groom and maintain with their short sleek coat that rarely seems to shed. Therefore, they are a very low maintenance dog that never requires professional grooming. A regular weekly brushing is all that is needed and perhaps an occasional bath, using a mild dog shampoo, will suffice. A routine check for any parasites for the working dog is important - the sooner they are discovered and removed the better. An ear check is always a good part of the grooming regime, as is checking their toenails and trimming if necessary, and the all important cleaning of your dog's teeth. Keeping on top of these requirements will keep your dog happy and healthy.

Brushes for Chippiparai
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Deshedder
Deshedder
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Chippiparai requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Chippiparai Temperament

The Chippiparai is renowned for their calmness and gentle outlook.  Rarely vocal, they don't bark as much as other breeds. And although they have a lot of energy and love to work, they don't require large meals to compensate. The Chippiparai is a breed that thinks on their own, and can have a tendency towards stubbornness, yet their intelligence and owner devotion make this dog easy to train. They bond closely to their owner and family, although they may be reserved and standoffish with strangers. The breed is ideal as a guard dog due to their highly protective nature. They are kind and gentle with their family children, but don't like rough play or disrespectful tail pulling or ear biting! While you may think they would not mix well with other dogs, the reality is completely the opposite. Socialized at an early age, they can get along very well with other dogs. Smaller pets and even smaller dogs may be considered as prey, so keep your dog on a leash when out walking, and have a very high fence around your yard so your Chippiparai doesn't take off after fast-moving furry objects! These lovely dogs are close to the edge of extinction but with local breeders now taking interest we can hope that they once again become a popular dog that is revered for their skills and their beauty.

Chippiparai Activity Requirements

Very active is the best way to describe the Chippiparai. They have outstanding hunting instincts using their sight and scenting abilities, and can survive excessive heat better than any other dog known. Fully adapted to a harsh climate, their lean muscular body is designed for running, endurance, and to take on and kill wild and dangerous animals. While your dog will love to go running with you, they also need time to run free. Try to find a safe enclosure so they can burn up their energy without being able to pursue any small animal they may see. They need an active 90 minutes at least for exercise each day to remain healthy and happy dogs. Because of their high energy, they are not a good choice for an apartment. Without enough space and exercise, the Chippiparai can become destructive, nervous or hyperactive.
Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
28 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
90 minutes
activity minutes

Chippiparai Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
3 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.20 - $1.40
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$34.00 - $45.00
food bag monthly cost

Chippiparai Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Chippiparai size stats at six months
Height: 12.5 inches Weight: 15.0 lbs
Female Chippiparai size stats at six months
Height: 12.5 inches Weight: 15.0 lbs
12 Months
Male Chippiparai size stats at 12 months
Height: 19.0 inches Weight: 32.5 lbs
Female Chippiparai size stats at 12 months
Height: 19.0 inches Weight: 32.5 lbs
18 Months
Male Chippiparai size stats at 18 months
Height: 22.5 inches Weight: 57.5 lbs
Female Chippiparai size stats at 18 months
Height: 22.5 inches Weight: 57.5 lbs

Chippiparai Owner Experiences

karna
1 Year
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Run
Fetch
he is a powerhouse of our family
11 months, 2 weeks ago
Logan
3 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Very affectionate , attention demanding , hyper
4 years, 8 months ago
Tyson
3 Months
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Running
It is too active and biting me always and very friendly sometimes becomes hyper active
3 years, 9 months ago
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
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