Mudhol Hound

45-85 lbs
22-28"
India
Caravan dog, Pashmi Hound, Karwani

The Mudhol Hound, also known as the Caravan Hound or as Karwani is a medium to large-sized sighthound that has served as a guard dog and hunting dog for the people of the region for centuries. These dogs are believed to have originally arrived in India with settlers from Asia and Arabia that traveled to the region in large caravans from which the breed got its name. This breed, not yet recognized by the major kennel clubs, is the first native breed from India to be inducted into military service. They are typically tolerant of other dogs and of children, but less tolerant of strangers. Like most sighthounds, they also have an extremely high prey drive and without concentrated socialization efforts, they are likely to attempt to catch and even kill smaller animals. 

purpose Purpose
Hunting Dog
history Date of Origin
Ancient
ancestry Ancestry
Unknown

Mudhol Hound Health

Average Size
Male Mudhol Hound size stats
Height: 24-30 inches Weight: 48-90 lbs
Female Mudhol Hound size stats
Height: 22-28 inches Weight: 45-85 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Gastric Dilation Volvulus (GDV) or Bloat
Minor Concerns
  • Hip And Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Conditions (Cataracts, Lens Luxation)
Occasional Diagnoses
  • Ear Infections
Occasional Tests
  • X-rays or other radiographic imaging
  • Eye and Ear Examination

Mudhol Hound Breed History

This breed was thought to have followed caravans of setters from Asian and Arabian countries into the Deccan Plateau region of India. It was their practice of following these caravans that gave them the moniker Caravan Dog, the official name used by Kennel Club of India. Although their full ancestry may be lost to history, some experts believe this dog to be a direct descendant of the Saluki or the Afghan Hound, probably intermingled with genetics from dogs that were local to India at the time. This breed was and is still particularly prized for their ability to handle the grueling heat and the rugged terrain of their homeland in India. In its home region, this dog was used as a guard dog and as a hunting companion who was able to quickly dispatch game for their family’s dinner table and was frequently seen in the homes of royalty as well as in the homes of the peasantry. In the 1600s and 1700s, these dogs were seen as patriots when they helped fight for India’s freedom and this breed recently made headlines as the first breed native to India to be employed as official military dogs for the Indian Army, providing bomb-sniffing services as well general guarding and patrolling duties. The Indian National Kennel Club recognizes this breed under the name Mudhol Hound rather than Caravan Dog and as of 2015 the Indian town of Mudhol in Karnataka is the only place that these dogs are officially being bred, and they were hovering on the edge of extinction in the early part of the century, but concentrated efforts are being made by breeders in the Mudhol area to protect and reestablish the breed. 

Mudhol Hound Breed Appearance

The Mudhol Hound or Caravan dog is a lean, muscular dog with a long neck, long legs, and a long back, that typically stands right around two feet tall at the shoulder and weighs anywhere between forty-five and ninety pounds when they reach adulthood. Their head is generally long and narrow as is their tapering muzzle and they have large, piercing eyes that are oval in shape and come in varying shades of brown and hazel as well as medium length, V-shaped ears that hang down to the sides of their head rather than folding backwards into a rose ear configuration. Their whip-like tail is set high up on their hindquarters and it has a natural curve at the end of it. They can come in either a smooth-coated variety or a silky-coated variety with feathering on the ears, legs, and tails. All color combinations are accepted, although colors that blend in with the environment of India such as fawn, fallow, red and cream, are most common. 

Eye Color Possibilities
hazel Mudhol Hound eyes
Hazel
brown Mudhol Hound eyes
Brown
amber Mudhol Hound eyes
Amber
Nose Color Possibilities
black Mudhol Hound nose
Black
brown Mudhol Hound nose
Brown
Coat Color Possibilities
black Mudhol Hound coat
Black
gray Mudhol Hound coat
Gray
fawn Mudhol Hound coat
Fawn
red Mudhol Hound coat
Red
cream Mudhol Hound coat
Cream
sable Mudhol Hound coat
Sable
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Mudhol Hound straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Mudhol Hound Breed Maintenance

This breed typically has a fairly non-intrusive grooming routine. These dogs should only be bathed on an as-needed basis to avoid stripping the coat of protective oils that help provide its characteristic shine. They do tend to shed rather heavily and brushing once or twice a week with a rubber curry comb or a slicker brush will help to remove dead hair and to keep their coat healthy and glossy. Ears that hang down like those of the Mudhol Hound are somewhat prone to developing infections so it is important to keep them clean and dry and to check them for infection on a regular basis.

Mudhol Hounds can suffer from a variety of health problems. Secure pet health insurance today to avoid high veterinary care costs. Our pet insurance tool lets you compare plans from leading companies like Figo and Spot. Find the “pawfect” plan for your pet in just a few clicks!

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

Mudhol Hound Temperament

These dogs are very loyal to their owners and their families but are typically rather reserved with strangers and may nip if they are touched by someone they are unfamiliar with. Despite this tendency, they are gentle by nature and fairly tolerant of children, although interactions between children and canines should always be closely supervised. They tend to be good watchdogs and they can quite effective at deterring intruders and other threats. Their well-developed hunting instincts mean that this may not be the best dog for multi-pet households, particularly those with smaller pets. This dog may not be able to easily resist chasing and even killing a moving target. This breed can be somewhat challenging to train as any sort of harshness can result in a dog that is nervous or even aggressive, particularly if it occurs when they are young. If treated with gentleness, particularly at a young age, they will be a much easier dog to train and a much happier canine. 

Mudhol Hound Activity Requirements

The Mudhol is a very active dog who requires long daily walks and a good uninhibited run at least a few times a week. This dog has more endurance than many of the other dogs that are similar in structure and typically requires more commitment to their exercise than other dog breeds and due to their high prey drive should never be let off leash unless they are in a secured environment. These dogs may also enjoy engaging in alternative activities for their pet such as lure coursing and agility training, While some sighthounds may be able to adjust to living in a smaller space like an apartment, the Mudhol Hound is typically too active and territorial to be comfortable in that environment. 

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
18 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
60 minutes
activity minutes

Mudhol Hound Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
2.5 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.50 - $1.90
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$34.00 - $45.00
food bag monthly cost

Mudhol Hound Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Mudhol Hound size stats at six months
Height: 22.5 inches Weight: 48.5 lbs
Female Mudhol Hound size stats at six months
Height: 21.5 inches Weight: 46.0 lbs
12 Months
Male Mudhol Hound size stats at 12 months
Height: 26.0 inches Weight: 62.0 lbs
Female Mudhol Hound size stats at 12 months
Height: 24.0 inches Weight: 59.0 lbs
18 Months
Male Mudhol Hound size stats at 18 months
Height: 27.0 inches Weight: 69.0 lbs
Female Mudhol Hound size stats at 18 months
Height: 25.0 inches Weight: 65.0 lbs

Mudhol Hound Owner Experiences

Saki
11 Weeks
5 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Bath time
Brushing
Wonderful dog known for its speed and guard dog
4 years, 8 months ago
Bella
18 Months
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
catch
Tracking
Tug-of-war
Run
A very fun dog to play with. They enjoy doing strenuous physical activities.
4 years, 4 months ago
Bunty
5 Months
4 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
His kindness and his affection shows for
Wonderful experience with him
4 years, 1 month ago
Raki
10 Months
1 People
House
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Gem
Swim
Run
Is very good @ nice Mudhol hound
3 years, 6 months ago
Rana
7 Months
5 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Superb , best breed to go with if you have a large space out there
3 years, 5 months ago
Animal Expert Question Icon
Question - My pet
Question

Hi sir/madam I'm having small doubt that I took mudhol hound male puppy champion bloodline male height 34 inches and female height 29 to 30 inches I took male puppy from dis parents my doubt is that male puppy will grow like his father or not I'm asking about height

Answer
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
Sketch of smiling australian shepherd