COIMBATORE: The Combai, an indigenous dog breed found in the south, is fast dying out, according to breeders, owners and members of various kennel clubs from across Tamil Nadu.
A conservative estimate puts the number of pure breed Combai dogs across the country at less than 100. The preference for imported breeds and unsubstantiated claims that Combai dogs are aggressive have contributed to its plight, the kennel club members said. “The Combai is a very smart dog and has evolved naturally over many centuries. It is usually brown with black masks, and has a dark line along the back. In the earlier times, Combai dogs were used for hunting,” the owners told Express.
Though the Combai finds itself precariously close to extinction, its plight was much worse till around a few years ago, with only 30 in existence in Madurai, Coimbatore, Tirunelveli, Kanniyakumari and Virudhunagar. Breeders, who specialise in making money by selling imported breeds like the Labrador Retriever, Alsatian and Pugs, have also played a significant role in the Combai’s near extinction, kennel club members said.
V S Ravi, a pet lover who owns 35 different dogs as well as cows and 92 breeds of pigeons from all over the world, is researching on the Combai. In his role as the president of Anaimalai’s Kennel Club and joint secretary of Indian Breeds Kennel Club of India, he is researching on the lineage of the Combai to ensure that it survives for many generations ahead.
“Through the Kennel Club of India, we have been working to promote the Combai and other native breeds for the last two years. We have also conducted a free certification camp, where micro-chips were implanted in the animals at Rajapalayam, Madurai,” he said. Of the 165 native dog species that attended the camp, a good number were from Combai breed, he said. “Earlier, we had only 30 Combai canines. But now, by promoting the breed, their numbers have increased to over 60,” he said. According to Ravi, the Combai and its indigenous compatriots Rajapalayam and Chippiparai could make a comeback. “From this year, I will start a competition under ‘The Dog of the Year - Indian Breed’ category to encourage owners and breeders to promote Indian dogs,” he said.
Anaimalai’s Kennel Club treasurer R Saravana Kumar said the Combai was ideally suited for the climate of Tamil Nadu. He added that people usually mistake the Rajapalayam and Combai as one and the same. “But they are not. They are completely different and both have very different physical characteristics,” he added.
Chennai-based lawyer Srinivas Rathnasamy, who owns five Combai dogs, said they could be extremely affectionate if trained properly. “I have been living with them for over four years, and they are amazing dogs,” he said.