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The Dogs of India

Photo by Sachin Ghai

Introduction by Sachin Ghai

'Shvan,’ a Sanskrit word meaning ‘Dog,’ has always had a deep meaning in Hindu Mythology. Perhaps this is because, in India, dogs have long been associated with the gods: from various forms of Lord Shiva (the God of Destruction), to Lord Dattatraya, who was consistently followed by four dogs, symbolically representing the four Vedas in Hinduism. Indeed, in places like North Bengal and Sikkim, dogs are worshipped to this day. Perhaps not surprisingly, many superstitions about dogs have also persisted. People suffering from negative astrological effects might find some respite when they feed black dogs, who are said to be the reincarnation of the fearsome god, Bhairava. If you see a dog carrying a bone in his mouth, it is considered a good omen. If a pet dog sneezes when you go out, good luck will follow you.

Dogs found in India are a diverse mix of different breeds, but the most common breed used to define the Indian street dog is the Pariah Dog. This name was given by the British during their rule in India, though the breed has been around for as long as 4,500 years, and possibly for much longer. Indeed, the Indian Pariah Dog is considered by many to be the first truly domesticated dog in history and the oldest in the world. The great cultural epic Mahabharata significantly features a dog who may have been one of these Pariah Dogs. Unlike German Shepards, Rottweilers, Huskies, and other purebred dogs, the Pariah is well-adapted to the climate of India.

Humans and dogs have always celebrated an inseparable bond. In ancient India, the people had deep ties with their dogs, and today these ties continue. Whether as fixtures on the busy streets, as pets in people’s homes, or as working dogs taught by the National Training Centre for Dogs (NTCD) to aid India’s Border Security Force (BSF) in counter-terrorism activities including tracking, explosives detection, mob control, search and rescue, narcotics detection, mine detection and poisonous substance detection, dogs in India play a pivotal role in daily life. While other animals have undergone significant changes in the way they are perceived through history, the dog has remained a constant companion, friend, and protector. In India, the old claim that a dog is one's best friend is substantiated through religion, art, literature, and historical record, but needs no proof for anyone in the modern day who is lucky enough to enjoy the company of a good dog.

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