Overview
The Mahratta Hound is a sighthound from the Maharashtra region of western India, smaller and more compact than the better known Mudhol or Caravan Hound, and traditionally kept by villagers for hunting hare and small game. It is a smooth, lean, deep-chested dog with a fine coat, often described as being somewhere between a Whippet and a Saluki in build. Almost none are found in the UK.
Indian sighthounds share a temperament: calm, dignified, reserved with strangers, bonded to their own household and single-minded about anything that moves fast. They are not demanding dogs to live with, but they need a walker who respects the chase instinct.
Exercise and walking needs
An hour a day in two walks, with occasional access to a secure field for a real sprint, suits the type. These are economical movers that conserve energy for the hunt and are happy with a steady pace the rest of the time.
Bred for Indian heat, the Mahratta will cope with a British summer better than most but feels the cold keenly. A coat is a necessity, not a luxury, from autumn to spring.
On the walk
- Chase: Anything small and running will be pursued without hesitation. Keep the lead on anywhere near roads and keep the dog away from livestock.
- Strangers: Aloof and not keen on being handled by people it does not know. Let the dog decide the distance and keep passers-by from reaching for it.
- Other dogs: Reserved and rarely the one to start trouble. Fine with calm dogs; careful with tiny breeds and with boisterous dogs that crowd it.
- Recall: Not something to rely on in the open. Enclosed fields for free running, lead everywhere else.
Tips for professional walkers
- Use a fitted sighthound harness or martingale; a flat collar will be slipped.
- Dress the dog for cold and wet weather and dry it off afterwards.
- Check the thin skin on legs and chest for scratches after rough ground.
- Keep first walks short and quiet while the dog learns you.
What to ask the owner
- Has the dog been hunted, and what does it chase here?
- How does it react to strangers approaching, and does it accept being handled by new people?
- Does the dog have a coat for cold weather, and how does it cope with rain?