'Gaddi', Himalayan dog, gets indigenous breed tag

IT is now official—the Himalayan 'Gaddi' dog has been recognised as a breed by the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) in Karnal, Haryana.

- HARPREET BAJWA

This recognition will help preserve the purity of the breed.

The Gaddi dog is the fourth indigenous canine breed to be registered, following the Rajapalayam and Chippiparai breeds of Tamil Nadu and the Mudhol Hound of Karnataka.

On January 7, NBAGR director B.P. Mishra informed the director of the animal husbandry, Himachal Pradesh, about the development. The letter read: "I am pleased to inform you that the ICAR Breed Registration Committee, in its meeting held on 5 January, has approved the registration of the Gaddi dog as a breed. The accession number of the newly-registered breed is INDIA-DOG-0600_GA_DI_19004."