New Delhi

‘Riya’, a Mudhol Hound, trained by the Border Security Force at its Tekanpur Academy, created history at the All India Police Duty Meet 2024 by becoming the first Indian breed dog to win both the Best in Tracker Trade and Best Dog of the Meet title, outperforming 116 foreign breed competitors.

Riya’s extraordinary achievement highlighted the capability, discipline, and excellence of Indian breeds in modern working dog standards.

Like ‘Riya’ today, over 150 Indian breed dogs are deployed across, including the Western and Eastern borders and in Anti-Naxalite operations, and they have delivered good results.

According to BSF, the idea of using Indian dog breeds for security was given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the National Training Centre for Dogs (NTCD) of the Border Security Force (BSF) at Tekanpur in January 2018.

Prime Minister emphasised the importance of promoting and utilising Indian dog breeds in national security forces, his visionary guidance that sparked a renewed mission to recognise, develop, and deploy indigenous breeds in operational roles.

Logo of the National Training Centre for Dogs, of the BSF at Tekanpur

Acting upon this inspiration, the BSF took pioneering steps by inducting two Indian breeds — the Rampur Hound and the Mudhol Hound.

This appeal resonated deeply, inspiring a nationwide movement rooted in self-reliance, national pride, and the revival of India’s indigenous heritage.

As such, since ancient times, dogs have held a place of honour in India’s history, culture, and mythology. Indigenous Indian breeds have long been celebrated for their courage, loyalty, and strength. Their presence in royal courts and on battlefields reflects the deep bond between humans and dogs that runs through India’s martial and cultural heritage.

Known for their agility, endurance, adaptability, and resilience, these breeds are well-suited to India’s diverse geo-climatic conditions. Their natural disease resistance, hardiness, and low maintenance needs make them particularly effective in demanding field environments. Among the many native breeds, the Rampur Hound and the Mudhol Hound stand out for their historical significance and good working abilities.

The Rampur Hound, originating from the princely state of Rampur in Uttar Pradesh, was historically bred by the Nawabs for hunting jackals and large game. The breed is known for its speed, stamina, and fearlessness.

The Mudhol Hound, native to the Deccan Plateau, is traditionally associated with guarding and hunting. Local accounts link similar hounds to the Maratha forces, valued for their alertness and loyalty. The breed was later revived and refined by Raja Malojirao Ghorpade of Mudhol, who introduced it to the British as the “Caravan Hound.”

The BSF says that during the upcoming Ekta Diwas Parade at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, a marching contingent comprising exclusively Indian breed dogs of the BSF will participate. The event will also feature a dog training demonstration, showcasing tactical skills and operational excellence, a living symbol of India’s self-reliant and proud K9 force.

#WATCH | During the upcoming Ekta Diwas Parade at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, a marching contingent comprising exclusively Indian breed dogs of the Border Security Force (BSF) will participate. The event will also feature a dog training demonstration, showcasing tactical skills and… pic.twitter.com/yWCyUdoqnI

— ANI (@ANI) October 23, 2025

The BSF has not only been training these indigenous breeds at NTCD, Tekanpur, but has also taken the lead in breeding and propagation both at NTCD and across various field formations. This initiative has since expanded to subsidiary K9 training centres, ensuring the large-scale development and deployment of Indian breed dogs across the Force.

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The induction, breeding, and operational deployment of Indian breed dogs by the Border Security Force stand as a powerful testament to India’s commitment to self-reliance, national pride, and the revival of indigenous heritage. These initiatives not only honour the legacy of India’s native breeds but also reaffirm the nation’s resolve to advance with confidence, strength, and dignity, with Indian dogs leading the way in service to the nation.