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The Indian dog is a versatile, multi-faceted creature and perfect as a pet, says Maneka Gandhi

People call them mongrels, which actually means dogs of mixed parentage, bits of this and bits of that — in Australia they are affectionately called bitsers. I, however, prefer to refer to them as Indian dogs. I don’t like the word ‘mongrel’. And, unlike the foreign pedigrees, these are hardy creatures well adapted to survive and thrive in local conditions.

Each one is an individual and its keeper, the privileged owner of a unique dog.

Quick Learners
I have always found that Indian dogs are far brighter than breeds, which can be seen from the fact that when one of them moves into a house already inhabited by breed dogs, it pretty soon becomes ‘top dog’.

I suspect the bias against mixed breeds stems not only from insufficient research but also because most dog books are written by three kinds of people: First, the breeders who have a vested interest in playing down non-breed intelligence; second, the vets, who are irritated because Indian dogs are naturally healthy animals and therefore non-remunerative patients; and third, the dog trainers who find them difficult to teach because they have minds of their own and will not follow commands slavishly. On the other hand, they learn quickly from their owners because they are so anxious to please.

Unshakeable Loyalty
I once found a dog that was being chased by a stone-pelting crowd. His head was half eaten by maggots and he was dizzy with pain and fright. I loved him at once with an enormous sense of outrage and set about nursing him back to health and confidence. He came to live with me and I have never seen an animal show so much gratitude or intelligence.

A rescued dog displays unshakeable loyalty to its saviour. In fact, he will repay a hundred times any kindness shown to him. Realising instinctively that he is less attractive than pedigree dogs, an Indian dog tries harder. Having known loneliness and deprivation, he is resolutely determined never to be lost again.

This dog has but one aim in life, to bestow its heart, and once bestowed, its devotion is limitless. In fact, it is nothing short of a miracle, how a shivering, terrified dog becomes as brave as a lion once he finds a master to love and to guard. He protects the owner and his property with fanatical courage and assumes responsibility for anyone who belongs to the family.

Indian dogs are particularly good with children, protecting them and acting as wonderful playmates. They display common sense, unselfishness and a cheerful adaptable nature. Given their own wretched childhood, their jaunty good humour is a tribute to their unconquerable spirit and zest for life.

Robust Health
The Indian dog makes a far more rewarding companion, as much for his greater intelligence as for the far less healthcare he will require. Blessed with natural hybrid vigour, he is special in the cheerful stoicism with which he endures pain.

While my bull mastiff would regularly collapse moaning and groaning from the slightest infection, my Indian dogs have thrived healthy and happy minus any fuss or medical help.

Not surprisingly, Indian dogs live longer than breed dogs and so probably do their owners from less headache and heartache.

Indian dogs are very persistent. Unlike breed dogs, which have marriages arranged for them, the Indian dog marries for love, selecting his quarry on the open market and then fighting off all others that come to claim her.

I have an old roué, who in spite of being sterilised, will sally forth whenever he gets the scent, and return beaten, bloody and bruised, which curiously doesn’t seem to dampen his ardour at all.

They Make Great Pets
Intelligent people who do not need to prove anything are much happier with Indian Dogs — there is in fact a trend towards ending the ghastly snobbery associated with pedigrees. I was delighted to see that the Bombay SPCA organised a dog show for only Indian dogs — the winner was actor Om Puri’s pet.

Kishore Kumar’s wife Leena feeds 88 of them. Rohit Bal, Pritish Nandy, Anju Mahendru, Divya Seth and Mario Miranda — all successful, confident people who do not need to flaunt their pets as status symbols, have Indian dogs as pets. Keeping dogs keeps you healthier and happier.
It is said that when someone’s lonely, God sends him a dog.

Dogs ward off loneliness, give you an interest in life and keep you fit by taking you out for walks and eating up your biscuits. There are a million reasons to keep dogs. And one of them is probably on the street right outside your house. Take him in and like all good stories let this one too, end with a happy beginning.

If you are looking for a dog, you need go no further than your own street corner. But, remember: It is still important that your street urchin pet gets all the proper immunisations.