Rajapalayam
Also called Polygar Hound, Indian Ghost Hound, Rajapalayam Hound
From South India. Named after the town of Rajapalayam in Virudhunagar district, Tamil Nadu.1
At a glance the quick version
Wikipedia gives males up to about 40 kg and an overall range of roughly 30-45 kg; sources are not consistent.
Coat and looks how to spot one
short single coat
A tall, lean sighthound with a fine, short, single coat. It moves with a light, springy trot and suits hot climates better than cold ones.1
Personality what they are like
A devoted, watchful dog that bonds closely with its people and takes guarding its home seriously. In the field it is persistent and steady rather than a short-burst sprinter.1
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Built for stamina, it enjoys long, steady outings and room to run in a safe, enclosed area.1
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
The short, fine coat needs very little care beyond an occasional brush.1
Home where they are happiest
Well suited to warm climates; its thin single coat gives little protection in cold weather.1
Company who they like around
Close bond with its owner and family; it can work alone, in pairs, in a pack or alongside its person.1
The story where it all began
The Rajapalayam was kept by the Nayak-era nobility of Tamil Nadu to hunt and to guard crops, livestock and estates. Numbers fell sharply in the 20th century, and a government breeding unit set up in Chennai in 1980-81, together with the Kennel Club of India's conservation project, helped bring it back.1
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
India Post featured the Rajapalayam on one of four dog-breed postage stamps issued in January 2005.1
- 2
The Indian Army has trained Rajapalayams as guard dogs, including for service in Kashmir.1
- 3
Its white coat and pale, pink-nosed look earned it the nickname 'Indian Ghost Hound'.1
- 4
Its gait is often compared with the trot of a thoroughbred horse.1
Recognised by the official bits
- Kennel Club of India
- Recognised by the Kennel Club of India, which runs a 'Save the Rajapalayam' project to support the breed.1
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Rajapalayam. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery week
- Bathevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery month
- Ear checkFloppy ears trap moisture, so check and dry themevery week
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery 2 days
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 7every year
You might also like
Chippiparai
Kanni
Mudhol HoundLike what we are building? Buy Archy a bone.
All of this is free for everyone, with a source on every fact, and it will never show ads. It was a big job to build, so if it helped you, buy Archy a bone. Any amount is lovely, and no is a perfectly fine answer too.
Archy is our Australian Cattle Dog and chief taste tester. Tips go to 4V3D OÜ, the small family studio behind Furry Diary.
Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at support@furrydiary.app and we will fix it.
- Rajapalayam dog - Wikipedia en.wikipedia.orgused for all fields
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.