The Pandikona is a primitive-type hunting dog

Hunting dog

A hunting dog refers to any dog who assists humans in hunting. There are several types of hunting dogs developed for various tasks. The major categories of hunting dogs include hounds, terriers, dachshunds, cur type dogs, and gun dogs...

 from Pattikonda

Pattikonda

Pattikonda is a mandal in Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh, India.There is a SaiBaba temple present in this place which is a good tourist place in the surrounding areas.The present MLA of this mandal is K.E.Prabhakar-Temples:...

 taluk-Kurnool district

Kurnool district

Kurnool District is a district in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, located in the west-central part of the state on the southern banks of the Tungabhadra and Handri rivers. The town of Kurnool is currently the headquarters of the district...

 of Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh , is one of the 28 states of India, situated on the southeastern coast of India. It is India's fourth largest state by area and fifth largest by population. Its capital and largest city by population is Hyderabad.The total GDP of Andhra Pradesh is $100 billion and is ranked third...

 state, India

India

India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

. "Pandikona" is a medium size sight hound which is adapted to harsh climatic conditions of Kurnool district. This is breed is associated with shepherd famailies of that region. "PandiKona" dog need very little care.

Size

The Pandikona shows quite a few variations in their sizes as the local breeders never chain their dogs and are not given to selective breeding

Selective breeding

Selective breeding is the process of breeding plants and animals for particular genetic traits. Typically, strains that are selectively bred are domesticated, and the breeding is sometimes done by a professional breeder. Bred animals are known as breeds, while bred plants are known as varieties,...

. The dogs are always left untied and can range from 20-26 inches (males) and 19-24 inches (females).

Coat Colours

The breed is essentially short-haired with colours varying from solid fawn, shades of cream, white to black with white patches. All colours are seen with brindle being the rarest.

Temperament

The Pandikona has an exceptional instinct for guarding and hunting. They are fearless and show a surprising instinct even as puppies of being territorial. They are very faithful and good with children though not overly playful. They are used for hunting wild boar, hare

Hare

Hares and jackrabbits are leporids belonging to the genus Lepus. Hares less than one year old are called leverets. Four species commonly known as types of hare are classified outside of Lepus: the hispid hare , and three species known as red rock hares .Hares are very fast-moving...

 and even rabbit

Rabbit

Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world...

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They are also known to kill snake

Snake

Snakes are elongate, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes that can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids and external ears. Like all squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales...

s and rodent

Rodent

Rodentia is an order of mammals also known as rodents, characterised by two continuously growing incisors in the upper and lower jaws which must be kept short by gnawing....

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Breeding

Bitches are known to come into heat twice a year and litter sizes range from generally 4-7 puppies.
In the native village breeding is completely natural with more than one male mating with a bitch.

Future Prospects

The Pandikona is an ideal guardian and hunting companion requiring little or no veterinary care as they are hardy, robust dogs which are not plagued by genetic defects brought on by selective and irresponsible breeding by humans. The only way to acquire a puppy though is to travel to the Pandikona village whose people only give puppies away to outsiders who they believe really will take good care of the dogs. Further awareness and efforts are required to popularise this ancient sighthound breed of India.