India is home to some of the world’s most unusual dog breeds. The country has relied on dogs for hunting, guarding, and companionship for centuries.
As a result of this, India is the home of many distinctive dog breeds. Unfortunately, many of these breeds are extinct or facing the threat of extinction.
The Kombai dog has a rich ancestral history and still exists today. This one of a kind pup is known all across the world, although maybe not as well as your black lab or English bulldog.
While the Kombai is still a rarity, people in the Western world do still own them as pets.
Whether you’re a loving owner of a loyal Kombai or interested in owning one in the future, this article has all you need to know about this rare breed.
In this article, you will learn the history of the Kombai, the physical appearance, and the personality traits most modern Kombai dogs attain. After reading this article, you’ll know all there is to know about the Kombai, and you’ll have a better understanding of whether this is a breed that will suit your needs.
What Is A Kombai Dog Breed?
The Kombai dog breed gets its name from the district of Kombi in Tamil Nadu, South India. This distinctive dog breed is less common in the global north but does still exist. The Kombai’s rarity is a blessing and a curse. Although there is less readily-available information on the breed, if you own a Kombai, you’re the proud owner of a dog like no other. You’re unlikely to see two Kombai’s during one trip to the dog park; your Kombai is truly one of a kind!
Traditionally, the Kombai breed was a guard and hunting dog. In Tamil, where the unique pup originated from, Kombai’s were used to hunt boars and guard other animals.
The Kombai is a sighthound. This means they hunt using sight and speed rather than scent and endurance.
Today, the Kombai is still used as a guard and hunting dog, but they also make loving and affectionate pets. The Kombai is a popular pet for young families and those who want added security on their property.
Kombai Dog Breed Quick Facts
Average Height:
Male: 15″ – 20″
Female: 15″ – 20″
Average Weight:
Male: Male 55 – 66 lbs;
Female: 44 – 55 lbs
Average lifespan: 12-15 years
Origin: Southern India (Tamil)
Alternative Names:
- Combai
- Indian Boardog
- Indian Boar Hound
- Kombai
- Combai Boarhound
- Combai Boar Hound
- Mandai war dog
- Pulicharal Kombai
- Porru Kombai
Kombai Dog Breed Characteristics
- Athletic
- Powerful
- Intelligent
- Affectionate
- Loyal
- Good With Children and Families
- Alert
- Energetic
- Protective
- Aggressive
- Courageous
The Kombai dog is overall a kind and loyal breed. They have a good temperament when around children and families, although they can sometimes be aggressive towards strangers. To make sure your Kombai isn’t in danger of letting their inherent protectiveness dominate, socialize them from a young age. Introduce your Kombai to a wide variety of people of all ages when they’re still a pup. This will inspire a more sociable attitude in your Kombai.
Where Is The Kombai Dog Breed From?
Bred as a means to hunt boar and guard cattle, tigers, and leopards, the Kombai is a breed with a rich ancestry. As mentioned previously, the Kombai dog breed gets its name from the town of Kombai, the area in Southern India they originate from.
Kombai is in a district called Ramnad. The Ramnad district is one of the thirty-eight districts in the Tamil Nadu state in Southern India. Today, the Kombai breed is known across the globe. However, it is still most popular in India’s southern region, both as a pet and as a hunting dog.
The exact origin of the Kombai Dog remains largely unknown. We don’t know the year these dogs first appeared in Southern India. Some believe that the breed dates back to the fifteenth century, whilst others think the dog originates from the nineteenth century. It’s widely believed that the Kombai is the oldest dog still in existence.
Kombai Dog Breed Physical Appearance
The Kombai is a breathtaking breed of dog.
Their muscular bodies are covered in short reddish-brown fur, with a black muzzle and feet.
Kombai are known for their athletic stature which makes them appear powerful and authoritative. If you were to picture the perfect guard dog, the Kombai would be it. They have long muzzles with short folded ears and a long tail that curls at the end.
While the reddish-brown Kombai is the most common, you can get Kombai’s in piebald and brindle. Piebald’s have different colored spotted or blotched fur. Brindle is a mixture of brownish-gold colors. Brindle fur is common in other dogs such as the Irish Wolfhound, French Bulldog, American Staffordshire Terrier and many more. Kombai’s in these colors are extremely rare but do still exist.
Another variant of the Kombai, the Mandai war dog, is on record, but there is speculation as to whether this variant still exists today. The Mandai is primarily grey.
The Kombai’s short coat doesn’t require extensive grooming. To best care for your Kombai’s beautiful coat, comb them regularly with a firm bristle brush. Kombai’s don’t shed much and very rarely need shampooing. As is the case with most short-haired dogs, shampooing your pup too often can damage their coat and dry out their skin. Keep shampooing to a minimum, and make sure to use a high-quality dog shampoo that won’t strip their coat of its natural oils.
Kombai Dog Breed Exercise And Training
Kombai’s are athletic muscular dogs, and therefore require lots of exercise. If you own, or you’re thinking of getting a Kombai, you need to be prepared to walk your pup for several hours a day. Kombai’s need long walks or regular hikes to keep them active. You mustn’t have a Kombai if you live in a small house or apartment. They need a larger living area with adequate outdoor space. It’s crucial you let your Kombai run off their energy. If they don’t, you risk your dog becoming aggravated and aggressive.
Like most loyal dogs, Kombai’s are ideal for training. Their intelligence and loyalty make them obedient learners. They’re good at engaging with complex training toys and can become extremely obedient to their masters. The best way to train your Kombai is to start from a young age. Establish the power dynamic between you and your Kombai as early as possible. By training your Kombai from a pup, they’ll respect and stay loyal to you.
Kombai’s can be brilliant family pets, but they need to be socialized from an early age. If possible, introduce your Kombai to young children. Doing this will make your Kombai an affectionate and caring pet, ideal for a family with young children.
Some people desire a Kombai for their initial purpose: as a guard dog. When first bred, the Kombai was bred to be a fighter, warding off any strangers and potential threats. Their alert and energetic nature make the Kombai breed ideal dogs for warding off unwanted visitors.
If you’re hoping your Kombai will guard your home and protect your family, you must establish this role early on. Make sure your dog knows the distinction between you (their family) and any unwanted guests. Failure to do this may result in the Kombai becoming confused, lashing out at you, or failing in their role as a guard dog.
Kombai Dog Breed Health
Today, Kombai’s are a rarity. Over the years, there’s been increasing concern surrounding the possible extinction of the breed. As a result, there’s a significant lack of knowledge surrounding their health.
Information on the general health of the Kombai dog breed remains largely unknown. Although there haven’t been any identified health-concerns prominent in the breed, it’s still important you play an active role in keeping your dog healthy.
It’s good to be aware of health conditions that are common in similar breeds and similar sized dogs. These might include:
- Hip Dysplasia
- Dermatitis
- Parvo viral diarrhea
- Obesity
- Anesthesia
Due to their muscular bodies, protein is a crucial component of Kombai’s diet. Feed your Kombai high-protein dog foods, but make sure you’re not overfeeding your Kombai as this could lead to problems with obesity.
To make sure you’re keeping your Kombi as healthy as possible, feed them a nutritious diet and make sure they’re getting regular exercise. If you do have any concerns about your Kombai, it’s best to take them to a vet straight away. The lack of accessible information surrounding the Kombai means you want an expert’s knowledge if you are at all concerned about your pet.
Dog Breeds Similar To The Kombai Breed
The rarity of the Kombai breed means it’s very uncommon to find a mixed breed. There isn’t any record of a prominent cross-breed that involves the Kombai. Rather than exploring potential cross-breeds, as we’ve done in previous posts, we’re going to look at breeds that are similar to the Kombai.
Chippiparai
The Chippiparai dog is another Indian sighthound. This breed of dog is famous for being India’s fastest dog. Just like the Kombai, the Chippiparai is from the Indian states of Tamil Nadu. Being one of the fastest dogs in the world makes the Chippiparai dog an excellent hunter. Similar to the Kombai, there is a lack of knowledge on this native dog. This impressive breed has an athletic stature similar to the English Greyhound, but their bodies are significantly more muscular.
Kanni
The Kanni dog is another breed that originates from Tamil Nadu. This breed is endangered but does still exist in the southern regions of India. Just like the Chippiparai and the Kombai, the Kanni has a long, lean and muscular frame for hunting. The Kanni is another sighthound bred for hunting game. While not as strong as the Chippiparai, the Kanni can run at astonishing speeds over far distances.
Rajapalayam
The Rajapalayam is India’s ideal hunting dog. This large and muscular breed can hunt by sight as well as scent. They’re known to be relentless hunters, not intimidated by anything. The Rajapalayamm is noticeably larger and heavier than the Kombai, Chippiparai and Kanni.
Rajapalyam’s stand out against their comparable breeds due to their milky-white coat. Today, The Kennel Club of India runs a ‘Save the Rajapalayam Project’, which has stopped the Rajapalayam from going extinct and continues to protect this magnificent breed.
Summary On The Kombai Dog Breed
The Kombai dog is a one of a kind animal. With a rich history and a multi-faceted personality, you will never find a dog quite like the Kombai. While owning a Kombai as a pet is extremely rare, people do have them. Kombai’s can make loyal and loving family pets when trained right. Luckily, the Kombai is very obedient and a fast learner. You’re unlikely to have any issues when training a Kombai.
The Kombai can have a kind and affectionate temperament when trained right, but there are risks to owning a Kombai as a pet too. Traditionally, Kombais are fighting and guard dogs. Even if you’re not training your Kombai for these purposes, these characteristics can still manifest and appear in your Kombai. To avoid owning an aggressive Kombai, you need to dedicate time to training and exercising your dog. There is no point owning a Kombai if you’re not willing to put the work in.
You’re unlikely to find another Kombai on your walk to the local dog park and even less likely to find a mix-breed Kombai. The rarity of the Kombai is what makes them so special. It also means you have to provide your Kombai with the utmost care and attention. If we don’t want this beautiful breed to die out, we need to make sure we’re caring for the Kombai in the right way.
This article has outlined all the ways you need to be caring for your Kombai. Hopefully, it has introduced you to a unique breed you might not have known before and shown you whether the Kombai breed is the perfect pet for you.
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Forrest is a lover of dogs, the wild outdoors, deep mysterious conversations… and coffee. He is the owner of several websites, including Canine Weekly. He resides in Austin, Texas.