In a pioneering move, the Border Security Force (BSF) is undertaking the first-ever training of over 150 indigenous Rampur Hound and Mudhol Hound dogs for high-stakes commando operations. These specially trained canine units will be deployed across India’s eastern and western borders, as well as in areas affected by Left Wing Extremism (LWE).
This significant initiative began in 2018, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the BSF’s National Training Centre for Dogs. The program’s core objective is to champion the use of India’s own dog breeds within our national security forces.
During his visit, the Prime Minister underscored the importance of identifying and integrating indigenous dog breeds into operational roles. This emphasis led the BSF to launch a comprehensive program focused on the selection, development, and deployment of these native breeds.
The BSF has successfully incorporated two distinct Indian breeds: the Rampur Hound and the Mudhol Hound. These breeds are particularly noted for their impressive agility, stamina, adaptability, and resilience, making them exceptionally well-suited to India’s varied geographical and climatic conditions. Their inherent disease resistance, hardiness, and minimal maintenance requirements render them highly effective in challenging field environments. Both the Rampur Hound and the Mudhol Hound are celebrated for their rich historical background and proven working capabilities.
To ensure the widespread development and deployment of Indian breed dogs, the BSF is actively engaged in breeding programs and has expanded its training infrastructure to include subsidiary K9 training centers.
The capabilities of these Indian breeds were dramatically showcased at the All India Police Duty Meet 2024 in Lucknow. There, a Mudhol Hound named Riya achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first Indian-bred dog to clinch both the ‘Best in Tracker Trade’ and ‘Best Dog of the Meet’ titles, surpassing 116 foreign-bred competitors.
A senior official confirmed that approximately a dozen Indian breed dogs are currently undergoing intensive training for critical commando operations alongside their dedicated handlers, marking a new era in the BSF’s K9 capabilities.