Information about the Sinhala Hound

The Breed name

The Sri Lankan street dog, also called the "Sinhala Hound", "Sri Lankan Leopard Hound" or "Sri Lankan Rice Hound".

Origins

The origins of the Sinhala Hound has been traced to parts of India, linking them to the Indian Native dog. 

History 

This noble breed has a long and storied history and are believed to be one of the oldest dog breeds in the world. 

Archeologists have found evidence to suggest that mesolithic hunter-gatherer communities, who colonized Sri Lanka in 4500BC, may have kept domesticated dogs to assist them with hunting. Fossilized skeletal remains of dogs have been found while excavating pre-historic caves where mesolithic men and women resided. 

There are also mentions of these dogs in literature dating back 2500 years. Apparently, these dogs were also used as hunting dogs by the indigenous Veddah population of Sri Lanka and as highly prized companions by the Kings and Queens of Sri Lanka. There are also stories that Sinhala Hounds were treated as prized possessions and traded as 'dowry' before marriages could take place. 

Currently, this breed is rare (only found in Sri Lanka) and endangered by habitat loss, human cruelty, and a lack of protection and conservation efforts.

Appearance

They are mostly medium sized dogs; the females are smaller than the males. They are athletic, swift and agile with good natural instincts; this has made them good hunters over the decades. If want a dog that can excel in your local sniffing course or hunting class, a Sinhala Hound puppy could be the one for you! 

Sinhala Hounds are mostly shades of brown, but you can find some white, black and multi-colored dogs too (this is mostly due to mixing with other breeds).  The Sinhala Hound is similar to the Kadar dog, the New Guinea singing dog, the African Basenji and the Australian Dingo. 

They need regular exercise, especially if you adopt younger dogs. Regular exercise means; 2-3 walks a day, which adds up to a total of 1-2 hours of exercise. But we have also seen dogs who are happy to lounge on the couch with their humans and enjoy less exercise time. So, do let us know your lifestyle and we will see if we have a dog that fits you!

Behavioral characteristics

They are very intelligent and are quick learners, which can make training a breeze. They are eager to please their owners (which also comes from having to butter up humans for food while living on the street). This makes them a joy to train.

Sinhala Hounds form very strong bonds with their humans. They are loyal, loving and they will adapt to your lifestyle. They make absolutely wonderful pets (we say this from a lot of experience). They are playful and would love a game of catch, some tummy rubs or any form of quality time. 

Sri Lankan street dogs are also independent dogs and are able to stay home alone for longer periods. This, of course, needs to be built up with time and training.

Sinhala Hounds are resilient and they can adapt quickly to hard conditions; this has been a key for their survival in the crazy chaotic Lankan streets. They can adapt to different weather conditions (although a winter jacket would be nice for the dogs with one layer of fur) and terrains (we've seen dogs run up and down rocky mountains as if it were a jog in the park). 

Health-related characteristics

They live for about 10-17 years.

Their adaptability extends to their health; they have strong immune systems and they usually remain healthy until old age takes them.
Living in the streets could have exposed them to some skin or blood conditions. Sri Lanka is also a high alert country for rabies. The dogs on these pages have been fully vaccinated, wormed, sterilized, microchipped and treated for any conditions they may have had.