The Definition of an Indian Mastiff

The Indian mastiff is a breed of dog found throughout the Middle East and Western Asia, particularly in Pakistan and India. Its official breed name is Bully Kutta, but it is also known as the Sindhi mastiff or Alangu mastiff in Pakistan and India, respectively. This dog's large size contributes to its use as a rural farm worker in these countries.

  1. Appearance

    • Indian mastiffs are red or tan with black muzzles. Their muzzle's skin is loose, allowing for the characteristic wrinkling of mastiff breeds. A fully-grown male's height is approximately 30 to 33 inches. Females are shorter at approximately 27 to 30 inches high. Males can weigh up to 200 pounds. Both sexes' tails come to a point at the end. The mastiff's body is well toned with visible muscle definition.

    History

    • The Indian mastiff originated around the Punjab area of India. The breed was originally used in hunting games, but the dogs quickly adapted to war marches because of their stature and aggressive nature. Historians believe the breed made its debut in the world sometime around 400 B.C.

    Temperament

    • Indian mastiffs are very aggressive; they have protective instincts and bite other dogs or humans if they feel threatened. If trained from an early age, an Indian mastiff can become safe around an owner and act as a guard dog.

    Dog Fighting

    • The Indian mastiff's aggressive nature has encouraged humans to use the breed as protection. However, Indian mastiffs are misused in dog-fighting circles all over India and Pakistan. During these events, two mastiffs' owners agitate them and encourage fights. The dogs will fight until one dog dies or the owner stops the round. Though illegal in India and Pakistan, dog fighting is prevalent in rural areas where breeders train their pups for this specific purpose.