King Charles Spaniel vs Chippiparai - Breed Comparison

The Chippiparai is a working dog found in India and until recently there has been little interest in the purity of any breed, but rather only an emphasis on the abilities of the dog. They are only beginning to research the origin and history of their native dogs such as the Chippiparai. Not much is known about the origin of the breed except that it is found almost exclusively in Tamil Nadu and Keraia in the southern part of the subcontinent of India. Other than this there is much speculation about the breed’s origin but very little-known facts. It is indeed an ancient breed; however, its origin could be thousands of years ago or simply hundreds of years ago.

The speculation on the beginnings of the Chippiparai include:

• Perhaps it is a descendant of the Saluki as it resembles this breed quite a bit. It has been believed for some time that the Saluki is the original sighthound and the source of all sighthound breeds. The Saluki was very popular in the Middle East, especially in Persia and Arabia from which it could easily have spread to India. It would then have been shared from Northern India to Southern India where the Chippiparai is found.

• Perhaps the Chippiparai is a descendent of sighthounds from Central Asia and Afghanistan – the Tazi, Taigan, Hortaya Borsaya or the Afghan Hound. This part of Central Asia had more trade, influence and contact with the Indian subcontinent early in their history than with any other region. The Chippiparai is considered by some to be more like these sighthounds than like the Saluki and the interaction between these regions has a much longer history than the Middle East and India.

• It is also speculated that the Chippiparai might have been developed completely and uniquely from the local street and working dogs. With the civilization of India being one of the oldest in the world, it is considered a possibility that the Chippiparai is the descendent of the Harappan hunting dogs that probably were developed by the Indus Valley or Harappa roiling class.

Wherever the Chippiparai came from, they were the exclusive property of the wealthy and ruling castes. These upper castes were the only ones that could legally hunt with dogs or afford to feed one. The royal classes of Tiruneivell, Thanjavur, and Madurai all fed the popularity of the breed among the upper castes. They were coursing dogs used to chase down the prey once it was sighted. The Chippiparai are incredibly fast runners and would catch almost any prey and either hold it or kill it for their hunter. The Chippiparai, when not hunting, had to be chained so they would not chase any small animal that they saw. This confinement also added to the purity of the breed as random breeding was prevented.

The southern part of the Indian subcontinent is extremely hot with routine temperatures over 100’. The Chippiparai was developed to withstand these extreme temperatures and is more heat tolerant than most any other breed. They also need very little food and are resistant to the many parasites and diseases found in southern India.

Harboring the belief that Indian dogs were not as good as European ones, the occupying countries of Portugal, France, and Britain, had no interest in the Chippiparai, again leaving the breed to develop naturally on their own with little or no interbreeding. They also received no formal recognition because Indian culture only valued the dog for its working abilities. There was no Indian Kennel Club until 1956.

The Chippiparai is now very rarely and only found in the area of its birth. Many believe the breed is in danger of becoming extinct and even though it is now registered with Indian Kennel Clubs it is not often shown in their dog shows. Lovers of the breed are now attempting to get Indians to recognize that the Chippiparai is a great companion animal and attempting to save the breed.

Classified as a toy breed, the King Charles Spaniel is a small, pure breed dog that originated in the United Kingdom. The dog was named after King Charles II of Britain.

The dog actually has quite a long, illustrious history. People mistake them for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, but they are 2 different breeds, just sharing the same coat colors.The King Charles Spaniel was crossbred with the Pug early in the 19th century to shorten the length of the dog's nose.

With a face similar to that of the Pug, it is thought that these toy spaniels may have originated in the Far East.The earliest recorded pictures of toy spaniels in England were in paintings of Queen Mary 1 and King Philip.

The Chippiparai is a typical sighthound although their size and appearance will vary more than that of registered purebred sighthounds. Typically, they will have a long, domed head with small erect ears and dark eyes. Their muzzle will be as deep and wide as the skull but longer. Their legs are straight and long, their chest is roached back and deep, giving them, an appearance very similar to a greyhound or other sighthound.

They have a long curly tail, and their coat can vary greatly in color. They are medium sized, and their coat is short, shiny and close. He is very slender and sleek, which along with his long legs gives him that incredible speed. They are thin with visible ribs.

The King Charles Spaniel is a medium sized dog that stands at roughly 23 – 28cm and weighs anything from 3 to 8kg. He is smaller than the Cavalier King Charles.

He has a long coat which can be white, black and tan or a reddish-brown color. He has a domed head with a short, turned up nose and 'squashed' face similar to the pug. The eyes are large and dark and also protruding. The ears are set low and are long and floppy and the tail, once docked, is now left long and feathery.

Temperament:

Friendly, while being somewhat reserved, the King Charles Spaniel is looked upon as a lap dog as he loves to spend time indoors with his human family.

He isn't particularly energetic, but will still need some exercise like ball games and going on a walk. With training and socialization he becomes quiet and obedient and is known as a popular therapy dog. They are kind and loving with kids and pets in the home.

The Chippiparai is a loving, gentle family dog if well socialized, well trained and well exercised. They are very intelligent and need human companionship. Once they are living with a human family, they are very protective of that family. They are for the most part peaceful and quiet dogs. They are loyal and loving but they are not overly affectionate. Cuddlers they are not, and they do not like to play rough with children.

Accepting and loving within the family, the Chippiparai are equally hesitant and shy around strangers. They can be suspicious, but they are not aggressive. They are just very aloof with strangers, yet they hardly ever bark.

Your King Charles Spaniel is such a joy to have in the home and because he is intelligent he will easily learn some simple commands too.

He wants to please you and be with you wherever you go. He is a social dog and thrives on your attention, and if you open your home and your heart to this sweet dog, you’re going to have a devoted, loving, loyal friend beside you every day.

There are no clinical studies regarding the health and health history of the Chippiparai, so little is known about their long-term health. However, most who know the breed, believe it is an incredibly healthy one. They seem to have a lot less genetically transmitted health issues than other purebreds. Because of their isolation for centuries in India, they have developed immunities and resistance to most parasites and diseases other dog suffer from.

Because of this you should look for the types of issues that occur in dogs of this size and build. Have them tested by the Canine Eye Registration Foundation and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.

Eye Problems:

The eye problems that you might need to know about with a King Charles Spaniel are entropian, cataracts and corneal dystrophy.

Heart Conditions:

Heart conditions could include mitral valve disease where the blood flows backwards through the chambers of the heart, leading to congestive heart failure.

Breathing Problems:

The King Charles Spaniel is a brachycephalic breed and these dogs can have upper airway problems. Breathing difficulties can also occur because of an abnormally small windpipe which is a characteristic common to brachycephalic breeds. You may notice rapid breathing with your dog , snoring, frequent panting, coughing and difficulty with swallowing.

Vet Checks:

As a dog owner, you have a responsibility to your pet. He will need to visit the veterinarian for all his puppy vaccinations as well as other vaccinations as an adult dog. He will also need to be de-wormed.

If you don’t want him or her becoming a parent, make sure your pet is neutered or spayed. If your pet is showing signs of an illness that he doesn’t get over quickly, get him immediately to the vet.

Feeding

Do not overfeed your Chippiparai. Feed twice a day and no more than a total of 2.5 cups of high quality dry food.

Health issues

As mentioned previously the Chippiparai seems to have no genetic diseases or issues and very few acquired ones. However, he is sensitive to anesthesia and some foods. He is intolerant to cold weather and has a hard time with his pads on hard surfaces. Some Chippiparai might experience some of the ailments other breeds like them experience.

Dysplasia

Both Elbow and hip are possible. This can cause arthritis and lameness. This occurs when the bone does not fit well into the joint.

Luxating Patella

This can cause lameness as well. The kneecaps slide over the knee instead of staying in place.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy/PRA

Problems with the retina can lead to blindness.

Exercise and games

This is a hunting dog and he will want to hunt. They are incredibly fast and need the opportunity to run. Brisk walks will not be enough for this dog. He is very energetic. They will chase any small animals. It is not recommended that you have small pets even small dogs or cats with a Chippiparai. Having been bred for centuries to hunt, they are not likely to respond to any commands if they are off lease and chasing prey. Do not allow them to be off leash unless in a fenced area, and that fence needs to be 8 feet tall as they can easily jump a seven-foot fence. Try they at coursing, agility, fly ball and frisbee competitions.

Your King Charles Spaniel has a long, silky coat that will require brushing twice a week to control shedding and keep his coat free of matting.

His nails will also require regular trimming to ensure they don’t hook on anything. His long ears are also prone to ear infection, so be sure to check them inside and out for ticks and fleas and to also remove excess wax and dirt.

Teeth should also be regularly brushed with canine toothbrush and toothpaste.

Be sure to keep your King Charles Spaniel content and healthy by ensuring he goes on a long walk and that you play with him to build a strong bond between you and to ensure he doesn’t become bored.

Excellent, quality food is important for your spaniel. The best dog food manufacturers have age- and breed-specific formulas and there is the perfect one for your King Charles Spaniel. Homemade food is also excellent for this dog and you can add some cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables into his kibble as a nutritious treat.

Make sure your spaniel has a warm, dry, peaceful place to sleep and wash the bedding regularly to keep him healthy and happy.

Ensure he always has a cool, fresh bowl of drinking water nearby.