# Kanni

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For other uses, see [Kanni (disambiguation)](/source/Kanni_(disambiguation)).

Dog breed

Kanni Other names Maiden's Beastmaster Origin India[1] Traits Height 64–74 centimetres (25–29 in) Weight 16–22 kilograms (35–49 lb) Coat short coat Kennel club standards Kennel Club of India standard Dog (domestic dog)

The **Kanni** (கன்னி), meaning pure (also known as the **Maiden's Beastmaster**), is a rare [indigenous](/source/Endemic_(ecology)) [South Indian](/source/South_Indian) [sighthound](/source/Sighthound) [breed](/source/Dog_breed) of [dog](/source/Dog) found in the state of [Tamil Nadu](/source/Tamil_Nadu).[2] Their native breeding tract is located around villages in the Tirunelveli, Virudhunagar and [Thoothukudi](/source/Thoothukudi) districts. The breed is used mainly for [coursing](/source/Coursing). "Kanni" refers to the black and tan and black and sable varieties, while the solid-coloured variety is known as the [Chippiparai](/source/Chippiparai). However, some experts claim that the Kanni and the Chippiparai are distinct breeds.[3]

## History

In the beginning, Kanni dogs existed only in several pockets of Southern [Tamilnadu](/source/Tamilnadu), especially in Southern districts such as the northernmost part of [Tirunelveli](/source/Tirunelveli), [Tuticorin](/source/Tuticorin), and the southern part of [Virudhunagar](/source/Virudhunagar).

## Name

The name Kanni means "pure" in [Tamil](/source/Tamil_language) and was given to this breed for its loyalty – purity of heart. The Kanni is also known as the Maiden's Beastmaster for how voraciously it defends its territory against wild animals, and because they are often gifted to newlywed brides as their guardians.[4] Although Kannis come in different colours, generally only the ones that were black and tan were given as marriage gifts. This practice led to the wrong naming of the black and tan coloured breeds as Kanni in dogs as well as goats.[5] Even though the native people call this breed Kanni, the [Kennel Club of India](/source/Kennel_Club_of_India) (KCI) registered it with two names. It registered the black and tan coloured dogs as Kanni and the solid-coloured variety as Chippiparai, respectively.

## Characteristics

Kannis are medium-sized dogs, with straight top lines and tucked-up abdomens. Height at the withers is 64–74 centimetres (25–29 in) and weight ranges from 16–22 kilograms (35–49 lb).[6] They have straight heads, strong jaws, golden eyes and black noses. The ears are medium-sized and flat, and can be erect, dropping or semi dropping. The tail is semi curved.[7] Kannis have a lifespan of 14 to 16 years.[6]

## Colour types

Paal Kanni

Kannis have short coats, which can be brown with black, [fawn](/source/Fawn_(colour)) (Santhana Pillai), light red (Sevalai) to dark red (Karum Sevalai), cream, white (Mayila Pillai), red with white, or pale grey (Sambal).[8]

Other colours include black with fawn markings (Paal Kanni), black with dark tan markings (Seng Kanni), black with fawn face and legs (Karung Kanni), fawn head and legs with rest of body being black (Parukki), and brown and white (Semmarai).

## Temperament

The Kanni is usually shy, but will always defend its home or master if the need arises. The Kanni dogs are extremely faithful and easy to train, but they will think independently when on a hunt. They are very loyal to their family.[6]

## Hunting

Kannis are specially bred and used for hunting [Indian hares](/source/Indian_hare). Like other hounds, Kannis use their speed and endurance to hunt their prey. They use their excellent sense of smell and sight to track and hunt their prey. Kannis are trained to obey subtle hand signals of their masters while on the hunt. Kanni dogs have been known to hit speeds up to 60 km/h.[9] The key to the Kanni's ability as a coursing dog can be found in its light but muscular build, large heart, [double suspension gallop](/source/Double_suspension_gallop), and extreme flexibility of its spine, similar to that of [Cheetah](/source/Cheetah).[2]

## Habitat and food habits

Kannis live in a temperate climate zone. They need free space and their own territory, and are not suited to city life. Kannis eat [millet](/source/Millet), corn, [jowar](/source/Jowar), rice porridge with milk or curd, and non-vegetable foods.[10]

## See also

- [Dogs portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Dogs)

- [List of dog breeds](/source/List_of_dog_breeds)

- [List of dog breeds from India](/source/List_of_dog_breeds_from_India)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Gardening Tips, Interior Decoration, Real Estate News, Garden Ideas"](https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/homes-and-gardens/native-dog-breeds-take-centre-stage-at-the-upcoming-all-breed-show-that-also-hopes-to-initiate-dialogue-on-the-need-to-protect-the-breeds-from-extinction/article26150958.). *[The Hindu](/source/The_Hindu)*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-th_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-th_2-1) ["Canine watch"](https://web.archive.org/web/20090408091825/http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mag/2005/01/09/stories/2005010900860800.htm). *[The Hindu](/source/The_Hindu)*. 9 January 2005. Archived from [the original](http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mag/2005/01/09/stories/2005010900860800.htm) on 8 April 2009.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Kanni dog"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191117184139/https://barks.in/kanni-dog/). *Barks.in*. 11 November 2019. Archived from [the original](https://barks.in/kanni-dog/) on 17 November 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** ["Kanni"](http://www.dogsindia.com/kanni.htm). *dogsindia*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["கன்னி நாய் பெயர் காரணம்"](http://kannidogs.blogspot.in/2017/03/blog-post_26.html). *kannidogs*. 8 March 2017.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-pg_6-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-pg_6-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-pg_6-2) ["Kanni"](https://www.petguide.com/breeds/dog/kanni/). *PetGuide*. 24 June 2018. Retrieved 18 November 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-7)** ["கன்னி நாய்களின் சராசரி உயரம் என்ன?"](http://kannidogs.blogspot.in/2017/04/blog-post.html). 7 April 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Kanni Dog - Breed Information"](http://kannidogs.blogspot.in/2014/07/kannidog-history-kanni-is-royal-breed.html). *kannidogs*. 6 July 2014.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-9)** ["Kanni Dog"](https://web.archive.org/web/20191117184139/https://barks.in/kanni-dog/). *barks.in*. 11 November 2019. Archived from [the original](https://barks.in/kanni-dog/) on 17 November 2019. Retrieved 17 November 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** ["Man's best friends flaunt their stuff at dog show"](http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/madurai/mans-best-friends-flaunt-their-stuff-at-dog-show/articleshow/56861330.cms). *timesofindia*. 31 January 2017.

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Kanni](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Kanni).

v t e Dogs originating in India and Sri Lanka India Bakharwal dog Banjara Hound Bully Kutta Chippiparai Gull Dong Gull Terrier Haofa Tangkhul Hui Himalayan Sheepdog Indian Spitz Jonangi Kaikadi Kanni Kombai Mahratta Hound Mudhol Hound Indian pariah dog Rajapalayam Ramanadhapuram Mandai Rampur Greyhound Vikhan Sri Lanka Sinhala Hound

v t e Hounds Scenthounds Alpine Dachsbracke American Foxhound Anglo-Français de Petite Vénerie Ariégeois Artois Hound Austrian Black and Tan Hound Basset Artésien Normand Basset Bleu de Gascogne Basset Fauve de Bretagne Basset Hound Bavarian Mountain Hound Beagle Beagle-Harrier Billy Black and Tan Coonhound Bloodhound Bluetick Coonhound Bosnian Broken-haired Hound Briquet de Provence Briquet Griffon Vendéen Bruno Jura Hound Chien Français Blanc et Noir Chien Français Blanc et Orange Chien Français Tricolore Colombian Fino Hound Dachshund Drever Dunker English Coonhound English Foxhound Erbi Txakur Estonian Hound Finnish Hound Gascon Saintongeois German Hound Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Noir Grand Anglo-Français Blanc et Orange Grand Anglo-Français Tricolore Grand Basset Griffon Vendéen Grand Bleu de Gascogne Grand Griffon Vendéen Greek Harehound Griffon Bleu de Gascogne Griffon Fauve de Bretagne Griffon Nivernais Halden Hound Hamiltonstövare Hanover Hound Harrier Hygen Hound Istrian Coarse-haired Hound Istrian Shorthaired Hound Kerry Beagle Liangshan Dog Lithuanian Hound Montenegrin Mountain Hound Otterhound Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Petit Bleu de Gascogne Plott Hound Poitevin Polish Hound Polish Hunting Dog Porcelaine Posavac Hound Rastreador Brasileiro Redbone Coonhound Sarail Hound Sabueso Español Schillerstövare Schweizer Laufhund Schweizerischer Niederlaufhund Segugio dell'Appennino Segugio Italiano a Pelo Forte Segugio Italiano a Pelo Raso Segugio Maremmano Serbian Hound Serbian Tricolour Hound Slovenský Kopov Smålandsstövare Styrian Coarse-Haired Hound Tarsus çatalburun Tatranský durič Transylvanian Hound Treeing Walker Coonhound Trigg Hound Tyrolean Hound Valdueza Welsh Foxhound West Country Harrier Westphalian Dachsbracke Sighthounds Afghan Hound American Staghound Azawakh Bakhmull Banjara Hound Borzoi Chippiparai Chortai Galgo Español Greyhound Hortaya borzaya Irish Wolfhound Italian Greyhound Kaikadi Kangaroo dog Kanni Kombai Levriero Sardo Longdog Magyar agár Mahratta Hound Mudhol Hound Polish Greyhound Rajapalayam Rampur Greyhound Saluki Scottish Deerhound Silken Windhound Sloughi Taigan Whippet Xigou Cur-type hunting breeds Black Mouth Cur Blue Lacy Catahoula Leopard Dog Florida Brown Dog Feist Lurcher Mountain Cur Mountain Feist Stephens Stock Treeing Cur Treeing Tennessee Brindle Miscellaneous American Leopard Hound Basenji Haofa Tangkhul Hui Pampas Deerhound Phu Quoc Ridgeback Rhodesian Ridgeback Thai Ridgeback Xiasi Dog Extinct Buckhound Celtic Hound Chien-gris Dumfriesshire Black and Tan Foxhound Grand Fauve de Bretagne King's White Hound Laconian Limer Norman Hound North Country Beagle Old Croatian Sighthound Potsdam Greyhound Rache Sleuth hound Southern Hound Staghound Talbot Hound Types: Anglo-French hounds, bassets, coonhounds, feists, lurchers

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Kanni](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanni) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kanni?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.