Sri Lankan Hound

		Sri Lankan Hound
		He is not recognized by the F.C.I.


Origin			Sri Lankan
Translation			Francis Vandersteen
En français, cette race se dit			Chien courant du Sri Lanka
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar			Sri-Lanka-Hund
En español, esta raza se dice			Sabueso de Sri Lanka
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd			Sri Lankaanse Brak
This breed is also known as			Sinhala Hound

The Sri Lankan Hound is considered an ancient and primitive breed of dog, originating in Sri Lanka and parts of India. It is not a breed recognized by most major kennel clubs, but rather a "pariah" type dog, adapted to its environment and having evolved through natural selection. The Sri Lankan Hound is an indigenous dog found throughout the country, often living in a semi-feral state and scavenging for carrion.

According to local legend, when Prince Vijaya first set foot in Sri Lanka in the 6th century BC, he was greeted by the barking of dogs. The Mahāvaṃsa mentions domestic dogs belonging to the Yakshas, the island's inhabitants during the Stone Age. The average lifespan of the Sri Lankan Hound is 10 to 13 years.

The Sri Lankan Hound comes in a variety of colors, though brown or dark brown brindle are the most common. Physically, it bears a strong resemblance to the African Basenji, the New Guinea Singing Dog, the Carolina Dog, and the Australian Dingo. They are highly intelligent, quick learners, which makes training them much easier. They are eager to please their owners—a trait developed from living on the streets, where they had to charm humans to secure food. Training them is a real pleasure.

Sinhala Hounds form very strong bonds with their humans. Loyal and affectionate, they adapt easily to your lifestyle. They are absolutely wonderful pets (we speak from experience). Playful, they love playing fetch, receiving belly rubs, and spending time with you. Sri Lankan Hounds are also independent and can be left alone at home for extended periods. Of course, this requires time and training.

Sinhala Hounds are hardy and adapt quickly to harsh conditions; a crucial quality for their survival in the chaotic streets of Sri Lanka. They adapt to various climates, although a winter coat would be beneficial for single-coated dogs, and to different types of terrain. Sinhala Hounds are less sensitive than other breeds. They are not easily affected by their owner's emotions and tolerate mild punishment well. They adapt easily to a changing daily routine, a busy home, young children, ambient noise (especially in an office), and frequent visitors.