NEW DELHI: The army is training native dogs of Ladakh for a various military operations, as the situation remains tense in India-China border.

The native breeds in Ladakh including Bakharwal breed of dogs colloquially called the Gaddi Kutta, the Tibetan Mastiff, mostly found in border areas, and even local feral dogs. The Bakharwal is descended from the Tibetan Mastiff.

Native dogs of Ladakh will be trained and used on a required basis for various functions.

The local Bakharwal dogs can act as good guard dogs in military roles to alert sentries and others in case of any intrusion.

They would also be employed as sled dogs at the icy heights of Ladakh for casualty evacuation and a few dogs are being trained for the purpose. The local feral dogs could be used for mine detection by training as they have very good sniffing powers

“I have been told that Indian breed dogs are very good and competent. Among the Indian breeds, Mudhol hound and Himachali hound is high pedigree dogs. Rajapalayam, Kanni, Chippiparai, and Combai are also, superior Indian breeds,” Narendra Modi told in his bi-monthly radio programme Mann Ki Baat.

He stressed specifically on Sophie, a Cocker Spaniel, and Vida, a Labrador, who was involved in counter-infiltration and counter-terrorism operations and were awarded the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) commendations during Independence Day celebrations this year.