The Mudhol Hound--a rangy, thin breed similar to a Greyhound--has a history as a working sight-hound. This somewhat rare breed has fairly high exercise requirements, but doesn't require a lot of maintenance otherwise. Below you'll find plenty of details on Mudhol Hound care: puppy development, exercise needs, diet and nutrition, and more. For answers to all your questions about caring for a Mudhol Hound, read on!
The Mudhol Hound has historically served as a working sight-hound, and is thus accustomed to plenty of daily activity--which means that Mudhol Hound exercise needs are pretty high. Dogs of this breed are best suited for rural homes that have plenty of room for the Mudhol to roam and explore--but the area will need to be properly secured to keep the dog from exploring into the next county! As an intelligent, task-oriented breed, Mudhols will also benefit from activities that stimulate them mentally as well as physically.
But specifically how much exercise does a Mudhol Hound need each day? The typical adult Mudhol, depending on its age and overall activity level, will need at least an hour of physical activity on a daily basis (and will probably enjoy twice that or more). You can begin exercising a Mudhol Hound puppy at three months of age by taking it on short (10-minute) walks, then increasing the walks' length and frequency as the puppy grows.
There are, of course, a few precautions that need taking when exercising your Mudhol Hound: first, puppies younger than a year old shouldn't participate in activities that include a lot of jumping, running, and navigating of stairs, as doing so can injure their still-developing bones and joints; this thin, rangy breed grows at a faster rate than most, and puppies will thus need a bit of extra time to let their skeletal systems fully form. And regardless of age, a Mudhol Hound will need pretty close supervision when outdoors. Any area you allow your Mudhol Hound to exercise in off-leash will need to be well-fenced or otherwise secured; these are hunting dogs with a high prey drive, and will chase interesting-looking critters for miles if given the chance. For the same reason, you'll need to leash your Mudhol when you're out in public.
Safeguards aside, it's important to exercise a Mudhol Hound every single day. These dogs are used to frequent activity, so a bored or restless Mudhol will be disobedient, destructive, and completely unhappy in general. Consistent exercise will be great for the dog's peace of mind--and for your own as well. A few exercise ideas:
When indoors, it's a good idea to give your Mudhol Hound access to one or more balls or toys that will let the dog burn ant excess energy. It's also recommended that you establish a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks or jogs after breakfast and dinner and a play period in the afternoon.
Care needed for these dogs in terms of shedding and drooling is low to moderate overall. Mudhol Hound shedding is year-round, but fairly light; drooling isn't much of an issue.
Mudhols have two coat types: short and smooth, or a bit longer and silky. Neither variety sheds profusely, though. Weekly brushing, owners say, will keep the shedding from getting excessive; owners of this breed will need to vacuum the floors and use lint rollers on the floor from time to time.
And Mudhols may drool in anticipation of food or when especially excited or nervous, but that's about it. If your Mudhol Hound is drooling excessively, it may be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care might be required.
As a slim, athletic breed, the ideal Mudhol Hound diet can be compared to that of a marathon runner: plenty of proteins and carbohydrates for energy, vitamins and minerals for digestive and immune health, and omega fatty acids for coat and skin health. One interesting attribute of this breed is its low percentage of body fat--which, like its Greyhound cousin, makes a Mudhol look almost emaciated and unhealthy. This causes some owners to try and "fatten up" their Mudhols by feeding the dog extra food, when doing so isn't necessary. Mudhol Hounds typically look incredibly thin, so owners shouldn't worry.
This slim physical makeup, though, means Mudhol dog food will need to be high-quality, because this food type will have the balanced nutrition that a Mudhol Hound and its high metabolism need. The best food for Mudhol Hounds is premium dry food like Orijen Adult or Wellness CORE; cheap, generic dog food is not recommended for these dogs, because it contains mostly empty "filler" ingredients that simply won't sustain your Mudhol Hound for the long term.
The typical adult Mudhol Hound, depending on its age, size, and activity level, will need about three cups of dry food per day, divided into two meals. Mudhol pups, again depending on their age, will need a little less: about two cups per day, divided into three meals (not two) until nine months old. For more info about feeding a Mudhol Hound from puppyhood through maturity, see this chart:
*--Around this time, transition to adult food by first mixing in a bit of adult formula with the puppy formula. Over the course of a week, with each meal add a little more adult food to the mixture, until the dog is eating it entirely.
If possible, try to stick to the above-listed portions; though your Mudhol Hound could probably eat a lot more (and judging from its appearance, you might be tempted to feed the dog more!), the amounts are ample enough. And while this breed isn't very prone to obesity, constantly overfeeding your Mudhol Hound could result in the dog becoming overweight, leading to joint, digestive, and breathing problems. You can control your Mudhol's weight by establishing consistent feeding and exercise schedules, by not feeding the dog table scraps, and by not leaving food in its bowl all the time, thereby allowing the dog to eat anytime it wants. It's better to put your Mudhol's bowl down only at mealtimes, then pick it up 20 minutes or so after the dog begins eating.
If you're worried your Mudhol Hound is overweight, give the dog this test: you should be able to visibly see its ribs through its skin. If you can't, run a hand along the dog's side, and if you can't easily feel ribs, it's diet time. Decrease your Mudhol's daily food consumption by one-fourth, and add an extra walk, jog, or play period to its daily exercise schedule.
These dogs have been living in India for centuries, and can stand heat and humidity that many other dogs cannot. However, these dogs may not take as well to extreme cold.
