Equally popular with the name Polygar, the Kombai is a native Indian sighthound breed that has been bred in Kombai located in the Theni district of Tamil Nadu. While this athletic breed was used as hunting dogs for years, Kombais can also make great house pets.
In this post, we tell you more about the appearance, personality, temperament, and maintenance needs of this breed to help you determine whether you can welcome one into your family.
Weight: 25-30 kilograms in males; 20-25 kilograms in females
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Coat type: single coat
Colors: shades of brown
The Appearance of Kombai
Although the Kombai is a medium-sized dog breed, their head appears to be slightly larger in proportion with the rest of their body. They have a broad forehead, dark brown eyes, and large ears. The shade of their muzzle is considerably darker than the rest of their face.
Kombai dogs have a typical guard dog build which is visible in both their stance and gait. The structure of their legs provides them with extra speed and agility, making them one of the most energetic Indian dog breeds. Their entire body is wired with lean muscles, adding to their strength and stamina. Their tails could be pointing upwards, downwards, or curve at the edge. You could compare this breed to the Rhodesian Ridgebacks in terms of their appearance.
The personality of Kombai is a perfect blend of dignity and gentleness. This unique combination, along with their fast-learning abilities, makes it very easy for pet parents to train them.
Being a guard dog originally, Kombais remain their usual alert self with strangers until they grow familiar with them.
So far, weâve understood that the Kombai is a pretty low-maintenance pet. Letâs dig a little deeper and see whatâs needed to care for and maintain Kombais.
Training and socialization
Kombais are not that difficult to train, owing to their intelligence and discipline. Thanks to their guard dog instincts, this breed is perceptive, can understand all kinds of cues and follow commands easily. In addition to all that, this breed is also eager to please its owners, which makes positive reinforcement the best way to train them.
Feeding your Kombai is like feeding a family member in many ways. They have no difficulty digesting homemade food and can thrive on a primarily vegetarian diet as well. Just keep their meals rich in proteins and micronutrients, and theyâre good to go. Another important rule is not to feed them too much saturated fat, salt, or sugar, as these are unhealthy to all animals.
If youâre ready to feed them meat at home, make sure to offer it along with the bones for dental strength and growth.
When it comes to exercise, the Kombai might not be everyoneâs cup of tea. Owing to their athletic nature, this breed requires heavy exercise on a regular basis. Taking them on brisk walks (or jogs) twice a day is ideal, as long as you provide them enough space to play any time they feel like it. Itâs important to note that the Kombai is not suited to life in an apartment and does best in homes with a yard to play in freely.
Grooming and maintenance
The Kombai is a single-coated breed with a dense but short-haired fur coat, and does not shed excessively. They also donât require daily brushing or bathing. All they need is a medicated bath at home and nail clipping twice a month, and theyâre good to go.
