BSF Deploys Indian Dog Breeds After Modi’s Mann Ki Baat

In a move blending national pride with practical efficiency, the Border Security Force (BSF) has begun deploying Indian dog breeds such as the Mudhol and Rampur hounds along India’s borders. The initiative has been inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call in Mann Ki Baat to promote native breeds.

According to a Times of India report, the BSF has so far trained around 150 Indian-breed dogs drawn from nearly 20 indigenous varieties, including the Mudhol Hound, Rampur Hound, Bakharwal, and Rajapalayam. About 20 more are being kept for breeding at the BSF’s National Training Centre for Dogs (NTCD) in Tekanpur, Madhya Pradesh.

While Speaking to ANI, ADG Shamsher Singh, Director of the BSF Academy at Tekanpur, said the force’s efforts were directly inspired by the Prime Minister’s words. “Prime Minister Narendra Modi had mentioned Indian dog breeds in Mann Ki Baat. We have so far trained 150 of them, and Riya’s success is one of the best examples,” he told reporters, referring to Riya, a Mudhol hound who won a gold medal in tracking at a national police duty meet last year.

Videos shared by the BSF show these Indian dogs vaulting 18-foot walls, climbing ladders, and clearing complex obstacle courses. This display of strength and agility once thought exclusive to imported breeds like German Shepherds or Belgian Malinois.

On its official X (formerly Twitter) account, the BSF recently posted: “In the ongoing AIPDM in Lucknow, BSF K9 bagged the 1st position with the Indigenous dog breed Mudhol Hound named Riya.” The post was widely shared, with many netizens hailing the initiative as a “Swadeshi K9 revolution.”

The push for native dogs also carries a symbolic weight. For decades, India’s security forces have relied heavily on foreign breeds for tasks like bomb detection, tracking, and patrol duties. By turning to Indian breeds known for their endurance, adaptability, and disease resistance, the BSF hopes to cut costs, reduce dependency on imports, and build a sustainable breeding ecosystem suited to Indian conditions.

Riya, a Mudhol Hound, participating in a championship in 2024. (ANI)

Public response has been overwhelmingly positive. On Reddit, one user commented, “If they can really replace expensive imported breeds with Mudhols, that’s a win both financially and symbolically.” On Instagram, reels of BSF’s indie hounds in action have drawn thousands of likes, with captions praising “homegrown heroes on four legs.”

Mahesh Lal, an IT professional from Bengaluru and a proud Indian breed supporter, is thrilled. “People underestimate our desi dogs’ strength, and smarts. After all the hate they’ve faced, this move finally puts the spotlight on their true power.”

While a formal press release from the Ministry of Home Affairs or the Press Information Bureau is yet to be issued, BSF officials’ statements and social media updates leave little doubt that indigenous breeds are now an integral part of the force’s K9 ranks.

By embracing native breeds, the BSF is sending a clear message: India’s strength lies not only in technology and manpower, but also in recognizing and nurturing its own natural assets – in this case, dogs bred for the nation’s soil.