Bully Kutta
Encyclopedia
Bully Kutta(Sindhi
: بللے کتا) is a Molosser
type
dog
which is found largely in Pakistan
. The word Bully actually derives from the languages of Sindhi
and Urdu
as bohli — meaning heavily wrinkled and the word Kutta means dog. Bully Kutta is known as the Pakistani Mastiff around the world but, in the country itself it is referred to as the Sindhi Mastiff. In India it is known as the Alangu Mastiff. They are typically found today in heavily rural areas of Pakistan
. While they are starting to get worldwide attention, it is because of their size and strength that these dogs find themselves in the hands of people who choose them for blood sport
s such as dog fighting
. New York Times best-selling author Greg Iles
depicted this breed in his 2009 novel, “The Devil's Punchbowl.” The breed is also used for guarding purposes.
The Persian Army used this breed extensively for guarding soldier’s camp-sites and enemy prisoners-of-war in their campaigns during antiquity. One of the largest Satraps of Persia in Babylon
paid all of its taxes for the expenses of breeding and taken care of these large dogs. They were later introduced into Ancient Greece
by Xerxes
the First when he marched towards that country in 486-465 B.C. In addition, Alexander the Great had also brought a similar type of dog on his way back during the campaign against King Porus. The Bully Kutta originated in and around the Thar Desert of Sindh
, a large part of this desert also extends towards the Bahawalpur
area of southern Punjab. The breed was used mostly for hunting
large games such as bears and wild boars during the Mughal Empire
. This practice eventually declined with the sudden change in the hunting techniques of Royal families who instead started to use Asiatic Cheetah
s. Consequently, this changed the Bully Kutta’s job back to as guard dogs and more recently as dog fighting
.
The Bully Kutta has a short smooth coat that is usually predominantly white in color. However fawn, black, harlequin, red and brindle markings are seen as well. The muzzle is black and the skin around the neck and mouth is loose. The brisket is deep and the limbs are very well muscled. The back is extended with the tail tapering to a fine point. The ears are set high on the large skull and pricked. It has a long and graceful stride. The males vary from 32 to 42 inches and the females vary from 28 to 36 inches tall. They usually weigh 150 to 170 and few bullys have been known to reach over 200 pounds. They are very muscular and thick boned.
Sindhi language
Sindhi is the language of the Sindh region of Pakistan that is spoken by the Sindhi people. In India, it is among 22 constitutionally recognized languages, where Sindhis are a sizeable minority. It is spoken by 53,410,910 people in Pakistan, according to the national government's Statistics Division...
: بللے کتا) is a Molosser
Molosser
Molosser is a category of large, solidly-built dog that includes several breeds, probably all descended from the same root stock. The name derives from Molossia, a subregion of ancient Epirus, ancient Greece, where the large shepherd dog was known as the Molossus.The proper noun "Mastiff", however,...
type
Dog type
Dog types are broad categories of dogs based on function, with dogs identified primarily by specific function or style of work rather than by lineage or appearance....
dog
Dog
The domestic dog is a domesticated form of the gray wolf, a member of the Canidae family of the order Carnivora. The term is used for both feral and pet varieties. The dog may have been the first animal to be domesticated, and has been the most widely kept working, hunting, and companion animal in...
which is found largely in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. The word Bully actually derives from the languages of Sindhi
Sindhi language
Sindhi is the language of the Sindh region of Pakistan that is spoken by the Sindhi people. In India, it is among 22 constitutionally recognized languages, where Sindhis are a sizeable minority. It is spoken by 53,410,910 people in Pakistan, according to the national government's Statistics Division...
and Urdu
Urdu
Urdu is a register of the Hindustani language that is identified with Muslims in South Asia. It belongs to the Indo-European family. Urdu is the national language and lingua franca of Pakistan. It is also widely spoken in some regions of India, where it is one of the 22 scheduled languages and an...
as bohli — meaning heavily wrinkled and the word Kutta means dog. Bully Kutta is known as the Pakistani Mastiff around the world but, in the country itself it is referred to as the Sindhi Mastiff. In India it is known as the Alangu Mastiff. They are typically found today in heavily rural areas of Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...
. While they are starting to get worldwide attention, it is because of their size and strength that these dogs find themselves in the hands of people who choose them for blood sport
Blood sport
Bloodsport or blood sport is any sport or entertainment that involves violence against animals.Bloodsport includes coursing or beagling, combat sports such as cockfighting and dog fighting, or other activities...
s such as dog fighting
Dog fighting
Dog fighting is a form of blood sport in which game dogs are made to fight, sometimes to the death. It is illegal in most developed countries. Dog fighting is used for entertainment and may also generate revenue from stud fees, admission fees and gambling....
. New York Times best-selling author Greg Iles
Greg Iles
Greg Iles is an American bestselling novelist who lives in Natchez, Mississippi.Iles was born in Stuttgart, Germany, where his father ran the U.S. Embassy Medical Clinic. He was raised in Natchez, Mississippi, where he attended Trinity Episcopal Day School and graduated from the University of...
depicted this breed in his 2009 novel, “The Devil's Punchbowl.” The breed is also used for guarding purposes.
History
Babylon
Babylon was an Akkadian city-state of ancient Mesopotamia, the remains of which are found in present-day Al Hillah, Babil Province, Iraq, about 85 kilometers south of Baghdad...
paid all of its taxes for the expenses of breeding and taken care of these large dogs. They were later introduced into Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece is a civilization belonging to a period of Greek history that lasted from the Archaic period of the 8th to 6th centuries BC to the end of antiquity. Immediately following this period was the beginning of the Early Middle Ages and the Byzantine era. Included in Ancient Greece is the...
by Xerxes
Xerxes
Xerxes is a male name. Most notably, it may refer to Xerxes I of Persia . It may also refer to:-People:*Xerxes II of Persia, reigned 424 BCE*Xerxes of Armenia, Armenian king, assassinated around 212 BCE...
the First when he marched towards that country in 486-465 B.C. In addition, Alexander the Great had also brought a similar type of dog on his way back during the campaign against King Porus. The Bully Kutta originated in and around the Thar Desert of Sindh
Sindh
Sindh historically referred to as Ba'ab-ul-Islam , is one of the four provinces of Pakistan and historically is home to the Sindhi people. It is also locally known as the "Mehran". Though Muslims form the largest religious group in Sindh, a good number of Christians, Zoroastrians and Hindus can...
, a large part of this desert also extends towards the Bahawalpur
Bahawalpur
Bahawalpur , located in the province of Punjab, is the twelfth largest city in Pakistan. The city was once the capital of the former princely state of Bahawalpur. The city was home to various Nawabs and counted as part of the Rajputana states...
area of southern Punjab. The breed was used mostly for hunting
Hunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
large games such as bears and wild boars during the Mughal Empire
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
. This practice eventually declined with the sudden change in the hunting techniques of Royal families who instead started to use Asiatic Cheetah
Asiatic Cheetah
The Asiatic Cheetah is now also known as the Iranian Cheetah, as the world's last few are known to survive mostly in Iran. Although recently presumed to be extinct in India, it is also known as the Indian Cheetah...
s. Consequently, this changed the Bully Kutta’s job back to as guard dogs and more recently as dog fighting
Dog fighting
Dog fighting is a form of blood sport in which game dogs are made to fight, sometimes to the death. It is illegal in most developed countries. Dog fighting is used for entertainment and may also generate revenue from stud fees, admission fees and gambling....
.
Appearance
| Pakistani Mastiff Appearance | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight: | 140-210 pounds | ||
| Height: | 30-42 inches | ||
| Coat: | Short | ||
| Activity level: | Moderate | ||
| Learning rate: | High | Temperament: | High |
| Guard dog ability: | High | Watch-dog ability: | High |
| Life span: | 8-12 years | ||
The Bully Kutta has a short smooth coat that is usually predominantly white in color. However fawn, black, harlequin, red and brindle markings are seen as well. The muzzle is black and the skin around the neck and mouth is loose. The brisket is deep and the limbs are very well muscled. The back is extended with the tail tapering to a fine point. The ears are set high on the large skull and pricked. It has a long and graceful stride. The males vary from 32 to 42 inches and the females vary from 28 to 36 inches tall. They usually weigh 150 to 170 and few bullys have been known to reach over 200 pounds. They are very muscular and thick boned.