Bully Kutta

The Bully Kutta is a type of large dog that originated in the Indian subcontinent, dating back to the 16th century. The Bully Kutta is a working dog used for hunting and guarding. The type is popular in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan, including Haryana and Delhi, as well as in Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

Name and description
Bully Kutta literally translates to "heavily wrinkled dog". The word "Bully" comes from the root word of the Hindustani and Punjabi languages "Bohli" which means heavily wrinkled. "Kutta" means dog in the Hindi-Urdu language.

The Sindhi mastiff resembles the mastiff, and is notable for its hardiness and size. The colour is black and white with some red in places. The tail curls up and is long.

History
The Bully Kutta originated in the Indian subcontinent, either in the Thanjavur and Tiruchi districts of Madras or the Sind region of medieval India. In Thanjavur, the Bully Kutta was a favorite pet of ruling families. The Mughal emperor Akbar owned a Bully Kutta, which he used for hunting.

The Second International Dog Show at Islington Agricultural Hall, held on 28 May 1864 in London, showcased the Indian Mastiff among several other dog breeds. The previous year, Edward, the Prince of Wales, and Princess Alexandra, entered an Indian Mastiff in the same show, along with a Newfoundland, Russian Tracker and two Borzois. In 1884, Littell's Living Age said that historically, a "large Indian mastiff" was employed by kings "in the chase of wild beasts".

Temperament
Bully Kuttas have been described as intelligent, alert, responsive, energetic and aggressive. A well-known veterinarian Dr. L.N. Gupta from Agra, India has stated that Bully Kuttas are a dominating canine and should only be handled by well-experienced owners.

Use as a fighting dog
Bully Kuttas have been illegally used for dog fighting in India and Pakistan, including areas such as Delhi, Gurugram, and Noida. In June 2018, police in Indian Punjab filed First Information Report (FIR) for the first time against organizers of a dog fight. Many non-profit organizations are now working against illegal fighting and creating awareness among the people.

Popularity
The Bully Kutta is popular in the Punjab region of India and Pakistan. In India, breeders from Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, and Maharashtra focusing on scientific breeding of this dog under the guidelines of Indian Mastiff Registry. They have been part of many competitions in India. According to the Times of India, it has importance among Indian youth of having a macho image.

The Indian National Kennel Club, along with the Indian Mastiff Registry, recognizes this breed officially.