Haofa Tangkhul Hui: Manipur's Bear Hunting Hound

Other names: Tangkhul Hui, Indian Bear Hound | Native to: Ukhrul and Kamjong districts, Manipur

Quick facts

• Bred for centuries by the Tangkhul Naga community for hunting wild boar and small game
• Comes in two types, a smaller variety for burrow hunting and a larger, broader jawed variety compared to a bear
• Traditionally black or black with white markings, with ears and tails customarily docked
• Estimated at around 1,000 individuals as of 2022 and now being inducted into Indian Army service

The story

In the hill villages of Ukhrul district, particularly Phungcham, one of the oldest Tangkhul settlements, a distinctive black hunting dog has been bred and named individually for generations. Known locally as the Haofa, or by its fuller name Tangkhul Hui Haofa, this breed has been the Tangkhul hunter's closest companion, so trusted that some villages permit no other dog breed to be reared at all.

The Haofa's reputation rests on its nose and its nerve. It was developed to track and corner wild boar and, in its larger form, even the Asiatic black bear, which is where the nickname Indian Bear Hound comes from. Owners consistently describe the breed as gentle, obedient and remarkably low maintenance for a working hunting dog, unfazed by rough terrain and undemanding in its needs.

For years the Haofa existed almost entirely outside Manipur, unknown even to most of India. That has begun to change. Scientists from the Central Agricultural University have been documenting the breed and pushing for national recognition, community associations have organised Haofa festivals to raise its profile, and the Indian Army has started inducting Haofas into service, a significant step for a breed once confined to a single district.

Build and appearance

The Haofa has a medium sized, trapezoid shaped head with a prominent forehead and a straight nasal bridge, along with striking golden, oval eyes and medium sized, usually cropped ears that give it a sharp, watchful look. Two distinct types exist within the breed: a smaller version bred to hunt small game hiding in burrows and holes, and a larger, broader jawed version with a longer muzzle, developed specifically to face down bears, which explains its resemblance to the animal it was bred to hunt.

Colouring is typically solid black or black with white markings around the neck, chest and the tips of the limbs, and traditionally both males and females have their ears docked, while males also have their tails docked, a practice historically meant to reduce injury during fights with prey or rival animals. The breed is known more for stamina than raw speed, built to track persistently over long distances rather than sprint.

Where things stand today

Community pride in the Haofa runs deep. Phungcham village permits no other dog breed to be kept at all, and the Phungcham Haofa Lovers Association has organised dedicated festivals, including the first in December 2018, specifically to celebrate and promote the breed locally and beyond.

The breed remains endangered, and pure lines are found almost exclusively in Manipur, though a small number of breeders have begun sending puppies to other states. For a dog whose entire history is bound up with one community's hunting tradition, its recent adoption by the Indian Army and growing academic interest from the Central Agricultural University mark an important turning point toward wider recognition and, hopefully, a more secure future.

Article content © Ravi Teja. All rights reserved.