Meitei Hui

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Meitei Hui is a native dog breed from Manipur in northeast India. The name Hui means dog in the Meitei language, and the breed is traditionally kept by the Meitei people. It is believed to have started when early Meitei communities in the Imphal Valley tamed local wolves, helping to build settled farming life about 10,000 years ago.

For a long time, the Meitei Hui was overlooked and seen as less intelligent than non-native dogs. This began to change after the breed appeared in public dog shows. In 2004, at the first major dog show in Imphal, a Meitei Hui named Jone won Best of the Breed, which drew attention to the breed.

The owner, Nongmeikapam Jotin of Thongju, started a campaign called “Hui Chaba Toklase” to protect indigenous dogs and discourage killing or eating them. He even visited meat shops with his dog Jone to raise awareness about valuing local dogs.

Public events like the Festival of Dogs, organized by the Manipur Dog Lovers Club, have helped highlight the Meitei Hui and other local breeds, promoting their welfare and countering stereotypes about indigenous dogs.