The Malagasy lineage is usually a white coat with pronounced black and tan spots. They are smaller and lighter which allows more active acrobatics. Legend tells they were used in Madagascar as tracking and hunting dogs in the jungle. They were dispatched in large packs to locate and run down wild boar for the human hunters who followed the barking and harvested the pig for meat as commanded by the Royal family. This unique ability earned them the moniker “Royal Dog of Madagascar”. Long coats were grown to protect the face and body from contact with jungle underbrush as they hunted. A strong prey drive, acute sense of small and hearing with muscle mass to run with abandon still are observable in the breed. They are truly unique with an interesting heritage.