The Kombai or Polygar dog is a breed of working dog native to Tamil Nadu in Southern India.^[1] Traditionally kept for guarding and protection, they have a reputation for making excellent guard dogs. They were also occasionally used for hunting big game.

The Kombai is described as a broad, short, muscular, powerful and athletic dog that stands around 58 centimetres (23 in).^[2][3] They have a short, smooth coat that is usually light brown to dark red in colour, and a black muzzle.^[2][3] They have dark eyes, the mid-length ears with bent tips, and a fine muzzle.^[3] The breed has a broad, slightly haired tail that is carried over their back resembling a sickle.^[2][3]

The Kombai is described as highly intelligent and extremely loyal to, and affectionate with, people they are familiar with, being particularly sweet-natured and tolerant of children with whom they allow particularly rough play, but when aroused by strangers or unfamiliar dogs they can be ferocious, making them excellent guard dogs.^[3]

The breed originated in the Theni district and is named after the town of Kombai.^[4] It subsequently spread throughout Southern India.^[2][3][5] The Kombai was traditionally kept by zamindars and others for coursing a variety of game. When hunting it is particularly robust and athletic, easily clearing hedges and other obstacles.^[3] They are also called polygar dogs.^[6][4]

The Kannada Vokkaliga^[7][8][9] zamindars of Kombai presented Tipu Sultan and Hyder Ali with these dogs for their army. The ferocious dogs were trained to rip the hamstrings of enemy horses.^[9][10] Tipu sent the town an idol of Ranganathaswamy in gratitude.^[9] It is said that the Kombai polygars valued the dog so highly that in olden days they were ready to exchange a horse for one.^[11]

There are conflicting reports about the status of the breed; some reports from the 1960s stated the dog was popular and numbers were increasing, whilst others from the same period described them as practically extinct.^[2] A Tamil Nadu state-run dog-breeding facility did take up the cause of breeding the Kombai, along with a number of other local breeds. However, it was reported they suspended their Kombai breeding program when owners who had purchased dogs returned them, finding their character ill-suited to keeping as pets.^[5]