Introduction
No doubt dogs are the best companions to humans. From their unconditional loyalty to strong empathy towards humans, they have the incredible ability to love us on an emotional level. Dogs are not just an animal who roams freely on roadsides, but they are the angels sent by God to us as our new family members. These paw friends brighten our long working day with playful acts, warm hugs, wagging tails, and other cute activities. Their excited barks energize our hearts instantly. You know you don’t need any jogging partner or a lazy couch buddy when you have a pet dog at your home. In this blog, we will explore best dog breeds in India that are matching the scale of being your best friend forever.
Here, we scout top dog breeds that are suitable for the Indian climate. When it comes to common homely dog breeds, we divide this section into two categories.
1. POPULAR FOREIGN BEST DOG BREEDS IN INDIA
2. NATIVE INDIAN DOG BREEDS
What are popular foreign dog breeds?
The origin of these dogs is from different countries around the world, but they are fully adaptable to the Indian climate. This category includes many foreign breeds that are most popular in the Indian pet dog market.
1. Labrador retriever
- Origin—United Kingdom, Newfoundland
- Life expectancy—12-15 years
- Height—23.5 to 25.5 inches (male), 22.5 to 24.5 inches (female)
- Weight—between 26-38 kg (average weight)
- Color—yellow, black, chocolate
- Breed Overview—Labrador retrievers are one of the most friendly dog breeds in India. They are known for winning the hearts of people by their joyful nature and loyalty towards their human parent till the last breath.
- Appearance—Labrador retrievers are strongly built dogs because they have a strong bone density and muscular body type. Commonly, they are more beautiful in yellow and black with dense double coat cover. They have a broad head and expressive eyes, and their “otter tail” has thick, attractive fur.
2. Golden retriever
- Origin—Scotland
- Life expectancy—13-15 years
- Height—24 to 25 inches (male), inches (female)
- Weight— between 26-32 kg (average weight)
- Color— golden, light golden, dark golden, mahogany, and cream
- Breed Overview— Golden retrievers are one of the most common dog breeds in India. They are typically less temperamental, gentle, and very affectionate dog breeds. Their intelligence and sense of empathy make them an exceptional choice for Indian families.
- Appearance— Golden retrievers have a strong physique and a very glossy, water-resistant, and lustrous coat. This breed is naturally attractive from its broad head, straight spine, and furry tail. They generally have dark eyes and moderate ears.
3. German shepherd
- Origin— Germany
- Life expectancy—13-14 years
- Height—25-26 inches (male) and 24-25 inches (female)
- Weight— between 25 and 40 kg (average weight)
- Color—tan, black, and sable
- Breed Overview—German shepherds are known for their confidence and physique. They are extremely energetic and are often the first choice as police dogs and working companions due to their naturally protective nature towards their dear ones.
- Appearance— They have muscular bodies, lustrous coat colors, straight spines, and erect ears. They are generally medium- to large-sized dogs.
4. Doberman pinscher
- Origin— Germany
- Life expectancy—between 10 and 12 years
- Height—25-28 inches (male) and 24-27 inches (female)
- Weight—28-45 kg (average weight)
- Color— black, brown, red, fawn
- Breed Overview— Dobermans are often known for their loyalty and alertness. They are extremely good guard dogs. They are fully devoted to their families and often interact lovingly with others when they start training at an early age.
- Appearance—Dobermans are strongly built. They have a smooth single coat, a powerful body, and edgy, erect ears. They are very sharp creatures and are excellent working companions for protection and security purposes.
5. Pug
- Origin—China
- Life expectancy—13-15 years
- Height—10-14 inches regardless of sex
- Weight—7-10 kg (average weight)
- Color—yellow, fawn, apricot, tan, black
- Breed Overview—pugs are affectionate, amusing, and super emotional dogs. Their tiny structure makes them one of the cutest dog breeds in India. Initially they are a little inflexible but are proven excellent companions after effortless training.
- Appearance—pugs have distinctive body characteristics. They are small, wrinkled-faced creatures and have short, glossy coats, small mouths, and curly tails.
6. Rottweiler
- Origin—Germany
- Life expectancy—10-12 years
- Height—23-27 inches (male), 22-25 inches (female)
- Weight—35-60 kg (average weight)
- Color— black with tan and rust uneven markings.
- Breed Overview—Rottweilers are known for their dominant and aggressive nature; that’s why they are prioritized for serving in the police and military in India, but Rottweilers do socialize with other pets and people, so they are also considered one of the best pet companions in Indian homes.
- Appearance— Rottweilers are medium- to large-sized dogs with big heads and muscular bodies. They have strong and square-shaped jaws and have long, shiny coats that make them more charming and engrossing personalities.
7. Beagle
- Origin— England
- Life expectancy—13-15 years
- Height—12-15 inches (male), 12-14 inches (female)
- Weight—9-12 kg (average weight)
- Color—black, tan, white
- Breed Overview— Beagles are social and curious, but they also suffer from separation anxiety from their owners because of their strong companionable trait. Beagles’ unique personality makes them super affectionate with children and older people.
- Appearance— Beagles are small- to medium-sized dogs; they come in different colors with dense and shiny coats. Their appearance is considered one of the cutest dog breeds in India.
8. Pomeranian
- Origin— Germany and Poland
- Life expectancy—13-16 years
- Height—7-15 inches regardless of sex
- Weight—1.4-4.5 kg (average weight)
- Color— white, black, white and black, brown, mix
- Breed Overview— Pomeranians are joyful, fearless, and affectionate. These tiny, high-spirited dogs are a little bouncy but very loyal to their pet parents. Pomeranians are generally curious in nature and often seen in a state of vigilance.
- Appearance— They are the most low-maintenance dog breed found in India because of their traditional homely nature, and due to their furry bodies, they need regular brushing to maintain their soft and shiny hair.
9. Great Dane
- Origin— Germany
- Life expectancy—9-11 years
- Height—30-31 inches (male), 28-29 inches (female)
- Weight—46-60kg (average weight)
- Color— black, fawn, harlequin, and brindle
- Breed Overview— Great Danes are attractive due to their tall height. These dog breeds have extensive fear due to their large size and deep barks in India. They are known as ‘gentle giants’ for their friendly nature. They have muscular and well-developed body types and are often chosen for family dogs due to their affectionate nature towards humans.
- Appearance— Great Danes have elegant and noble body types. They came in different colors with sleek, sculpted shapes and shiny single coats. They have expressive eyes and balletic, structured ears.
10. Boxer
- Origin— Germany
- Life expectancy—11-13 years
- Height—23.5-25.5 inches (male), 22.5-24.5 inches (female)
- Weight— between 25-37 kg (average weight)
- Color— white, yellow-brown, brindle
- Breed Overview— Boxers are generally very friendly, joyful, highly intelligent, and loyal dogs. They are known for their attentiveness and competent energy levels as guard dogs.
- Appearance— Boxers are small- to medium-sized dogs. They have a small, short, and shiny coat; a muscular physique; a small jaw; and a square-shaped face.
11. Dachshund
- Origin—Germany
- Life expectancy—13-16 years
- Height—7-9 inches regardless of sex, and miniature dachshunds are 5-6 inches tall.
- Weight—4.5-12 kg (average weight)
- Color—black, cream, chocolate, blue, and red
- Breed Overview— Dachshunds are a little stubborn but a fully devoted and joyful breed. They form deep emotional connections with their family members. These pet dog breeds are tiny but are also big foodies. Dachshunds are easy to train.
- Appearance—Dachshunds are also known as sausage dogs because of their extended body shape and tiny legs. They have almond-shaped eyes and flabby ears. Dachshunds mainly came in three types of coats in the market: smooth, wirehaired, and longhaired. If you love small dogs, then go for a miniature dachshund.
12. Toy poodle
- Origin— Germany and France
- Life expectancy—12-18 years
- Height—10-12 inches regardless of sex
- Weight—3-5 kg (average weight)
- Color—white, black, red, apricot
- Breed Overview— toy poodles are intelligent breeds and are known for obeying the rules of their owners. When it comes to proclaiming who is at your door, toy poodles are at the top. They are affectionate and warmhearted towards those they are familiar with.
- Appearance— toy poodles are tiny dogs with curly hair all over their bodies. They have expressive eyes and big ears as compared to their build. Due to their low-shedding coat, they are the first choice of dog lovers with allergies.
13. Shih Tzu
- Origin—China and Tibet
- Life expectancy—13-16 years
- Height—10-12 inches regardless of sex
- Weight—4-8 kg (average weight)
- Color— white, black, golden, silver, chocolate, reddish brown
- Breed Overview— Shih Tzus are small, caring, and highly empathetic dogs. They love to cuddle a lot, so we can call them buggy dogs,” too. They love to do little exercises and small runs. Shih Tzus are alert dogs. They bark at odd noises and curious activities.
- Appearance—Shih Tzus are small, fluffy, double-coated dogs. They have vivid eyes and small round heads. Their tail is curly and hairy. They have small, button-shaped noses.
14. Cocker spaniel
- Origin— England
- Life expectancy—10-15 years
- Height—15.5-16.5 inches (male), 14.5-15.5 inches (female)
- Weight—11-15 kg (average age)
- Color— black, brown, tan, red, golden
- Breed Overview— cocker spaniels are joyful and amiable in nature. They are a little stubborn but are very good with children and those who are introduced to them. They may suffer from serious health issues if overbred.
- Appearance— Cocker spaniels have a cool appearance. They have small- to medium-sized bodies. They look more amazing because of their big, flabby ears. They have long, silky coats with oval-shaped heads and broad muzzles. Overall, they are charming personalities.
15. Siberian husky
- Origin— Siberia
- Life expectancy—12-15 years
- Height—22-24 inches (male), 19-22 inches (female)
- Weight— between 16 and 27 kg (average weight)
- Color— black, white, sable, gray, pure white, white-red
- Breed overview— Siberian huskies are known for their activeness, intelligence, and dramatic nature, which makes them different from other dog breeds. They love to become occupied and engaged in distinctive activities; that’s why they need a dedicated pet parent.
- Appearance— Siberian huskies are known for their extraordinary appearance. They are medium- to large-sized dogs. They have a dense double coat, due to which they need a cool environment to live in. They have beautiful blue, brown, and mixed-colored eyes. Their fur is often black, white, gray, or tan.
16. Boston Terrier
- Origin— United States
- Life expectancy—12-16 years
- Height—16-17 inches (male), 15-16 inches (female)
- Weight— between 5-12 kg (average weight)
- Color— black, white, seal, or brindle.
- Breed Overview— Boston terriers are highly social, cheerful, and intelligent dogs; they cooperate a lot while training. They have a pleasing nature. They are gentle, protective, and often stated to be “American gentlemen.
- Appearance— Boston terriers are well-built and evenly proportioned dogs. They have a ‘tuxedo coat,’ pointed ears, a square face, and a broad muzzle.
17. Dalmatian Dog
- Origin— Croatia
- Life expectancy—11-14 years
- Height—23-25 inches (male), 21-23 inches (female)
- Weight— between 17-32 kg (average weight)
- Color— white coats with black and brown spots.
- Breed Overview— Dalmatians are reserved but very friendly to their family members. They are loyal and loving home dogs. They are very energetic and require regular exercise to maintain their physique.
- Appearance— Dalmatians are known for their spotted, sleek, athletic bodies. They are medium-sized to large, muscular dogs. They have impressive eyes and rose-petal-shaped ears. Dalmatians can be good companions for active families.
18. Shiba Inu
- Origin— Japan
- Life expectancy—12-15 years
- Height—15-17 inches (male), 14-16 inches (female)
- Weight— between 9-12 kg (average weight)
- Color—black, tan, fawn, sesame, red
- Breed Overview— Shiba Inus are intelligent dogs. They are very loyal to their families. Their joyful and cheerful nature makes them ideal choices for dog lovers. Apart from that, they are highly independent and alert dogs but need little patience while being trained.
- Appearance— Shiba Inus are double-coated, medium-sized dogs. They look like foxes. They have muscular bodies, triangular ears, and curly tails. They are also known as smiling dogs.
19. Chihuahua
- Origin— Mexico
- Life expectancy—13-18 years
- Height—7-10 inches regardless of sex
- Weight— between 2-3 kg (average weight)
- Color— black, white, chocolate, fawn, grey, mix
- Breed Overview—Chihuahuas are small-sized dogs but are loyal and active breeds. They are very affectionate and form deep emotional connections with their favorite person. They look so cute in their big dog attitude despite being tiny and small in size.
- Appearance—Chihuahuas are small-sized dogs with erect ears, small muzzles, and apple-shaped heads. They come in long-haired and smooth coats. They have large, expressive eyes and slightly curved tails.
20. Border collie
- Origin—United Kingdom, England, Scotland
- Life expectancy—12-15 years
- Height—22-23 inches (male), 21-22 inches (female)
- Weight— between 15-20 kg (average weight)
- Color—black, white, blue, brindle, chocolate, sable, or brown
- Breed Overview— Border collies are a highly intelligent, well-trained working dog breed. They are very loyal, attentive, and protective towards their family. Border collies are the most low-maintenance dog breeds in India. They have a resemblance to the Tuffy dog breed.
- Appearance— Border collies are medium-sized, smooth, double-coated dogs. They have pointed, hairy ears that often turn down straight at any unusual voices. Their eyes are round, and their tails are long and curved.
21. Bulldog
- Origin— England, United Kingdom.
- Life expectancy—9-10 years
- Height—13-16 inches (male), 16-19 inches (female)
- Weight— between 18-25 kg (average weight)
- Color— white, fawn, red
- Breed Overview—Bulldogs are very low-key dogs. They are cool by nature. They are gentle with other people and pets. Bulldogs are basically kid-friendly dog breeds that love to play a lot and are protective at the same time.
- Appearance—Bulldogs are small, strongly built dogs. They look adorable with their undershot jaw and wrinkled cheeks. They have a small square face, round eyes, loose triangular-shaped ears, and a tiny tail.
22. St. Bernard
- Origin— Switzerland
- Life expectancy—9-11 years
- Height—27-30 inches (male), 25-28 inches (female)
- Weight— between 54-82 kg (average weight)
- Color— white, red-brindle, mahogany, orange
- Breed Overview—Saint Bernards are watchdogs; they are affectionate and loving towards their family. The Saint Bernard’s bite force is strong because of his broad muzzle. These gentle giants are not only calm but also have special endurance with children.
- Appearance— Saint Bernards had a gigantic structure. Normally they are bulky and need a monumental diet to maintain themselves. They have big, wrinkled faces, and they are also drooling a little due to their facial morphology.
What are native Indian dog breeds?
The dog breeds that originated in India are native Indian dog breeds. For example, pariahs, Mudhol hounds, etc., are adaptable and have good immune systems as compared to foreign dog breeds.
Here, we explore top Indian native breeds that are common in Indian homes:
1. Indian pariah dog (Indie dog)
- Origin— India
- Life expectancy—12-15 years.
- Height—21-26 inches (male), 19-24 inches (female)
- Weight— between 15-30 kg (average weight)
- Color— black, white, fawn, brown
- Breed Overview—Indian pariahs are well-known for their intelligence, emotional connection, and adaptability. They appreciate companionship, especially when properly socialized. They are independent and gratified even if left alone for longer periods.
- Appearance— They have chunk-shaped heads, pointed mouths, sharp ears, curly tails, almond-shaped eyes, and their coats are short and silky.
2. Mudhol Hound (Caravan Hound)
- Origin— Karnataka India
- Life expectancy—12-15 years
- Height—26-28 inches (male), 24-26 inches (female)
- Weight— between 10-15 kg (average weight)
- Color— black, brown, white, mouse-gray, cream
- Breed Overview— Mudhol Hounds have athletic bodies. They are super loving and loyal towards their owner. They maintain distance with the strangers but are totally opposite with their families and those whom they know.
- Appearance— Mudhol Hounds have long and sleek muscular bodies. They have an elongated structure, long legs, and a narrow muzzle. Their eyes are expressive, and their ears are close to rose petal shape.
3. Rajapalayam
- Origin— Tamilnadu, India
- Life expectancy—12-14 years
- Height—23-28 inches (male), 16-27 inches (female)
- Weight— between 24-32 kg (average weight)
- Color— pure white or pure white with brown markings
- Breed Overview— They are independent and have natural protective instincts. These dogs have only one favorite person. Mostly they are reserved with others. They are very cheerful but require bigger spaces to play because of their immensely active minds and bodies.
- Appearance— They have strong, athletic bodies and bigger legs. Mostly they have pink noses and ears, and they look attractive with their sleek figures.
4. Chippiparai
- Origin—Tamilnadu, India
- Life expectancy—12-15 years
- Height—25-30 inches (male), 22-28 inches (female)
- Weight— between 26-38 kg (average weight)
- Color— fawn, silver grey, black, brown
- Breed Overview—Chippiparai are guard dogs because they are protective, intelligent, and not lapdogs. They require a lot of exercise to maintain their physique and mindfulness.
- Appearance— Chippiparai are known for their sleek body and medium structure. They are short-coated dogs that come in different colors in the market. They have small almond eyes, strong bony tails that mostly curl up, and floppy ears.
5. Kombai
- Origin— Tamilnadu, India
- Life expectancy—12-15 years
- Height—23-25 inches (male), 19-22 inches (female)
- Weight—25-33 Kg(average weight)
- Color— brown, brown-black, reddish-brown
- Breed Overview— Kombai are excellent watchdogs. They have natural protection instincts towards their family. They are a little stubborn but are smart dogs. They are fiercely loyal and share strong emotional bonds with their families.
- Appearance—Kombai are medium-sized dogs. They have short coats, dark eyes, and crinkled ears. Their tail is long and slightly curved. They have muscular bodies and broad chests.
6. Pandikona
- Origin—Andhra Pradesh, India
- Life expectancy—12-16 years
- Height—23-26 inches (male), 21-24 inches (female)
- Weight— between 26-33 kg (average weight)
- Color— brown, black, spotted variations
- Breed Overview— This breed has natural hunting skills. They have basically been guard dogs since old age. Pandikona dogs are adaptable to rigid climatic conditions. They are independent and confident dogs.
- Appearance— Pandikona dogs have slim, medium-sized bodies. They have a short and gentle coat. They have a small muzzle, sharp ears, and a thick tail that is curved at the end.
FAQ
1. Can large breeds survive in the Indian climate?
Yes, all the breeds mentioned in this blog can live healthy in the Indian climate, and they also don’t need much maintenance
2. How to keep double-coated dogs cool in summer?
Proper hydration, cooling mats, convenient shade, limited outdoor activities, bearable post-evening walks, and moderate exercise can keep them cool during hot climates in India.
3. What are the most famous dog breeds in India?
Labrador retriever, golden retriever, German shepherd, pug, Pomeranian, beagle, shih tzu, indie dog (pariah), etc.
4. What is the average expenditure of owning a breed dog in India?
Monthly cost diversify by breed but include:
Food: ₹1200–₹4500/-month
Grooming & Misc: ₹500–₹1,200/month Initial adoption or purchase cost can range from ₹3000 (adoption) to ₹1,00,000+ (for imported breeds). Vet & Vaccination: ₹1000–₹2,000/month
5. What are main hypoallergenic dog breeds for India?
Although no dog is completely hypoallergenic, some shed less and are adaptable to house environment, but these are some breeds that came into this category:
Poodle
Yorkshire Terrier
Lhasa Apso
Shih Tzu
Maltese
Final words
So, these are some of the most famous dog breeds in India. If you are planning to adopt one furry friend, then go ahead. Dogs have always been good companions to humans since ages ago. Additionally, these dogs are kid-friendly, loving, and loyal, and most of them can live in apartments too.