Top Indian Dog Breeds That Make The Best Pets

By Author: Gaurav Gaikwad
Total Articles: 1
Comment this article

There are certain breeds of dogs that are friendlier to humans than others but before adopting one there are few things that you need to consider. For e.g. is this dog breed suitable for Indian climate? While many international breeds are attractive for Indian to-be pet parents who want to buy the little fur-balls- these dogs may suffer due to harsh Indian summers.

Here we give you a compilation of best Indian dog breeds who thrive in the Indian climate and will the best addition to your family.

Best Indian dog breeds that make the best pets

• The Chippiparai

The Chippiparai is a sight-hound bred in Tamil Nadu, India. This breed is lithe and can be compared to a Gray-hound when it comes to agility and its lean body. Despite being slender the Chippiparais are strong and silent. They make great guard dogs as they are naturally sharp, brave and loyal enough to make a great family pet. The Chippiparais have their eyes positioned in a way that gives them a 270-degree scope of vision (much more than most breeds).

• Dog Breed Group: Hound Dogs
• Height: ...
... 31-38 Inches
• Weight: 15-20 Kg
• Life Span: 13 to 14 years

Pros

• Make great guard/watch dogs
• Suited to the Indian weather
• Low-maintenance dog since they have short coats
• Not prone to obesity

Cons

• Need regular exercise (can be a con for some)
• Commonly gets attached to one master and can be suspicious of outsiders
• May not be suitable if you have small children or pets in the house

Did you know – Chippiparais were historically bred by royal families near the Madurai district in Tamil Nadu and continue to be a symbol of royalty amongst the Madurai/Tirunelveli rulers.

• Kombai

Kombai are born and bred in Tamil Nadu. They are sight-hound and make lovable pets. Kombai’s stocky and muscular structure gives it the ability to be a great guard dog. Its existence in diverse sub-continent makes sure that the Kombai have very few breed-related health problems.

• Dog Breed Group: Hound Dogs
• Height: 17-25 Inches
• Weight: 14-24 Kg
• Life Span: 13 to 14 years

Pros

• Make excellent guard dogs
• Grooming is easy
• Adapts well to all types of weather
• Are not prone to obesity

Cons

• Their over-protectiveness and stubborn nature can be misconstrued as aggression
• Not good with little children

Did you know that the Kombai dogs were used by the armies of Marudhu Pandias in the revolt against the British suppression of Sivakasi Kingdom in the early 19th century

• Indian Pariah Dog

The Indian Pariah dogs are surprisingly one of the few pure breeds that originate in India. They have a cautious temperament and can adapt to any Indian weather- so you don’t need to worry much while bringing them home. They will make an adorable addition to your family if you socialize them early and you don’t even need to look far to get one. Indian Pariah puppies are all over the street- it is what makes them healthy and hardy breed.

• Dog Breed Group: Hound Dogs
• Height: 18-25 Inches
• Weight: 15-30 Kg
• Life Span: 13 to 14 years

Pros

• Easy to train
• Adaptable to any Indian weather
• Low- maintenance
• Healthy breed
• Friendly dog breed with good temperament (good if you have small children)

Cons

• Can be noisy
• Need regular exercise

Did you know- The Indian pariah dogs are one of the oldest breeds in India which makes them one of the most adaptable breeds. They are not prone to specific health conditions that most pedigree dogs are vulnerable to.

• Indian Spitz

The Indian Spitz come under the category of utility dogs and were bred by the British colonizers in India from a stock of German Spitzes. Thus their appearance greatly resembles those of the German Spitz, even if the Indian Spitz dogs are 1-2.5 inches smaller and weigh (about 10-15 lbs) less than the Germans. Very enthusiastic and energy bound in nature- Indian spitz dogs are playful, intelligent and most importantly, very adaptable to living conditions in India. They are perfect for apartment living pet parents.

• Dog Breed Group: Utility Dogs
• Height: 9-10 Inches (smaller spitz) 14-17 inches (bigger spitz)
• Weight: 5-7 Kgs (smaller spitz) 12-20 kg (bigger spitz)
• Life Span: 10 to 14 years

Pros

• Intelligent and easy to train
• Low drooling tendency and generally healthy
• Kid-friendly breed/apartment-friendly

Cons

• Not suitable for those living alone (this breed needs companionship)/ not office friendly
• Don't do well with allergy sufferers (can cause an allergic reaction)

Did you know – the Indian Spitz found increased popularity after the popularity of the movie “Hum Aapke Hain Kaun” (1994) after a six-year old Indian spitz dog named Redo played the important role of “Tuffy” the family pet.

• Mudhol Hound

The Mudhol Hound is a dog breed originating from the Karanataka state of India. It gets its names from the small town in Bagalkot district in the state. The Mudhol Hound is one of the most versatile breeds with many names and is strikingly close to the Greyhound in appearance. It thrives in human company and is very tolerant of other dogs, but you have to bear in mind that a Mudhol may be defensive against newcomers/strangers touching him. They are healthy and adaptable to different Indian weather.

Mudhol Hound Stats

• Dog Breed Group: Hound Dogs
• Height: 26-28 Inches
• Weight: 22-28 Kg
• Life Span: 13 to 14 years

Pros

• Healthy breed of dog
• Make good watch dog/ guard dog
• Low maintenance
• Adaptable to Indian weather

Cons

• Doesn’t take well to strangers
• Can be temperamental thus not good as a therapy dog
• One man dog
• Needs lots of exercise

Did you know – The Mudhol Hound has many names – while it is called the Mudhol in the south, it is known as Caravan Hound for the British as the dog accompanied people in caravans- meanwhile, it is called Karwaani by local villagers who owned the breed.

• Gaddi Kutta

The Gaddi Kutta is named after the “Gaddi” tribe of South Asia. It’s also known as the Indian Panther Hound, the Himalayan Sheepdog, the Mahidant Mastiff as well as Bhutia. The Gaddi Kuttas are shepherds’ dogs and enjoy the outdoors. They are a robust, powerful breed and of course, mainly used for herding purpose. Even so, the Himalayan sheepdogs are popular both as a human companion and a working dog.

Gaddi Kutta Stats

• Dog Breed Group: Livestock guard Dogs
• Height: 26-34 inches
• Weight: 45-80 kg (male) 35-60 kg (female)
• Life Span: 10-15 years

Pros
• Make good watch dogs
• Very loyal and faithful companions
• Highly intelligent, capable and agile

Cons

• Gaddi Kutta can shed and thus need regular grooming
• Not good for apartment dwellers since they need space
• Can be overprotective against strangers/other pets
• Since they originate from the Himalayas, they need cold weather to thrive

Did you know- the Gaddi Kutta has been rumoured to be ferocious enough to repel attacks by snow leopards!

• Kanni

The Kanni breed originates from South India in the state of Tamil Nadu. The name Kanni refers to the black, tan/sable variety of colours. They are a royal indigenous hound dog breed that is used for coursing game. Kannis are generally shy breed but are extremely loyal and protective of their family. While easy to train it is important to note that they are prone to independence and might be wilful at times. They are also not destructive by nature, but it is a possibility if their exercising needs are not met.

Kanni Dogs’ Stats

Dog Breed Group: Sighthound
Height: 25-29 inches
Weight: 16-22 kg
Life Span: 14 – 16 years

Pros

• Faithful and extremely loyal
• They have short-coats and are therefore low-maintenance
• Easy to train
• Can adapt to being in the apartment

Cons

• Kannis don’t do well with strangers or other pets in the house
• Allergy sufferers should not own Kanni breed as they can cause allergic reactions
• Kannis don’t make good therapy or service dogs
• Tend to have separation anxiety

Did you know – The Kanni breed is also known as the Maiden’s Beastmaster as it was often gifted to newlywed brides as their guardians for the dogs’ voracity with which defends its territory from other animals.

• Rampur Hound

The Rampur Hound breed gets its name from its place of origin which is Rampur a city located between Delhi and Bareilly. The most unique aspect of the Rampur Hound is their ability to see- as a sighthound, they have amazing sight that helps them chase rabbits and other small creatures. Even if they have a short coat, the fur is lengthier which means these dogs do shed.

Rampur Hound Stats

• Dog Breed Group: Hound Dogs
• Height: 22-30 Inches
• Weight: 27-30 Kg
• Life Span: 13 to 14 years

Pros

• Make good family pets
• Suited to Indian weather
• Has great temperament with children
• Low grooming requirement

Cons

• Needs regular exercise
• Early socialization is important

Did you know – The Rampur Hound breed dates back all the way to the 20th century under the reign of Royal Highness Ahmed Ali Khan Bahadur, the ruler of Rampur in the early 20th century.