7 Most Popular Types of Dog Breeds in India

India’s most popular dog breeds look relatively similar to the popular dog breeds in other countries. However, because they are in different parts of the world, some unique popular dogs exist. For instance, Asian breeds are more prevalent in India than in Europe or the United States.

Breeder availability is a bit different than in other countries. Often, show-quality dogs are rarer in India, though they aren’t necessarily more expensive.

In India, there are about 12.58 million dogs. However, that number jumps by many million every year. It’s expected to continue rising as dog ownership becomes more and more popular.

Let’s look at the seven most popular dog breeds in India.

1. Beagle

Surprisingly, this British dog is one of the most popular ones in India. Beagles are very laid-back and easygoing. They love affection, but they aren’t as people-oriented as other breeds. Therefore, while they love cuddles, they won’t harass your guests and are less likely to develop separation anxiety.

Originally, Beagles were bred for hunting purposes. They initially tracked just about every small game animal. However, over time, most hunters utilized them for rabbits. Today, all AKC beagle field competitions involve rabbits. Unlike what some misconceptions claim, they do not track deer. (In fact, a dog found to be tracking a deer during a field competition is disqualified.)

Today, many people keep than as companions. They only weigh up to 30 pounds and reach a height of 15″. Purpose-bred dogs are often more laidback and larger than companion-bred animals. Often, they’re healthier too.

Because they were bred for hunting, Beagles tend to be stubborn and hard to train. They weren’t bred with trainability in mind, as they hunt naturally. This trait doesn’t mean they can’t be trained, but it is more challenging.

Beagles don’t require tons of exercise, despite their hunting background. However, they love food and are prone to obesity. Therefore, you should be cautious regarding feeding them too many treats and snacks.

2. Dachshunds

They are surprisingly popular in India, despite being a German dog. The Germans originally bred these dogs for flushing game out of burrows, hence their small legs. They even flushed more dangerous animals like badgers.

Most hunters no longer use this breed for hunting purposes. However they still maintain many of their hunting instincts and energy. Therefore, these dogs require a lot of exercise, despite their smaller size. They may also be more prone to chasing things, including smaller pets. They aren’t afraid to chase things bigger than them, either.

These dogs live between 12 to 15 years. However, they are prone to a variety of health issues. The most serious problem is IVDD, which is caused by their elongated back. This condition occurs suddenly and causes paralysis (typically from the waist down).

3. German Shepherd

German Shepherds enjoy popularity all over the world. Therefore, it isn’t surprising that they are popular in India. For those looking for a guard dog, it doesn’t get much better than a German Shepherd. Germans bred them to guard flocks, and they maintain these guarding instincts today. They’re also very intelligent and athletic.

However, these traits aren’t always positive. German Shepherds may display aggression when not properly socialized, as they are innately aloof towards strangers. They require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation, which can translate into hours a day of care. Therefore, they work best for families with plenty of time on their hands.

We don’t recommend this breed for the average dog owner. While they can make great guard dogs, they require a lot of work to prevent aggression and destructive behaviors.

4. Labrador Retriever

The Labrador Retriever also enjoys lots of popularity around the world, including India. They’re known as the best family dog, as they are extremely friendly and good-natured. While they were bred as retrieving dogs, their reputation as companion animals is outmatched.

With that said, these canines are extremely active. Plenty of exercise is a must. They’re also very food-driven, so obesity is common. Proper exercise and diet are a must.

These canines have a high intelligence. They’re very devoted to their owners and relatively easy to train. However, they also need a decent amount of mental stimulation.

5. Rottweiler

Rottweilers often appear as police and military dogs. However, they can also make good family pets and function as personal protection dogs. Originally, these dogs were utilized to drive cattle and pull small carts. Many were utilized by butchers, as they could both guard the product and pull the delivery cart.

While this canine does have strong guarding instincts, they don’t actually pose much more of a threat than other dogs. With proper socialization and training, they’re largely unaggressive, though they may still be aloof with strangers. These canines are well-known for being gentle and protective of children, making them suitable family pets.

These canines get quite large, weighting up to 130 pounds and standing up to 27 inches. Therefore, you should ensure you have the proper budget to feed them and plenty of space in your home.

6. Tibetan Mastiff

As the name suggests, the Tibetan Mastiff comes from Tibet. This breed has been around for centuries, though they only recently began to expand past Tibet. Originally, monks kept them as guard dogs, though they were used inside personal homes, too. They have strong guarding instincts that are still intact today, so they aren’t terribly accepting of strangers.

Plenty of socialization is needed to ensure Tibetan Mastiffs understand that not everything is a threat. Their very large size can make them dangerous, but they are often very devoted and friendly with their own family. These dogs have a streak of independence in them, too, as they were bred to guard monestaries without much input from their owners.

Often, these dogs don’t take well to obedience. They’re smart enough to understand commands just fine – but they don’t tend to follow commands in real-world situations. Instead, they rely on their instincts.

7. Boxer

Boxers have the reputation of being extremely playful and a bit of a clown. They’re “personality dogs,” which means that owners often adopt them based on their personality and temperament. They’re fun dogs to be around.

Their high intelligence allows them to take well to training. However, they have a bit of a stubborn streak, and it is hard to counteract their active nature. They require regular mental stimulation, though, as they can easily become bored. Their hyper temperament also require loads of exercise.

Many owners describe boxers as great family dogs. They love playing with children and tend to be fairly affectionate.

Traditionally, Boxers have docked tails and cropped ears. However, in companion dogs, this practice has little practicality and may even be banned in some areas. Therefore, this look is becoming rarer and rarer every day.

Boxers prefer to spend as much time with their humans as possible. They can adapt to an apartment, as long as you provide them with plenty of exercise and stimulation. They dont’ work well for families that are gone for much of the day, as they long for near-constant human companionship. They’re more prone to seperation anxiety than other dogs.

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