The dog is a loyal, friendly, and intelligent animal as a personal companion. Their love for their owners is unconditional. There are more than 370 recognized dog breeds in the world. India has a huge market for dogs and India is starting to home many of them. India has an abundant number of Indigenous dog breeds, and many pet parents have extended their homes to dogs from other parts of the world. Hence, India has a diverse list of dog breeds. Most of the dog breeds popular with people in India are imported. Here is the list of the most popular dog breeds in India, which can be kept as a pet or guard/watchdogs.
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1. Beagles
Beagles are friendly, adorable and intelligent dogs. It’s the most preferred pet dog breed. Beagles are used as sniffer dogs because of their strong sense of smell. It has short haired and medium length hard coat. Beagles have a high tendency to over-eat. Beagles need a thorough house-training and it may take up to a year to train some beagles. Beagles are not as good as guard dogs because they’re friendly to everyone they meet.
Group: Hound Group
Height: 35-41 cm (male), 33-38 cm (female)
Weight: 10 – 11 kg (male), 9-10 kg (female)
Life Expectancy: 12 – 15 years
Temperament: Friendly, Curious, Merry
Colors: Brown, white
Price: Rs 23000 -28000
2. German Shepherd
An all-purpose worker in the dog’s kingdom, the German Shepherd is curious, loyal, intelligent and a courageous breed. They can put their life at stake for the owner. Hence, they are one of the best guard dogs. German Shepherd is an active breed and needs a sufficient amount of physical activity. German Shepherd puppies have a faster growth rate and hence require a protein rich diet. German Shepherds shed heavily and require regular brushing and grooming. German Shepherds are known to learn a trick with only 5 repetitions.
Group: Working Group
Height: 60 – 65 cm (male), 55 – 60 cm (female)
Weight: 30-40 kg (male), 24 – 32 kg (female)
Life Expectancy: 9 – 14 years
Color: Black, Black –Tan, Grey
Price: Rs 15000 – 20000
Temperament: Affectionate, Loyal, Courageous
4. Great Dane
Great Dane, often known as the ‘Apollo of Dogs’, is a very obedient guard dog that can be trained easily because of its intelligence. It is an extremely friendly breed of dog. Great Dane should be fed high-quality dog food appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Great Dane doesn’t shed much. During the shedding season, they suffer heavy hair loss. Hence, daily combing is necessary. For a breed as large and powerful as the Great Dane, early socialization and obedience training is recommended.
Group: Working Group
Height: 70 – 81 inches (male), 65 – 70 inches (female)
Weight: 64 – 79 kg (male), 50- 64 kg (female)
Life Expectancy: 10 – 12 years
Color: Fawn, brindle, black, blue, mantle, harlequin
Price: Rs 5000 – 12000
Temperament: Bright, Fun-Loving, Active
5. Boxer
Boxer breed is intelligent, sporty and easy to train. It is the best guard dog. It has a large body, head, and strong jaws. It is friendly, quiet and protective by nature. It is used as a guide for blind people. Their patience and protective nature have earned them a reputation as a great family dog. The short, shiny coat requires minimal grooming. Early socialization and training classes are necessary. They are intelligent and excellent problem solvers.
Group: Working Group
Height: 58 – 64 cm (male), 55- 59 cm (female)
Weight: 30 – 36 kg (male), 22 – 29 kg (female)
Life Expectancy: 7 – 10 years
Color: Brindle, fawn and white
Price: Rs 7000 – 20,000
Temperament: Friendly, Patient, Dependable
6. Labrador Retriever
Labradors are friendly, obedient and companion housemates who bond with the whole family. Their social skills with neighbor dogs and humans are the highlight. Labradors require quality food following the age (puppy, adult, or senior). Labradors have thick, water-repellent double coat skin that requires occasional grooming. Labradors are agile and energetic. Hence, require a lot of exercises each day.
Group: Sporting Group
Height: 57 – 62 cm (male), 25 – 32 cm (female)
Weight: 29-36 kg (male), 25 -32 kg (female)
Life Expectancy: 10 – 14 years
Color: Black, Brown, Luscious chocolate
Price: Rs 20,000 – 25,000
Temperament: Friendly, Active, Outgoing
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7. Rottweiler
Known for enormous strength, Rottweiler has a lineage of mastiffs of Roman legions. Rottweiler is devoted and loyal to their loved ones. Rottweilers have a short coat but shed a fair amount of hair. Rottweiler needs a protein rich diet. A moderate amount of fat is suggested to fulfill their high energy needs. They are hypo-allergenic. Rottweilers were used to pull carts, guard homes and herd animals.
Group: Utility Group
Height: 61 – 69 cm (male), 56 – 63 cm (female)
Weight: 50 – 60 kg (male), 35 – 48 kg (female)
Life Expectancy: 8 – 10 years
Color: Black and Tan or Black and Mahagony
Price: Rs 18000 – 25000
Temperament: Self Assured, Courageous
8. Pug
Pugs are the best family dogs. Their hair fall is quite low, making the dogs easy to maintain. They don’t need to be bathed unless they get dirty but they need regular nail trimming. Pugs have a higher risk of obesity. Hence, their diet should not contain too much fat. Pug is a highly adaptable dog who cherish to stay at home as well as enjoy the outdoors.
Group: Toy Group
Height: 30-31 cm (male), 25 – 28 cm (female)
Weight: 6 -11 kg (male), 5 – 9 kg (female)
Life Expectancy: 12 – 15 years
Color: Black, Fawn, Apricot and Silver Fawn
Price: Rs 9000 – 15000
Temperament: Charming, Playful, Stubborn
9. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are popular as pets because of their loving and obedient nature. They are intelligent, can be trained well and excel in competitions. They make good watch dogs. They are good looking, sturdy and medium sized dogs. They have a water resistant coat with a straight or wavy outer coat. Hence, it requires regular grooming. Golden Retriever needs high-quality food and regular grooming. During heavy shedding, the brushing sessions turn into daily affairs. Their nails need to be well-trimmed. Golden Retriever is outgoing, loyal, and eager to do its owner’s bidding, which makes it very easy to train. Early socialization and training classes are recommended.
Group: Sporting Group
Height: 56-61 cm (male) , 51-56 cm (female)
Weight: 30-34 kg (male), 25-32 kg (female)
Life Expectancy: 12 – 15 years
Color: Dark Golden, Light Golden, Golden, cream
Price: Rs 23000 – 28000
Temperament: Friendly, Intelligent, Devoted
10. Cocker Spaniel
Cocker Spaniel is a medium sized dog with dark almond shaped eyes. It is a fairly active dog. It has a medium length silky coat which is flat or slightly wavy. Cocker Spaniel needs a quality meal and regular grooming. Being a people-pleasing breed, Cocker is generally sensitive to the reaction of its owner.
Group: Sporting Group
Height: 38-43 cm (male), 36-41 (female)
Weight: 11-15 kg (male), 8-12 kg (female)
Life Expectancy: 10 – 15 years
Color: Black with tan, Orange roan, White with black
Price: Rs 14000 – 20000
Temperament: Gentle, Smart, Happy
11. Dachshund
A bundle of energy in a small body, Dachshunds are famous for their ever-alert expression. These dogs come in standard and miniature sizes. Their bark is loud and can terrify the strangers. Dachshunds need a diet high in protein content. Dachshunds are watchdogs who will alert the owner on finding the slightest of suspicious activities. The ancestors of Dachshunds used to chase and flush out badgers and rabbits from burrows.
Group: Hound Group
Height: 20 -22 cm (male); 18- 21 cm (female)
Weight: 7-12 kg (male), 6-10 kg (female)
Life Expectancy: 10 – 15 years
Color: Black, Brown, Tan and Cream
Price: Rs 7000 – 8000
Temperament: Lively, Stubborn, Clever and Courageous
12. Doberman
Doberman dogs are great guard dogs, fearless, energetic and always ready to defend their owners. They are extremely loyal and easily trainable. This breed is prone to some health issues. Hence, the dog should be properly examined before you buy one.
Group: Sporting group
Height: 66-77 cm (male), 61-68 cm (female)
Weight: 40-45 kg (male), 32-38 kg (female)
Colors: White, Black, Fawn
Lifespan: 10-14 years
Price: Rs 36,000 – 60,000
Temperament: Loyal, fearless, courageous
13. Pomeranian
Pomeranian is a small-sized dog that looks almost similar to Indian Spitz. Pomeranian dogs are very playful and friendly. They are kind of territorial so they may bark if they hear some unusual sounds. Pomeranian dogs are thick coated. Proper and regular grooming is required to maintain the quality of its coat.
Group: Toy group
Height: 20-24 cm (male) , 18-22 cm (female)
Weight: 4-7 kg (male), 2-4 kg (female)
Colors: White, Brown
Lifespan: 12-16 years
Price: Rs 4,000 – 15,000
Temperament: Playful, friendly