Dogs are the best companions anybody can ask for. They are always there for you, as a good listener, as your playtime buddy, and to make you smile whenever you hit your blues. It is very difficult to pick out the right breed that would suit you. It depends on the amount of time, space and energy that you can give to them.
There are plenty of beautiful and joyous options available for you to pick from. Some are very predictable, too small, energetic, have greater grooming needs etc. So for you to have a quick pick and understand every characteristic of the cute little pooches, here is a list of top dog breeds in India as well as purebreds by Pawstro:
MOST POPULAR DOG BREEDS 2024
American Kennel Club Ranking-Wise
Labrador (AKC Rank: 1)
An easily recognizable and one of the most popular medium to large dog breeds top the breed list! Their winning streak starts well right from being adaptive with kids and other canines, to bonding closely with almost anyone apart from their family members. The activeness, playfulness and intelligence that they carry around within themselves are very remarkable.
You can expect them to be the best at running, fetching, snuggling etc. They need minor grooming as their shedding rate is minimal. Don’t forget to give them regular brushing.
Labs are known for their qualities which are tolerance, intelligence & gentleness. What makes them a top choice is their easy-going nature. Being completely lovable holds a large share in their popularity chart.
French Bulldog (AKC Rank: 2)
One of the best small dog breeds is French Bulldogs. Take a look at them closely & find them exactly like a bulldog, but a miniature version of them. They are friendly, happy-spirited & social dogs. They can be feisty sometimes but hey! What is the point of having a paw-pet if they’re not feisty sometimes at all?
Their distinctive feature is their erect bat-like ears. With their calm look, courage, intelligence and friendliness, they have won the hearts of millions. This might surprise you but they do their thinking by really appreciating and understanding it quickly when you use a good sense of humor, and praise them.
Read More: Five tips to find the Best Names for Dogs
German Shepherd (AKC Rank: 3)
Almost everyone is quite familiar with the “wolf-like” appearance of a German shepherd. These are medium to large sized so if you have a large space, you can consider keeping them. They are usually thought of as good family pets, who are gentle with children. But keeping an eye while your German Shephy is near your child to ensure everyone is safe would be a good tip to keep in mind.
They are highly obedient, intelligent and possess great strength. By willingly putting their lives on line, these creatures defend their loved ones! If you are looking for the best dogs for families in the form of a great guardian, nothing beats them!
Golden Retriever (AKC Rank: 4)
‘The golden colour’ of this cute breed gives it its name. Golden Retriever is an ideal family dog. They tend to love everyone and are gentle by nature. These Goldies are known to enjoy activities. They can be your partner if you are someone who is active.
Also known as a “Flat-Coated Retriever”, with its double coat which is water-resistant and very thick, their body can hold up a lot of heat even when it is quite cold. You can get both long-haired and short-haired golden retrievers. With a friendly, loving and active approach, these ones are going to mesmerize you instantly.
These also need early socialization. You will have to manage their intake since they may get overweight easily. At Least 1 hour of daily exercise can help one of these top dog breeds maintain it.
Poodle (AKC Rank: 6)
With a very funky look, this versatile breed has become popular in no time. This breed comes in 3 sizes: Toy, Miniature and Standard. Since they are very energetic, you just have to make sure that they get to have as much exercise as they can.
Poodles are good family dogs. They are energetic, smart, fun to play with and easy to train. They would do best with some daily exercises. Proper mental stimulation along with regular grooming for their continuous, curly growing coat is a must for them.
Beagle(AKC Rank: 7)
With an easy and outgoing attitude, this breed promises to be one of the happiest and most lovable ones. Did you know it is said that they are born to hunt! The second a beagle smells something interesting, they follow their nose instead of their owner’s requests. Their nose is said to be their ruler.
If you want to pick one of the top dog breeds that is very approachable, warm and cheerful then you should go for a beagle. With plenty of exercises, your beagle will stay as fit and healthy as possible. Coming in pleasant colours, their big brown, hazel eyes add up more to the adorable face. So, if you are looking for a curious, clever, even-tempered and gentle dog, a beagle is the one.
Rottweiler (AKC Rank: 8)
Known for its observation skills, this breed stands proud and confident along with its playful traits. With a strong black coat combined with rust markings, they possess a lot of strength. The best thing is that their coat requires minimal care. You can just get done with it via quick and weekly grooming. But, do make sure that they get early training and develop good socialization skills. With extensive and continuous socialization, they will undoubtedly become your go-to family companion.
Read More: How to be a better pet parent
Apart from these top breeds, you can also check out a few breeds listed below if they fit your pet criteria.
Bulldog (AKC Rank: 5)
These are courageous, kind & friendly family-friendly pets, who are known for their courage and loyalty.
German Shorthaired Pointer (AKC Rank: 9)
A loving and loyal breed of dogs, who fall under the category of sporting group. They can be a family pet but you’ll have to keep in mind that they were originally bred to be hunters.
Dachshunds (AKC Rank: 10)
Known for being a good watch dogs breed, Dachshunds are loyal companions and good family dogs.They can be a bit difficult to train and would need some extra efforts.
Now, as we are looking at the global dog breeds that stand apart according to their features, size, age, etc. let us have a glimpse of the best Indian dog breeds that you can proudly own.
Here is a list of the friendly dog breeds in India that promise to create a remarkable journey for you:
Best Indian Dog Breeds
Pariah Dogs
This is said to be the most intelligent Indian dog. Apart from being one of the oldest Indian dog breeds, it is found throughout the Indian Subcontinent. Its distinctive features are being social, alert and very low maintenance. But, they still need regular trimming of their nails since long nails can injure themselves.
Chippiparai
This breed is found mostly in Southern India, typically in Tamil India. These hound dogs are said to be both silent and strong enough to protect their families and are loyal enough to be one of the best dogs for families.
You can also check these breeds to hold a pawsitive experience together:
Mudhol Hound
Mudhol Hounds are intelligent, athletic and would be perfect for people who share the same traits.
(Image Source: ScrollDroll)
Rajapalayam
This breed can be most affectionate, devoted and loyal pets one can find.
(Image Source: Wikipedia)
Indian Spitz
They are one of the easiest breeds to live with, a quality making them popular family pets.
(Image Source: Wikipedia)
Kanni
A “shy but an active defender when needed” breed. They are extremely faithful and loyal to their family.
(Image Source: pic-willy)
Himalayan Sheepdog
These large doggies are a great companion, protective by nature. They are more close to the owner than others.
Combai
Known as one of the highly intelligent breeds of dogs. They are usually sweet-natured but if provoked by strangers, they can be ferocious.
Bakharwal
With a rating of 4 out 5 in friendliness, Bakharwal dogs are good to have as paw-friends.
Pandikona
This particular breed is known to develop a sibling type bond with children and can be fierce to protect them from unknown people.
(Image Source: The Smart Canine)
Kumaon Mastiff
They can thrive in any environment. These fluffy mastiffs are one of the most adaptable breeds.
(Image Source: Global Dog Breeds)
Jonangi
Being extremely energetic & alert in nature, Jonangi buds can be your active companion if you are someone as active as them.
(Image Source: Wikipedia)
Rampur Greyhound
These cuties are naturally timid in nature. They need daily exercises but they can be one of the calmer breeds you can have as pets.
(Image Source: Monenco Iran)
Vikhan Sheepdog
Aggressive outside but a pookie inside, Vikhan Sheepdogs are alert, active and devoted, making them an excellent family pet.
Gull Dong
Known to be aggressive, strong-willed and intelligent, these sharpies are not for people who are inexperienced in having a dog, as they need a strong leader and stable handler. They are one of the small dog breeds in India.
(Image Source: Facebook)
The list may not end here but since we have a limited space here, the above mentioned breeds can be your lovely and wonderful paw-buddies. Just make sure you provide them with whatever suits them the best and they would be on their best behavior playing and staying with you.
To spice up this blog more, we will be highlighting a few FAQs for you:
Frequently Asked Questions about Dog Breeds
- Which is the no. 1 dog in the world?
The Labrador Retriever” is said to be the most popular dog breed in the world. It is one of the most family-friendly breeds that you can find. - Which dog has the highest IQ level?
“Border Collie” breed has the highest IQ Level than any other dog! If you want a dog to understand it’s routine and tasks quickly, then this is the one. The smartest of all. - What is the rarest dog breed?
The rarest dog breed that you can find is “Lagotto Romagnolo”! These cute dogs have Italian Origin and are said to be very rare in other parts of the world. - Which is the cheapest dog in the world?
The cheapest dog that you can ever come across is “Greyhound”. They require super less grooming than other dogs and are hence very pocket-friendly. - Which is the most beautiful dog breed?
“Akita” is said to be the most charming dog breed of all. With their fluffy coat, they promise to catch your attention quickly.
Whether you adopt from dog breeds in India or a purebred, having these little feet running across the hall can lighten up your day and fill in all your worries. We hope that with this blog, you were able to pick the most suitable breed as your best friend. Let us know in the comments which breed you pick.
