some of the most popular and commonly found dog breeds kept as pet animals in Indian households today, along with short descriptions:
Labrador Retriever Friendly, gentle, and extremely patient. One of the top favorite family dogs in India, great with children and highly trainable.
Golden Retriever Loving, intelligent, and calm temperament. Very popular in urban Indian homes for their beautiful looks and affectionate nature.
German Shepherd Loyal, confident, and highly intelligent. Widely kept as both guard dogs and family pets, especially in independent houses.
Indian Pariah (Desi/Indie Dog) Native street-origin breed. Extremely intelligent, low-maintenance, hardy, and adaptable. Increasingly adopted as pets in cities.
Pug Small, charming, and comical. Very popular in apartments because of their compact size and loving personality.
Beagle Curious, friendly, and merry little hounds. Loved for their cute appearance and playful energy, common in middle-class families.
Shih Tzu Small, long-coated, affectionate lap dog. Extremely popular among apartment dwellers and families with kids.
Lhasa Apso Alert, independent, and long-haired Tibetan breed. Often kept as a companion and watchdog in Indian homes.
Boxer Playful, energetic, and protective. Common in houses with space; known for being excellent with children.
Rottweiler Strong, confident, and loyal. Popular as guard dogs in independent homes and farmhouses across India.
Dachshund (Standard & Miniature) Long-bodied, short-legged, brave, and lively. Very common in cities due to their small size and bold personality.
Pomeranian Tiny, fluffy, and spirited. One of the most loved small breeds in Indian apartments.
Spitz (Indian Spitz) White, fluffy, fox-like Indian version of the German Spitz. Extremely common and affordable family pet for decades.
Doberman Sleek, powerful, and highly loyal. Frequently chosen as a guard dog in homes and housing societies.
Cocker Spaniel (American & English) Gentle, merry, and beautiful long-eared dogs. Popular among families who love medium-sized affectionate pets.
Bulldog (English & French) Calm, courageous, and wrinkled. Gaining popularity in urban India despite high maintenance.
Siberian Husky Stunning looks with blue/heterochromatic eyes. Very popular among young pet parents despite being unsuitable for India’s hot climate.
Chihuahua World’s smallest breed. Kept as pocket-sized companions, especially in metro cities.
Saint Bernard Giant, gentle, and drooly. Found in cooler regions and some farmhouses in India.
Great Dane Gentle giants. Kept by families with large homes or farms who want an imposing yet loving pet.
Among these, the top 5 most common in Indian homes today are:
Labrador Retriever → Indian Pariah → German Shepherd → Golden Retriever → Pug/Shih Tzu.
Indian Spitz and Beagle follow very closely in popularity, especially in middle-class households.