Top 20 Indian Dog Breeds: Purchasing Price and Care

According to the written records of authors and historians—dating as far back as 400 BCE—Indian dogs are the ancient landrace and have been admired for their loyalty and vigour for years.

These breeds are best suited for their native tropical climate, which includes the Tropic of Cancer—the latitude which passes through the middle of India. This area includes the southern half of India in the torrid zone and the northern half of India in the temperate zone. Whereas short-haired hound dogs are better suited for the tropics, the Himalayan region has extremely cold climates, and thus hairy, Mastiff-type Indian dogs do better here.

If you are looking for a strong, fierce Indian dog, here are the top 20 native Indian dog breeds and their respective purchasing price.

Indian mastiffs are the largest and strongest mastiffs of Northern India. They are also known as the Kumaon Mastiff, Sindh Mastiff, Pakistani Bully, and Indian Bully. In Pakistan, they are known as the Bully Mastiff or Bully Kutta. The name comes from the Hindi/Urdu word bohli, meaning "heavily wrinkled," and kutta, which means dog.

Indian mastiffs are very rough-and-tough and are well-suited for the Indian subcontinent's climate. They were bred to protect their owners from wild animals and to help them hunt. They are strong, heavy-boned, broad-headed and muscular, with high energy and stamina; they are known for their dog-to-dog aggression.

A Gaddi Kutta is a mastiff-type mountain dog from the Western Himalayan region and originated from Himachal. This breed is available in the North Indian states of India: Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Kashmir. They are also known as Indian Panther Hounds and Mahidant Mastiffs. Initially bred for hunting purposes, the multi-talented Gaddi Kutta is widely used by local shepherds—mostly Gaddis (from the tribe of the same name). They are said to be strong enough to repel snow leopard attacks. They are intelligent enough to herd stray sheep and goats back to their pens.

This distinct breed was developed recently in the Tehri Garhwal district in the Uttarakhand State of India. It received its name, the Bangar Mastiff or Bangara Mastiff, from its place of origin. An Indian army major by the name of Major W.V. Soman created the breed in 1963 by mixing the native Bhutia Dog with other native dogs. Initially, they were used by local people for herding yak and sheep, and for protecting the villagers from ferocious wild animals like leopards, wolves, etc.

The Bakharwal Dog is an indigenous breed of Himalayan origin. They were bred exclusively by the Muslim nomadic group (Gujjars) to protect their livestock from predators. The name "Bakharwal" is taken from the word bakri or "goat" because they were bred to protect goats and sheep from wolves and bears. They are healthy, strong, devoted, friendly dogs; they are also known as the Kashmir Sheepdog, Bakarwal Mastiff, Kashmiri Bakharwal Dog, Gujjar Watchdog, Bakarwal, Gujjar Dog, and Kashmiri Mastiff.

Bhotia Dogs are Himalayan Sheepdogs from the Ladakh and Uttarakhand states of Northern India. They look very similar to Indian Gaddi Dogs. They are a gentle, obedient, healthy and sturdy dog. They love to please their master and to be with family.

Combai Dogs are strong and courageous dogs. They are native to the Southern Indian region of Tamil Nadu. They used to hunt boar, bison, and deer. This breed is also known as the Indian or Tamil Bear Hound. They have very powerful jaws, a deep, broad chest and erect ears. Combai Dogs are very active and savage and protective of their owners. Combai don't like the company of unfamiliar dogs or other animals and are very aggressive towards them. They have been known to fight intruders—humans or animals—to the death.

The Rajapalayam is a healthy, strong and tall hound dog breed; they are slightly smaller than a Great Dane. They are typically used for hunting wild boar and hare. They have a powerful jaw, and an athletic, muscular, heavy build.

Initially, they were the companion dog of the royal family of the Southern Indian town, Rajapalayam—that's where they get their name. They are affectionate and devoted to their owners, although not always demonstrative. They are reserved dogs and do not usually like to be touched or handled by strangers. Rajapalayams do not get along well with other pets (like cats) owing to their strong hunting instincts.

This dog was created by the king of Rampur, the city in the North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Rampur lies between two well-known Indian cities, Delhi and Bareilly. The breed was created to hunt deer, fox, jackal and rabbit. Later, they were also used to herd abandoned war horses.

Rampur Hounds are courageous dogs. They have the excellent running stamina and speed and are capable of jumping over six-foot-high fences. Rampur Greyhounds are the fastest running dog of India and can reach up to 40 miles per hour in speed. In the wild, they are able to take down a golden jackal.

Rampur Hounds are reserved dogs and are known as a one-man dog. They do not welcome other pets and don’t like strangers to touch them.

Caravan Hounds or Karwan Hounds are the most well-known sighthounds of India. They are available in most Indian states, metros, and urban areas. They are exceptionally loyal and intelligent dogs and perform wonderfully in the field on a consistent basis under grueling conditions which most dogs cannot tolerate.

Caravan Hounds are great athletes and have tremendous stamina and speed. They aren't as fast as Rampur Hounds, but they have better chasing stamina in the long run. Their physical strength, coupled with great speed and plenty of stamina, allows them to catch and kill several types of game over rough terrain—hare, blackbuck, and dear. Caravan Hounds are reserved around strangers and do not like to be touched by unfamiliar people.

The Pashmi Hound or Mudhol Hound is an endangered sighthound breed from India. They are healthy, intelligent and devoted dogs and have an excellent athletic, strong build. The Pashmi Hound was bred to hunt bear, fox, gazelle and wildcat. They have long, white coats.

Pashmi Hounds do well in hunting and field games. They are intelligent and affectionate, eager to please and love to be around family. They are generally friendly with strangers and get along with other pets.

Chippiparai Hounds are sighthounds and originated in the Tamil Nadu state of southern India. They were bred to hunt bear, wild boar, deer and hare. The ancient rulers of Tirunelveli and Madurai kept these dogs as symbols of royalty and dignity.

Many breeders believe that they are related to Egyptian Saluki, which were brought to India by Arabian invaders and soldiers and later bred with local native dogs. Chippiparai Hounds also do well as companion animals and guard dogs.

The Jonangi is an ancient dog from the east coast of India. Spread from Bengal to Kanyakumari, this exceptional dog is known for its rare bark or yodeling. Jonangi have extremely short and fine coats, wrinkled foreheads, curled tails and tulip-shaped ears.

At first look, they resemble a red fox, but they also have curly tails and stiff posture. This dog has average intelligence, but is very affectionate and devoted to family. At present, purebred Jonangi are rarely available.

The Indian Spitz is a small to medium-sized active and friendly dog. Though this breed is not friendly with other dogs and strangers, it is very loyal to family and makes for an excellent watchdog.

Indian Spitz are growing in demand in recent years because they are naturally healthy and do not require much grooming. They are well-suited for tropical climates and good for apartment living.

Pandikonas are primitive-type hunting dogs from the Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh. They are an excellent dog breed for guarding and hunting and need little grooming and training. They are very territorial and hardly accept any other dog in their territory. Pandikonas are free-roaming and average weight, but do not have a muscular appearance. They are naturally healthy, athletic and hardy dogs, courageous, and have a natural hunting instinct. They make great companions and guard dogs.

Pariah Dogs are free-roaming dogs in India. They are considered semi-wild dogs and are very healthy and sturdy dogs. The Pariah Dog is also known as InDog, Desi Kutta, and PiDog.

Some people think all roaming dogs are Pariah, which is not correct. Nowadays, most of the free-roaming dogs in urban areas are mixed with many breeds and are not pure Pariah dogs. In Indian villages, most of the roaming dogs are Pariah dogs.

Pariah dogs are best suited for extreme Indian climates. They are naturally healthy, moderate eaters and self-caring dogs that need little grooming and vet care.

People consider the Kumaon Mastiff, Sindh Mastiff, Alangu Mastiff and Indian Bully Kutta to be the same dog. Real Kumayun Mastiffs were naturally developed from the Kumayun district and are almost extinct or mixed with other breeds. Kumaon Mastiff are intelligent, strong and courageous dogs; they have similar physical traits to the Indian Mastiff (Bully Kutta).

Himalayan Mastiffs are native to the Himalayan region. They're known as Himalayan Guard Dogs or Indigenous Tibetan Mastiffs. They are calm, lovable dogs and love to please their owner and to be around family.

One important fact: They cannot tolerate or survive the warm weather. They also do not like the company of other dogs. They are typically gentle and calm but can be very ferocious if tested. A full-grown male is capable of taking down two wolves on its own; they are known to fight to the death. Unfortunately, only a few are left. This breed is listed as endangered.

Mahratta Greyhounds are a rare breed from the native province of Maharashtra. They are medium-sized hound dogs, like Saluki, and resemble a smaller version of the Indian Caravan Hound or Rampur Hound. They were used for hunting hare and other small prey on farms by farmers.

Common color patterns of this breed are dark blue and tan. Their coat is short and provides good protection against the various Indian elements. Unfortunately, nowadays, it’s very difficult to find a purebred Mahratta Hound.

Kaikadi Dogs are excellent terrier-type dogs from Maharashtra, India. They are named after a nomadic tribe in Maharashtra. Kaikadis are great watchdogs, and as a result of the nomadic life that they lived watching over herds, they are also adept at hunting hare and vermin. Kaikadis are rare dogs and only available in Maharashtra; their price and breed specification is not clear.

Soriala Greyhounds are native dogs from West Bengal, India, and are also known as Sarail Hounds in Bangladesh. This breed is technically endangered and at risk of extinction.

This breed was created to hunt deer and hare and to protect livestock from jackals and wolves. They are considered to be relatives of the Rampur Hound and unlike other sighthounds, they have broad and strong jaws.