5 Best Guard Dog Breeds In India

These Indian hounds recently gained popularity when 6 Mudhol hounds were trained and inducted into the Indian Army in 2017. It was the first time an Indian breed was ever appointed in the Indian Army.

Mudhol hounds were treated as a royal breed during the late 1800s and the early 1900s. But, with the British colonisation, their existence started to dwindle. Now, the Mudhol hound thrives mostly in the South of India, particularly Karnataka. There is a lot of effort taken to revive the breed and make them as royal as they once were.

Breed Highlights:

Extremely loyal dogs; will give their life for their owner
Since they have a high prey drive, they need to be trained and socialised from an early age
Their short coat makes them ideal for hotter cities in India
Little to no grooming required
Thrive better in farmlands and open spaces as they need a lot of running space

Statistics:

Group: Miscellaneous
Weight: 20 – 35 Kg
Height: 27 – 34 Inches
Life Expectancy: 13 – 15 years

Boxers are quite popular in India. They’re sturdy and protective towards their family. But when they are with the people they love, they can be aloof, goofy and friendly.

It belongs to the molosser dog family. All dogs belonging to this group have loose skin around their face. The Pug and the English Mastiff are both examples of molosser dogs. Though they don’t require a lot of grooming, it is essential to clean around their loose skin every day to prevent infections.

Breed Highlights:

They are resilient and therefore harder to train than most other dogs
Since they are big, training and socialisation is a must
Prone to big dog health problems and respiratory problems
Needs at least an hour of workout every day
Wary of strangers, hence make good guard dogs

Statistics:

Group: Working dogs
Weight: 27 – 31 Kg
Height: 21 – 25 Inches
Life Expectancy: 10 – 12 years

The Dobermann is a somewhat recent breed that was recognised by the AKC during the early 19th century. It originates from Germany and has a combination of Rottweiler and German Shepherd genes in their system.

They are the most popular guard dogs in India, known for their guarding abilities and loyalty towards their owners. Since they have a thin coat, they don’t require heavy grooming. It also makes them swift, agile and ready to take on danger.

Breed Highlights:

Dobermanns are intelligent, powerful and have a high prey drive
Not recommended for first-time pet owners as they require rigorous training and a firm and assertive voice to guide them
Moderately healthy, prone to hip dysplasia, Wobbler’s Syndrome, Von Willebrand’s Disease etc
Minimal grooming required
Need to be exercised for 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes every day

Statistics:

Group: Working
Weight: 27 – 36 Kg
Height: 24 – 26 Inches
Life Expectancy: 10 – 13 years

A large mesmerising breed, quite popular in the entire world. Many keep them because of their majestic wolf-like features. There are a lot of movies, magazines, websites and television shows that feature the German Shepherd that even non-dog owners recognize the breed. As a puppy, their ears are droopy and their tail curls at the tip. However, as they reach their second – third month, the tips of their ears and tail take shape.

These big, intelligent dogs cannot be brought home on a whim. They require a lot of exercise – both physical and mental activity. Training is essential from an early age because there is nothing worse than a mighty German Shepherd who doesn’t listen to their owner. If you plan to keep a German Shepherd, we suggest you do your research and keep them only if you are up for the commitment.

Breed Highlights:

Thrive in cool temperatures, but Indian borns have no problem in warm cities
Moderate health; prone to hip dysplasia, bloat, Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI) and allergies
Heavy shedders so make sure you have a functioning vacuum cleaner
Easy to train but you must be consistent with their training
As strong and intelligent dogs, they thrive best with an experienced pet owner

Statistics:

Group: Herding
Weight: 34 – 43 Kg
Height: 22 – 26 Inches
Life Expectancy: 10 – 14 years

Rottweilers are strong, intelligent and confident. They were first bred in Germany to pull carts and herd farm animals. Now, they are known as some of the best guard dogs in India.

Though they have the physical strength and stamina, they are very calm and less likely to bite. Why then are Rottweilers considered one of the most dangerous breeds? It’s because with Rotties training is not an option; it is an absolute necessity. Rottweilers need consistent training and feeding. As with any other dog, an untrained Rottweiler is a threat to the entire society.

If you want a Rottweiler, you must socialise them with children and other dogs from a very early age. This will teach them the difference between a friendly encounter and an invasion.

Breed Highlights:

Versatile breed; parental supervision is important if you have kids around the house
Prone to hip dysplasia, Osteosarcoma, bloat, allergies etc
45 minutes to an hour workout needed
Not very difficult to train but consistency is important
Not suitable for first-time pet owners

Statistics:

Group: Working
Weight: 40 – 58 Kg
Height: 22 – 27 Inches
Life Expectancy: 8 – 11 years