Dog Breed Banned in India – Full List + Best Alternatives

The dogs are valuable pets that people adore and appreciate for their loyal, loving, and protective nature. However, not every breed is suitable in all settings, particularly in a crowded nation like India. Some breeds, due to their size, temperament, and aggressive tendencies, have been deemed unsafe to live in towns and cities, and they are currently subject to numerous legislative restrictions and city policies.

This awareness of these bans is essential for people who already own dogs or plan to acquire them in the future so that they can make responsible, well-informed decisions. This guide describes these breeds and reasons why they are banned, and also outlines safety issues and which are the banned dog breeds in India?

Banned Dogs in India: How These Canines Ended Up on the List

To understand the dangerous dog breeds banned in India, it is essential to comprehend the reasons, primarily due to their aggressive nature, strong physical characteristics, and difficulties in responsible rearing. We will discuss these breeds, their history, and the rationale of inclusion in the list of banned dogs in India below.

Pitbull Terrier

Pit Bull terriers are strong, persistent, and have a somewhat controversial image worldwide. This breed was historically raised for bull-baiting and then for dog fighting, and as a result, has enormous strength and tenacity. Leaving Pitbulls in irresponsible hands may make them unpredictable, and hence, they are a risky type of dog in a congested area. It requires a profound understanding of canine psychology to control these dogs safely for their owners.

The government of India has acted out of caution to safeguard the communities by limiting the ownership of Pitbulls. Is Pitbull banned in India? Various states have included this breed on their list of restricted or prohibited dogs to check for possible threats. Records show that despite the aggressive insistence of Pit Bull breed lovers that the breed does not deserve the ban because it is being misunderstood, the ban is focused on the safety of the people rather than engaging in an argument.

Rottweiler

Rottweilers are known to be protective, intelligent, and very loyal dog breeds, making them good guard dogs. Nonetheless, the same aspects may become harmful without strong leadership and strict training. They possess strong bodies and strong bites, so even a slight lapse in discipline might escalate into serious, unacceptable cases.

Is the Rottweiler banned in India?

Yes, this breed appears on the list of dogs prohibited in several Indian states due to reported attacks and the inability to control them in densely populated areas. The critics say that there are ways how which responsible ownership can help to reduce these risks, but the existing laws are rather cautious.

Japanese Tosa

The Japanese Tosa is a large, dignified breed that was bred for fighting in Japan. A calm breed, the Tosa is nevertheless extremely powerful and protective when needed, which can prove unreliable in a family-oriented environment. Its threatening nature can cause tension among neighbors and commoners.

The fact that this breed is on the list of prohibited dog breeds is a global trend, as numerous countries have similar bans in place. Indian leaders believe that Tosas require spaces and state-of-the-art training facilities, which are often unavailable in big cities, to understand the number of dogs banned in India. As a result, ownership has been widely prohibited.

Dogo Argentino

In Argentina, Dogos were bred to hunt large game, such as pumas and wild boars. The breed is energetic, has a good prey drive, and a muscular body that requires excessive exercise and a professional guide. Without these, behavioural problems may surface.

This aspect of their physical strength, combined with a desire to protect, has led to a few cases of aggression being witnessed around the world. Being aware of such risks, India has also included the Dogo Argentino in the list of banned dogs to prevent accidents in crowded residential areas.

Boerboel

Boerboels originated in South Africa, where they were raised as homestead and livestock guarders. These massive canines are not afraid of anything, very loyal, and always distant from strangers by nature. Boerboels are loyal towards their families; however, they may be overprotective when living in urban areas where strangers are a common thing.

They are very big and dominant enough to scare even skilled handlers. Governmental controls have placed Boerboels one of the most dangerous dog breed because they were intended to protect people in towns and cities that are not yet fully equipped financially and technically to handle such powerful breeds.

Wolf Hybrid

Wolf hybrids are the result of crossing wolves and domestic dogs, creating animals with unpredictable temperaments and instincts. Wolf hybrids tend to retain the wild characteristics of the wolf, such as a strong prey drive and fear-induced aggression, which may not be conducive to most homes, unlike other fully domesticated breeds.

The consideration of wolf hybrids in the list of dogs prohibited in India highlights the importance of both the safety and welfare of animals and people. Such creatures require extremely controlled conditions, and in Indian cities, that is not easily possible. Many dog owners of this breed love to give dangerous dog names to their pets according to their nature and size.

Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Mastiff)

The Fila Brasileiro is a very loyal breed, characterised by strong protective instincts that can sometimes lead to aggression towards unfamiliar individuals. Bred originally in Brazil to stake and track down large prey, their size and strength can prove overbearing to inexperienced owners.

The wild nature of this breed in terms of behaviour around strangers has threatened the ownership of this breed in many countries, including India. This restricted dog breeds is intended to prevent accidents resulting from inadequate training and socialisation.

Presa Canario

The Presa Canario (Canary Mastiff) is a mastiff-type working dog originating in the Canary Islands. These breeds of dogs were traditionally employed as farm guards and livestock managers, but due to their size and physical power, they have also posed a menace to untrained people.

The Indian authorities considered urban conditions to be unsuitable for such a dominant breed. This has led to Presa Canarios being named as prohibited dog breeds to mitigate risks in a crowded environment.

American Bulldog

American Bulldogs are athletic and fierce, with strong protective tendencies that can become a problem if they are not socialised at an early age. They are affectionate with relatives but require owners who can train them regularly and accept their natural leadership tendencies.

This breed is restricted by Indian municipalities, which are concerned with public safety. The fact that they are among the 10 banned dog breeds in India indicates that an effort has been made to prevent the occurrence of preventable episodes in both urban and rural populations.

Kangal

Kangal is a giant livestock guardian dog originating from Turkey, characterised by a fearless nature and protective behaviour, but one of the top 10 restricted dog breeds. They grow large and are strong, which enables them to face large predators. However, this breed is extremely disadvantageous in an urban Indian setting where space and safe confinement are restricted.

The intimidating ability and force of this breed to bite have led to it being included on a list of breeds banned in India. To handle a Kangal safely, owners require a significant amount of resources and expertise.

Cane Corso

Cane Corsos are Italian Mastiffs that serve as large police guard dogs, protecting property and also hunting big game. They have an inappropriate muscle physique and territorial traits, which do not suit first-time owners in urban Indian settings.

Without socialisation at an early age and frequent training, the protective instinct and the power of this breed may lead to the development of aggression. Cane Corsos are also restricted dog breeds by authorities, which may also pose some safety issues in densely populated areas where they may find it difficult to restrain such a powerful dog.

Why Did Indian Government Banned These Dog Breeds?

The decision to ban these dog breeds are for public safety. In the recent years India has witnessed a sharp rise of fatal dog attacks, especially involving children’s, ladies & elderly peoples.

The main reason are:

• Dog Bites: According to Times of India & The Hindu around 37 lakhs dog bite cases reported in 2024.
• Rabies Death: 54 deaths are reported due to rabies in 2024.
• Recent Surge: Dog bite cases increased significantly from 2.18 million in 2022 to over 3.7 million in 2024.
• Recent Stats: The country witnesses around 10k dog bites every day.

Safe Alternative: Popular Legal Dog Breeds in India

If you are planning to adopt a family friendly dog breeds then here is the alternative options for you:

• Golden Retriever: Good looking & intelligent, great option for first time owners.
• Labrador Retriever: Safe, trusted, loyal, and perfect for kids.
• Shih Tzu of Pug: Small size dog well suitable for single parents and urban households.
• Beagle: Energetic, and social pet easily adapt the apartment life.
• India Pariah (Indie Dogs): High adaptability, low maintenance, and perfect for Indian conditions.

Responsible Dog Ownership With DeePet

A dog is a long-term companion, and you are taking both a moral and a proactive responsibility for their well-being, safety, and training. Some of the breeds, particularly those on the country's ban lists in India, require exceptional resources and specialised expertise to be handled responsibly.

At DeePet Services, we are firm believers that every pet should have a happy place to live and a loving family to call their own that suits their interests. So for any type of pet care services call us anytime.

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