5 Dog breeds suitable for Indian weather
Although India is a large country and the weather cannot be generalized to something like "Indian weather", given the geographical situation, we can still somewhat identify the breeds that generally do well in most Indian conditions.
In general, unless one lives in a mountainanous terrain that has extreme to moderate cold conditions all year round, one should generally avoid breeds that have double coats or long coats.
Dogs are adaptable in nature, but the climate in which one lives can significantly impact how comfortable the dog will be daily. The best dogs for hot and humid weather have the right kind of coat and a body structure that evolved over time that is better suited for hot and humid conditions. Not surprisingly, these dog breeds have originated from these hot and humid conditions in the first place; thus, either those that originated from the hot and humid conditions or those in the neibhouring regions generally do well in hot and humid conditions.
Keep in mind though, the scorching heat during Apr, May and Jun are harsh for even the native breeds, so do not think that the dogs that orignally belong to a hot and humid region require no care all. As the dogs age, the ability to put up with harsh weather dramatically comes down. Heatstroke for dogs is as real as it is for humans.
Basis the breed characteristics, we have picked our top 5 breeds that do well in Indian conditions - no matter you are a city dweller or living in a village with ample space in front of your house for your dog to be free off leash.
Dogs that do best in hot temperatures have short hair, no double coat, or a single coat—and it's usually a lighter color, such as white, tan, or gray. Dogs with long noses are generally better suited for warmer temperatures. Their long snouts process warm air, cooling it down by the time it's breathed in. Also, dogs with big, erect ears tend to cool down a lot quicker than dogs with droopy ears that trap warm air.
1. Chihuahua
Chihuahuas have very short coat and are small in size. Having originated in the hot deserts of Mexico, this pocket-sized pet is an adaptable dog breed that does well living in warm weather climates. They actually dont like to be in cold environments given their coat conditions. Hot weather is what they like!
Height and Weight
HEIGHT: 6 to 9 inches & WEIGHT: 2 to 6 pounds
Life Expectancy
12 - 18 years. Some even live up to 20 years
Coat and Color
Smooth coats or long coats; seen in many colors
A word on some popularly known variations of the breed: You may have also heard of toy and teacup varieties of Chihuahua. They are not officially recognized breeds, but rather smaller dogs of the same breed. Weighing in at under five pounds, teacup Chihuahuas are the tiniest ever. It is unnatural for the dog to be teacup sized - the most honest breeders would tell you that.
Chihuahuas have a wide range of colorings, including some in white, black, most in brown, dark brown or chocolate, red or rust, cream, and a combination of various colors.
2. Great Dane
Many do not know but the Great Dane is one of the best large breed dogs for hot weather. One thing that everyone does know about Great Danes is that they are mostly lazy and dont bother working out themselves much over trivial matters in their lives. With a natural tendency to conserve energy, these couch potatoes aren’t likely to overexert themselves when the weather is warm. This breed tends to enjoy living in a warm-weather climate. However, it is common sense that dark color retains heat and therefore if your Great Dane is either dark or harlequin, chances are that your Great Dane can tend to be affected by the summer heat more than a light color coated one. Given they always want to be by your side, you dont have worry about leaving them unattended for long time outside in the sun anyways, but do keep in mind during those walks close to mid day are early evenings during summers.
Height and Weight
HEIGHT: 28 to 32 inches & WEIGHT: 110 to 180 pounds
Life Expectancy
6 - 8 years
Coat and Color
Short hair in brindle, fawn, blue, black, harlequin (white with black patches), or mantle (black and white)
The smooth coat of this dog breed doesn’t shed much, but given the size of this breed, even a little bit of shedding can be a lot. They don’t require a lot of grooming, just the regular bathing and trimming regime, similar to other breeds. Although they are large dogs, they don’t require a lot of exercise, just a brisk walk couple times a day can be enough.
3. Greyhound
Greyhounds are of many types. In fact, there are so many hounds that are native to India - a lot of them have local/regional names like Kanni, Chippparai, Mudhol, etc. Greyhound is one of the best large breed dogs for warm weather. Given Greyhounds have a short, thin coat and lean body mass, it’s easier for them to regulate their temperature in hot weather versus cold weather. In addition, the greyhound only needs a couple of short bursts of high-speed activity and a leisurely walk or two to keep their daily exercises meet their active lifestyle needs.
Height and Weight
HEIGHT: 13 to 15 inches & WEIGHT: 8 to 15 pounds
Life Expectancy
12 - 15 years
Coat and Color
Gray, black, fawn, chocolate, tan, cream, red, sable, or a combination
Greyhounds have the reputation to be tenaciously sporty, but dont be misled by their atheltic looks. Greyhounds in fact make great pets; they are quiet, well mannered and very easy to live with. They are friendly, lazy, calm, affectionate, clean, loving, trusting, good natured and very social. They are especially great to have around young children and other pets.
4. Dalmation
Dalmatians are unmistakable for their black dots, and also thanks to the movie 101 Dalmations. They come from central Europe, Croatia to be precise and Croatia apparently once had a place called Dalmatia and hence, the name for this breed. The Dalmatian has a short coat that is dense, smooth, and glossy. This dog only needs weekly brushing, although one might wish to brush more frequently to cut down on hair from being found all round the house. Now a popular pet, these dogs were once used to accompany those wealthy travellers when they travelled in their coaches, and thus were called coach dogs. The purpose of their accompanying was to calm the horses.
Height and Weight
HEIGHT: 19 to 24 inches & WEIGHT: 45 to 65 pounds
Life Expectancy
11 - 13 years
Coat and Color
Sort and white coat with black or liver spots
Bacause of their short coat and generally large white coat, these can be considered safe to keep in hot and humid weather conditions. One thing to consider is their strong desire to romp around given their breed characteristics.
5. Doberman Pincher
Dobermans fit the most of the Indian climate conditions and so have been one of the most commonly sighted dog breeds across the country. Given the breed itself is relatively new, it is a great feat that this dog breed has become so popular in India. Also in the United States and in the UK, Dobermans hold their position among some of the most popular dog breeds.
A super-intelligent and super-active dog--that's what one gets when they get home a Doberman Pinscher. They also get an extremely loyal, trustworthy dog who is playful and a fun-loving family companion. A natural protector who won't hesitate to respond to situations and take charge when they think their family is in danger, but they are not aggressive without necessity.
Height and Weight
HEIGHT: 124 to 28 inches & WEIGHT: 65 to 100 pounds
Life Expectancy
10 - 12 years
Coat and Color
Short, smooth coat comes in black, red, blue, or fawn with rust (tan) markings
With an elegant look and athletic style, Dobermans are also intelligent, alert and loyal. While they are a courageous guard dog, they are also a lovely family companion. Unfortunately, due to their alertness and protective loyalty they display without any fear, Dobermans are stereotyped as highly vicious and aggressive. While it is true that they have natural instincts to be protective, they are usually gentle, watchful and a loving dog. If they perceive any danger, they fearlessly defend their family.
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