9 Most Aggressive Indian Dog Breeds

Dogs are the most loyal and friendly pets humans could ever have. They are known to maintain a good and cordial relationship with their owners and family members. Some breeds are even great with children and other small dogs.

Although they prove to be compassionate and loving, some dog breeds are aggressive and tend to pose a threat to people around them.

The reasons behind it might be their environment, temperament, type of breed, and so on. If you’re looking for a breed of a similar kind, make sure you know everything about it before taking any decision.

In this article, we would learn about the most aggressive Indian dog breeds. So let’s get started.

1. Gaddi Kutta

Also known as the Himalayan mastiff, this breed is a livestock guardian dog from the Himalayas, covering India and Nepal. It is very closely related to the slightly larger Tibetan mastiff

It is covered with a double coat which is usually black and tan or solid black with some white markings on its toes, chest, and neck.

Furthermore, it has small drooped ears and a heavily plumed tail that is curled over its back. It is primarily used as a guard dog to protect yak and sheep, and also as a property guard by their owners.

However, it takes its role as a family protector very seriously and can be aggressive and ferocious. It is a strong dog that needs a strong leader. It needs to have respect for you as it can be quite willful and stubborn.

2. Bully Kutta

Nicolas2200, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Bully Kutta is a large dog that originated in the Indian subcontinent, dating back to the 16th century.

The word “Bully” comes from the root word of the Hindustani and Punjabi languages “Bohli” which means heavily wrinkled. 

It quite resembles the mastiff and is notable for its hardiness and size. The color of this breed is black and white with some red in places. The tail curls up and is long and bushy, with the coat being long and thick. It is very strong, heavy-boned, broad-headed, and muscular, with high energy and stamina. 

The Bully Kutta is a working dog used for hunting and guarding. It is widely famous for its aggressive fighting instincts but is also very intelligent, loyal, and protective towards its owner.

If you have children in your family, then this breed wouldn’t be the right choice for you, as it can be immensely dangerous at times. 

3. Rajapalayam

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The Rajapalayam, also known as the Polygar Hound, Shikkar Hound, or Indian Ghost Hound, is a Southern Indian dog breed.

It is an extremely handsome and graceful dog with a double suspension gait, similar to the trotting of a thoroughbred horse. It comes in milk-white color with faint brown markings and a pink nose. Its coat is single, short, and fine which makes it suitable for the hot climate in South India.  It is a hound, and therefore should be kept in optimum working condition. It needs wide-open spaces and therefore is not suitable for apartment living.

Likewise, it is very affectionate and devoted to its owner. It does not usually like to be touched or handled by strangers and can turn out to be very aggressive if not trained properly.

Early socialization is very essential for this breed if they are to curb this type of behavior and get along well with others.

4. Indian Pariah

Portrait hunting dog Basenji breed

The Indian Pariah is a medium-sized dog of a square to slightly rectangular build and short coat. It is a double-coated dog with a coarse upper coat and a soft undercoat. It has erect ears, a wedge-shaped head, and a curved tail.

Not only that but it is also known as the Indian Native Dog or INDog, South Asian Pye Dog, and Desi Dog. 

Pariah dogs are very alert and social. They are used as guard dogs and police dogs, being very territorial and defensive. They love to live in packs and are wonderful with children and other pets. They need good socialization as puppies to gel well with families and neighbors. But if not socialized properly, they might develop anxiety and distrust amidst other humans.

They do not trust strangers easily and may exhibit signs of aggression if confronted or cornered by new people and other dogs or animals.

5. Kombai

The Kombai dog is a breed of sighthound native to Tamil Nadu in Southern India. It is a lean, long, muscular, powerful, and athletic dog that stands around 71 cm (28 inches).

It has a short, smooth coat that is usually reddish-brown with a slightly lighter colored saddle and a black muzzle. Furthermore, it possesses a long, tapering tail that is curled over its back. 

Traditionally kept for hunting, they also have a reputation for making excellent guard dogs. They are described as highly intelligent and loyal dogs towards people they are familiar with. They are sweet-natured and tolerant of children. 

But when aroused by strangers or unfamiliar dogs, they can be ferocious and highly aggressive due to their high prey instincts and zero tolerance for provocation and foul play.

6. Rampur Greyhound

P.Marlow at English Wikipedia, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The Rampur Greyhound is a breed of sighthound native to the Rampur region of Northern India, which lies between Delhi and Bareilly.

It is a short-haired, powerfully built sighthound that resembles the Sloughi in appearance, with tall legs, a long snout, and a narrow torso.  It has a thin, whip-like tail that reaches almost down to its ankles.

Likewise, it possesses a short, flat, and smooth coat and is available in colors such as white, black, tan, and gray. Some have spots on their body while others are brindle. 

They are typically shy dogs but are extremely loyal to their owner. They go well with children due to their playful and friendly nature. But be mindful of the size of this breed when they are running as they can easily knock over small children.

Also, they were meant to hunt small animals, so this breed might not prove to be the best choice for you if you have other pet animals in your house.

7. Bakharwal Dog

User7051399901, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Bakharwal Dog is an ancient working Indian dog breed found across the Pir Panjal Range of India, where it has been bred for many centuries by the Bakarwal and Gujjar nomadic tribes, as livestock guardians dogs, and settlement protectors. 

It is a powerful, heavy bone, medium to large size dog. It is an agile and sturdy breed, a typical mountain dog with a furry coat and plumy tail that gives it a majestic look.

It is mostly in black with white on the toes and chest. However, it is also found in red, fawn, pied, sable, and brindle colors. 

They are very protective and loyal towards their owners and their properties. They take their duty as a guardian very seriously and can be extremely dangerous when they sense a sign of threat in the surrounding.

Not only that, but they can even be as intimidating and aggressive as bears, lions, and wolves.

8. Kanni

The Kanni (also known as the Maiden’s Beastmaster) is a rare indigenous South Indian sighthound breed of dog found in the state of Tamil Nadu.

They are medium-sized dogs, with straight top lines and tucked-up abdomens.  They have straight heads, strong jaws, golden eyes, and black noses. Their ears are medium-sized and flat and can be erect dropping, or semi-dropping. Their tail is semi curved. They weigh up to 22 kgs and their height at the withers is around 64-74 cms. 

Kannis are specially bred and used for hunting Indian hares. They have an excellent sense of smell and sight to track and hunt their prey.

They are extremely faithful and easy to train, but they will always think independently when on a hunt. Furthermore, they are very loyal to their family.

They are usually shy but will always defend their home or master if the need arises. 

9. Mudhol Hound

The Mudhol Hound, also known variously as the Maratha Hound, the Pashmi Hound the Kathewar Dog, and the Caravan Hound, is a breed of sighthound from India.

It has a long and narrow head, broad between the ears with a tapering muzzle. It possesses a short and dense single coat. It weighs from 22-28 kgs and its height can go up to 35 inches.

They are good family companions and develop a special bond with one person in the family.

They may not be the right breed for younger children, but they bond well with the older children and are warm and affectionate towards them.

Likewise, they might do well with other dogs but will not be tolerant toward smaller pets because of their high prey drive. 

Also, this breed doesn’t do well with strangers around them, as they might just get irked and snap.

So, if you have a lot of neighbors and friends coming frequently, this breed might not be the right option for you.

Treating them with kindness and respect is important, or they turn out to be very aggressive as they get older. 

Conclusion 

A lot of Indian breeds are developed to be used for hunting and guarding purposes, due to which they turn out to be a bit aggressive at times.

However, with proper training, you can still have them as the perfect companions for you and your family. I hope you found this article helpful to find the best fur friend for yourself.

Isha has been a Dog Lover her entire life and has owned many dogs over the years. Her immense experience of raising and training dogs has helped thousands of dog owners take better care of their dogs.

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