Dogs have always maintained a very cordial relationship with their owners and family members. No one can deny the fact that having a dog at home is a blessing in disguise.
But sometimes it can be the other way round too. Dog lovers literally run errands to buy expensive and unique breeds from across the globe. However, just merely having a unique breed doesn’t serve the purpose.
You must actually know how to take care of your dog, especially when it’s imported or a rare species. While some adjust very well to the climate of India, many find it difficult to cope up with the heat and humidity of the country.
Moreover, some breeds are highly dangerous and even pose a threat to their owners as well as the people around them. Taking all these issues into consideration, some dog breeds are banned or restricted in India.
While there
In this article, we will refer to some of these banned dog breeds. So let’s get started.
1. Bandog or Bandogge
This type of breed was usually used as a guard dog and was let loose at night to protect its owner’s property, in the Middle Ages. It has a large head, a muscular body, and a short coat that can be brindle, blue, red, black, or fawn.
It can be a cross-breed between an American Pitbull Terrier or American Bulldog and a Neapolitan Mastiff or a Mastiff. This breed needs a leader who can guide it with firmness and consistency without being rude or cruel.
However, it doesn’t go well with strangers and can turn dangerous. Therefore, early socialization is important for it to have a friendly nature towards other people. This would ensure that your Bandogge can recognize true friends and threats.
2. Neapolitan Mastiff
A Neapolitan Mastiff comes from the traditional catch and guard dogs of Central Italy. It is a very large and powerful breed that can weigh from 50 to 70 kgs. Its height can go from 60 to 75 cm.
It can live from 8 to 10 years. The skin of this breed is abundant and loose, particularly on the head where it hangs in heavy wrinkles. They are very stubborn, fearless, and dominant in nature.
Hence, very protective when it comes to their owners and family members. If nicely trained, they can prove to be the best guard dogs for their owner.
However, they can be a bit harmful when fully grown and should avoid keeping them alone with children.
3. Wolf Dog
Wolf Dogs are a hybrid breed of a dog and a gray wolf, eastern wolf, red wolf, or Ethiopian wolf. They are a mixture of genetic traits, which results in fewer behavior patterns compared to either a wolf or a dog.
They are more companions than pets. Being smart in nature, they are very much self-aware of their surroundings. Sometimes they can be challenging even to the most highly experienced caretakers.
You can never understand how your wolf dog pup would behave when it grows fully into an adult. So it’s always a bit risky to pet them if you have small children nearby.
Their life span is around 12 to 14 years and can weigh up to 60 kgs.
4. Boerboel
A Boerboel is a large mastiff-type dog, with a strong bone structure, and well-developed muscles. It looks impressive, carrying itself with confidence and power, and shows massive courage when threatened, despite its size.
Its coat is short and sleek with dense hair coverage. This breed originates from South Africa and was primarily used as the first line of defense against hyenas, lions, and other big cats.
They are usually very dominant as well as intelligent and are considered excellent watchdogs.
However, they need proper training and guidance at an early age, otherwise can be destructive and dangerous towards strangers and other animals.
5. Dogo Argentino
Also known as Argentinian Dogo, this breed is a large, white-coated dog with black spots on its skin, and has a muscular and strong body.
They were initially bred for big game hunting, while now they are also trained for search and rescue operations, police assistance, guide for the blind, competitive obedience, and military work.
This dog breed is very intelligent and courageous with a strong and natural instinct to protect its home and family. However, it has an unsteady temperament which is why it is banned in many countries.
The life expectancy of this breed is around 10 to 12 years and can weigh from 40 to 45 kgs.
6. Presa Canario
The Presa Canario is a large dog with a heavy muscular body, and massive and powerful head structure. It was traditionally used as a guard dog, as a herding dog for sheep and cattle, and also for dogfighting. It is highly stubborn and dominant and can suspect threats very easily.
Not only that, but it is known for its strong guarding instinct, and is considered to be an owner-focused breed. The bite force of this breed might exceed 500 PSI, which is why it’s highly dangerous to have it around strangers or children.
However, if provided ample socialization and proper training, it can become a loyal family pet.
7. Fila Brasileiro
Developed in Brazil, this breed is a large working dog known for its superb tracking ability and an unforgiving, impetuous temperament. Rather than attacking its prey, the Fila traps it and waits for the hunter to arrive.
It is used as a guard dog, as a cattle dog for livestock, and as a hunting dog for tracking and controlling large games. It is a breed of a mastiff with large bones and loose skin.
Though large in size, it doesn’t appear static. Because of its aggressive nature, it is banned in many countries. It is recommended not to have this breed as a pet for families.
But if you’re an experienced large dog owner who is ready to devote a serious amount of time to training and socialization, then this breed can make a wonderful companion and watchdog.
8. Tosa Inu
The Tosa Inu is a breed that originated from Japan, is usually bred as a fighting dog, and is the only breed still used legally in Japanese dogfighting.
They are considered the equivalent of Sumo wrestlers and are even depicted in wrestling accouterments. While it’s a great fighter in the ring, it can also prove to be a good family pet. However, it highly requires proper training and manners to be possessed as a pet.
Having a bite force of 556 PSI, it is a heavily regulated dog breed. Also, it has a very aggressive and dominant temperament which makes it difficult to own and train.
So if you’re an experienced owner who knows how to treat such a breed, only then it could be a great choice for you.
Conclusion
Every dog has its good and bad characteristic traits and based on that, some of them are restricted or banned in India. One of the reasons is the safety of humans as well as those dog breeds.
When having to choose your little companion, make sure you know what you’re expecting it to be. I hope you found this article useful, informative and has given you a clear picture of all the dog breeds that are banned or restricted in India.
