First and foremost, it is important to understand that a dog breed is not banned in a country because it's an inherently bad breed. All dog breeds have their own unique temperaments, natures, and characteristics. However, some characteristics of these “banned” breeds may not be compatible with the living conditions of a country like India, especially the crowded and congested cities. Here are some of the reasons why some breeds may be banned:
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Super strength: Some dogs are extremely strong, with muscular body structures and high bite strength. They may accidentally hurt humans in day-to-day activities, even without any trace of aggression.
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Extreme protective instincts: Some dogs are protectors through and through. They’re fiercely loyal to their own humans and are ready to give up their lives for them. However, this may translate into them thinking of other humans as threats and hurting them in order to “protect” their own human.
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Genetic memory: Unfortunately, genetics also plays a part in why some dogs get banned. A number of breeds were made to do harsh and aggressive jobs like fighting, guarding, or hunting. These instincts may stay in them genetically and make them come across as aggressive in a non-threatening situation.
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Specialised training: Some breeds just need special training and careful socialisation, because they’re not used to staying in the kind of environment that is usual for a pet household in India: restricted space, too many people, daily routine of pet parents, etc.
It is important to remember that none of this is a dog’s fault. From breeding them especially for aggressive work to bringing them into environments that are unsuitable for them, all of it was done by humans for their own use and convenience.
Are any dog breeds banned in India?
This is actually a trickier question than you would assume, mostly because of the various legal and governmental loopholes. In March, 2024, a circular was issued by the Centre’s Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying (Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying), which “requested” the local bodies (i.e., the local Department of Animal Husbandry of every State and Union Territory) to not issue any licenses or permits for the sale, breeding or keeping of 23 dog breeds that it had deemed “dangerous for human life”. Those who already had dogs from this list as pets were told to sterilise them so that no further breeding could happen. However, even in January 2025, during a hearing at the Bombay High Court, the Centre told the court that they have not been acting on the circular yet.
Even when it comes to enforcement, it is difficult to do so on a country-wide basis because there is a lot of illegal trade that happens in the dog breeding and selling scene. However, some States and UTs have banned certain breeds from being kept as pets.
What dog breeds have been deemed dangerous in India?
1. Pitbull Terrier
This muscular and strong dog breed is very intelligent and extremely loyal. By nature, they’re very loving and protective. However, they need to be socialised from a young age to properly adjust to a family home with lots of people.
Reason: These breeds are very strong, and they need to be trained properly to use this strength carefully around humans, especially in families with children or in crowded neighbourhoods. Unfortunately, Pitbulls have acquired a negative reputation because of a number of incidents of aggression.
2. Tosa Inu
The Tosa Inu is a large, muscular breed that was bred in Japan for use in dogfighting. It is well-known for its calm demeanour and fierce loyalty. It has natural guarding instincts and can be a very protective family dog when socialised properly from a young age.
Reason: This Japanese dog was bred for dog-fighting for so long that many fear its potential for aggressive behaviour. It has a strong prey drive and may get provoked by unfamiliar people or places if not trained with careful control. Many countries have called for its ban or restriction.
3. American Staffordshire Terrier
The American Staffordshire Terrier is full of strength, determination, and loyalty, which is what makes them a great companion dog. In fact, they are very loving and playful towards their family and familiar people. By nature, they’re friendly with people, but they have very strong protective instincts.
Reason: These dogs are particularly unwelcoming of other animals and may become aggressive towards them. They need to be trained with a firm hand from when they are young. Proper socialisation is very necessary, especially if they live in close proximity to other pets and animals, such as in a society.
4. Fila Brasileiro
The Fila Brasileiro, or the Brazilian Mastiff, is a large dog breed with a lot of strength. They were once bred to protect livestock from predators, so they have powerful limbs and a fierce bite. It is a loyal and protective dog that needs to be trained to be around strangers.
Reason: Because of their guard dog origins, these dogs have a tendency to be aggressive towards strangers, especially if they appear suddenly. When they become family dogs, they need to be trained to be around people and crowds, so this breed needs a very experienced pet parent.
5. Dogo Argentino
This athletic breed from Argentina was initially trained to hunt big game; therefore these dogs are fast and powerful. They are friendly with the humans who are familiar to them but may be aggressive towards other animals and dogs because of their hunting instincts. Early socialisation, therefore, becomes very important for them.
Reason: The Dogo Argentino has a fierce guarding and protective nature. Mix that with its hunting instincts, and you get a dog that needs to be handled with discipline and care. Plus, unfortunately, it also looks particularly intimidating, leading to even more calls for bans.
6. American Bulldog
The American Bulldog is not only powerful and massively built, but also extremely protective of their loved ones. They’re very intelligent and loyal, which is why they’re often beloved pets of families. However, it is this same affection for their family that may turn them aggressive against other animals and strangers.
Reason: The Bulldog’s guarding instinct is what kicks in when they are faced with unfamiliar people or places. This is why they need to be properly socialised and trained from a young age to be around people and crowds. Their muscular and serious appearance may also be a reason why many people are afraid of this breed.
7. Boerboel
These protective and loyal dogs are giants, which makes them particularly intimidating. They are very protective and loyal towards the people they know but have gained a tainted reputation for being aggressive towards strangers.
Reason: The Boerboel is a large, South African dog breed that used to guard livestock and territory. This is why their territorial instincts are very strong. They need consistent training to make them a family dog.
8. Kangal
Kangals were bred in Turkey for their strong guardian instincts and their courage for fighting with wolves and bears to protect livestock. In spite of this history, these giant dogs are actually very loyal and loving towards their family. They need early socialisation and an experienced pet parent.
Reason: Kangals are loyal and protective towards people they know, which makes them potentially dangerous towards people they don’t know, unless given consistent training to be around strangers.
9. Central Asian Shepherd Dog
The Central Asian Shepherd Dog was bred to protect livestock and the family, so they are very affectionate towards the family. However, because they were trained to ward off predators, they can be aggressive towards strangers and other animals. This guardian dog can withstand extremely harsh climate conditions.
Reason: City life can be difficult for this breed, which is used to extensive farmlands and tough terrain. They are also extremely independent, stubborn, and territorial, making them difficult to train to be around strangers.
10. Caucasian Shepherd Dog
This shepherd dog from the Caucasus region is powerful and territorial and was bred to protect livestock from predators. They are loyal towards their family but need firm training and early socialisation to be around others.
Reason: The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is very protective by nature, making them a challenge to be trained as house pets. Unless given proper training, they can be a potential danger to strangers. They may even need to be retrained around people they do not know.
11. South Russian Shepherd Dog
The South Russian Shepherd is assertive and strong-willed. This can sometimes make them stubborn and unwilling to co-operate. Being very large dogs who were originally trained to fight off bears and wolves from attacking livestock, they are highly assertive and suspicious of unknown people.
Reason: This dog has a strong protective nature, which may become a problem if they are put into crowded and overstimulating city life. They may potentially become too aggressive to be a house pet.
12. Tornjak
This large Croatian breed of working dogs was trained as breeding guardians. The Tornjak may need extra help when interacting with people and animals they don’t know. However, they are always loyal and protective towards their family.
Reason: The Tornjak needs early and constant socialisation to become a city companion animal because they are highly territorial and assertive. These guardian dogs may find it difficult to be around strangers.
13. Akita
The Akita is fierce and loyal but highly independent and courageous. They are great with the people they know but may become aggressive towards unknown people and animals.
Reason: Being a guardian dog, they are naturally tough and territorial. This may pose a problem when they have to interact with crowds and strangers in a city.
14. Mastiffs
Mastiffs are actually very calm and sociable dogs. However, they take time to get used to new people and situations. Once they do, they are very loyal and loving towards those that they know.
Reason: Mastiffs have brute strength on their side, so any altercation with anyone they think is an ‘intruder’ is extremely dangerous. They must be constantly socialised and trained with a firm hand, or they could become potentially aggressive.
15. Rottweiler
Rottweilers are a very popular breed for companion animals because they can be extremely loving and loyal. However, these qualities can then turn them into a danger for those they do not know. If trained properly, they are great family pets.
Reason: Being guard dogs, they are extremely alert and protective of those they love. That’s why they may get aggressive towards strangers, and given their strength, it can become a serious problem.
16. Terriers
Terriers have a potent prey drive and strong territorial instincts. Therefore, even though they are a medium-sized dog breed, they can be potentially dangerous towards strangers. With their families they are friendly and loving.
Reason: Terriers are strong-willed and protective hunting dogs. If not trained properly, their aggressive side may come out, making them dangerous for unknown people.
17. Rhodesian Ridgeback
This muscular breed from Africa was originally trained as game-hunting dogs for large game. They are athletic and powerful but may be introverted towards strangers and fiercely protective towards their families.
Reason: The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a hunting and guarding dog. So, they have powerful territorial instincts and may become aggressive if not trained properly to let strangers come into their vicinity.
18. Wolf Dogs
Wolfdogs, as the name suggests, are a mix of domesticated dogs and wild wolves. Now, it depends on how much they inherit from either side, but Wolfdogs are notoriously hard to train and may have high prey drives. They’re extremely strong and smart.
Reason: Part of a Wolfdog’s ancestry is completely wild; therefore, they can be unpredictable and fiercely independent. They’re also huge, making them potentially dangerous just because of their sheer strength.
19. Canario
The Canary Mastiff, or Canario, is a guard dog by nature. They are very loving and attached to their family, but their guardian instincts can make them potentially aggressive towards unknown people and animals.
Reason: Canarios need to be taught to control their natural protective and often fiercely aggressive instincts. They need early socialisation and firm training from the get-go, mainly because they’re also very large and strong.
20. Akbash
This Turkish dog is usually very large and white, making them majestic to look at. Their beauty attracts many people to keep them as pets. However, they are a breed of livestock guarding dogs, therefore this generally calm dog can turn vicious and assertive.
Reason: They are working dogs that were trained as guardians. So, a streak of aggression and territorial instinct remains in them. Akbash must be thoroughly trained to become companion pets in a crowded country like India.
21. Moscow Guard
The Moscow guard dog is large and fierce, known for its courage, loyalty, and protectiveness. While these qualities make them affectionate towards their families, they can be quite aggressive towards strangers.
Reason: The Moscow guard dog has quick instincts and massive strength. This combination often makes people anxious about their potential for dangerous aggressiveness.
22. Cane Corso
The Cane Corso is from the mastiff family and originated in Italy. They are gentle and loving towards their family but are guardian dogs that may turn aggressive if their family is threatened. They need extensive training to be around strangers and need experienced pet parents to handle them.
Reason: Cane Corso dogs are really powerful animals, so one cannot underestimate their strength. Their guarding instincts can therefore turn dangerous for crowded spaces that are full of strangers and other animals.
23. Bandog
The Bandog is a mixed breed of varied ancestry: mastiffs, terriers, and other guard/working dogs. They are strong, athletic and extremely protective. This kind of temperament may make them unsuitable for city life.
Reason: Bandogs are massive in size and very powerful. So, they need extensive training to control their strength. Unless socialised properly, they have a tendency to become aggressive.
As you can see, the real problem is not the dogs themselves but the environment/job that is natural to them and the behaviour they have inherited from their ancestry, which is also a result of selective breeding. Their common traits include guarding instinct, protectiveness, and strength. This makes them loyal and loving to family, but sometimes may manifest into aggression towards strangers.
They need constant supervision, training, and socialisation, and they’re not for first-time pet parents, especially those who live in the city. So, ultimately, it is up to the pet parents to ensure a safe environment for both the dogs and the other humans. This needs experience and expertise. No animal is inherently bad. They just need the proper environment to thrive, and sometimes that environment is not among crowds of humans.
Looking to explore more tips on how to look after your furry friend? Check out our other guides like Can Dogs Eat Apples?, Can Dogs Eat Blueberries?, Dog Food for Weight Loss, Raw v/s cooked meat for dogs, Home Remedies to cure tick fever, Finding Good Dog Food in India, How many times should I feed my dog?, Things you should do to keep your pet healthy, Types of Dog Food, How Prebiotics and Probiotics can improve your dog's digestion, Essential Tips for a New Dog Parent and others. Each guide is designed to help you make better food and care choices for your dog, to keep them happy, healthy, and thriving.
Resources:
https://sploot.space/resources/dog-breeds-banned-in-india
https://deepetservices.com/blog/dog-breeds-banned.php
https://telanganatoday.com/are-these-23-dog-breeds-really-banned-in-india-lets-get-into-details
Image Attribution:
Wolf dog: By Mariomassone - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18756534
