Ranking · Updated October 2026
Best Dog Breeds for Delhi and Gurgaon: 58 Breeds Ranked Against Delhi's Heat, Smog, Monsoon and Winter
The best dogs for Delhi's climate are the Indian Pariah Dog and Rampur Greyhound (95 of 100 each), then the Indian Spitz and Rhodesian Ridgeback (92.5). Our score weighs heat most, because Safdarjung averages 39.9 C in May. Delhi also had 164 Poor-or-worse AQI days in 2025, and Gurgaon 148. Of 58 breeds, 18 score 70 or more for Delhi and 12 score under 40.
Key findings
- The Indian Pariah Dog and Rampur Greyhound share the top Delhi score, 95 of 100, followed by the Indian Spitz and Rhodesian Ridgeback at 92.5.
- Delhi's hottest month is May, when Safdarjung averages a daily maximum of 39.9 C; April to June all average 36.5 C or more.
- Delhi had 164 days at Poor AQI or worse in 2025 and Gurgaon had 148, against none in Bengaluru, per CPCB bulletins.
- Eight of the top 12 breeds for Delhi are Indian breeds, while the Labrador ranks 28th and the German Shepherd 39th.
- Heat wave conditions hit Delhi on 11 days between April and June 2026, and Ridge recorded 46.5 C on 19 May.
- From 1 January to 14 October 2026, Gurgaon logged 108 Poor-or-worse AQI days against Delhi's 79.
- Delhi has 2.7 registered vets per lakh people, a third of Haryana's 8.4, on 31 March 2024 data.
- Our guides name Delhi as a good city for 38 of 58 breeds, but 31 of those only in winter or with summer cooling.
Which dog breed is best for Delhi's climate?
The Indian Pariah Dog is the best all-round dog for Delhi and Gurgaon in our ranking. It scores 95 of 100, level with the Rampur Greyhound. The Indian Spitz and Rhodesian Ridgeback follow at 92.5, then the Poodle at 90 and the Chihuahua at 87.5.
We scored all 58 breeds in our guides for one city. Heat tolerance counts three times, coping without AC twice, and flat living, monsoon and beginner-friendliness once each. A breed then gains or loses points for what its guide says about Delhi.
Indian breeds dominate the top. Eight of the top 12 are Indian, and seven of those score a full 5 for heat. Imported small breeds that live indoors, such as the Poodle and Chihuahua, also rank well.
dogeats.in editorial score from our 58 breed guides, October 2026. Heat x3, copes without AC x2, flat, monsoon and beginner x1 each, plus or minus points for each guide's Delhi verdict. Green = Indian breed.
Show the numbers
| Label | score |
|---|---|
| Indian Pariah Dog | 95 |
| Rampur Greyhound | 95 |
| Indian Spitz | 92.5 |
| Rhodesian Ridgeback | 92.5 |
| Poodle | 90 |
| Chihuahua | 87.5 |
| Chippiparai | 85 |
| Kanni | 85 |
| Mudhol Hound | 85 |
| Rajapalayam | 80 |
| Dachshund | 80 |
| Kombai | 77.5 |
| Miniature Pinscher | 77.5 |
| Beagle | 77.5 |
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| Rank | Breed | Delhi score | Heat | Copes without AC | Flat | Monsoon | Beginner | Guide on Delhi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Pariah Dog | 95 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | No Delhi line; heat score 5 of 5 |
| 2 | Rampur Greyhound | 95 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | Delhi, Lucknow, Jaipur and the northern plains, climatically ideal |
| 3 | Indian Spitz | 92.5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | Delhi, Jaipur and north India, comfortable through summer with normal precautions |
| 4 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 92.5 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 2 | Delhi, Pune and Bengaluru, at ease in every season |
| 5 | Poodle | 90 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad and Delhi, all comfortable year-round |
| 6 | Chihuahua | 87.5 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | Bengaluru, Pune and Delhi, comfortable year-round |
| 7 | Chippiparai | 85 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | No Delhi line; heat score 5 of 5 |
| 8 | Kanni | 85 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | No Delhi line; heat score 5 of 5 |
| 9 | Mudhol Hound | 85 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | No Delhi line; heat score 5 of 5 |
| 10 | Rajapalayam | 80 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 2 | No Delhi line; heat score 5 of 5 |
| 11 | Dachshund | 80 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | The north including Delhi, with walks shifted early and late in summer |
| 12 | Kombai | 77.5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 1 | No Delhi line; heat score 5 of 5 |
| 13 | Miniature Pinscher | 77.5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | No Delhi line; heat score 4 of 5 |
| 14 | Beagle | 77.5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | Delhi and north India, with normal summer timing adjustments |
| 15 | Yorkshire Terrier | 75 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 | Hyderabad, Pune and Delhi, comfortable year-round |
| 16 | Maltese | 72.5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | Pune and Delhi, comfortable through most of the year |
| 17 | Jack Russell Terrier | 70 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | No Delhi line; heat score 4 of 5 |
| 18 | Bichon Frise | 70 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 4 | Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad and Delhi, comfortable in a short clip |
| 19 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 67.5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | Delhi and north India, manageable year-round with a feathering trim in summer |
| 20 | Lhasa Apso | 67.5 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | Delhi and north India, manageable year-round with grooming adjustments |
The median Delhi score across 58 breeds is 56.25. Eighteen breeds score 70 or more, and 12 score under 40. Outside the toy breeds and the Poodle, the best-placed popular imports are the Dachshund, 11th at 80, and the Beagle, 14th at 77.5.
Which dogs suit a flat in Delhi or Gurgaon?
For a flat, filter the ranking to breeds that score 4 or 5 for flat living. The Indian Pariah Dog leads at 95, then the Indian Spitz (92.5), Poodle (90) and Chihuahua (87.5). The Dachshund is next at 80.
The table shows the 15 highest-ranked breeds that pass the flat test, and all score at least 62.5 for Delhi. Most are small, and several shed little. Our flats report ranks all 58 breeds for flat life across India.
| Breed | Delhi rank | Delhi score | Flat (1-5) | Can stay alone (1-5) | Adult weight | Shedding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Pariah Dog | 1 | 95 | 4 | 4 | 20 to 30 kg | Low to moderate |
| Indian Spitz | 3 | 92.5 | 4 | 3 | 5 to 7 kg or 12 to 20 kg by type | Moderate to heavy |
| Poodle | 5 | 90 | 5 | 3 | 18 to 32 kg / 5 to 9 kg / 2 to 3 kg | Very low |
| Chihuahua | 6 | 87.5 | 5 | 2 | 1.5 to 2.7 kg (both sexes) | Low to moderate |
| Dachshund | 11 | 80 | 4 | 3 | 7 to 15 kg | Low to moderate by coat type |
| Miniature Pinscher | 13 | 77.5 | 4 | 2 | 3.5 to 5 kg | Low |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 15 | 75 | 5 | 2 | Under 3.2 kg, typically 2 to 3 kg | Very low |
| Maltese | 16 | 72.5 | 5 | 2 | Under 3.2 kg, usually 2 to 3 kg | Very low |
| Bichon Frise | 18 | 70 | 5 | 1 | 5 to 8 kg | Very low |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 19 | 67.5 | 5 | 2 | 5.9 to 8.2 kg | Moderate |
| Lhasa Apso | 20 | 67.5 | 5 | 4 | 5.5 to 8 kg (both sexes) | Low, but mats heavily |
| Cocker Spaniel | 23 | 62.5 | 4 | 2 | 13 to 15 kg | Moderate, mats readily |
| German Spitz | 25 | 62.5 | 4 | 3 | 5 to 11 kg depending on type | Heavy, seasonal blow-outs |
| Japanese Spitz | 26 | 62.5 | 4 | 3 | 5 to 11 kg | Heavy, seasonal blow-outs |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 27 | 62.5 | 4 | 3 | 10 to 12 kg (FCI); AKC maximum 13.6 kg / 30 lb | Heavy, with seasonal blow-outs |
Working couples should check the 'can stay alone' column. The Poodle and Indian Spitz score 3, while the Chihuahua scores 2. Gurgaon's high-rise societies add lift rides and long corridors to every walk, which suits a smaller dog.
How hot does Delhi get for dogs?
Delhi's hot season runs from April to June. Safdarjung averages a daily maximum of 36.5 C in April, 39.9 C in May and 39.0 C in June, on IMD's 1991 to 2020 normals. Palam, near the Gurgaon border, is hotter, at 40.7 C in May.
Nights give little relief in that stretch. The average May minimum is 25.8 C at Safdarjung and 26.4 C at Palam. A dog that cannot shed heat by day gets no cool night to recover in.
Heatwave days swing widely by year. IMD counted 37 heatwave days for the Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi sub-division in 2022 and 30 in 2024, but 11 in 2025. The 2015 to 2025 average is 10.9 days.
Source: India Meteorological Department, New Delhi (Safdarjung) climatological table, 1991 to 2020. Bars at 36 C or more in red.
Show the numbers
| Label | C |
|---|---|
| Jan | 20.1 C |
| Feb | 24.2 C |
| Mar | 29.9 C |
| Apr | 36.5 C |
| May | 39.9 C |
| Jun | 39.0 C |
| Jul | 35.6 C |
| Aug | 34.2 C |
| Sep | 34.1 C |
| Oct | 33.0 C |
| Nov | 28.4 C |
| Dec | 22.8 C |
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| Month | Safdarjung max (C) | Safdarjung min (C) | Rain (mm) | Rainy days | Fog days | Palam max (C) | Palam min (C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20.1 | 7.5 | 19.2 | 1.7 | 21.6 | 19.9 | 7.3 |
| Feb | 24.2 | 10.6 | 21.5 | 1.5 | 10.9 | 24.1 | 10.6 |
| Mar | 29.9 | 15.6 | 19.1 | 1.7 | 3.5 | 30.0 | 15.4 |
| Apr | 36.5 | 21.3 | 12.5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 37.1 | 21.7 |
| May | 39.9 | 25.8 | 29.4 | 2.7 | 0.2 | 40.7 | 26.4 |
| Jun | 39.0 | 27.7 | 80.6 | 4.8 | 0.2 | 39.6 | 27.9 |
| Jul | 35.6 | 27.5 | 195.8 | 9.7 | 0.1 | 36.0 | 27.4 |
| Aug | 34.2 | 26.7 | 226.8 | 10.2 | 0.2 | 34.5 | 26.4 |
| Sep | 34.1 | 25.0 | 128.0 | 5.5 | 0.2 | 34.4 | 24.9 |
| Oct | 33.0 | 19.5 | 14.1 | 0.8 | 3.4 | 33.3 | 19.9 |
| Nov | 28.4 | 13.0 | 4.1 | 0.4 | 12.3 | 28.3 | 13.7 |
| Dec | 22.8 | 8.4 | 8.0 | 0.6 | 19.2 | 22.7 | 9.0 |
| Annual | 31.4 | 18.9 | 762.3 | 40.6 | 71.8 | 31.7 | 19.2 |
Source: IMD data in Ministry of Earth Sciences reply to Lok Sabha question 4494, 20 August 2025, Annexure 1. Days are counted for the whole sub-division.
Show the numbers
| Label | days |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 6 days |
| 2016 | 3 days |
| 2017 | 11 days |
| 2018 | 4 days |
| 2019 | 11 days |
| 2020 | 0 days |
| 2021 | 2 days |
| 2022 | 37 days |
| 2023 | 5 days |
| 2024 | 30 days |
| 2025 | 11 days |
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| Month | Mean max (C) | Departure (C) | Heat wave days | What happened | Extreme |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dec 2025 | 23.0 | +0.2 | 0 | None; very dense fog on 2 days, dense fog on 7 | Lowest 5.4 C at Lodhi Road, 9 Dec |
| Jan 2026 | 20.1 | 0.0 | 0 | Cold wave on 6 days (11 to 15 and 26 Jan) | Lowest 2.3 C at Palam, 15 Jan |
| Feb 2026 | 27.1 | +2.9 | 0 | Dense fog on 2 days | Mean minimum 11.5 C |
| Mar 2026 | 32.6 | +2.7 | 0 | Mean minimum 2.0 C above normal | Departures of 5.8 to 8.4 C from 4 to 12 Mar |
| Apr 2026 | 37.1 | +0.6 | 3 | Heat wave on 23, 24 and 25 Apr | 44.5 C at Ridge and 42.8 C at Safdarjung, 25 Apr |
| May 2026 | 39.5 | -0.4 | 6 | Heat wave on 18 to 21, 24 and 27 May; warm nights on 2 days | 46.5 C at Ridge, 19 May; 32.4 C night at Safdarjung, 25 May |
| Jun 2026 | 39.2 | +0.2 | 2 | Heat wave on 28 and 29 Jun; rain 44% below normal | 44.7 C at Ridge, 9 Jun |
| Jul 2026 | 35.5 | -0.1 | 0 | Rain 23% above normal (258.0 mm) | 39.2 C at Safdarjung, 16 Jul |
| Sep 2026 | 34.1 | 0.0 | 0 | Rain 36% below normal (79.6 mm); monsoon withdrew 23 Sep | 21.0 C at Safdarjung, 27 Sep |
Spring came early in 2026. March averaged 32.6 C at Safdarjung, 2.7 C above normal, and February was 2.9 C above normal. Owners of heavy-coated dogs should move walks to dawn from March, not April.
Breeds that score 1 for heat include the Pug, French Bulldog, Siberian Husky and Saint Bernard, 13 breeds in all. Our heat risk ranking explains each score, and our heatwave report has state trends.
How many bad air days do Delhi and Gurgaon have?
Delhi had 164 days at Poor AQI or worse in 2025, out of 364 CPCB bulletins; CPCB's year-end report, which includes 1 January, gives 165. Gurgaon had 148 out of 334. Delhi's average AQI for the year was 200.5 and its worst reading was 461 on 14 December 2025.
In 2026 the order changed. From 1 January to 14 October, Gurgaon logged 108 Poor-or-worse days and Delhi 79. In the same stretch of 2025, Delhi had 86 such days and Gurgaon 73.
Greater Noida had the most bad air days in NCR in 2026, 129, followed by Ghaziabad at 117. Faridabad had the fewest, 45, and no Very Poor day.
Source: CPCB daily AQI bulletins, 4 pm, 287 bulletins. Poor or worse = AQI 201 and above.
Show the numbers
| Label | days |
|---|---|
| Greater Noida | 129 days |
| Ghaziabad | 117 days |
| Gurugram | 108 days |
| Noida | 89 days |
| Delhi | 79 days |
| Faridabad | 45 days |
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| City | Period | Days reported | Good or Satisfactory | Moderate | Poor | Very Poor or Severe | Poor or worse | Average AQI | Highest AQI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | 2025 | 364 | 79 | 121 | 86 | 78 | 164 | 200.5 | 461 |
| Delhi | 2026 to 14 Oct | 287 | 61 | 147 | 60 | 19 | 79 | 167.0 | 440 |
| Gurugram | 2025 | 334 | 68 | 118 | 116 | 32 | 148 | 184.3 | 378 |
| Gurugram | 2026 to 14 Oct | 287 | 50 | 129 | 87 | 21 | 108 | 182.9 | 394 |
| Greater Noida | 2025 | 363 | 70 | 180 | 64 | 49 | 113 | 179.8 | 454 |
| Greater Noida | 2026 to 14 Oct | 287 | 37 | 121 | 94 | 35 | 129 | 193.7 | 402 |
| Ghaziabad | 2025 | 364 | 85 | 145 | 66 | 68 | 134 | 185.9 | 459 |
| Ghaziabad | 2026 to 14 Oct | 287 | 58 | 112 | 86 | 31 | 117 | 184.4 | 458 |
| Noida | 2025 | 364 | 88 | 171 | 41 | 64 | 105 | 177.3 | 466 |
| Noida | 2026 to 14 Oct | 287 | 47 | 151 | 70 | 19 | 89 | 173.2 | 430 |
| Faridabad | 2025 | 186 | 34 | 86 | 66 | 0 | 66 | 166.6 | 298 |
| Faridabad | 2026 to 14 Oct | 286 | 37 | 204 | 45 | 0 | 45 | 152.6 | 262 |
Source: CPCB daily AQI bulletins, 4 pm values averaged by month. October covers 1 to 14 October 2026.
Show the numbers
| Label | AQI |
|---|---|
| Jan | 302 |
| Feb | 255 |
| Mar | 221 |
| Apr | 182 |
| May | 150 |
| Jun | 175 |
| Jul | 153 |
| Aug | 104 |
| Sep | 115 |
| Oct | 169 |
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| Month | Delhi 2025 avg | Delhi 2025 Poor+ days | Delhi 2026 avg | Delhi 2026 Poor+ days | Gurgaon 2025 avg | Gurgaon 2025 Poor+ days | Gurgaon 2026 avg | Gurgaon 2026 Poor+ days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 305 | 28 | 308 | 29 | 213 | 18 | 302 | 29 |
| Feb | 214 | 16 | 233 | 23 | 193 | 14 | 255 | 26 |
| Mar | 170 | 9 | 181 | 8 | 180 | 12 | 221 | 20 |
| Apr | 210 | 20 | 178 | 10 | 198 | 10 | 182 | 11 |
| May | 170 | 7 | 157 | 6 | 163 | 8 | 150 | 0 |
| Jun | 141 | 5 | 141 | 1 | 158 | 7 | 175 | 10 |
| Jul | 78 | 0 | 118 | 2 | 75 | 0 | 153 | 6 |
| Aug | 89 | 0 | 96 | 0 | 96 | 2 | 104 | 0 |
| Sep | 105 | 0 | 102 | 0 | 85 | 0 | 115 | 4 |
| Oct | 223 | 18 | 156 | 0 | 190 | 16 | 169 | 2 |
| Nov | 354 | 30 | 282 | 30 | ||||
| Dec | 351 | 31 | 300 | 31 |
Gurgaon's spring was worse than Delhi's in 2026. It had 20 Poor-or-worse days in March, against 8 in Delhi, and 26 in February, against 23. May was clean in Gurgaon, with no Poor day.
The cleanest stretch in both cities is the monsoon. Delhi averaged 78 in July 2025 and had no Poor day from July to September. Our AQI and dogs report covers what pollution does to dogs.
How humid is Delhi in the monsoon, and how much rain falls?
Delhi's air is dry in April, at an average 39% relative humidity, and wet in August, at 79%. These are modelled 1991 to 2020 averages from the ERA5 reanalysis. Humid heat is harder on dogs, because panting cools them less.
We counted muggy days, when the daily mean dew point reached 24 C or more. Delhi averaged about 79 such days a year from 1991 to 2020. It had 115 in 2025 and 90 in 2026 up to 9 October.
The 2025 monsoon was wet. Safdarjung received 902.6 mm from June to September, 41% above IMD's normal of 640.4 mm. Palam got 831.8 mm, 39% above normal.
Source: Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via the Open-Meteo archive, grid cell 28.5 N, 77.25 E, daily means averaged by month. Modelled values, not station readings.
Show the numbers
| Label | % |
|---|---|
| Jan | 73% |
| Feb | 67% |
| Mar | 57% |
| Apr | 39% |
| May | 40% |
| Jun | 54% |
| Jul | 74% |
| Aug | 79% |
| Sep | 75% |
| Oct | 63% |
| Nov | 64% |
| Dec | 70% |
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| Measure | Delhi | Gurgaon |
|---|---|---|
| Average humidity, August (1991 to 2020) | 79% | 78% |
| Average humidity, April (1991 to 2020) | 39% | 38% |
| Average dew point, August (1991 to 2020) | 25.4 C | 25.2 C |
| Muggy days a year, 1991 to 2020 average | 78.9 | 71.6 |
| Muggy days in 2025 | 115 | 108 |
| Muggy days in 2026, to 9 October | 90 | 80 |
| Average humidity, August 2025 | 85% | 83% |
| Average humidity, August 2026 | 83% | 81% |
The 2026 monsoon reached Delhi on 2 July, five days late, and withdrew on 23 September. Safdarjung had 728.6 mm by then, 16% above its normal of 629.7 mm. June was 44% below normal and September 36% below, but July ran 23% above.
Dogs with drop ears or thick coats need drying after wet walks in July and August. The Labrador scores 3 of 5 for monsoon and the Cocker Spaniel 1. Our monsoon care guide covers ears, paws and ticks.
Is Delhi too cold for dogs in winter?
Delhi's winter is cold by Indian standards but mild for most dogs. The average January minimum is 7.5 C at Safdarjung and 7.3 C at Palam. Fog is the bigger nuisance: Safdarjung averages 71.8 fog days a year, 21.6 of them in January.
January 2026 had cold wave conditions on 6 days, and Palam fell to 2.3 C on 15 January. December 2025 had no rain at all, dense or very dense fog on 9 days, and a low of 5.4 C at Lodhi Road.
Short-coated, thin dogs feel this most. The Doberman guide lists Delhi winters without a coat for the dog as hard. Many heavy-coated breeds are at their best in these months.
| Month | Normal max (C) | Normal min (C) | Humidity (%) | Poor AQI days, 2025 | Fog days | Risk flags |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 20.1 | 7.5 | 73 | 28 | 21.6 | Bad air, Cold, Fog |
| Feb | 24.2 | 10.6 | 67 | 16 | 10.9 | Bad air, Fog |
| Mar | 29.9 | 15.6 | 57 | 9 | 3.5 | None |
| Apr | 36.5 | 21.3 | 39 | 20 | 0.0 | Heat, Bad air |
| May | 39.9 | 25.8 | 40 | 7 | 0.2 | Heat |
| Jun | 39.0 | 27.7 | 54 | 5 | 0.2 | Heat |
| Jul | 35.6 | 27.5 | 74 | 0 | 0.1 | Humid heat |
| Aug | 34.2 | 26.7 | 79 | 0 | 0.2 | Humid heat |
| Sep | 34.1 | 25.0 | 75 | 0 | 0.2 | Humid heat |
| Oct | 33.0 | 19.5 | 63 | 18 | 3.4 | Bad air |
| Nov | 28.4 | 13.0 | 64 | 30 | 12.3 | Bad air, Fog |
| Dec | 22.8 | 8.4 | 70 | 31 | 19.2 | Bad air, Cold, Fog |
We flag a month for heat at a 36 C normal maximum, and for humid heat at 70% humidity with a maximum of 33 C or more. Bad air means 15 or more Poor AQI days in 2025. Cold means a normal minimum of 10 C or less, and fog means 10 or more fog days. These cut-offs are our own.
What does dog registration cost in Delhi and Gurgaon, and how many vets are there?
Both cities charge Rs 500 to register a pet dog. Delhi's MCD charges Rs 500 again to renew, plus Rs 100 a month if you are late. Gurgaon charges Rs 250 to renew, Amar Ujala reported in June 2026.
Few owners register. Delhi had 5,767 registered dogs in August 2025. Gurgaon registered 2,317 in 2025 and 1,273 in the six months to late June 2026. Our registration fee report compares fees across Indian cities.
Delhi is short of vets for its size. It had 585 registered vets on 31 March 2024, or 2.7 per lakh people, against 8.4 per lakh across Haryana. Delhi has 49 government vet hospitals and polyclinics, Haryana 1,048.
| Item | Delhi | Gurgaon (Gurugram) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| New registration fee | Rs 500 (MCD) | Rs 500 (MCG) | MCD portal, Oct 2026; Amar Ujala, 24 Jun 2026 |
| Renewal | Rs 500, plus Rs 100 a month late fee | Rs 250 | Same |
| Dogs registered | 5,767 (Aug 2025) | 2,317 in 2025; 1,273 in the six months to 24 Jun 2026 | Daily Guardian; Amar Ujala |
| Registered vets (31 Mar 2024) | 585 | 2,571 (all of Haryana) | Lok Sabha question 279, Dec 2025 |
| Vets per lakh people | 2.7 | 8.4 (Haryana) | Our calculation with NCRB 2024 population |
| Government vet hospitals and polyclinics | 49 | 1,048 (Haryana) | Lok Sabha question 405, Dec 2023 |
| Stray dogs, Livestock Census 2019 | 55,462 | 17,627 | DAHD |
| Other stray estimates | About 5.6 lakh (2009 census); 8 lakh (2019 Assembly estimate) | Over 17,000 (MCG to High Court, 2023); The Tribune (2025) puts all dogs, pet and stray, at over 50,000 without a source | The Tribune |
| Dogs sterilised | 4,80,342 (Apr 2019 to Dec 2024); 49,424 (Jan to Jun 2026) | Not published | The Tribune, 2025 and 2026 |
| Dog bite cases | 68,090 in 2024 (MCD area) | 1,670 in the three years to June 2023 (MCG) | PTI; The Tribune |
| Public dog parks | Old Rajinder Nagar (open 2021); Jangpura, 1.5 acres, shut in Jun 2026 | None found | LatestLY (ANI); The Tribune |
| Dog shelters | Dwarka shelter for 1,500 dogs due by Dec 2026 | 2 shelters, 50 dogs each; 2 more being built | The Tribune |
Source: Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, district-wise stray dogs, 20th Livestock Census (2019). City surveys usually find more dogs than the census.
Show the numbers
| Label | dogs |
|---|---|
| Gurugram district (Haryana) | 17,627 |
| South West | 11,594 |
| North West | 10,768 |
| West | 6,170 |
| East | 5,950 |
| North | 3,914 |
| South | 3,908 |
| North East | 3,399 |
| Central | 3,028 |
| Shahdara | 2,982 |
| South East | 2,165 |
| New Delhi | 1,584 |
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The 2019 Livestock Census counted 55,462 stray dogs in Delhi's 11 districts and 17,627 in Gurugram district. South West Delhi had the most, 11,594, and New Delhi district the fewest, 1,584. City estimates run far higher: Delhi's 2009 census found about 5.6 lakh.
Delhi's corporation sterilised 4,80,342 dogs from April 2019 to December 2024, and 49,424 more from January to June 2026. Gurgaon has two shelters holding 50 dogs each, The Tribune reported in August 2025. Our stray dogs by city report has the wider picture.
Public dog parks are scarce. Delhi's 1.5-acre Jangpura pet park, built in 2023, was still shut in June 2026. We found no municipal dog park in Gurgaon.
Which dog breeds struggle most in Delhi?
Four breeds score under 11 for Delhi: the Bernese Mountain Dog (10), Alaskan Malamute, Saint Bernard and Tibetan Mastiff (7.5 each). Each scores 1 for heat and 1 for coping without AC, and each guide names Delhi as hard.
The Siberian Husky ranks 54th at 27.5. Its guide names Delhi as good only in deep winter and calls summer there punishing. Flat-faced breeds such as the English Bulldog (35) and Pekingese (37.5) fare little better. Their guides say to keep them indoors all summer.
| Rank | Breed | Delhi score | Heat (1-5) | Copes without AC (1-5) | Guide on Delhi | Heat note from our guide |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 49 | Bullmastiff | 35 | 1 | 1 | Delhi, Chandigarh and north India in winter, with AC for the summer months | A heavy, muscular dog with a shortened muzzle sheds heat poorly |
| 50 | English Bulldog | 35 | 1 | 1 | Delhi and the north in winter, kept firmly indoors through summer | Possibly the worst on this site |
| 51 | English Mastiff | 32.5 | 1 | 1 | Delhi, Chandigarh and north India in winter, with strict summer management | Up to 100 kg of dog with a short muzzle and a dense undercoat |
| 52 | Samoyed | 32.5 | 1 | 1 | Delhi and the north in winter, with summer spent largely indoors | One of the thickest double coats of any breed, engineered for Siberian winters |
| 53 | Chow Chow | 30 | 1 | 1 | Delhi and the north in winter, with summer spent indoors and cooled | A very dense double coat plus a somewhat shortened muzzle |
| 54 | Siberian Husky | 27.5 | 1 | 1 | Delhi in deep winter, though summer there is punishing | The lowest score we give, alongside the Pug |
| 55 | Bernese Mountain Dog | 10 | 1 | 1 | Almost anywhere on the plains, Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad and Chennai included | A thick Alpine double coat on a 45 kg frame |
| 56 | Alaskan Malamute | 7.5 | 1 | 1 | The whole northern and central plain, from Delhi and Ahmedabad down to Hyderabad and Chennai | An Arctic freight dog with a dense coarse double coat on a 40 kg frame |
| 57 | Saint Bernard | 7.5 | 1 | 1 | Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and essentially all of plains India | An Alpine rescue dog with a dense double coat on a 70 kg body |
| 58 | Tibetan Mastiff | 7.5 | 1 | 1 | Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad and all of plains India | A Himalayan guardian coat on a 60 kg frame |
Our summer heatstroke guide lists warning signs. For breed-by-breed detail, open any breed guide from the full table below.
All 58 breeds ranked for Delhi and Gurgaon
The table lists every breed with its Delhi score, its base score before the Delhi adjustment, and the six editorial scores. Sort by any column to find the trade-off that suits your home.
Fourteen breeds have no Delhi line in their guide. Their place rests on the base score alone. Six guides name Delhi as hard, and 38 name it as good, 31 of them with a condition such as winter only or AC.
| Rank | Breed | Delhi score | Base score | Delhi mention | Heat | Copes without AC | Flat | Monsoon | Beginner | Can stay alone |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Pariah Dog | 95 | 95 | Not named | 5 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 |
| 2 | Rampur Greyhound | 95 | 85 | Good | 5 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| 3 | Indian Spitz | 92.5 | 82.5 | Good | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 |
| 4 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 92.5 | 82.5 | Good | 5 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| 5 | Poodle | 90 | 80 | Good | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| 6 | Chihuahua | 87.5 | 77.5 | Good | 4 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 7 | Chippiparai | 85 | 85 | Not named | 5 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| 8 | Kanni | 85 | 85 | Not named | 5 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| 9 | Mudhol Hound | 85 | 85 | Not named | 5 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
| 10 | Rajapalayam | 80 | 80 | Not named | 5 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 4 |
| 11 | Dachshund | 80 | 75 | Good with conditions | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| 12 | Kombai | 77.5 | 77.5 | Not named | 5 | 5 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| 13 | Miniature Pinscher | 77.5 | 77.5 | Not named | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| 14 | Beagle | 77.5 | 72.5 | Good with conditions | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 15 | Yorkshire Terrier | 75 | 65 | Good | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 16 | Maltese | 72.5 | 62.5 | Good | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| 17 | Jack Russell Terrier | 70 | 70 | Not named | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| 18 | Bichon Frise | 70 | 65 | Good with conditions | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| 19 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 67.5 | 62.5 | Good with conditions | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| 20 | Lhasa Apso | 67.5 | 62.5 | Good with conditions | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| 21 | Belgian Malinois | 65 | 65 | Not named | 4 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 22 | Bull Terrier | 62.5 | 57.5 | Good with conditions | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| 23 | Cocker Spaniel | 62.5 | 57.5 | Good with conditions | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| 24 | Dalmatian | 62.5 | 57.5 | Good with conditions | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| 25 | German Spitz | 62.5 | 57.5 | Good with conditions | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| 26 | Japanese Spitz | 62.5 | 57.5 | Good with conditions | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| 27 | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 62.5 | 57.5 | Good with conditions | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 |
| 28 | Labrador Retriever | 57.5 | 52.5 | Good with conditions | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 2 |
| 29 | Shiba Inu | 57.5 | 52.5 | Good with conditions | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| 30 | Doberman | 55 | 70 | Hard | 4 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| 31 | Golden Retriever | 55 | 50 | Good with conditions | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 2 |
| 32 | Shih Tzu | 55 | 50 | Good with conditions | 2 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| 33 | Cane Corso | 52.5 | 52.5 | Not named | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| 34 | American Eskimo Dog | 52.5 | 47.5 | Good with conditions | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| 35 | Boxer | 52.5 | 47.5 | Good with conditions | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| 36 | Pomeranian | 52.5 | 47.5 | Good with conditions | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| 37 | Bully Kutta | 50 | 50 | Not named | 3 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| 38 | Australian Shepherd | 50 | 45 | Good with conditions | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| 39 | German Shepherd | 47.5 | 42.5 | Good with conditions | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| 40 | Great Dane | 45 | 40 | Good with conditions | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| 41 | Pug | 45 | 40 | Good with conditions | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| 42 | Rottweiler | 45 | 40 | Good with conditions | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
| 43 | Border Collie | 42.5 | 42.5 | Not named | 2 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| 44 | Kangal | 42.5 | 42.5 | Not named | 3 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| 45 | French Bulldog | 42.5 | 37.5 | Good with conditions | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 2 |
| 46 | Pit Bull | 40 | 55 | Hard | 3 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| 47 | Dogo Argentino | 37.5 | 37.5 | Not named | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| 48 | Pekingese | 37.5 | 32.5 | Good with conditions | 1 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 49 | Bullmastiff | 35 | 30 | Good with conditions | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| 50 | English Bulldog | 35 | 30 | Good with conditions | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 51 | English Mastiff | 32.5 | 27.5 | Good with conditions | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 52 | Samoyed | 32.5 | 27.5 | Good with conditions | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 53 | Chow Chow | 30 | 25 | Good with conditions | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 54 | Siberian Husky | 27.5 | 22.5 | Good with conditions | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 55 | Bernese Mountain Dog | 10 | 25 | Hard | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 56 | Alaskan Malamute | 7.5 | 22.5 | Hard | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 57 | Saint Bernard | 7.5 | 22.5 | Hard | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 58 | Tibetan Mastiff | 7.5 | 22.5 | Hard | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
Frequently asked questions
Which dog is best for Delhi's climate?
The Indian Pariah Dog and Rampur Greyhound score 95 of 100 in our Delhi ranking of 58 breeds. The Indian Spitz and Rhodesian Ridgeback follow at 92.5. All four score 4 or 5 for heat tolerance.
What is the best dog for a flat in Gurgaon?
Among breeds that score 4 or 5 for flat living, the Indian Pariah Dog (95), Indian Spitz (92.5), Poodle (90) and Chihuahua (87.5) rank highest for Delhi and Gurgaon. All four cope with heat better than most imported breeds.
Can a Labrador live in Delhi?
Yes, with care. The Labrador ranks 28th of 58 for Delhi with 57.5 points and scores 2 of 5 for heat. Its guide calls Delhi good in winter but says May and June are severe, when Safdarjung averages close to 40 C.
Can a Husky survive in Delhi?
A Husky ranks 54th of 58 for Delhi, with 27.5 points. It scores 1 of 5 for heat and needs AC from April to June, when daily highs average 36.5 to 39.9 C.
How hot does Delhi get in summer?
Safdarjung averages a daily maximum of 39.9 C in May and 39.0 C in June. In 2026, Ridge reached 46.5 C on 19 May, and IMD reported heat wave conditions on 11 days from April to June.
How many bad AQI days does Delhi have?
Delhi had 164 days at Poor AQI or worse in 2025 and 79 from 1 January to 14 October 2026, per CPCB. Gurgaon had 148 and 108.
What is the dog registration fee in Delhi and Gurgaon?
Both charge Rs 500 for a new registration. Delhi's MCD charges Rs 500 to renew plus a late fee of Rs 100 a month, and Gurgaon charges Rs 250 to renew.
Is Delhi too cold for dogs in winter?
Mostly no. The average January low is 7.5 C at Safdarjung, though Palam fell to 2.3 C on 15 January 2026. Thin, short-coated dogs may need a coat on cold wave mornings.
Methodology and limitations
Breed scores are dogeats.in editorial ratings from 1 to 5, taken from our 58 breed guides (October 2026). The Delhi score is a weighted average of six scores: Tolerates Indian heat x3, Copes without AC x2, Suits a flat x1, Handles monsoon x1 and Beginner friendly x1. The average is multiplied by 20 to give a score out of 100.
We then read each guide's good-city and hard-city lines for Delhi, NCR, Gurugram, Gurgaon or Noida. A good line with no condition adds 10 points, a good line with a condition such as winter, AC or summer management adds 5, and a hard line subtracts 15. Scores are capped at 0 and 100. Ties are broken by base score, then by name.
Climate normals are from IMD's climatological tables for Safdarjung and Palam, 1991 to 2020. Heatwave days are IMD sub-division counts from a Ministry of Earth Sciences reply to Lok Sabha question 4494 (20 August 2025). 2026 weather comes from IMD Regional Meteorological Centre New Delhi monthly reports and its monsoon withdrawal note of 23 September 2026.
AQI counts come from 651 CPCB daily bulletins (4 pm, 24-hour average) from 2 January 2025 to 14 October 2026, which we downloaded and parsed. Our Delhi 2025 counts match CPCB's own year-end NCR report. That report adds 1 January (Very Poor) to give 165 Poor-or-worse days; the 1 January bulletin is not online, so we use 164. Humidity and muggy days come from the Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via the Open-Meteo archive, daily means for one grid cell per city; they are modelled, not measured.
Vets per lakh use registered vets on 31 March 2024 from Lok Sabha question 279 and NCRB 2024 population projections. Stray counts are from the 20th Livestock Census district table. Fees, registrations, parks and shelters are from the municipal portal or named news reports, with dates in the tables.
Sources
- Central Pollution Control Board, daily AQI bulletins, 2 January 2025 to 14 October 2026 (14 October 2026 shown), Daily AQI category and value for Delhi, Gurugram and NCR cities
- India Meteorological Department, New Delhi (Safdarjung) climatological table, 1991 to 2020, Monthly temperature, rain, rainy days and fog days
- IMD Regional Meteorological Centre New Delhi, Southwest Monsoon Report 2025 for Delhi, Safdarjung 902.6 mm vs 640.4 mm normal; Palam, Ridge, Ayanagar totals
- Also consulted: India Meteorological Department, New Delhi (Palam) climatological table, 1991 to 2020, IMD RMC New Delhi, Monthly weather report of Delhi, May 2026, IMD RMC New Delhi, Monthly weather report of Delhi, April 2026, IMD RMC New Delhi, Monthly weather report of Delhi, June 2026, IMD RMC New Delhi, Monthly weather report of Delhi, January 2026, IMD RMC New Delhi, Withdrawal of southwest monsoon 2026 from Delhi, 23 September 2026, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Lok Sabha unstarred question 4494, 20 August 2025, Annexure 1, Lok Sabha unstarred question 279, Registered Veterinary Doctors, 2 December 2025, NCRB, Crime in India 2024, population annexure, Lok Sabha unstarred question 405 (5 December 2023), DAHD, DAHD, district-wise stray dogs, 20th Livestock Census 2019, Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis (Hersbach et al. 2020) via the Open-Meteo historical weather API, Municipal Corporation of Delhi, pet dog registration portal, Amar Ujala, 24 June 2026: Gurugram dog registration, The Daily Guardian, 13 August 2025, The Tribune, 13 August 2025: Gurugram dog shelters, The Tribune, 14 August 2025, The Tribune, 1 August 2026, PTI via The Week, 11 August 2025, The Tribune, 3 June 2026, LatestLY (ANI), November 2021, MoSPI EnviStats India 2025, Component 4 (IMD data), IMD RMC New Delhi monthly weather reports for December 2025, February, March, July and September 2026, CPCB, Air Quality Status for Delhi and NCR, 31 December 2025 (cross-check of 2025 Delhi counts).
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