Ranking · Updated October 2026
Best Dogs for Kerala in 2026: Which Breeds Handle Kerala's Humidity, Monsoon and Heat, Ranked with IMD and CPCB Data
The best dog for Kerala is the Indian Pariah Dog, which scores 97.5 out of 100 in our ranking of 58 breeds, tied with the Chippiparai. Humidity is the problem: our guides name Kochi or coastal Kerala as hard for 28 breeds. Thiruvananthapuram averages 84.1% humidity and 236.5 muggy days a year, and Kozhikode gets 3,012 mm of rain.
Key findings
- The Indian Pariah Dog scores 97.5 out of 100 for Kerala, tied with the Chippiparai, with the Rajapalayam third on 95.0.
- Our guides name Kochi or coastal Kerala as hard for 28 of 58 breeds, and as good for only 3.
- Thiruvananthapuram averaged 236.5 muggy days a year in 1991 to 2020, and 304 in 2024.
- Kerala's 2026 monsoon was 27.8% below normal to 29 September, after a 13.2% shortfall in 2025.
- Thiruvananthapuram had 8 Poor AQI days in 2025 and none in 2026 to 14 October.
- Thiruvananthapuram set a March record of 37.8 C on 30 March 2026, on IMD's station record.
- Indian breeds average 86.9 for Kerala against 41.4 for foreign breeds.
- Kerala recorded 3,69,272 dog bite victims and 33 rabies deaths in 2025, the state assembly was told.
Which dog breed is best for Kerala?
The Indian Pariah Dog is the best dog for Kerala in our ranking, with 97.5 out of 100. The Chippiparai ties on 97.5 and the Rajapalayam follows on 95.0.
Kerala is hard on most imported breeds. Our guides name Kochi or coastal Kerala as a hard place for 28 of 58 breeds, mostly because of humidity. Only 3 guides name Kerala as good, all for south Indian sighthounds bred in the region.
The Kerala score weighs monsoon handling three times, and heat and coping without AC twice each. Beginner friendliness counts once. Flat living is left out, because 90.3% of urban Kerala households lived in independent houses in 2018.
dogeats.in editorial ranking from our 58 breed guides, October 2026. Green = Indian breed.
Show the numbers
| Label | score |
|---|---|
| Indian Pariah Dog | 97.5 |
| Chippiparai | 97.5 |
| Rajapalayam | 95.0 |
| Kombai | 92.5 |
| Kanni | 87.5 |
| Mudhol Hound | 87.5 |
| Rampur Greyhound | 87.5 |
| Rhodesian Ridgeback | 85.0 |
| Indian Spitz | 82.5 |
| Miniature Pinscher | 77.5 |
| Doberman | 75.0 |
| Jack Russell Terrier | 75.0 |
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| Rank | Breed | Kerala score | Monsoon | Heat | No AC | Beginner | Puppy or adoption (Rs) | Monthly cost (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Pariah Dog | 97.5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | Free to about 3,000 | 2,000 to 4,500 |
| 2 | Chippiparai | 97.5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5,000 to 12,000 | 2,500 to 5,000 |
| 3 | Rajapalayam | 95.0 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 5,000 to 15,000 | 3,000 to 6,500 |
| 4 | Kombai | 92.5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 5,000 to 15,000 | 3,000 to 6,000 |
| 5 | Kanni | 87.5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5,000 to 15,000, where available | 2,500 to 5,000 |
| 6 | Mudhol Hound | 87.5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3,000 to 10,000 | 3,000 to 6,000 |
| 7 | Rampur Greyhound | 87.5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 8,000 to 20,000 | 3,000 to 6,500 |
| 8 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 85.0 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 2 | 35,000 to 60,000 | 5,000 to 11,000 |
| 9 | Indian Spitz | 82.5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5,000 to 15,000 | 3,000 to 6,000 |
| 10 | Miniature Pinscher | 77.5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 15,000 to 28,000 | 2,500 to 5,500 |
| 11 | Doberman | 75.0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 20,000 to 35,000 | 6,000 to 12,000 |
| 12 | Jack Russell Terrier | 75.0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 20,000 to 30,000 | 2,500 to 6,000 |
| 13 | Belgian Malinois | 72.5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 30,000 to 50,000 | 6,000 to 14,000 including training |
| 14 | Poodle | 72.5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 30,000 to 50,000 | 4,000 to 10,000 including grooming |
| 15 | Beagle | 70.0 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 15,000 to 25,000 | 3,500 to 7,000 |
| 16 | Chihuahua | 70.0 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 15,000 to 25,000 | 2,000 to 5,000 |
| 17 | Dachshund | 70.0 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 15,000 to 30,000 | 3,000 to 6,500 |
| 18 | Dalmatian | 65.0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 20,000 to 30,000 | 4,500 to 9,000 |
| 19 | Pit Bull | 62.5 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 20,000 to 40,000 | 4,500 to 9,000 |
| 20 | Yorkshire Terrier | 60.0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 20,000 to 40,000 | 3,000 to 7,000 with grooming |
Can a Labrador, German Shepherd or Shih Tzu live in Kerala?
A Labrador can, with effort. The Labrador Retriever ranks 23 of 58 for Kerala with 55.0. Its guide does not name Kerala, but it rates the breed 3 for monsoon because drop ears trap moisture.
The German Shepherd ranks 38 with 32.5. Its guide calls Chennai and Kochi the worst combination of heat and humidity, and coastal Kerala a place where the undercoat stays damp.
The Shih Tzu ranks 46 with 27.5, and its guide says the coat never properly dries in Kochi. The Golden Retriever ranks 39. The Doberman, at 11, is the best placed of the popular foreign breeds, with the Beagle 15th.
dogeats.in editorial scores. Green 70 or more, amber 50 to 69, red under 50.
Show the numbers
| Label | score |
|---|---|
| Indian Pariah Dog (#1) | 97.5 |
| Doberman (#11) | 75.0 |
| Beagle (#15) | 70.0 |
| Labrador Retriever (#23) | 55.0 |
| Pomeranian (#37) | 35.0 |
| German Shepherd (#38) | 32.5 |
| Golden Retriever (#39) | 32.5 |
| Rottweiler (#42) | 30.0 |
| Shih Tzu (#46) | 27.5 |
| Pug (#51) | 20.0 |
| Siberian Husky (#55) | 12.5 |
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| Breed | Rank | Kerala score | Monsoon (1 to 5) | What the guide says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Pariah Dog | 1 | 97.5 | 5 | Not named |
| Doberman | 11 | 75.0 | 4 | Not named |
| Beagle | 15 | 70.0 | 3 | Not named |
| Labrador Retriever | 23 | 55.0 | 3 | Not named |
| Pomeranian | 37 | 35.0 | 3 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai and Kochi, heat and humidity on a full northern coat |
| German Shepherd | 38 | 32.5 | 3 | Hard: Chennai and Kochi, sustained heat with humidity is the worst combination |
| Golden Retriever | 39 | 32.5 | 2 | Hard: Kochi and coastal Kerala, constant damp is hard on skin |
| Rottweiler | 42 | 30.0 | 3 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai and coastal Kerala, heat plus humidity on a black double coat |
| Shih Tzu | 46 | 27.5 | 2 | Hard: Kochi and coastal Kerala, where the coat never properly dries |
| Pug | 51 | 20.0 | 2 | Hard: Mumbai and coastal Kerala, humidity prevents what little cooling panting provides |
| Siberian Husky | 55 | 12.5 | 2 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai, Kochi, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and most of plains India |
How humid is Kerala for dogs?
Very humid, all year. Modelled humidity in Thiruvananthapuram averages 75.1% even in January and 89.2% in June, from ERA5 data for 1991 to 2020. Kochi peaks at 90.6% in June and July.
Muggy days, with a daily mean dew point of 24 C or more, are the norm. Thiruvananthapuram averaged 236.5 a year in 1991 to 2020, Kochi 182.6 and Kozhikode 158.9.
2024 was the muggiest recent year: 304 days in Thiruvananthapuram and 278 in Kochi. Panting cools a dog poorly in such air, which is why thick coats and flat faces rank low here. Our monsoon risk ranking rates all 58 breeds.
Modelled data: Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via the Open-Meteo archive, grid cell over Kochi.
Show the numbers
| Label | % |
|---|---|
| Jan | 73.0% |
| Feb | 70.1% |
| Mar | 70.2% |
| Apr | 77.7% |
| May | 85.3% |
| Jun | 90.6% |
| Jul | 90.6% |
| Aug | 89.8% |
| Sep | 88.4% |
| Oct | 88.7% |
| Nov | 87.1% |
| Dec | 80.7% |
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Modelled ERA5 data via Open-Meteo. *2026 runs to 12 October.
Show the numbers
| Label | days |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 296 |
| 2016 | 277 |
| 2017 | 286 |
| 2018 | 258 |
| 2019 | 284 |
| 2020 | 289 |
| 2021 | 286 |
| 2022 | 265 |
| 2023 | 283 |
| 2024 | 304 |
| 2025 | 257 |
| 2026* | 220 |
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| City | Average humidity 1991 to 2020 (%) | Most humid month (%) | Muggy days a year, 1991 to 2020 | Muggy days 2024 | Muggy days 2025 | Muggy days 2026 to 12 Oct |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thiruvananthapuram | 84.1 | Jun 89.2 | 236.5 | 304 | 257 | 220 |
| Kochi | 82.7 | Jun 90.6 | 182.6 | 278 | 208 | 179 |
| Kozhikode | 80.3 | Jul 89.0 | 158.9 | 249 | 173 | 183 |
How much rain falls in Kerala, and how did the 2025 and 2026 monsoons go?
Kozhikode gets 3,011.9 mm of rain in a normal year, on 112.3 rainy days, IMD's 1991 to 2020 normals show. Thiruvananthapuram gets 1,835.3 mm on 96.9 days.
Both recent monsoons were drier than normal over Kerala. The subdivision got 1,752.9 mm from June to September 2025, 13.2% below normal. To 29 September 2026 it got 1,452 mm, 27.8% below, a deficient season.
Kozhikode station logged 2,148.8 mm in the 2025 monsoon and 1,887.5 mm in 2026, against a normal of 2,238.8 mm. May 2025 brought it 840.5 mm, the wettest May in its IMD record.
Source: IMD climatological table for Kozhikode, 1991 to 2020.
Show the numbers
| Label | mm |
|---|---|
| Jan | 2 |
| Feb | 5 |
| Mar | 15 |
| Apr | 84 |
| May | 224 |
| Jun | 783 |
| Jul | 750 |
| Aug | 433 |
| Sep | 273 |
| Oct | 303 |
| Nov | 120 |
| Dec | 22 |
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| Month | Thiruvananthapuram max (C) | Thiruvananthapuram rain (mm) | Kozhikode max (C) | Kozhikode min (C) | Kozhikode rain (mm) | Kozhikode rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32.7 | 17.9 | 33.0 | 23.1 | 1.6 | 0.1 |
| Feb | 33.3 | 21.7 | 33.5 | 24.1 | 4.8 | 0.3 |
| Mar | 33.9 | 30.6 | 34.2 | 25.7 | 14.6 | 1.0 |
| Apr | 33.7 | 122.3 | 34.4 | 26.5 | 83.5 | 4.1 |
| May | 32.8 | 213.8 | 33.7 | 26.3 | 223.5 | 9.0 |
| Jun | 30.9 | 307.8 | 30.6 | 24.4 | 782.9 | 23.1 |
| Jul | 30.5 | 185.2 | 29.6 | 23.8 | 750.0 | 24.3 |
| Aug | 30.7 | 161.0 | 29.8 | 24.0 | 432.6 | 19.1 |
| Sep | 31.2 | 196.7 | 30.9 | 24.3 | 273.3 | 12.3 |
| Oct | 31.2 | 297.2 | 31.8 | 24.4 | 302.6 | 11.6 |
| Nov | 31.4 | 212.8 | 32.6 | 24.3 | 120.4 | 6.0 |
| Dec | 32.1 | 68.4 | 32.9 | 23.2 | 21.9 | 1.5 |
| Annual | 32.0 | 1,835.3 | 32.3 | 24.5 | 3,011.9 | 112.3 |
| Area | Season | Actual (mm) | Normal (mm) | Departure (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kerala subdivision | Jun to Sep 2025 | 1,752.9 | 2,018.7 | -13.2 |
| Kerala subdivision | 1 Jun to 29 Sep 2026 | 1,452 | 2,011 | -27.8 |
| Kozhikode station | Jun to Sep 2025 | 2,148.8 | 2,238.8 | -4.0 |
| Kozhikode station | Jun to Sep 2026 | 1,887.5 | 2,238.8 | -15.7 |
| Thiruvananthapuram station | Jun to Sep 2025 | 843.5 | 850.7 | -0.8 |
| Thiruvananthapuram station | Jun to Sep 2026 | 641.7 | 850.7 | -24.6 |
Wet coats and ears breed fungal and bacterial trouble. Our monsoon dog care guide covers drying, ticks and paw care.
Does Kerala get too hot for dogs?
Kerala's heat is moderate but steady. Thiruvananthapuram's hottest month, March, averages 33.9 C, and Kozhikode's, April, averages 34.4 C. Average night lows stay above 22 C in every month at both stations.
Records keep falling. Thiruvananthapuram hit 37.8 C on 30 March 2026, its highest March reading on IMD's station record. It also set monthly highs of 34.1 C on 25 July 2026 and 35.4 C on 17 September 2026.
IMD counted 15 heatwave days in Kerala and Mahe from 2015 to 2025: 9 in 2016 and 6 in 2024, and none in the other nine years. The danger for dogs is humid heat, not extreme heat.
| Station | Month | 2024 highest (C) | 2025 highest (C) | 2026 highest (C) | All-time record (C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thiruvananthapuram | Mar | 37.4 | 36.0 | 37.8 | 37.8 (30-03-2026) |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Apr | 36.9 | 35.1 | 37.1 | 38.0 (04-04-2007) |
| Thiruvananthapuram | May | 37.8 | 35.6 | 37.0 | 37.8 (09-05-2024) |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Sep | 34.8 | 35.1 | 35.4 | 35.4 (17-09-2026) |
| Kozhikode | Mar | 37.1 | 37.0 | 37.0 | 38.6 (14-03-2016) |
| Kozhikode | Apr | 38.1 | 37.5 | 38.0 | 39.1 (16-04-2016 and 29-04-2016) |
| Kozhikode | May | 39.0 | 37.5 | 37.6 | 39.2 (01-05-2016) |
| Kozhikode | Sep | 34.6 | 34.5 | 35.2 | 35.7 (06-09-2015) |
Source: Ministry of Earth Sciences, Lok Sabha unstarred question 4494, 20 August 2025 (IMD subdivision counts).
Show the numbers
| Label | days |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 0 |
| 2016 | 9 |
| 2017 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 6 |
| 2025 | 0 |
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Is Kerala's air safe for dog walks?
Yes, on most days. Thiruvananthapuram had 102 Good and 220 Satisfactory days in 2025, out of 364 in CPCB bulletins. Its average AQI was 69.3.
It had 8 Poor days in 2025, 5 of them in March, and none in 2026 to 14 October. Kollam had 16 Poor or worse days in 2025, including one Very Poor reading of 310 on 30 December.
Kochi and Kozhikode had no AQI value in any of the 651 bulletins from January 2025 to October 2026. CPCB listed both among cities absent due to insufficient data in 558 bulletins.
Source: CPCB daily AQI bulletins for 2025 (4 pm), parsed by dogeats.in.
Show the numbers
| Label | AQI |
|---|---|
| Jan | 74.4 |
| Feb | 92.0 |
| Mar | 107.3 |
| Apr | 56.1 |
| May | 45.2 |
| Jun | 40.6 |
| Jul | 46.9 |
| Aug | 58.1 |
| Sep | 75.6 |
| Oct | 67.1 |
| Nov | 51.8 |
| Dec | 117.2 |
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| City | Year | Days reported | Good | Satisfactory | Moderate | Poor or worse | Average AQI | Highest AQI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thiruvananthapuram | 2025 | 364 | 102 | 220 | 34 | 8 | 69.3 | 267 |
| Thiruvananthapuram | 2026 to 14 Oct | 282 | 143 | 110 | 29 | 0 | 59.7 | 179 |
| Kollam | 2025 | 227 | 47 | 148 | 16 | 16 | 83.1 | 310 |
| Kollam | 2026 to 14 Oct | 119 | 12 | 89 | 12 | 6 | 88.9 | 294 |
| Thrissur | 2025 | 314 | 102 | 212 | 0 | 0 | 54.2 | 73 |
| Thrissur | 2026 to 14 Oct | 248 | 31 | 216 | 1 | 0 | 64.7 | 110 |
| Kannur | 2025 | 283 | 7 | 275 | 1 | 0 | 58.6 | 109 |
| Kannur | 2026 to 14 Oct | 211 | 20 | 172 | 19 | 0 | 74.1 | 118 |
| Eloor (Ernakulam) | 2025 | 265 | 12 | 233 | 20 | 0 | 74.7 | 157 |
| Eloor (Ernakulam) | 2026 to 14 Oct | 118 | 0 | 64 | 54 | 0 | 96.5 | 174 |
How many dogs, vets and street dogs does Kerala have?
The 2019 Livestock Census counted 7,03,708 owned dogs in rural Kerala and 1,32,567 in towns, down from 7,88,870 and 1,34,489 in 2012. In 2012, the latest count with household numbers, rural Kerala had 110.6 owned dogs per 1,000 households, against 62.3 in Maharashtra and 43.9 in Rajasthan.
Vet cover is strong. Kerala had 5,172 registered vets on 31 March 2023, 14.5 per lakh people, and 5,395 by 31 March 2024. Just 46 of 1,637 sanctioned vet posts were vacant, or 2.8%, against 38.5% in Maharashtra.
Street dog numbers are disputed. The 2019 census counted 2,89,986, and the state told the assembly in June 2026 it projects about 3.5 lakh. An estimate reported in November 2025 put it near 9 lakh. Kerala sterilised 52,995 dogs from November 2024 to September 2025.
Source: DAHD, 19th Livestock Census 2012 and 20th Livestock Census 2019, All India Reports.
Show the numbers
| Label | dogs |
|---|---|
| Owned dogs, rural, 2012 | 7,88,870 |
| Owned dogs, rural, 2019 | 7,03,708 |
| Stray dogs, rural, 2012 | 2,33,483 |
| Stray dogs, rural, 2019 | 2,27,019 |
| Owned dogs, urban, 2012 | 1,34,489 |
| Owned dogs, urban, 2019 | 1,32,567 |
| Stray dogs, urban, 2012 | 35,511 |
| Stray dogs, urban, 2019 | 62,967 |
Embed this chart
| Item | Figure | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pet licence | Required under municipal and panchayat rules; High Court told the state to have local bodies issue public notices | Jul 2021 | Kerala High Court, via PTI and Onmanorama |
| Thiruvananthapuram licence fee | Rs 125; council passed Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 by size, pending government approval | 2023 | Kerala Kaumudi |
| Thiruvananthapuram licences issued | More than 9,000 | 2022 | Kerala Kaumudi |
| Dog limit, Thiruvananthapuram bye-law | 2 per house without special permission | 2023 | Kerala Kaumudi |
| Registered vets | 5,395 | 31 Mar 2024 | Lok Sabha USQ 279 |
| Vacant vet posts | 46 of 1,637 (2.8%) | Lok Sabha answer | Lok Sabha USQ 279 |
| Mobile vet units (1962) | 29 | 2026 | DAHD |
| Street dogs, census | 2,89,986 | 2019 | 20th Livestock Census |
| Street dogs, state projection | About 3.5 lakh | Jun 2026 | Kerala assembly USQ 264 |
| Street dogs, state estimate | About 9 lakh | Nov 2025 | Onmanorama |
| Dogs sterilised | 52,995 | Nov 2024 to Sep 2025 | Onmanorama |
| Dog bite victims | 3,69,272 | 2025 | Kerala assembly USQ 291 |
| Rabies deaths | 33 | 2025 | Kerala assembly USQ 291 |
| Blood parasite infection, pet dogs (microscopy and PCR) | 49.2% of 272 | 2018 to 2020 | Kumar et al., Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2024 |
| Blood parasite infection, community-owned dogs (microscopy and PCR) | 88% of 150 | 2018 to 2020 | Kumar et al., Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2024 |
| Dog park | No public pet dog park found; Kozhikode plans a park to house strays | Aug 2025 | ETV Bharat |
Sterilisations from November 2024 to September 2025 equal 5.9% of the 9 lakh estimate. Read more in our Kerala stray dogs report and the tick fever and parvo data.
Which dog breeds struggle most in Kerala?
Flat faces and thick coats struggle most. The Chow Chow ranks last at 5.0, behind the Pekingese and English Bulldog on 7.5. The Siberian Husky scores 12.5.
Every breed in the bottom 10 rates 1 out of 5 for heat. Nine of their guides name Kochi or coastal Kerala as hard, where humid heat blocks the cooling that panting gives.
If you own one of these breeds, keep it in a cool room through April and May and dry its coat fully after rain. See a vet at once for heavy panting, drooling or collapse.
| Breed | Rank | Kerala score | Monsoon (1 to 5) | Heat (1 to 5) | What the guide says |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chow Chow | 58 | 5.0 | 1 | 1 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai, Kochi, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad, where this coat and muzzle combination is dangerous |
| Pekingese | 57 | 7.5 | 1 | 1 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai, Kochi and Hyderabad, where the heat and humidity are dangerous here |
| English Bulldog | 56 | 7.5 | 1 | 1 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai, Kochi, Hyderabad and essentially all of coastal and plains India |
| Siberian Husky | 55 | 12.5 | 2 | 1 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai, Kochi, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and most of plains India |
| Samoyed | 54 | 15.0 | 2 | 1 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai, Kochi, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad, where the coat is a year-round burden |
| English Mastiff | 53 | 15.0 | 2 | 1 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai and coastal Kerala, heat plus humidity on a heavy, short-muzzled dog |
| French Bulldog | 52 | 17.5 | 2 | 1 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai, Kochi and Hyderabad, where heat and humidity are dangerous here |
| Pug | 51 | 20.0 | 2 | 1 | Hard: Mumbai and coastal Kerala, humidity prevents what little cooling panting provides |
| Bullmastiff | 50 | 22.5 | 3 | 1 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai and coastal Kerala, heavy heat with high humidity |
| Tibetan Mastiff | 49 | 27.5 | 2 | 1 | Not named |
All 58 dog breeds ranked for Kerala
The full table lists every breed with its Kerala score, the editorial scores behind it and the line its guide gives Kerala. Sort it by any column, or download it as CSV.
| Rank | Breed | Kerala score | Base score | Guide points | Monsoon | Heat | No AC | Beginner | Kerala verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indian Pariah Dog | 97.5 | 97.5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | Not named |
| 2 | Chippiparai | 97.5 | 87.5 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | Good: The southern plains of Tamil Nadu and Kerala, where the breed comes from |
| 3 | Rajapalayam | 95.0 | 85.0 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 2 | Good: Tamil Nadu, Kerala and the southern plains, the breed’s home ground |
| 4 | Kombai | 92.5 | 82.5 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 1 | Good: Tamil Nadu, Kerala and the southern plains and hills, the breed’s home ground |
| 5 | Kanni | 87.5 | 87.5 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | Not named |
| 6 | Mudhol Hound | 87.5 | 87.5 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | Not named |
| 7 | Rampur Greyhound | 87.5 | 87.5 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 3 | Not named |
| 8 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 85.0 | 85.0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 2 | Not named |
| 9 | Indian Spitz | 82.5 | 82.5 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | Not named |
| 10 | Miniature Pinscher | 77.5 | 77.5 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | Not named |
| 11 | Doberman | 75.0 | 75.0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | Not named |
| 12 | Jack Russell Terrier | 75.0 | 75.0 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | Not named |
| 13 | Belgian Malinois | 72.5 | 72.5 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | Not named |
| 14 | Poodle | 72.5 | 72.5 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | Not named |
| 15 | Beagle | 70.0 | 70.0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | Not named |
| 16 | Chihuahua | 70.0 | 70.0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | Not named |
| 17 | Dachshund | 70.0 | 70.0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | Not named |
| 18 | Dalmatian | 65.0 | 65.0 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | Not named |
| 19 | Pit Bull | 62.5 | 62.5 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | Not named |
| 20 | Yorkshire Terrier | 60.0 | 60.0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | Not named |
| 21 | Bull Terrier | 57.5 | 57.5 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | Not named |
| 22 | Bully Kutta | 55.0 | 55.0 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | Not named |
| 23 | Labrador Retriever | 55.0 | 55.0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 5 | Not named |
| 24 | Maltese | 52.5 | 52.5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | Not named |
| 25 | Border Collie | 50.0 | 50.0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 1 | Not named |
| 26 | Cane Corso | 47.5 | 62.5 | -15 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai and coastal Kerala in peak summer humidity |
| 27 | Dogo Argentino | 45.0 | 45.0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | Not named |
| 28 | Boxer | 42.5 | 57.5 | -15 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai and Kochi, heat plus humidity on a short-muzzled high-energy dog |
| 29 | German Spitz | 42.5 | 57.5 | -15 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai and Kochi in peak summer, where heat and humidity tax the coat |
| 30 | Japanese Spitz | 42.5 | 57.5 | -15 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai, Kochi and coastal Kerala in summer and monsoon humidity |
| 31 | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 42.5 | 57.5 | -15 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Hard: Coastal Kerala and Goa, for the long, wet monsoon and hot spots under a damp undercoat |
| 32 | Bichon Frise | 40.0 | 55.0 | -15 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | Hard: Coastal Kerala and Goa, where humidity drives constant skin trouble |
| 33 | Australian Shepherd | 37.5 | 52.5 | -15 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai, Kochi and Hyderabad, where heat shrinks the exercise window too far |
| 34 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 37.5 | 52.5 | -15 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | Hard: Mumbai, Kochi and coastal Kerala, where humidity drives constant ear trouble |
| 35 | Lhasa Apso | 37.5 | 52.5 | -15 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai and Kochi in peak summer and monsoon, where the coat is a constant battle |
| 36 | Shiba Inu | 37.5 | 52.5 | -15 | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai, Kochi and coastal Kerala, where humidity taxes the coat badly |
| 37 | Pomeranian | 35.0 | 50.0 | -15 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai and Kochi, heat and humidity on a full northern coat |
| 38 | German Shepherd | 32.5 | 47.5 | -15 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | Hard: Chennai and Kochi, sustained heat with humidity is the worst combination |
| 39 | Golden Retriever | 32.5 | 47.5 | -15 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | Hard: Kochi and coastal Kerala, constant damp is hard on skin |
| 40 | Cocker Spaniel | 30.0 | 45.0 | -15 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 3 | Hard: Mumbai, Kochi and coastal Kerala, where humidity makes ear infections near-constant |
| 41 | Great Dane | 30.0 | 45.0 | -15 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai and Kochi, where heat and humidity tax a giant body year-round |
| 42 | Rottweiler | 30.0 | 45.0 | -15 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai and coastal Kerala, heat plus humidity on a black double coat |
| 43 | Bernese Mountain Dog | 30.0 | 30.0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Not named |
| 44 | American Eskimo Dog | 27.5 | 42.5 | -15 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | Hard: Coastal Kerala, Goa and Mangaluru, for the long, wet monsoon and damp undercoat |
| 45 | Kangal | 27.5 | 42.5 | -15 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Hard: Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and coastal Kerala, where humidity soaks the undercoat |
| 46 | Shih Tzu | 27.5 | 42.5 | -15 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | Hard: Kochi and coastal Kerala, where the coat never properly dries |
| 47 | Alaskan Malamute | 27.5 | 27.5 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Not named |
| 48 | Saint Bernard | 27.5 | 27.5 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Not named |
| 49 | Tibetan Mastiff | 27.5 | 27.5 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Not named |
| 50 | Bullmastiff | 22.5 | 37.5 | -15 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai and coastal Kerala, heavy heat with high humidity |
| 51 | Pug | 20.0 | 35.0 | -15 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 | Hard: Mumbai and coastal Kerala, humidity prevents what little cooling panting provides |
| 52 | French Bulldog | 17.5 | 32.5 | -15 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai, Kochi and Hyderabad, where heat and humidity are dangerous here |
| 53 | English Mastiff | 15.0 | 30.0 | -15 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai and coastal Kerala, heat plus humidity on a heavy, short-muzzled dog |
| 54 | Samoyed | 15.0 | 30.0 | -15 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai, Kochi, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad, where the coat is a year-round burden |
| 55 | Siberian Husky | 12.5 | 27.5 | -15 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai, Kochi, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and most of plains India |
| 56 | English Bulldog | 7.5 | 22.5 | -15 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai, Kochi, Hyderabad and essentially all of coastal and plains India |
| 57 | Pekingese | 7.5 | 22.5 | -15 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai, Kochi and Hyderabad, where the heat and humidity are dangerous here |
| 58 | Chow Chow | 5.0 | 20.0 | -15 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Hard: Chennai, Mumbai, Kochi, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad, where this coat and muzzle combination is dangerous |
Frequently asked questions
Which dog is best for Kerala climate?
The Indian Pariah Dog scores 97.5 out of 100 in our Kerala ranking, tied with the Chippiparai. The Rajapalayam (95.0) and Kombai (92.5) follow. All four are Indian breeds built for humid heat.
Can a Labrador live in Kerala?
Yes, with care. The Labrador ranks 23 of 58 for Kerala with 55.0. Dry its ears after every wet walk, because drop ears trap moisture in Kerala's long monsoon.
Is a German Shepherd good for Kerala?
It is hard work. The German Shepherd scores 32.5 for Kerala, and its guide says humidity keeps the undercoat damp on coastal Kerala. Shade, a cool floor and regular brushing help.
Can a Husky survive in Kerala?
Only with constant AC. The Siberian Husky scores 12.5 out of 100 for Kerala and rates 1 out of 5 for heat. Thiruvananthapuram averages 84.1% humidity, which stops panting from cooling it.
How humid is Kerala?
Thiruvananthapuram averages 84.1% and Kochi 82.7% humidity in ERA5 data for 1991 to 2020. Kochi peaks at 90.6% in June and July.
Do you need a dog licence in Kerala?
Yes. Municipal and panchayat rules require a licence, and in 2021 the Kerala High Court told the state to have local bodies issue public notices enforcing it. Thiruvananthapuram charged Rs 125 and passed Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 by dog size in 2023, pending government approval.
How many stray dogs are there in Kerala?
The 2019 Livestock Census counted 2,89,986. The state projected about 3.5 lakh in June 2026, while an estimate reported in November 2025 said about 9 lakh.
Which Kerala dog breed is native?
No breed in our 58 guides comes from Kerala alone. The Chippiparai, Rajapalayam and Kombai come from neighbouring Tamil Nadu, and their guides name Kerala as part of their home ground.
Methodology and limitations
Breed scores are dogeats.in editorial ratings from 1 to 5, taken from our 58 breed guides (October 2026). The Kerala score is a weighted average: Handles monsoon x3, Tolerates Indian heat x2, Copes without AC x2 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 Kerala, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram or Kozhikode. A good line with no condition adds 10 points. A good line with a condition 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 IMD climatological tables for Thiruvananthapuram City and Kozhikode, 1991 to 2020. IMD has no normals table online for Kochi. Station records and monthly totals for 2024 to 2026 come from IMD's city extremes pages. Monsoon departures are ICAR-CRIDA tables built from IMD data.
AQI counts come from 651 CPCB daily bulletins (4 pm) from 2 January 2025 to 14 October 2026, which we downloaded and parsed. Humidity and muggy days come from the Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via the Open-Meteo archive and are modelled, not measured.
Vet, street dog, bite and licence figures come from Lok Sabha and Kerala assembly answers, DAHD's Livestock Census and named news reports, with dates in the tables. Prices are dogeats.in editorial ranges compiled from breeder and marketplace listings, October 2026.
Sources
- India Meteorological Department, climatological tables for Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram City (id 43371), 1991 to 2020, Monthly temperature and rain normals
- Central Pollution Control Board, National AQI daily bulletins, 2 January 2025 to 14 October 2026, AQI days in Kerala cities
- Kerala Legislative Assembly, unstarred question 291, answered 22 June 2026, Dog bites and rabies deaths in 2025
- Also consulted: IMD city extremes pages for Thiruvananthapuram City and Kozhikode, all months (read October 2026), ICAR-CRIDA (AICRPAM), progress of rainfall by subdivision to 30 September 2025, from IMD data, ICAR-CRIDA (AICRPAM), progress of rainfall by subdivision to 29 September 2026, from IMD data, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Lok Sabha unstarred question 4494, 20 August 2025, Annexure 1, Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis (Hersbach et al. 2020) via the Open-Meteo historical weather API, Kerala Legislative Assembly, unstarred question 264, answered 22 June 2026, Onmanorama, 9 November 2025, DAHD, district-wise stray dogs, 20th Livestock Census 2019, DAHD, 19th Livestock Census 2012 All India Report, DAHD, 20th Livestock Census 2019, All India Report, Lok Sabha unstarred question 3136, 8 August 2023 (DAHD), Lok Sabha unstarred question 279, 2 December 2025 (DAHD), Kerala Kaumudi, 27 January 2023 (updated July 2025), Kumar et al., Haemoprotozoan carrier status in pet and community dogs of south India, Vet Parasitol 2024, NSO, NSS Report 584 (76th round, 2018), ETV Bharat, 26 August 2025, Onmanorama (PTI), 15 July 2021, Report of the Technical Group on Population Projections 2011 to 2036 (Kerala population for 2023), DAHD, 1962 mobile veterinary unit state data, 2026.
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