Ranking · Updated October 2026
Best dog breeds for kids and families in India: 58 breeds scored, with the child dog bite data parents should see
The Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever are the best dog breeds for kids in India on our family score, with 19 out of 20 each. The Indian Spitz is the best Indian breed, on 18. Children under 15 accounted for 5,19,704 of the 37,15,713 dog bites reported in India in 2024, so even the best family dog needs supervision.
Key findings
- The Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever top our family score with 19 out of 20 each.
- Children under 15 suffered 5,19,704 reported dog bites in 2024, about 1,420 a day, government surveillance data show.
- An ICMR survey found 7.5 dog bites a year per 1,000 children aged 0 to 14, against 5.6 across all ages.
- In the same survey 39% of dog bites involved pet dogs and 61% street dogs, as reported by The South First.
- The Indian Spitz scores 18, the best Indian breed, and is rated 5 out of 5 for beginners.
- 31 of our 58 breeds are suited only to their own family with supervision, or to older children, or not to children at all.
- All 6 toy breeds in our guides are rated for older children only, and 3 of their guides cite fragility.
- In an Austrian study of 212 children bitten, 69% knew the dog and 23% were bitten by their own dog.
- Reported dog bites in India rose 70% from 21,89,909 in 2022 to 37,15,713 in 2024.
Which are the best dog breeds for kids in India?
The Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever are the best dog breeds for kids in India on our family score, with 19 out of 20 each. Both are rated excellent with children and 5 out of 5 for first-time owners.
The Cocker Spaniel and Indian Spitz follow on 18. The Spitz is the only Indian breed in the top 14, and it costs Rs 5,000 to 15,000 as a pet-quality puppy.
The family score adds three things from our guides. How each guide rates the breed with children counts double, then the beginner rating, then a size score. Medium and large dogs gain on size because they are sturdy around children.
Family score = 2 x kids grade + beginner friendly + size fit. dogeats.in editorial ratings from our breed guides, October 2026. Green: Indian breed.
Show the numbers
| Label | score |
|---|---|
| Golden Retriever | 19/20 |
| Labrador Retriever | 19/20 |
| Cocker Spaniel | 18/20 |
| Indian Spitz | 18/20 |
| Bichon Frise | 17/20 |
| Boxer | 17/20 |
| English Bulldog | 17/20 |
| Japanese Spitz | 17/20 |
| Poodle | 17/20 |
| Pug | 17/20 |
| Samoyed | 17/20 |
| Beagle | 16/20 |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | 16/20 |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 16/20 |
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Good with children is not the same as easy to keep. The Samoyed and Bernese Mountain Dog are rated excellent with children but score 2 out of 5 for beginners, and 1 for Indian heat.
Which family dogs handle Indian heat?
The top two family dogs struggle in heat. The Golden Retriever and Labrador are both rated 2 out of 5 for Indian heat, and 7 of the 11 breeds scoring 17 or more rate 2 or less.
Among breeds rated 3 or more for heat, the Cocker Spaniel and Indian Spitz lead on 18. The Poodle and Bichon Frise follow on 17, and the Beagle on 16.
The Indian Pariah Dog scores 15. Its guide rates it good with children when socialised, and it scores 5 for heat. It is usually adopted free or for up to Rs 3,000.
Family score out of 20; heat rating 'Tolerates Indian heat', 1 to 5. dogeats.in editorial ratings, October 2026. Green: Indian breed.
Show the numbers
| Label | score |
|---|---|
| Cocker Spaniel | 18/20 |
| Indian Spitz | 18/20 |
| Bichon Frise | 17/20 |
| Poodle | 17/20 |
| Beagle | 16/20 |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 16/20 |
| Indian Pariah Dog | 15/20 |
| Bull Terrier | 12/20 |
| Chippiparai | 12/20 |
| Dalmatian | 12/20 |
| Kanni | 12/20 |
| Mudhol Hound | 11/20 |
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| Breed | Family score (20) | Tolerates heat (5) | Handles monsoon (5) | Pet-quality puppy (Rs) | Monthly cost (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cocker Spaniel | 18 | 3 | 1 | 15,000 to 25,000 | 4,500 to 9,000 |
| Indian Spitz | 18 | 4 | 4 | 5,000 to 15,000 | 3,000 to 6,000 |
| Bichon Frise | 17 | 3 | 2 | 30,000 to 45,000 | 4,000 to 8,500 |
| Poodle | 17 | 4 | 3 | 30,000 to 50,000 | 4,000 to 10,000 |
| Beagle | 16 | 4 | 3 | 15,000 to 25,000 | 3,500 to 7,000 |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 16 | 3 | 2 | 50,000 to 75,000 | 4,500 to 10,000 |
| Indian Pariah Dog | 15 | 5 | 5 | Free to 3,000 | 2,000 to 4,500 |
| Bull Terrier | 12 | 3 | 3 | 25,000 to 45,000 | 5,000 to 10,000 |
| Chippiparai | 12 | 5 | 4 | 5,000 to 12,000 | 2,500 to 5,000 |
| Dalmatian | 12 | 3 | 4 | 20,000 to 30,000 | 4,500 to 9,000 |
| Kanni | 12 | 5 | 4 | 5,000 to 15,000 | 2,500 to 5,000 |
| Mudhol Hound | 11 | 5 | 4 | 3,000 to 10,000 | 3,000 to 6,000 |
What is the best family dog for a flat in India?
Among breeds rated 4 or 5 for flats, the Cocker Spaniel and Indian Spitz score highest, 18 each. The Bichon Frise, English Bulldog, Japanese Spitz, Poodle and Pug follow on 17.
The Labrador and Golden Retriever are rated 3 for flats. They manage in a 2BHK with long walks, their guides say, but they are large dogs that need 60 to 90 minutes of exercise a day.
Flat breeds are often small, and small has limits. The Pug scores 17 but is rated 1 for heat, and the English Bulldog's guide notes a hard medical profile. Our flats ranking scores every breed for apartment life.
| Breed | Family score (20) | With children (our guide) | Beginner friendly (5) | Suits a flat (5) | Tolerates heat (5) | Size |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cocker Spaniel | 18 | Excellent | 3 | 4 | 3 | Medium |
| Indian Spitz | 18 | Excellent | 5 | 4 | 4 | Small |
| Bichon Frise | 17 | Excellent | 4 | 5 | 3 | Small |
| English Bulldog | 17 | Exceptional | 2 | 4 | 1 | Medium |
| Japanese Spitz | 17 | Excellent | 4 | 4 | 2 | Small |
| Poodle | 17 | Yes, Standards best with young children | 4 | 5 | 4 | Medium |
| Pug | 17 | Excellent | 4 | 5 | 1 | Small |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 16 | Exceptional | 3 | 5 | 3 | Small |
| Indian Pariah Dog | 15 | Yes, when socialised | 4 | 4 | 5 | Medium |
| American Eskimo Dog | 14 | Yes, supervise toys with small children | 3 | 4 | 2 | Medium |
| French Bulldog | 14 | Yes, gentle and sturdy | 3 | 5 | 1 | Small |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 13 | Yes, but may nip at heels | 4 | 4 | 2 | Small |
Is a small or big dog better with children?
Medium dogs fit best on average. Medium breeds of 12 to 25 kg average 14.0 on our family score, large dogs 11.9 and small dogs 13.5.
Toy breeds average only 7.8. All 6 toy breeds in our guides, from the Chihuahua to the Yorkshire Terrier, are rated for older children only. Three of their guides cite fragility, because a dropped or squeezed toy dog is easily hurt.
Giants average 7.9. 6 of our 9 giant breeds are rated suitable only for their own family with supervision, or not for children at all. A 50 kg dog can knock a toddler over in play.
Size band from the midpoint of each guide's adult weight range. Average of dogeats.in family scores, October 2026.
Show the numbers
| Label | score |
|---|---|
| Toy | 7.8 |
| Small | 13.5 |
| Medium | 14.0 |
| Large | 11.9 |
| Giant | 7.9 |
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| Size band | Breeds | Average kids grade (5) | Kids grade 2 or lower | Average family score (20) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toy (under 5 kg) | 6 | 2.0 | 6 | 7.8 |
| Small (5 to 12 kg) | 14 | 3.6 | 5 | 13.5 |
| Medium (12 to 25 kg) | 11 | 3.3 | 4 | 14.0 |
| Large (25 to 45 kg) | 18 | 2.8 | 10 | 11.9 |
| Giant (45 kg and over) | 9 | 2.3 | 6 | 7.9 |
How many children are bitten by dogs in India?
Children under 15 accounted for 5,19,704 reported dog bites in India in 2024, the health ministry's surveillance portal shows. Those bites made up 14.0% of the 37,15,713 bites reported that year, or about 1,420 bites to children a day.
Reported bites are rising. The national count went from 21,89,909 in 2022 to 30,52,521 in 2023 and 37,15,713 in 2024, a 70% rise in two years. Some of the rise may reflect better reporting.
Surveillance counts only the bites that reach a health facility. An ICMR-led survey of 3,37,808 people in 15 states, run in 2022 and 2023, estimated 9.1 million animal bites a year nationally. It found 5.6 dog bites a year per 1,000 people.
Children are bitten more often than the average Indian. The survey found 7.5 dog bites per 1,000 children aged 0 to 14, as reported by The South First, close to the 7.8 for people over 60.
Thangaraj et al., The Lancet Infectious Diseases, 2025 (ICMR-NIE, 60 districts in 15 states). Subgroup rates as reported by The South First, 30 October 2024.
Show the numbers
| Label | per 1,000 |
|---|---|
| Children aged 0 to 14 | 7.5 |
| People over 60 | 7.8 |
| Men | 7.6 |
| Women | 3.5 |
| Rural | 5.8 |
| Urban | 5.0 |
| All ages | 5.6 |
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| Year | Dog bites reported | Bites to children under 15 | Children's share (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 21,89,909 | Not published | |
| 2023 | 30,52,521 | Not published | |
| 2024 | 37,15,713 | 5,19,704 | 14.0 |
| 2025 (January only) | 4,29,664 | Not published |
Rural areas reported 21,95,122 of the 2024 bites, the government told Parliament on 4 February 2025. Our dog bite and rabies report breaks the figures down by state.
Are children bitten more by pet dogs or street dogs?
In India, street dogs cause most bites, but pets cause many. The ICMR survey found 61% of dog bites involved street dogs and 39% pet dogs, across all ages, as reported by The South First.
A 2023 study at a rural health training centre in Ahmedabad found 79.2% of 221 dog bites were from stray dogs. 75.1% happened in public places.
Studies from countries with few street dogs point the other way. In Graz, Austria, 69% of 212 children bitten knew the dog, and 23% were bitten by their own dog. A US review found children aged 5 and under were more often bitten by the family pet or a dog they knew, often at home.
India: ICMR survey, all ages, via The South First. Ahmedabad: rural health centre, 2023, 221 bites, all ages, stray vs not stray. Graz, Austria: 212 children, 2014 to 2018, familiar vs unfamiliar dog.
Show the numbers
| Label | Pet or known dog | Street or unknown dog |
|---|---|---|
| India, ICMR survey | 39 | 61 |
| Ahmedabad health centre | 20.8 | 79.2 |
| Graz, Austria (children) | 68.9 | 31.1 |
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| Study | Place and years | Bites studied | Dog known or owned | Head, neck or face | Limbs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ICMR-NIE survey (Thangaraj 2025) | India, 15 states, 2022 to 2023 | 1,576 dog bites, all ages | 39% pet dogs | 2.9% (69 bites by suspected rabid dogs) | 88.4% legs or arms |
| Ahmedabad health centre (2025 paper) | Gujarat, May to December 2023 | 221, all ages | 20.8% not stray | 1.8% | 95.0% |
| Kienesberger et al. 2022 | Graz, Austria, 2014 to 2018 | 212 children under 15 | 69% familiar, 23% own dog | 45% | 47% |
| Ramgopal et al. 2021 | 26 US children's hospitals, 2010 to 2020 | 68,833 episodes, under 19 | Not recorded | 59.3% head and neck wounds | 31.9% |
The ICMR body-site figures cover only 69 bites by suspected rabid dogs, across all ages. Hospital studies of children, where known dogs dominate, record far more face and head injuries.
Why are young children bitten on the face?
Height is the usual explanation. A small child's face is close to a dog's mouth, and a BMJ review notes children under 2 tend to put their face near new or moving things. Reviews of hospital data find children under 5 are the most likely to be bitten on the head or neck.
In 26 US children's hospitals, 59.3% of dog bite episodes involved open wounds to the head and neck. Children aged 0 to 4 made up 38.0% of the 68,833 episodes, and 5 to 9 year olds 34.5%.
A quarter of these children, 24.0%, had clinically significant injuries, such as admission, surgery or sedation. Younger age raised the odds.
Ramgopal et al., Injury Epidemiology, 2021, Table 1 counts; shares recomputed by dogeats.in (the paper prints 6.6% for ages 15 to 18). US data; no comparable Indian breakdown is published.
Show the numbers
| Label | % |
|---|---|
| 0 to 4 years | 38.0% |
| 5 to 9 years | 34.5% |
| 10 to 14 years | 21.0% |
| 15 to 18 years | 6.5% |
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| Outcome | Episodes | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Clinically significant injury | 16,502 | 24.0 |
| Required sedation | 11,685 | 17.0 |
| Admitted | 6,653 | 9.7 |
| Managed in operating room | 5,080 | 7.4 |
| Skin or soft tissue infection | 3,708 | 5.4 |
| Skull fracture | 493 | 0.7 |
Can teaching children prevent dog bites?
It can make bites less serious. Graz began teaching primary school children how to behave around dogs in 2008. In 2014 to 2018, 8% of bitten children there had severe injuries, against 26% in the hospital's earlier study.
The share of children needing hospital treatment fell from 27.5% in 1994 to 2003 to 9.0%. The authors found the programme cut severity but not the number of bites.
Family dogs often bite over food. A review in BMJ Paediatrics Open cites a study where food guarding explained 42% of bites by dogs familiar to the child. It also cites research finding over half of caregivers leave young children unattended with the family dog, at least briefly.
Kienesberger et al., European Journal of Pediatrics, 2022. Earlier period from the same hospital's previous study; the programme started in January 2008.
Show the numbers
| Label | % |
|---|---|
| Severe injury, earlier study | 26% |
| Severe injury, 2014 to 2018 | 8% |
| Hospital stay, 1994 to 2003 | 27.5% |
| Hospital stay, 2014 to 2018 | 9.0% |
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- Never leave a baby or toddler alone in a room with any dog, including a calm family dog.
- Keep children away from a dog that is eating, chewing a bone or guarding a toy.
- Teach children not to hug a dog round the neck or put their face close to the dog's face.
- Give the dog a place to retreat, such as a crate or bed that children do not enter.
- Teach children to stand still and not run from a street dog, and to tell an adult after any bite.
- After any bite or scratch, see a doctor the same day.
In the UK, 2% of dogs showed behaviour towards children that worried their owners, about 1,70,000 dogs, the PDSA's 2024 survey with YouGov found. India's housing ministry issued an advisory to states on 25 July 2024 on child protection commission recommendations to prevent stray dog attacks on children.
How does every dog breed score for families with kids?
13 of our 58 breeds get the top kids grade of 5, and 28 are limited to older children or their own family with supervision. Three, the Bully Kutta, Belgian Malinois and Border Collie, get a no or a warning.
Indian breeds average 11.4 on the family score, against 11.7 for imported breeds. The Indian sighthounds are reserved with children in their guides, though they handle heat well. Our first-time owners ranking uses a related beginner score.
Guarding breeds sit low. The Rottweiler scores 7 and the German Shepherd 12. Our dog aggression report explains what breed studies can and cannot show.
| Breed | Family score (20) | With children (our guide) | Kids grade (5) | Beginner friendly (5) | Size | Tolerates heat (5) | Pet-quality puppy (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golden Retriever | 19 | Exceptional | 5 | 5 | Large | 2 | 25,000 to 45,000 |
| Labrador Retriever | 19 | Yes, among the best | 5 | 5 | Large | 2 | 8,000 to 30,000 |
| Cocker Spaniel | 18 | Excellent | 5 | 3 | Medium | 3 | 15,000 to 25,000 |
| Indian Spitz | 18 | Excellent | 5 | 5 | Small | 4 | 5,000 to 15,000 |
| Bichon Frise | 17 | Excellent | 5 | 4 | Small | 3 | 30,000 to 45,000 |
| Boxer | 17 | Exceptional | 5 | 3 | Large | 2 | 15,000 to 30,000 |
| English Bulldog | 17 | Exceptional | 5 | 2 | Medium | 1 | 50,000 to 80,000 |
| Japanese Spitz | 17 | Excellent | 5 | 4 | Small | 2 | 15,000 to 35,000 |
| Poodle | 17 | Yes, Standards best with young children | 4 | 4 | Medium | 4 | 30,000 to 50,000 |
| Pug | 17 | Excellent | 5 | 4 | Small | 1 | 8,000 to 20,000 |
| Samoyed | 17 | Excellent | 5 | 2 | Medium | 1 | 80,000 to 1,20,000 |
| Beagle | 16 | Excellent | 5 | 3 | Small | 4 | 15,000 to 25,000 |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | 16 | Exceptional | 5 | 2 | Large | 1 | 60,000 to 1,00,000 |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 16 | Exceptional | 5 | 3 | Small | 3 | 50,000 to 75,000 |
| Indian Pariah Dog | 15 | Yes, when socialised | 3 | 4 | Medium | 5 | Free to 3,000 |
| American Eskimo Dog | 14 | Yes, supervise toys with small children | 3 | 3 | Medium | 2 | 45,000 to 75,000 |
| French Bulldog | 14 | Yes, gentle and sturdy | 4 | 3 | Small | 1 | 50,000 to 90,000 |
| Siberian Husky | 14 | Yes, very friendly | 4 | 1 | Medium | 1 | 40,000 to 60,000 |
| Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 13 | Yes, but may nip at heels | 3 | 4 | Small | 2 | 60,000 to 1,00,000 |
| Australian Shepherd | 12 | Yes, though may herd them | 3 | 2 | Large | 2 | 35,000 to 60,000 |
| Bull Terrier | 12 | Yes with supervision, can be boisterous | 3 | 2 | Large | 3 | 25,000 to 45,000 |
| Chippiparai | 12 | Older children, dislikes rough handling | 2 | 3 | Medium | 5 | 5,000 to 12,000 |
| Dalmatian | 12 | Yes, but boisterous | 3 | 2 | Large | 3 | 20,000 to 30,000 |
| German Shepherd | 12 | Yes, when socialised | 3 | 2 | Large | 2 | 20,000 to 35,000 |
| Kanni | 12 | Older children, reserved | 2 | 3 | Medium | 5 | 5,000 to 15,000 |
| Shih Tzu | 12 | Yes, with gentle handling | 3 | 3 | Small | 2 | 20,000 to 35,000 |
| German Spitz | 11 | Yes, with older children | 2 | 4 | Small | 2 | 5,000 to 20,000 |
| Mudhol Hound | 11 | Yes with older children, reserved | 2 | 3 | Large | 5 | 3,000 to 10,000 |
| Rampur Greyhound | 11 | Older children, reserved | 2 | 3 | Large | 5 | 8,000 to 20,000 |
| Saint Bernard | 11 | Exceptional, with supervision | 4 | 1 | Giant | 1 | 25,000 to 45,000 |
| Dachshund | 10 | Older children, no rough lifting | 2 | 3 | Small | 4 | 15,000 to 30,000 |
| Doberman | 10 | Yes within the family, supervise | 2 | 2 | Large | 4 | 20,000 to 35,000 |
| English Mastiff | 10 | Gentle, but size needs supervision | 3 | 2 | Giant | 1 | 25,000 to 60,000 |
| Lhasa Apso | 10 | Older children, dislikes rough handling | 2 | 3 | Small | 3 | 10,000 to 20,000 |
| Pit Bull | 10 | Often, with constant supervision | 2 | 1 | Medium | 3 | 20,000 to 40,000 |
| Rajapalayam | 10 | Family children only, needs supervision | 2 | 2 | Large | 5 | 5,000 to 15,000 |
| Rhodesian Ridgeback | 10 | Good with its own family, supervise on size | 2 | 2 | Large | 5 | 35,000 to 60,000 |
| Alaskan Malamute | 9 | Yes within family, size needs supervision | 2 | 1 | Large | 1 | 60,000 to 90,000 |
| Chow Chow | 9 | Older, respectful children only | 2 | 1 | Large | 1 | 30,000 to 50,000 |
| Dogo Argentino | 9 | Within the family, supervise | 2 | 1 | Large | 2 | 80,000 to 1,20,000 |
| Great Dane | 9 | Yes, but size demands supervision | 3 | 1 | Giant | 2 | 20,000 to 40,000 |
| Jack Russell Terrier | 9 | Older active children, too rough for toddlers | 2 | 2 | Small | 4 | 20,000 to 30,000 |
| Kombai | 9 | Family children only, close supervision | 2 | 1 | Large | 5 | 5,000 to 15,000 |
| Shiba Inu | 9 | Older, respectful children | 2 | 2 | Small | 2 | 50,000 to 1,00,000 |
| Border Collie | 8 | May herd and nip at them | 1 | 1 | Medium | 2 | 20,000 to 35,000 |
| Bullmastiff | 8 | Yes within family, supervise for size | 2 | 2 | Giant | 1 | 30,000 to 55,000 |
| Chihuahua | 8 | Not with young children, too fragile | 2 | 3 | Toy | 4 | 15,000 to 25,000 |
| Maltese | 8 | Older children only | 2 | 3 | Toy | 3 | 25,000 to 40,000 |
| Miniature Pinscher | 8 | Older children, dislikes rough handling | 2 | 3 | Toy | 4 | 15,000 to 28,000 |
| Pomeranian | 8 | Older children only, fragile | 2 | 3 | Toy | 2 | 10,000 to 25,000 |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 8 | Older children only, too fragile for toddlers | 2 | 3 | Toy | 3 | 20,000 to 40,000 |
| Belgian Malinois | 7 | Not recommended | 1 | 1 | Large | 4 | 30,000 to 50,000 |
| Cane Corso | 7 | Family children with supervision | 2 | 1 | Giant | 3 | 50,000 to 80,000 |
| Kangal | 7 | Own family, supervise visitors | 2 | 1 | Giant | 3 | 60,000 to 90,000 |
| Pekingese | 7 | Older, gentle children only | 2 | 2 | Toy | 1 | 15,000 to 25,000 |
| Rottweiler | 7 | Yes within family, supervise | 2 | 1 | Giant | 2 | 18,000 to 35,000 |
| Tibetan Mastiff | 7 | Family children with supervision | 2 | 1 | Giant | 1 | 50,000 to 1,00,000 |
| Bully Kutta | 5 | No | 1 | 1 | Giant | 3 | 15,000 to 50,000 |
Kids grade coded by dogeats.in from each guide's 'Good with kids' line: 5 excellent, 4 yes, 3 yes with a condition, 2 own family or older children, 1 no.
Show the numbers
| Label | breeds |
|---|---|
| 5: Excellent | 13 |
| 4: Yes | 4 |
| 3: Yes, with a condition | 10 |
| 2: Own family or older children | 28 |
| 1: No | 3 |
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Frequently asked questions
Which dog breed is best for kids in India?
The Golden Retriever and Labrador Retriever, with 19 out of 20 each on our family score. Both are rated excellent with children and easy for beginners, but both struggle in Indian heat.
Which Indian dog breed is best for children?
The Indian Spitz, with 18 out of 20. It is rated excellent with children, 5 out of 5 for beginners and 4 for heat. The Indian Pariah Dog scores 15.
Which small dog is best for kids?
The Indian Spitz and Bichon Frise score 18 and 17. Toy breeds under 5 kg, such as the Chihuahua and Pomeranian, are rated for older children only.
Is a Labrador good with kids?
Yes. Its guide calls it among the best with children, and it scores 19 out of 20. It needs 60 to 90 minutes of exercise a day and shade in summer.
How many children are bitten by dogs in India?
States reported 5,19,704 dog bites to children under 15 in 2024, 14.0% of all 37,15,713 reported bites. Surveys suggest many more bites are never reported.
Are family dogs safe with babies?
No dog should be left alone with a baby or toddler. In an Austrian study 69% of bitten children knew the dog and 23% were bitten by their own dog.
Is a German Shepherd good for a family with kids?
It can be with training and socialisation, but it scores 12 out of 20. Its guide rates it good with children when socialised and 2 out of 5 for beginners.
What should I do if my child is bitten by a dog?
See a doctor the same day, even for a small bite or scratch. In India the doctor will decide whether rabies vaccination is needed, and 20.5% of people bitten by a dog in the ICMR survey got none.
Methodology and limitations
This ranking covers the 58 breeds with full guides on dogeats.in. 'Beginner friendly' and 'Tolerates Indian heat' are dogeats.in editorial ratings from 1 to 5. Each guide also has a 'Good with kids' line written by our editors. Prices and running costs were compiled by dogeats.in from breeder and marketplace listings for our breed guides, October 2026.
Family score = 2 x kids grade + beginner friendly + size fit, out of 20. The kids grade codes each guide's 'Good with kids' line. Excellent, exceptional or among the best scores 5, a plain yes 4 and a yes with a condition 3. Own family with supervision or older children only scores 2. No, not recommended, or herds and nips scores 1. The Saint Bernard's "exceptional, with supervision" scores 4. Size fit uses the midpoint of the male or both-sexes weight range in each guide. Multi-size breeds use the small Indian Spitz and the standard Poodle, Dachshund and American Eskimo Dog. Toy dogs under 5 kg score 1, small 3, medium (12 to 25 kg) 5, large 4 and giant (45 kg and over) 2.
Bite counts come from Annexure I of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question 4870 (1 April 2025), which reproduces IDSP-IHIP data. The children's count comes from the government's Lok Sabha reply of 4 February 2025, published by PIB. The survey rate of 5.6 dog bites per 1,000 and the 9.1 million estimate come from the Lancet Infectious Diseases abstract. Subgroup rates and the pet versus street dog split are as reported by The South First.
Hospital and study figures come from the full texts of Kienesberger et al. 2022, Ramgopal et al. 2021 and the 2025 Ahmedabad study, and from the review by Jakeman et al. 2020. The children's share of bites is our calculation from the two government figures.
Sources
- Press Information Bureau: Lok Sabha reply on stray animal incidents, 4 February 2025, 5,19,704 dog bites to children under 15 in 2024 (IHIP); rural bites
- Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying: Lok Sabha Unstarred Question 4870, 1 April 2025, Dog bite cases reported to IDSP, 2022 to January 2025
- Thangaraj et al., Estimates of the burden of human rabies deaths and animal bites in India, 2022 to 23, The Lancet Infectious Diseases (2025), ICMR-NIE, 5.6 dog bites per 1,000 a year; 9.1 million animal bites
- Also consulted: The South First, 30 October 2024, on the ICMR study, Kienesberger et al., Child safety programs for primary school children decrease the injury severity of dog bites, European Journal of Pediatrics (2022), Ramgopal et al., Pediatric patients with dog bites presenting to US children's hospitals, Injury Epidemiology (2021), A prospective study of the epidemiological profile of dog bite cases and determinants of anti-rabies vaccination compliance, Indian Journal of Community Medicine (2025), Jakeman, Oxley, Owczarczak-Garstecka and Westgarth, Pet dog bites in children: management and prevention, BMJ Paediatrics Open (2020), Patterson et al., Pediatric dog bite injuries in the USA: a systematic review, World Journal of Pediatric Surgery (2022), PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report 2024, dogs (with YouGov), dogeats.in breed guides (58 breeds), October 2026.
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