Ranking · Updated October 2026
Best Dogs for Pune in 2026: Which Breeds Suit Pune Heat, Monsoon and Flats, Ranked with IMD and CPCB Data
The best dog for Pune is the Poodle, which scores 92.9 out of 100 in our ranking of 58 breeds, just ahead of the Indian Pariah Dog on 91.4. Pune is one of India's easiest cities for dogs: 46 breed guides name it as good and only 2 as hard. April averages 37.9 C, and Pune had 15 Poor AQI days in 2025, all in December.
Key findings
- The Poodle scores 92.9 out of 100 for Pune, the highest of 58 breeds, with the Indian Pariah Dog second on 91.4.
- 46 of 58 breed guides name Pune, Maharashtra or the Deccan as good, and just 2 name it as hard.
- Pune's hottest month is April, averaging 37.9 C at Shivajinagar in IMD's 1991 to 2020 normals.
- All 15 of Pune's Poor AQI days in 2025 fell in December, when the city's AQI averaged 195.7.
- Madhya Maharashtra logged 30 heatwave days from 2015 to 2025, with a peak of 11 in 2019 and 1 in 2025.
- The Labrador Retriever ranks 26 of 58 for Pune and the German Shepherd 40, both held back by a heat score of 2.
- PMC dog bite cases rose 84.8% from 16,561 in 2022 to 30,613 in 2025.
- About 8,000 Pune dogs held a PMC licence in July 2024, under 8% of a pet dog population PMC put at over 1 lakh.
Which dog breed is best for Pune?
The Poodle tops our Pune ranking with 92.9 out of 100. The Indian Pariah Dog follows on 91.4 and the Chihuahua on 90.0. All three suit a flat and rate 4 or 5 for Indian heat.
Pune is one of the kindest cities in our guides. 46 of the 58 breed guides name Pune, Maharashtra or the Deccan as a good place for the breed, and only 2 name it as hard. 17 of the good lines come with a condition such as AC, a summer clip or a yard. The full city comparison is in our best dog breeds by Indian city report.
The score weighs heat tolerance and flat living twice, because Pune summers peak at 37.9 C in April and many families live in flats. Monsoon, coping without AC and beginner friendliness count once each.
dogeats.in editorial ranking from our 58 breed guides, October 2026. Green = Indian breed. Method in the methodology section.
Show the numbers
| Label | score |
|---|---|
| Poodle | 92.9 |
| Indian Pariah Dog | 91.4 |
| Chihuahua | 90.0 |
| Dachshund | 84.3 |
| Mudhol Hound | 84.3 |
| Indian Spitz | 82.9 |
| Rhodesian Ridgeback | 81.4 |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 81.4 |
| Beagle | 78.6 |
| Maltese | 78.6 |
| Miniature Pinscher | 77.1 |
| Bichon Frise | 76.4 |
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| Rank | Breed | Pune score | Heat | Flat | Monsoon | No AC | Beginner | Puppy (Rs) | Monthly cost (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poodle | 92.9 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 30,000 to 50,000 | 4,000 to 10,000 including grooming |
| 2 | Indian Pariah Dog | 91.4 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | Free to about 3,000 | 2,000 to 4,500 |
| 3 | Chihuahua | 90.0 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 15,000 to 25,000 | 2,000 to 5,000 |
| 4 | Dachshund | 84.3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 15,000 to 30,000 | 3,000 to 6,500 |
| 5 | Mudhol Hound | 84.3 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 3,000 to 10,000 | 3,000 to 6,000 |
| 6 | Indian Spitz | 82.9 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 5,000 to 15,000 | 3,000 to 6,000 |
| 7 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 81.4 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 2 | 35,000 to 60,000 | 5,000 to 11,000 |
| 8 | Yorkshire Terrier | 81.4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 20,000 to 40,000 | 3,000 to 7,000 with grooming |
| 9 | Beagle | 78.6 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 15,000 to 25,000 | 3,500 to 7,000 |
| 10 | Maltese | 78.6 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 25,000 to 40,000 | 3,000 to 7,000 including grooming |
| 11 | Miniature Pinscher | 77.1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 15,000 to 28,000 | 2,500 to 5,500 |
| 12 | Bichon Frise | 76.4 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 30,000 to 45,000 | 4,000 to 8,500 including grooming |
| 13 | Chippiparai | 74.3 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5,000 to 12,000 | 2,500 to 5,000 |
| 14 | Kanni | 74.3 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 5,000 to 15,000, where available | 2,500 to 5,000 |
| 15 | Rampur Greyhound | 74.3 | 5 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 8,000 to 20,000 | 3,000 to 6,500 |
| 16 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 73.6 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 50,000 to 75,000 | 4,500 to 10,000 including likely cardiac care |
| 17 | Lhasa Apso | 73.6 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 10,000 to 20,000 | 3,500 to 7,000 including grooming |
| 18 | Doberman | 72.9 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 20,000 to 35,000 | 6,000 to 12,000 |
| 19 | German Spitz | 72.9 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5,000 to 20,000 | 3,000 to 6,500 |
| 20 | Jack Russell Terrier | 72.9 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 20,000 to 30,000 | 2,500 to 6,000 |
Can a Labrador, German Shepherd or Husky live in Pune?
Yes for the first two, with care. The Labrador Retriever ranks 26 of 58 with 67.1, and its guide calls Pune hot but dry, with comfortable winters. The German Shepherd ranks 40 with 52.9.
Both rate 2 out of 5 for heat, so Pune's April and May afternoons are the risk. Walks before 8 am and after 7 pm keep them inside the cooler part of the day.
The Siberian Husky ranks 54 with 27.9. Its guide says Pune works only with AC and an exceptionally committed owner. The Saint Bernard ranks last at 7.9, one of just 2 breeds whose guides call Pune hard.
dogeats.in editorial scores. Green 70 or more, amber 50 to 69, red under 50.
Show the numbers
| Label | score |
|---|---|
| Indian Pariah Dog (#2) | 91.4 |
| Beagle (#9) | 78.6 |
| Shih Tzu (#24) | 70.0 |
| Labrador Retriever (#26) | 67.1 |
| Golden Retriever (#29) | 64.3 |
| Pomeranian (#33) | 61.4 |
| Pug (#36) | 59.3 |
| French Bulldog (#38) | 56.4 |
| German Shepherd (#40) | 52.9 |
| Siberian Husky (#54) | 27.9 |
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| Breed | Rank | Pune score | Heat (1 to 5) | What the guide says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Pariah Dog | 2 | 91.4 | 5 | Not named |
| Beagle | 9 | 78.6 | 4 | Good: Bengaluru, Pune and Hyderabad, comfortable year-round |
| Shih Tzu | 24 | 70.0 | 2 | Good: Bengaluru and Pune, the most comfortable Indian metros for this breed |
| Labrador Retriever | 26 | 67.1 | 2 | Good: Pune, hot but dry, with comfortable winters |
| Golden Retriever | 29 | 64.3 | 2 | Good: Bengaluru and Pune, the easiest big cities for a heavy-coated breed |
| Pomeranian | 33 | 61.4 | 2 | Good: Bengaluru, Pune and hill stations, the most comfortable Indian options |
| Pug | 36 | 59.3 | 1 | Good with conditions: Bengaluru and Pune with a fan or AC, the most workable Indian cities |
| French Bulldog | 38 | 56.4 | 1 | Good with conditions: Bengaluru and Pune with air conditioning, the most workable Indian cities |
| German Shepherd | 40 | 52.9 | 2 | Good: Bengaluru and Pune, mild enough for a working coat year-round |
| Siberian Husky | 54 | 27.9 | 1 | Good with conditions: Bengaluru and Pune, workable only with AC and an exceptionally committed, athletic owner |
Which dogs suit a Pune flat?
22 of our 58 breeds score 4 or 5 for flat living. Ranked by Pune score, the Poodle, Indian Pariah Dog and Chihuahua lead them. See our flat breeds ranking for the national view.
NSS data show 46.3% of urban households in Maharashtra lived in flats in 2018, against 35.3% in independent houses. A small, heat-tolerant dog fits that housing mix best.
Small coats still need summer planning. The Shih Tzu scores 5 for flats but 2 for heat, which leaves it at rank 24 for Pune.
| Breed | Pune rank | Pune score | Flat (1 to 5) | Heat (1 to 5) | Can stay alone (1 to 5) | Monthly cost (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Poodle | 1 | 92.9 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4,000 to 10,000 including grooming |
| Indian Pariah Dog | 2 | 91.4 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2,000 to 4,500 |
| Chihuahua | 3 | 90.0 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2,000 to 5,000 |
| Dachshund | 4 | 84.3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3,000 to 6,500 |
| Indian Spitz | 6 | 82.9 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3,000 to 6,000 |
| Yorkshire Terrier | 8 | 81.4 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3,000 to 7,000 with grooming |
| Maltese | 10 | 78.6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 3,000 to 7,000 including grooming |
| Miniature Pinscher | 11 | 77.1 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2,500 to 5,500 |
| Bichon Frise | 12 | 76.4 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 4,000 to 8,500 including grooming |
| Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 16 | 73.6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 4,500 to 10,000 including likely cardiac care |
| Lhasa Apso | 17 | 73.6 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 3,500 to 7,000 including grooming |
| German Spitz | 19 | 72.9 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 3,000 to 6,500 |
How hot does Pune get for dogs?
April is Pune's hottest month, with an average high of 37.9 C at Shivajinagar in IMD's 1991 to 2020 normals. May averages 37.3 C. January nights fall to 11.2 C, mild enough for every breed in our guides.
Recent summers ran hotter than the normals. On 26 April 2026 Shivajinagar touched 41.8 C, Lohegaon 42.7 C and Koregaon Park 42.9 C, IMD data reported by Punekar News.
On 10 May 2026 Shivajinagar logged 41.4 C, above the previous May high of 41.3 C from 2019. On 6 October 2026 it reached 35.7 C, the warmest October day there since 2002. Our heat risk ranking rates every breed.
Source: IMD climatological table for Pune Shivajinagar, 1991 to 2020.
Show the numbers
| Label | C |
|---|---|
| Jan | 29.8 C |
| Feb | 32.2 C |
| Mar | 35.6 C |
| Apr | 37.9 C |
| May | 37.3 C |
| Jun | 32.0 C |
| Jul | 28.3 C |
| Aug | 27.8 C |
| Sep | 29.5 C |
| Oct | 31.5 C |
| Nov | 30.7 C |
| Dec | 29.5 C |
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| Month | Mean max (C) | Mean min (C) | Rain (mm) | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29.8 | 11.2 | 0.7 | 0.1 |
| Feb | 32.2 | 12.7 | 0.1 | 0.0 |
| Mar | 35.6 | 16.0 | 3.1 | 0.4 |
| Apr | 37.9 | 19.9 | 6.8 | 0.6 |
| May | 37.3 | 22.9 | 19.8 | 1.4 |
| Jun | 32.0 | 23.1 | 183.9 | 9.3 |
| Jul | 28.3 | 22.4 | 190.0 | 13.1 |
| Aug | 27.8 | 21.7 | 156.3 | 10.8 |
| Sep | 29.5 | 21.0 | 140.4 | 8.3 |
| Oct | 31.5 | 19.0 | 105.3 | 5.5 |
| Nov | 30.7 | 15.1 | 28.1 | 1.5 |
| Dec | 29.5 | 11.8 | 6.8 | 0.3 |
| Year | 31.9 | 18.1 | 841.2 | 51.3 |
How many heatwave days does Pune get?
IMD counted 30 heatwave days in the Madhya Maharashtra subdivision, which includes Pune, from 2015 to 2025. The worst year was 2019, with 11 days, and 2024 had 8.
2025 had just 1 heatwave day in the subdivision. Two of the 11 years had none at all. Vidarbha, in the same state, logged 167 over the same period.
A heatwave day still matters for dogs. Flat-faced breeds such as the Pug and French Bulldog rate 1 out of 5 for heat in our guides and should stay indoors through those afternoons.
Source: Ministry of Earth Sciences, Lok Sabha unstarred question 4494, 20 August 2025 (IMD subdivision counts).
Show the numbers
| Label | days |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2019 | 11 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 8 |
| 2025 | 1 |
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| Date | Station | Maximum (C) | What it means |
|---|---|---|---|
| 26 Apr 2026 | Shivajinagar | 41.8 | 3.9 C above the April normal of 37.9 C |
| 26 Apr 2026 | Lohegaon | 42.7 | Airport station, east Pune |
| 26 Apr 2026 | Koregaon Park | 42.9 | Hottest Pune reading reported that day |
| 10 May 2026 | Shivajinagar | 41.4 | Above the 2019 May high of 41.3 C |
| 6 Oct 2026 | Shivajinagar | 35.7 | Warmest October day since 2002 |
How humid is Pune, and how much rain falls in the monsoon?
Pune is dry for most of the year and damp for four months. Modelled humidity averages 49.1% in March but 90.5% in August, from ERA5 data for 1991 to 2020.
The monsoon brings 670.6 mm from June to September in a normal year, 79.7% of Pune's 841.2 mm annual rain. Muggy days, with a daily mean dew point of 24 C or more, averaged 1.2 a year in 1991 to 2020.
Recent years ran higher. ERA5 shows 26 muggy days in 2024, 8 in 2025 and 6 in 2026 up to 12 October. Our monsoon dog care guide covers this. Dry ears and paws after wet walks prevent most monsoon skin trouble.
Modelled data: Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis via the Open-Meteo archive, grid cell over Pune.
Show the numbers
| Label | % |
|---|---|
| Jan | 57.9% |
| Feb | 52.7% |
| Mar | 49.1% |
| Apr | 54.7% |
| May | 67.1% |
| Jun | 83.9% |
| Jul | 90.4% |
| Aug | 90.5% |
| Sep | 87.4% |
| Oct | 74.7% |
| Nov | 64.7% |
| Dec | 60.5% |
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| Season | Actual (mm) | Normal (mm) | Departure (%) | Category |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Jun to 30 Sep 2025 | 897.3 | 747.4 | +20 | Excess (IMD band +20% to +59%) |
| 1 Jun to 29 Sep 2026 | 690 | 743 | -7 | Normal |
Is Pune's air bad for dogs?
Mostly not. Pune had 15 days at Poor AQI or worse in 2025, out of 364 days in CPCB bulletins. Its average AQI was 104.9, in the Moderate band. The AQI and dogs report compares 21 cities.
Every one of those 15 days fell in December 2025, when the city averaged 195.7. The 2025 peak was 247 on 30 December. In 2026 Pune has had 1 Poor day so far, in January.
The monsoon months are clean: 121 of 122 days from June to September 2025 were Good or Satisfactory. Pimpri-Chinchwad had 26 Poor days in 2025 and none in 2026 to date.
Source: 364 CPCB daily AQI bulletins for 2025 (4 pm), parsed by dogeats.in.
Show the numbers
| Label | AQI |
|---|---|
| Jan | 143.3 |
| Feb | 133.1 |
| Mar | 138.5 |
| Apr | 118.4 |
| May | 82.4 |
| Jun | 62.6 |
| Jul | 53.3 |
| Aug | 57.6 |
| Sep | 58.1 |
| Oct | 87.3 |
| Nov | 130.4 |
| Dec | 195.7 |
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| City | Year | Days reported | Good | Satisfactory | Moderate | Poor or worse | Average AQI | Highest AQI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pune | 2025 | 364 | 38 | 144 | 167 | 15 | 104.9 | 247 |
| Pune | 2026 to 14 Oct | 287 | 38 | 163 | 85 | 1 | 87.6 | 205 |
| Pimpri-Chinchwad | 2025 | 364 | 56 | 156 | 126 | 26 | 100.7 | 254 |
| Pimpri-Chinchwad | 2026 to 14 Oct | 287 | 53 | 139 | 95 | 0 | 82.6 | 175 |
Do you need a dog licence in Pune, and how many street dogs are there?
Yes. Pune Municipal Corporation charges Rs 50 a year or Rs 500 for 10 years, and renewal costs Rs 25. Pimpri-Chinchwad charges Rs 75 a year and can fine owners Rs 500 for an unlicensed dog. Our registration fees tracker covers other cities.
Few owners register. About 8,000 dogs held a PMC licence in July 2024, against an estimate of over 1 lakh pet dogs, so under 8%. In Pimpri-Chinchwad, 817 owners held licences in December 2025.
Street dog figures disagree. PMC's 2023 census recorded about 1.79 lakh dogs, Punekar News reported in July 2026. A PMC estimate quoted in August 2026 put the city figure at about 80,000. A new census of the old city and 32 merged villages has been tendered for about Rs 25 lakh.
Source: PMC health department via The Karbhari, 21 May 2026. Jan to Jul 2026: 24,803 (PMC via Free Press Journal).
Show the numbers
| Label | cases |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 16,561 |
| 2023 | 22,945 |
| 2024 | 25,899 |
| 2025 | 30,613 |
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| Item | Figure | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| PMC licence fee | Rs 50 a year or Rs 500 for 10 years; renewal Rs 25 | Jan 2024 | Punekar News |
| PCMC licence fee and fine | Rs 75 a year; Rs 500 fine | Dec 2025 | Punekar News |
| Licensed dogs, PMC | About 8,000 (of over 1 lakh pet dogs) | Jul 2024 | Pune Pulse |
| Licensed owners, PCMC | 817 | Dec 2025 | Punekar News |
| Street dogs, PMC census | About 1.79 lakh | 2023 | PMC via Punekar News, Jul 2026 |
| Street dogs, PMC estimate | About 80,000 | Aug 2026 | PMC via Free Press Journal |
| Street dogs, Pune district | 2,11,982 | 2019 | 20th Livestock Census (DAHD) |
| Dog bite cases, PMC | 30,613 | 2025 | PMC via The Karbhari |
| Dog bite cases, PMC | 24,803 | Jan to Jul 2026 | PMC via Free Press Journal |
| Registered vets, Maharashtra | 11,257 (8.8 per lakh people) | 31 Mar 2024 | Lok Sabha USQ 279 |
| Vet posts vacant, Maharashtra | 2,165 of 5,622 (38.5%) | Answer of 2 Dec 2025 | Lok Sabha USQ 279 |
| Dog park, Kharadi | 3 acres, approved by PMC | Reported Aug 2025 | Pune Pulse |
| Dog park, Pimple Saudagar | 65 gunthas, Rs 20 entry proposed | Opened early 2024 | Pune Pulse |
| Private vet consultation (Vetic) | Rs 699 (listed value, free with a vaccination booking) | Oct 2026 | Vetic Pune page |
| DHPPiL vaccine (Vetic) | Rs 899 | Oct 2026 | Vetic Pune page |
Bites rose 84.8% from 2022 to 2025. The first seven months of 2026 already reached 81.0% of the 2025 total. Maharashtra had 8.8 registered vets per lakh people in March 2024, up from 8.4 a year earlier.
Which dog breeds struggle most in Pune?
Heavy northern coats struggle. The Saint Bernard (7.9), Bernese Mountain Dog (10.7), Tibetan Mastiff and Alaskan Malamute (22.9) sit at the bottom.
These dogs rate 1 out of 5 for heat and for coping without AC. Pune is mild by Indian standards, yet April afternoons near 38 C are well beyond what their coats can shed.
If you already own one, keep it in an air-conditioned room from March to June and walk it only at dawn. See a vet at once for heavy panting, drooling or collapse.
| Breed | Rank | Pune score | Heat (1 to 5) | No AC (1 to 5) | What the guide says |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Bernard | 58 | 7.9 | 1 | 1 | Hard: Bengaluru and Pune, better than Chennai but still warm for this coat |
| Bernese Mountain Dog | 57 | 10.7 | 1 | 1 | Hard: Bengaluru and Pune, better than most but still warm for this coat |
| Tibetan Mastiff | 56 | 22.9 | 1 | 1 | Not named |
| Alaskan Malamute | 55 | 22.9 | 1 | 1 | Not named |
| Siberian Husky | 54 | 27.9 | 1 | 1 | Good with conditions: Bengaluru and Pune, workable only with AC and an exceptionally committed, athletic owner |
| Samoyed | 53 | 36.4 | 1 | 1 | Good with conditions: Bengaluru and Pune with air conditioning and an early-rising owner |
| Chow Chow | 52 | 36.4 | 1 | 1 | Good with conditions: Bengaluru and Pune with reliable air conditioning |
| English Mastiff | 51 | 41.4 | 1 | 1 | Good: Bengaluru, Pune and hill stations, with milder summers |
| Border Collie | 50 | 42.1 | 2 | 3 | Good with conditions: Bengaluru and Pune for an owner who runs or cycles daily and does dog sports |
| Bully Kutta | 49 | 42.9 | 3 | 3 | Not named |
All 58 dog breeds ranked for Pune
The full table lists every breed with its Pune score, the editorial scores behind it and the line its guide gives Pune. Sort it by any column, or download it as CSV.
| Rank | Breed | Pune score | Base score | Guide points | Heat | No AC | Monsoon | Flat | Beginner | Pune verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Poodle | 92.9 | 82.9 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 4 | Good: Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad and Delhi, all comfortable year-round |
| 2 | Indian Pariah Dog | 91.4 | 91.4 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | Not named |
| 3 | Chihuahua | 90.0 | 80.0 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 3 | Good: Bengaluru, Pune and Delhi, comfortable year-round |
| 4 | Dachshund | 84.3 | 74.3 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 3 | Good: Hyderabad, Pune and Bengaluru, easy in every season |
| 5 | Mudhol Hound | 84.3 | 74.3 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 | Good: Karnataka, Maharashtra and the Deccan, the breed’s home ground |
| 6 | Indian Spitz | 82.9 | 82.9 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | Not named |
| 7 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 81.4 | 71.4 | 10 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | Good: Delhi, Pune and Bengaluru, at ease in every season |
| 8 | Yorkshire Terrier | 81.4 | 71.4 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 3 | Good: Hyderabad, Pune and Delhi, comfortable year-round |
| 9 | Beagle | 78.6 | 68.6 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | Good: Bengaluru, Pune and Hyderabad, comfortable year-round |
| 10 | Maltese | 78.6 | 68.6 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | Good: Pune and Delhi, comfortable through most of the year |
| 11 | Miniature Pinscher | 77.1 | 77.1 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | Not named |
| 12 | Bichon Frise | 76.4 | 71.4 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 4 | Good with conditions: Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad and Delhi, comfortable in a short clip |
| 13 | Chippiparai | 74.3 | 74.3 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 | Not named |
| 14 | Kanni | 74.3 | 74.3 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 | Not named |
| 15 | Rampur Greyhound | 74.3 | 74.3 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 3 | Not named |
| 16 | Cavalier King Charles Spaniel | 73.6 | 68.6 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | Good with conditions: Bengaluru, Pune and Hyderabad, comfortable with summer timing |
| 17 | Lhasa Apso | 73.6 | 68.6 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 5 | 3 | Good with conditions: Pune, Hyderabad and Bengaluru, easy once the coat is clipped for summer |
| 18 | Doberman | 72.9 | 62.9 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | Good: Bengaluru, Pune and Hyderabad, where the short coat is comfortable year-round |
| 19 | German Spitz | 72.9 | 62.9 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | Good: Bengaluru, Pune and the hill towns, which suit this coat best |
| 20 | Jack Russell Terrier | 72.9 | 62.9 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | Good: Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad and Chennai, all comfortable |
| 21 | Japanese Spitz | 72.9 | 62.9 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | Good: Bengaluru, Pune and Hyderabad, the most comfortable Indian metros for this coat |
| 22 | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 72.9 | 62.9 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | Good: Bengaluru and Pune, where the milder climate lets a Corgi walk and play most of the year |
| 23 | Rajapalayam | 70.7 | 65.7 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 2 | Good with conditions: Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Pune with a yard |
| 24 | Shih Tzu | 70.0 | 60.0 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 3 | Good: Bengaluru and Pune, the most comfortable Indian metros for this breed |
| 25 | Bull Terrier | 67.1 | 57.1 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | Good: Bengaluru, Pune and Hyderabad, where year-round walks are easy |
| 26 | Labrador Retriever | 67.1 | 57.1 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | Good: Pune, hot but dry, with comfortable winters |
| 27 | Cocker Spaniel | 65.0 | 60.0 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 3 | Good with conditions: Bengaluru, Pune and Hyderabad, comfortable with a summer clip |
| 28 | American Eskimo Dog | 64.3 | 54.3 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 3 | Good: Bengaluru and Pune, where the milder climate makes the coat manageable |
| 29 | Golden Retriever | 64.3 | 54.3 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | Good: Bengaluru and Pune, the easiest big cities for a heavy-coated breed |
| 30 | Kombai | 62.9 | 62.9 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | Not named |
| 31 | Shiba Inu | 62.1 | 57.1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | Good with conditions: Bengaluru, Pune and Hyderabad with a fan and cool flooring |
| 32 | Pit Bull | 61.4 | 51.4 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 1 | Good: Bengaluru, Pune and Hyderabad, where the short coat and moderate heat suit the dog |
| 33 | Pomeranian | 61.4 | 51.4 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 3 | Good: Bengaluru, Pune and hill stations, the most comfortable Indian options |
| 34 | Belgian Malinois | 59.3 | 54.3 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 1 | Good with conditions: Bengaluru, Pune and Hyderabad for a sport handler with facilities, climate-wise |
| 35 | Dalmatian | 59.3 | 54.3 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | Good with conditions: Bengaluru, Pune and Hyderabad, with early and late exercise windows |
| 36 | Pug | 59.3 | 54.3 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 4 | Good with conditions: Bengaluru and Pune with a fan or AC, the most workable Indian cities |
| 37 | Boxer | 58.6 | 48.6 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 3 | Good: Bengaluru and Pune, the most workable Indian cities for this breed |
| 38 | French Bulldog | 56.4 | 51.4 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 5 | 3 | Good with conditions: Bengaluru and Pune with air conditioning, the most workable Indian cities |
| 39 | Cane Corso | 55.7 | 45.7 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 | Good: Bengaluru, Pune and Hyderabad, workable climates for a short-coated giant |
| 40 | German Shepherd | 52.9 | 42.9 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | Good: Bengaluru and Pune, mild enough for a working coat year-round |
| 41 | Pekingese | 50.7 | 45.7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 2 | Good with conditions: Bengaluru or Pune with the air conditioning running, which is as workable as India gets here |
| 42 | Great Dane | 50.0 | 40.0 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Good: Bengaluru, Pune and hill stations, the most workable Indian climates |
| 43 | Rottweiler | 50.0 | 40.0 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Good: Bengaluru, Pune and hill stations, the most workable climates |
| 44 | Kangal | 47.1 | 37.1 | 10 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Good: Bengaluru, Pune and the Deccan plateau, with milder summers |
| 45 | Australian Shepherd | 45.0 | 40.0 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 2 | Good with conditions: Bengaluru and Pune with an active owner and a yard |
| 46 | English Bulldog | 45.0 | 40.0 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 2 | Good with conditions: Bengaluru and Pune with air conditioning, the least difficult Indian option |
| 47 | Bullmastiff | 44.3 | 34.3 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 2 | Good: Bengaluru, Pune and the hill stations, the most forgiving climates |
| 48 | Dogo Argentino | 44.3 | 34.3 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | Good: Bengaluru, Pune and hill stations, where summers are milder |
| 49 | Bully Kutta | 42.9 | 42.9 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | Not named |
| 50 | Border Collie | 42.1 | 37.1 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 1 | Good with conditions: Bengaluru and Pune for an owner who runs or cycles daily and does dog sports |
| 51 | English Mastiff | 41.4 | 31.4 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | Good: Bengaluru, Pune and hill stations, with milder summers |
| 52 | Chow Chow | 36.4 | 31.4 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | Good with conditions: Bengaluru and Pune with reliable air conditioning |
| 53 | Samoyed | 36.4 | 31.4 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | Good with conditions: Bengaluru and Pune with air conditioning and an early-rising owner |
| 54 | Siberian Husky | 27.9 | 22.9 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Good with conditions: Bengaluru and Pune, workable only with AC and an exceptionally committed, athletic owner |
| 55 | Alaskan Malamute | 22.9 | 22.9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Not named |
| 56 | Tibetan Mastiff | 22.9 | 22.9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Not named |
| 57 | Bernese Mountain Dog | 10.7 | 25.7 | -15 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 2 | Hard: Bengaluru and Pune, better than most but still warm for this coat |
| 58 | Saint Bernard | 7.9 | 22.9 | -15 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | Hard: Bengaluru and Pune, better than Chennai but still warm for this coat |
Frequently asked questions
Which dog is best for Pune?
The Poodle scores 92.9 out of 100 in our Pune ranking, followed by the Indian Pariah Dog on 91.4 and the Chihuahua on 90.0. All three handle heat and suit a flat.
Can a Labrador live in Pune?
Yes. The Labrador ranks 26 of 58 for Pune with 67.1, and its guide calls Pune hot but dry, with comfortable winters. Walk it early from March to May, when highs average 35.6 C to 37.9 C.
Is a Husky okay in Pune?
Only with AC. The Siberian Husky scores 27.9 for Pune and rates 1 out of 5 for heat. Its guide says Pune works only with air conditioning and a very committed owner.
How hot is Pune in summer for dogs?
April averages 37.9 C and May 37.3 C at Shivajinagar. In 2026 the station touched 41.8 C on 26 April, so midday walks are unsafe on such days.
What is the dog licence fee in Pune?
PMC charges Rs 50 a year or Rs 500 for 10 years, with renewal at Rs 25. Pimpri-Chinchwad charges Rs 75 a year and can fine Rs 500 for an unlicensed dog.
How many stray dogs are there in Pune?
PMC's 2023 census recorded about 1.79 lakh street dogs, while a PMC estimate quoted in August 2026 said about 80,000. A new census is under way. Pune district counted 2,11,982 in the 2019 Livestock Census.
Is Pune air quality safe for walking dogs?
Mostly. Pune had 15 Poor AQI days in 2025, all in December, and 1 so far in 2026. On Poor days, keep walks short for flat-faced, old or coughing dogs.
Are there dog parks in Pune?
Pimpri-Chinchwad opened a dog park at Pimple Saudagar in early 2024, with a Rs 20 entry fee proposed. PMC's approval of a 3-acre dog park at Kharadi was reported in August 2025.
Methodology and limitations
Breed scores are dogeats.in editorial ratings from 1 to 5, taken from our 58 breed guides (October 2026). The Pune score is a weighted average: Tolerates Indian heat x2, Suits a flat x2, Handles monsoon x1, Copes without AC 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 Pune, Maharashtra or the Deccan. A good line with no condition adds 10 points. A good line with a condition such as AC, a clip or a yard 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's climatological table for Pune Shivajinagar, 1991 to 2020. Heatwave days are IMD subdivision counts from Lok Sabha question 4494. 2026 readings are IMD figures reported by Punekar News. Monsoon totals 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.
Licence rules, street dog counts, bites and vet numbers come from PMC and PCMC figures in named news reports, Lok Sabha answers and the Livestock Census. Dates are in the tables. Prices are dogeats.in editorial ranges compiled from breeder and marketplace listings, October 2026.
Sources
- India Meteorological Department, climatological table for Pune Shivajinagar, 1991 to 2020, Monthly temperature and rain normals
- Central Pollution Control Board, National AQI daily bulletins, 2 January 2025 to 14 October 2026, Pune and Pimpri-Chinchwad AQI days by category
- Ministry of Earth Sciences, Lok Sabha unstarred question 4494, 20 August 2025, Annexure 1, Heatwave days in Madhya Maharashtra, 2015 to 2025
- Also consulted: 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, Punekar News, 27 April 2026, Punekar News, 11 May 2026, Punekar News, 7 October 2026, Punekar News, 28 July 2026, Free Press Journal, 21 August 2026, The Karbhari, 21 May 2026, Punekar News, 12 January 2024, Pune Pulse, 11 July 2024, Punekar News, 12 December 2025, Pune Pulse, 4 August 2025, Pune Pulse, 2 March 2024, Lok Sabha unstarred question 279, 2 December 2025 (DAHD), DAHD, district-wise stray dogs, 20th Livestock Census 2019, NSO, NSS Report 584 (76th round, 2018), Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis (Hersbach et al. 2020) via the Open-Meteo historical weather API, Vetic, Pune pet vaccination page, checked October 2026, NCRB Crime in India 2024, population annexure (2024 state population for vets per lakh), Lok Sabha unstarred question 3136, 8 August 2023 (registered vets on 31 March 2023).
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