Data report · Updated October 2026
Kennel Club of India Registrations: How Many Pedigree Dogs India Registers Each Year, What KCI Charges, and What It Does Not Publish by Breed
The Kennel Club of India registered 33,880 pure-bred dogs in 2025, according to figures it reports to the FCI. The total is 62.2% below the pandemic peak of 89,571 in 2021 and the lowest since 2008. KCI charges Rs 750 to register a puppy within 60 days, or Rs 375 for an Indian breed. Neither KCI nor the FCI publishes registrations by breed, so no one can say from official data which breed is registered most.
Key findings
- KCI registered 33,880 pure-bred dogs in 2025, down 12.2% from 38,592 in 2024 and the fewest since 2008.
- Registrations doubled during the pandemic, from 44,702 in 2019 to 89,571 in 2021, a rise of 100.4%.
- KCI registered 32,219 puppies from 7,412 litters in 2025, or 4.35 puppies per litter.
- KCI charges Rs 750 to register a puppy within 60 days of birth and Rs 375 for an Indian breed.
- India ranked 12th of the 65 FCI members that reported puppies registered in 2025; Japan registered 301,790, about 9.4 times India's figure.
- KCI held 126 championship all-breed shows in 2025, against 24 in 2021 and a peak of 154 in 2018.
- Across 56 breeds in our guides, a KCI-registered puppy costs a median 1.78 times a pet-quality one, or Rs 25,000 more.
- Neither KCI nor the FCI publishes registrations by breed for India, so official breed rankings do not exist.
- KCI's running total of registered dogs jumped by 225,798 in 2023, when only 47,679 dogs were registered that year.
How many dogs does the Kennel Club of India register each year?
About 34,000 in 2025. KCI registered 33,880 pure-bred dogs in its studbook in 2025, according to the figures it reports to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI). KCI is India's FCI member.
It is 12.2% fewer than the 38,592 of 2024. It is 24.2% below 2019, the last year before the pandemic, when KCI registered 44,702 dogs.
Registrations held near 40,000 a year from 2012 to 2017. They have now fallen to the lowest level since 2008, when KCI registered 30,687.
Source: FCI statistics for the Kennel Club of India, pure-bred dogs registered with the studbook. Figures are reported to the FCI by KCI.
Show the numbers
| Label | dogs |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 40,546 |
| 2015 | 40,884 |
| 2016 | 39,194 |
| 2017 | 40,434 |
| 2018 | 44,714 |
| 2019 | 44,702 |
| 2020 | 55,512 |
| 2021 | 89,571 |
| 2022 | 76,011 |
| 2023 | 47,679 |
| 2024 | 38,592 |
| 2025 | 33,880 |
Embed this chart
| Year | Pure-bred dogs registered | Puppies registered | Litters registered | Puppies per litter | CAC all-breed shows | CACIB shows | Running total registered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 30,687 | 29,638 | 5,395 | 5.49 | 66 | 2 | |
| 2009 | 35,037 | 33,537 | 6,263 | 5.35 | 86 | 2 | |
| 2010 | 39,005 | 37,005 | 6,961 | 5.32 | 109 | 2 | |
| 2011 | 44,675 | 45,363 | 8,071 | 5.62 | 124 | 2 | |
| 2012 | 41,427 | 40,832 | 6,868 | 5.95 | 130 | 2 | 617,169 |
| 2013 | 40,351 | 39,863 | 7,001 | 5.69 | 142 | 4 | 659,344 |
| 2014 | 40,546 | 40,251 | 7,048 | 5.71 | 119 | 4 | 695,775 |
| 2015 | 40,884 | 40,563 | 7,153 | 5.67 | 125 | 3 | 736,659 |
| 2016 | 39,194 | 38,883 | 6,379 | 6.10 | 146 | 3 | 775,853 |
| 2017 | 40,434 | 40,088 | 6,403 | 6.26 | 140 | 2 | 816,287 |
| 2018 | 44,714 | 44,584 | 6,523 | 6.83 | 154 | 3 | 861,001 |
| 2019 | 44,702 | 43,651 | 6,320 | 6.91 | 112 | 2 | 905,703 |
| 2020 | 55,512 | 53,890 | 6,520 | 8.27 | 45 | 2 | 961,215 |
| 2021 | 89,571 | 88,261 | 8,500 | 10.38 | 24 | 0 | 1,050,786 |
| 2022 | 76,011 | 73,499 | 7,520 | 9.77 | 85 | 0 | 1,126,797 |
| 2023 | 47,679 | 46,466 | 6,850 | 6.78 | 142 | 2 | 1,352,595 |
| 2024 | 38,592 | 36,616 | 7,828 | 4.68 | 125 | 2 | 1,391,187 |
| 2025 | 33,880 | 32,219 | 7,412 | 4.35 | 126 | 2 | 1,425,001 |
Over the 12 years from 2014 to 2025, KCI registered 591,719 dogs. Its running total since it began keeping records stood at 1,425,001 at the end of 2025.
FCI's older sheets show KCI registered 19,466 puppies in 2003 and 31,451 in 2006. Puppy registrations rose more than fourfold from 2003 to the 2021 peak of 88,261.
Did the pandemic puppy boom show up in KCI data?
Yes, sharply. Registrations rose 24.2% to 55,512 in 2020 and then to 89,571 in 2021, double the 2019 level. They stayed high at 76,011 in 2022.
Those three years, 2020 to 2022, account for 221,094 registrations. They make up 37.4% of everything KCI registered from 2014 to 2025.
The fall since then has been steady: 47,679 in 2023, 38,592 in 2024 and 33,880 in 2025. 2025 is 62.2% below the 2021 peak.
Source: FCI statistics (Asia-Pacific sheets 2008 to 2013; India page 2014 to 2025). Puppies registered with the studbook and the appendix.
Show the numbers
| Label | puppies |
|---|---|
| 2008 | 29,638 |
| 2009 | 33,537 |
| 2010 | 37,005 |
| 2011 | 45,363 |
| 2012 | 40,832 |
| 2013 | 39,863 |
| 2014 | 40,251 |
| 2015 | 40,563 |
| 2016 | 38,883 |
| 2017 | 40,088 |
| 2018 | 44,584 |
| 2019 | 43,651 |
| 2020 | 53,890 |
| 2021 | 88,261 |
| 2022 | 73,499 |
| 2023 | 46,466 |
| 2024 | 36,616 |
| 2025 | 32,219 |
Embed this chart
Source: FCI statistics for the Kennel Club of India.
Show the numbers
| Label | litters |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 7,048 |
| 2015 | 7,153 |
| 2016 | 6,379 |
| 2017 | 6,403 |
| 2018 | 6,523 |
| 2019 | 6,320 |
| 2020 | 6,520 |
| 2021 | 8,500 |
| 2022 | 7,520 |
| 2023 | 6,850 |
| 2024 | 7,828 |
| 2025 | 7,412 |
Embed this chart
Litter numbers moved much less. KCI registered 6,520 litters in 2020 and 8,500 in 2021, against 6,320 in 2019. That made the puppies-per-litter figure jump to 10.38 in 2021.
Every other year since 2014 ran between 4.35 and 6.91, so the 2020 to 2022 puppy counts look out of line. KCI has not explained the jump in its FCI returns.
What does Kennel Club of India registration cost?
KCI charges Rs 750 per puppy if the litter is registered within 60 days of birth. The fee rises to Rs 1,200 at 61 to 120 days and Rs 2,000 at 121 to 180 days.
Indian breeds pay half. A puppy of an Indian breed costs Rs 375 to register within 60 days, Rs 600 up to 120 days and Rs 1,000 up to 180 days.
These rates apply from 1 April 2024 and include GST, per KCI's tariff sheet. A litter of six puppies registered on time costs Rs 4,500, or Rs 2,250 for an Indian breed.
Source: Kennel Club of India, revised tariff sheet from 1 April 2024, inclusive of GST.
Show the numbers
| Label | Rs |
|---|---|
| Indian breed puppy, within 60 days | Rs 375 |
| Puppy, within 60 days | Rs 750 |
| Indian breed puppy, 61 to 120 days | Rs 600 |
| Puppy, 61 to 120 days | Rs 1,200 |
| Indian breed puppy, 121 to 180 days | Rs 1,000 |
| Puppy, 121 to 180 days | Rs 2,000 |
| Unknown pedigree | Rs 1,000 |
| Imported dog | Rs 2,500 |
Embed this chart
| Service | Fee (Rs) |
|---|---|
| Litter registration per puppy, within 60 days | 750 |
| Litter registration per puppy, 61 to 120 days | 1,200 |
| Litter registration per puppy, 121 to 180 days | 2,000 |
| Indian breed litter registration per puppy, within 60 days | 375 |
| Indian breed, 61 to 120 days | 600 |
| Indian breed, 121 to 180 days | 1,000 |
| German Shepherd 5-generation litter registration, within 60 days | 1,000 |
| Registration of an imported dog | 2,500 |
| Registration with unknown pedigree | 1,000 |
| Transfer of ownership, within 12 months of birth | 500 |
| Transfer of ownership, after 12 months | 1,000 |
| Certified pedigree, 4 generations | 1,000 |
| Certified pedigree, 5 generations | 1,500 |
| Export pedigree | 2,000 |
| Duplicate registration certificate | 1,000 |
| Change of name of a registered dog | 1,000 |
| Kennel prefix or affix, for life | 10,000 |
| Indian Kennel Gazette subscription, 1 year | 1,200 |
Registering an imported dog costs Rs 2,500. A dog of unknown pedigree can be registered for Rs 1,000, an option KCI has offered since 1 July 2022.
German Shepherds have their own five-generation litter rate of Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,500 per puppy. A kennel prefix, the name breeders put before their dogs' names, costs Rs 10,000 for life.
What are the most registered dog breeds in India?
No official ranking exists. KCI does not publish registrations by breed, and the FCI's statistics for India give only totals. We checked both on 11 October 2026.
Lists online that rank breeds by KCI registrations do not cite numbers. Many name the Labrador Retriever, German Shepherd and Golden Retriever, but none shows KCI counts.
Search interest is the best public proxy. Our most searched dog breeds report ranks breeds by Google searches in India.
KCI sells a subscription to its Indian Kennel Gazette for Rs 1,200 a year. We could not check whether it carries breed tables; nothing of the kind is public.
How much more does a KCI-registered puppy cost?
A lot more than the fee. Across 56 breeds in our guides, the median KCI-registered puppy costs Rs 56,250, against Rs 30,000 for a pet-quality pup. The median premium is Rs 25,000, or 1.78 times.
A Labrador Retriever pup costs about Rs 19,000 without papers and Rs 45,000 with KCI papers. A German Shepherd goes from Rs 27,500 to Rs 55,000.
Indian breeds cost less either way. The median KCI-registered Indian breed costs Rs 18,500, against Rs 60,000 for a foreign breed. Our dog breed price index has every breed.
The premium is not the fee. It reflects the breeder's costs and the buyer's belief that papers mean a purebred parentage. Registration papers record parentage; they are not a health certificate.
French Bulldog and Tibetan Mastiff carry the biggest gap in our data, Rs 75,000 each. Among Indian breeds, the Rajapalayam gap is Rs 7,500 and the Mudhol Hound Rs 6,000.
How does India compare with other kennel clubs?
India is mid-table. Among 65 FCI members that reported puppy figures for 2025, India's 32,219 puppies ranked 12th. That was 1.9% of the 1,700,468 puppies those clubs registered.
Japan led with 301,790 puppies, about 9.4 times India. Russia registered 256,837 and France 196,958.
Finland and Sweden, both far smaller countries, each registered more puppies than KCI: 37,538 and 37,030.
Source: FCI statistics by year, 2025. Only members that reported figures; some large members, such as Mexico, reported none for 2025.
Show the numbers
| Label | puppies |
|---|---|
| Japan | 301,790 |
| Russia | 256,837 |
| France | 196,958 |
| Italy | 138,602 |
| Brazil | 79,755 |
| Poland | 56,961 |
| Germany | 55,053 |
| Australia | 46,772 |
| Czech Republic | 42,060 |
| Finland | 37,538 |
| Sweden | 37,030 |
| India | 32,219 |
| Ukraine | 31,331 |
| Philippines | 29,369 |
Embed this chart
| Rank | Country | Puppies | Litters | Pure-bred dogs registered | Puppies per litter |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japan | 301,790 | 97,395 | 302,530 | 3.10 |
| 2 | Russia | 256,837 | 55,834 | 260,858 | 4.60 |
| 3 | France | 196,958 | 36,316 | 198,966 | 5.42 |
| 4 | Italy | 138,602 | 31,774 | 141,321 | 4.36 |
| 5 | Brazil | 79,755 | 25,691 | 80,225 | 3.10 |
| 6 | Poland | 56,961 | 12,212 | 58,753 | 4.66 |
| 7 | Germany | 55,053 | 9,806 | 55,053 | 5.61 |
| 8 | Australia | 46,772 | 10,044 | 47,288 | 4.66 |
| 9 | Czech Republic | 42,060 | 8,386 | 43,796 | 5.02 |
| 10 | Finland | 37,538 | 7,435 | 39,596 | 5.05 |
| 11 | Sweden | 37,030 | 7,504 | 39,320 | 4.93 |
| 12 | India | 32,219 | 7,412 | 33,880 | 4.35 |
| 13 | Ukraine | 31,331 | 7,495 | 28,948 | 4.18 |
| 14 | Philippines | 29,369 | 8,012 | 29,369 | 3.67 |
| 15 | Spain | 28,683 | 7,001 | 30,749 | 4.10 |
| 16 | Serbia | 28,504 | 8,176 | 29,173 | 3.49 |
In 2024, with 67 members reporting, India ranked 16th by puppies. The rank moves partly because members such as Mexico report in some years and not others. Those 67 clubs registered 1,767,874 puppies, so India's share was 2.1%. Mexico, which registered 56,943 puppies in 2024, sent no 2025 figures.
How many dog shows does KCI hold?
KCI-affiliated clubs held 126 championship (CAC) all-breed shows in 2025 and 2 international (CACIB) shows. The CAC count peaked at 154 in 2018.
Shows collapsed in the pandemic, to 45 in 2020 and 24 in 2021. They recovered to 142 by 2023.
KCI had 80 member clubs, 342 individual members and 28 FCI judges in 2025. In 2014 it had 72 clubs, 333 members and 15 judges.
Source: FCI statistics for the Kennel Club of India.
Show the numbers
| Label | shows |
|---|---|
| 2014 | 119 |
| 2015 | 125 |
| 2016 | 146 |
| 2017 | 140 |
| 2018 | 154 |
| 2019 | 112 |
| 2020 | 45 |
| 2021 | 24 |
| 2022 | 85 |
| 2023 | 142 |
| 2024 | 125 |
| 2025 | 126 |
Embed this chart
| Year | Individual members | Member clubs | FCI judges | CAC all-breed shows | CACIB shows |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 333 | 72 | 15 | 119 | 4 |
| 2015 | 349 | 76 | 16 | 125 | 3 |
| 2016 | 369 | 82 | 16 | 146 | 3 |
| 2017 | 376 | 89 | 7 | 140 | 2 |
| 2018 | 377 | 91 | 8 | 154 | 3 |
| 2019 | 387 | 86 | 21 | 112 | 2 |
| 2020 | 375 | 84 | 19 | 45 | 2 |
| 2021 | 368 | 82 | 19 | 24 | 0 |
| 2022 | 362 | 84 | 19 | 85 | 0 |
| 2023 | 357 | 84 | 29 | 142 | 2 |
| 2024 | 344 | 81 | 28 | 125 | 2 |
| 2025 | 342 | 80 | 28 | 126 | 2 |
In 2025 KCI registered about 269 dogs for every championship show held. Show results are where breed popularity among serious breeders shows up, but KCI does not publish entry counts by breed either.
How reliable are KCI's published numbers?
The yearly registration counts are consistent, but some other figures are not. KCI's running total of registered dogs rose by 225,798 between 2022 and 2023. Only 47,679 dogs were registered in 2023.
KCI's estimate of India's total dogs fell from 147.2 million in 2014 to 15.8 million in 2018. Its estimate of dog owners fell by 30.5 million between 2024 and 2025. We do not use either figure.
For the size of India's dog population, see our street dog population report and pet ownership report.
| Figure | What FCI shows | Why it does not add up |
|---|---|---|
| Running total of registered dogs, 2022 to 2023 | Rose by 225,798 | Only 47,679 dogs were registered in 2023 |
| Running total, 2024 to 2025 | Rose by 33,814 | 33,880 dogs were registered in 2025 |
| Approximate number of dogs in India | 147,200,000 (2014) then 15,794,584 (2018) and 17,111,342 (2025) | A tenfold drop between 2017 and 2018 |
| Approximate number of dog owners | 68,628,500 (2024) then 38,128,500 (2025) | A drop of 30.5 million in one year |
| Puppies per litter | 10.38 in 2021, 9.77 in 2022 | Against 4.35 to 6.91 in other years since 2014 |
| Litters, 2003 to 2006 (FCI sheets) | 18,988 to 30,114 a year | Almost equal to puppies, so not usable |
Breeders who want to check a dog's papers can ask KCI for a certified pedigree, which costs Rs 1,000 for four generations and Rs 1,500 for five.
Frequently asked questions
How many dogs are registered with the Kennel Club of India?
KCI registered 33,880 pure-bred dogs in 2025, per its figures reported to the FCI. Its running total since records began was 1,425,001 at the end of 2025. Registrations peaked at 89,571 in 2021.
What is the KCI registration fee?
KCI charges Rs 750 per puppy for a litter registered within 60 days of birth, Rs 1,200 at 61 to 120 days and Rs 2,000 at 121 to 180 days. Indian breeds pay half: Rs 375, Rs 600 and Rs 1,000. Fees include GST and apply from 1 April 2024.
Which is the most registered dog breed in India?
There is no official answer. Neither the Kennel Club of India nor the FCI publishes India's registrations by breed. Lists that name the Labrador or German Shepherd as most registered do not show KCI figures.
How do I register my dog with the Kennel Club of India?
KCI's website offers a litter registration form, and puppies are cheapest to register within 60 days of birth. A registered dog's ownership is then transferred for Rs 500 within 12 months of birth, or Rs 1,000 later. An imported dog costs Rs 2,500 to register.
Can I register a dog without papers with KCI?
KCI offers registration with unknown pedigree for Rs 1,000, available since 1 July 2022, per its tariff sheet. Ask KCI about eligibility, which this tariff does not spell out.
Is a KCI-registered puppy worth the extra cost?
In our breed guides, a KCI-registered puppy costs a median Rs 25,000 more than a pet-quality one, about 1.78 times. Papers record parentage, not health, so ask for the parents' health tests and a vet check too.
Why did KCI registrations fall after 2021?
Registrations rose with pandemic pet demand, to 89,571 in 2021, then fell each year to 33,880 in 2025. KCI has given no official reason. The 2020 to 2022 puppy counts also look unusually high per litter.
How many dog shows does the Kennel Club of India hold?
KCI clubs held 126 championship all-breed shows and 2 international shows in 2025, per FCI data. The record in the last 12 years was 154 shows in 2018.
Methodology and limitations
Yearly KCI figures for 2014 to 2025 come from the FCI's statistics page for the Kennel Club of India, downloaded on 11 October 2026. Figures for 2008 to 2013 come from the FCI's Asia-Pacific statistics sheets for each year. KCI supplies these numbers to the FCI.
We use 'pure-bred dogs registered with the studbook' as the main measure. Puppies per litter is puppies divided by litters, computed by us. We dropped litter counts for 2003 to 2006 because they nearly equal puppy counts.
Fees come from KCI's revised tariff sheet in force from 1 April 2024, downloaded from its website on 11 October 2026. The country ranking uses the FCI's 2025 and 2024 statistics by year, counting only members that reported a puppy figure.
Puppy prices are dogeats.in editorial estimates. Price ranges were compiled by dogeats.in from breeder and marketplace listings for our breed guides, October 2026. We use the midpoint of each range; Bully Kutta and the Indian Pariah Dog have no KCI price range.
Sources
- FCI, Statistics: Kennel Club of India (India), 2014 to 2025, Yearly registrations, puppies, litters, shows, members, clubs, judges
- Kennel Club of India, revised tariff sheet from 1 April 2024, Registration and other fees
- FCI, statistics by year, 2025, Puppies registered by FCI member country
- Also consulted: FCI, statistics by year, 2024, FCI, statistics of members 2003 to 2013 (Asia-Pacific sheets), Kennel Club of India website, dogeats.in Dog Breed Price Index 2026 (our breed guide price data).
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