Indian Pariah Dog

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Indian Pariah Dog

The Indian pariah dog breed is a landrace of dog species belonging to the Indian subcontinent. These dogs are also called β€œDesi Dog”, β€œINDog” or β€œIndie Dog” (the spellings can differ).

These are Indian Native Dogs which abbreviates to INDog. Indian Pariah dog is a great domestic dog. These dogs are also used as police dogs or guard dogs. They are also group members of the ancient pye-dogs.

Despite having many names like β€œDesi-Kutta”, β€œDesi-Dog” or β€œIndie dog”, the best way an Indian will relate with these dogs is when we say Indian β€œstreet dogs”. The Indian pariah dogs are indeed street dogs or free-ranging dogs in India.

These dogs are free wanderers and that is exactly what a β€œpariah” dog represents. They may be all β€œstreet” or wild but they are as lovable as any other recognized dog breed. 

So, let’s dig a little deeper and see what all the Indian Pariah dog has to offer.

Indian Pariah Dog Facts

Average Weight: Male – 33 to 77 pounds, Female – 33 to 55 pounds.

Average Height: Male – 1.6 feet to 2 feet, Female – 1.3 feet to 1.9 feet.

Dog Group: Pye-dog

Indian Pariah Dog Pictures

  • Indian Pariah Dog
  • Indie dog
  • Indian Pariah Dog
  • Desi dog
  • Indian Pariah Dog
  • indie dog
  • Indian Pariah Dog
  • Indian Pariah Dog puppies
  • desi kutta
  • indie dog with human

At A Glance

The Indian pariah dog is a medium-sized dog. Their height and weight are usually proportional and they appear to have a balanced physique. Like all dogs, the Female slightly varies in size than the Male.

Male – They weigh 33 to 77 pounds and are 1.6 feet to 2 feet. Female – They weigh 33 to 55 pounds and are 1.3 feet to 1.9 feet.


Pariah-type dogs usually live a long and healthy life. The Indian Pariah dog has a life expectancy of 10 to 13 years.

These dogs are very apartment friendly. They are just the right size and they can adapt to any lifestyle or living conditions easily. However, a compact apartment is no good for any dog.

Indi-dogs are very friendly and highly sociable. With their families, they are very loving, caring, and also very protective. These dogs can also go to any extents to show their love and care for their humans.

Like families, the Indian pariah dog is also very good around other animals. If you’re an Indian and have come across these dogs, you will notice that they have a very amusing love-hate relationship with all animals.

As guard dogs or watchdogs, these dogs have a natural tendency to stay alert, and therefore, they tend to bark a lot. Their barking tendencies can also be a sign of stress or fear but they do bark A LOT!

Be it hot or cold the Indian pariah dog can bear it all.

Cold Weather Tolerability – These dogs have a double coat that is both coarse and soft. A coat like theirs can naturally provide them protection against the cold weather.

Hot Weather Tolerability – Living in India, makes it easier for these dogs to tolerate both hot summers and chilly winters. Again! Thanks to their double coat.

Pretty intelligent the Indian pariah dog is also highly trainable. These dogs are more cunning, to be specific. Their trainability is high because they are quick-learners and obedient.

Their grooming needs are very low as compared to any other dog. They are very budget-friendly. These dogs need only the bare minimum grooming like bathing and brushing their coat.

One of the best things about having an Indie dog is that the hair is always only on their body. The pariah dogs do not shed or drool and hence, completely strike out the risk of any allergies in humans.

The Indian pariah dogs are free of cost and you can adopt them from recognized kennels.

About Indian Pariah Dog

Indian Pariah Dog

As suggested in its name the Indian pariah dog does originate from India. This is one of the only handful of breeds or purebreds that originated in India. Surprisingly, the breeding process of the Indian pariah dog was not like other dogs that involved human intervention.

The Indian pariah dog is a medium-sized dog with a well-proportioned physique. They weigh anywhere between 33 to 77 pounds and are a maximum 2 feet tall. Their colors vary a lot because these dogs are not selectively bred.

The pariah dogs have a wedge-shaped medium-sized head. These dogs have a pointed muzzle which may or may not be equal to their head. In some pariah dogs, the muzzle is somewhat bigger than their heads.

They have a noble neck and their legs are erect, their hind legs however are angled minimally. They have almond-shaped eyes that are deep and dark. They have erect ears that have pointed tips. The pariah dogs also have a curled tail that can be erect or highly held when excited.

The Indian pariah dog is very low on maintenance. They have a double coat that is coarse as well as soft. A coat like theirs requires minimal grooming and this is probably the greatest advantage of having this dog as a pet.

They are very loving, adorable and they can take care of the house and themselves. These are very independent dogs and unlike other breeds, they are very easy to maintain and budget-friendly.

These dogs also have a cheerful personality and balanced temperament. They are highly trainable and also quick-learners. Practically, the Indian pariah dog lacks nothing and brings home nothing but love and loyalty.

You can find this breed on Indian streets and even though some are strays, not all stray dogs are pariah-type dogs. However, their street living doesn’t make them any less adorable. Nowadays the Indian pariah dog has become very popular in India and overseas as well.

A true dog lover can never ignore how innocent and smart these dogs are. The fact that the pariah dogs aren’t as popular and loved as other exotic breeds are disheartening.

History of Indian Pariah Dog

Indian Pariah Dog history

With no historic records, all the written information of the Indian pariah dog is not available. Their existence and exact place of origin are still unknown. Even so, the pariah dog belongs to India and its roots are in India, which is certain.

Any street dog or a stray was previously described as a β€œpariah dog”. However, today, not all street dogs can be called pariah dogs. The word β€œPariah” initially comes from a Tamil word β€œparaiyar”.

Over the years the word β€œparaiyar” fashioned into β€œpariah”. Paraiyar was used to refer to the social outcast in the Indian caste system. The Indian pariah dog is believed to be found around the houses of the lower-class people and hence, it got named the β€œparaiyar dog” (now Pariah).

India is a country with diverse cultures and thus the Indian pariah dog also got different names. It is also known as a Pye-dog, which comes from the word β€œpahi”, in Hindi β€œpahi” means β€œoutsider”.

The pariah dogs have many names such as Desi Dog, Desi Kutta, Indie Dog, or INDog. These dogs are as β€œdesi” as they can be. In India, anything referred to as β€œDesi” means the name, place, animal or thing are exclusively native and have all the native (Desi) qualities in them.

As a landrace breed of the Indian subcontinent with no written records this breed came into existence without any human intervention. They were also not selectively bred and that reflects in their personality. The Indian pariah dog or the Indie dog has forever been a free-spirited wanderer capable of adapting to any lifestyle.

Named during the British Raj (British rule) in India our Indie dog has a pretty mixed geographical history. These pariah dogs are not just found in India but you can also see them in Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and all of South Asia.

Currently, the Indian pariah dog is called as INDog or Indie dog. Previously this breed was not recognized by any Kennel Club but in 2015, this breed was published in a gazette by the Kennel Club of India. Now they are recognized by the Primitive Aboriginal Dog Society.

As this is an aboriginal breed of dogs the Primitive Aboriginal Dogs Society decided to give up the word β€œpariah” and now these dogs are called INDog or Indie dogs.

Facts Theatre

  • Indian Pariah Dog facts
  • Indian Pariah Dog facts
  • Indian Pariah Dog facts

Parenting Guide and Care

indie dog care tips

When you decide to bring home an Indie pup as dog parents there is not much to worry about. If you are a novice dog owner then there is no need to worry at all. Indian pariah dog is a low-maintenance and requires only love and attention.

They do not need a lot of physical care but here are some general parenting and care tips for handling this Desi dog:

  • The first care tip is to get your Indie dog thoroughly examined by a Vet. Their immediate vaccination is a must before bringing them home.
  • As these dogs are mostly available for adoption and some of these desi pups are rescued dogs, expect them to be shy and they may fear somethings a lot. No matter what the breed is, the process of tackling dog fear remains the same.
  • These dogs are not at all prone to falling sick quite often or developing any severe diseases but make sure you always look for any suspicious signs or symptoms.
  • Indian dogs are very comfortable with homemade food and mainly human food. You can feed them Indian food instead of only dog food. However, do not feed them only human food. As a responsible dog parent, you should mix and match human and dog food properly.
  • Our desi dogs are so great and easy to manage that they don’t even have a lot of grooming requirements. These dogs have a double coat that is coarse and soft. This coat doesn’t require much grooming but some dog parents tend to use this as an advantage and do not take care of their grooming at all. Avoid this mistake and make sure that your desi dog gets the required grooming.
  • Avoid keeping these dogs in places with extreme cold weather conditions. The Indie dog can keep up well in the tropical weather conditions only.
  • In some places in India, the floors can get very cold inside the house, make sure your desi dog has a bed of his own. Pamper these indie dogs as you would pamper any other imported breed. Here you can buy a soft and comfortable dog bed.
  • This desi dog is a great watchdog you can also train them to enhance their skills which in return benefits you in safeguarding the house. They are easily trainable and you do not have to pay for their dog obedience training.
  • Indie dogs also need a lot of exercises. These dogs do not like sitting ideal for a brief period. Running, chasing things is their favorite pastime and you can indulge with these desi dogs in more fun and physical games that stimulate their mind.
  • These dogs love running and playtime and they were even used as hunting dogs in the past. Make sure this desi dog has a house with plenty of space that it can use to have the best time. However, these dogs still adjust very well with apartment living. They are just flexible like that.
  • If you are having difficulty in picking a desi name for your desi dog, read our article Indian dog names. This article will help you in selecting a native name.

Personality and Temperament  

Indian Pariah Dog personality

Having spent their entire lives on streets and on village roads the Indian pariah dog is used to interact with lots of people. Even if an Indian pariah dog puppy is born in a dog shelter instead of streets, it still a desi dog at heart.

This desi dog has a cheerful personality. They spread a lot of joy and happiness wherever they go. Being surrounded by humans or other dogs is their choice of lifestyle. They love human attention and human interaction.

They are all about fun and often they are funny as well. Their traits and body language can sometimes be very funny to watch. This clown of a dog is also very serious when it comes to loyalty and indie dogs also exhibit a grateful nature.

Your desi dog will often show territorial traits. This means that they love to mark their territory and will never allow any dog or any animal to enter their territory. No wonder these desi pooches are great watchdogs.

Their suspicious and alert nature always keeps them on their toes and they are always ready to protect their humans. They are pretty defensive and their territorial behavior with strange dogs or humans makes them the best dogs for security.

They can also very noisy and barking a lot is natural for this desi breed. They tend to alert their owners by barking at practically anything suspicious insight. Their noisy personality can be a mood killer for many dog parents but, β€œAll good and no bad makes a dog just like a toy.”

Indie dogs can be bored very easily and they keep looking for other activities. Their temperament is balanced and they are not at all aggressive dogs. But any unknown dog that enters his territory especially male dogs can turn on the aggression in them.

Leaving them all alone for long durations and keeping them chained to a corner will only make them more aggressive. They love attention, playtime, long walks and running and they must get it.

An overall happy puppy makes the Indian pariah dog a man’s best friend, the most adapting, free-living, loyal, protective, and low maintenance dog that ever existed or ever will.

Colors and Grooming

  • Black Indian Pariah Dog
  • Spotted
  • Reddish-brown
  • Piebald
  • Light Tan
  • Dark Tan
  • White-Tan mix

The colors of the pariah dogs are mostly brown and different shades of brown. Their colors are usually tan, light tan, dark tan, black, white, reddish-brown, piebald. The desi dogs also have a spotted dalmatian-type coat but the spotting is only partial and faint it is not exactly like the Dalmatian.

Their coat type is soft and coarse and they have a double coat. Grooming this type of coat requires minimum efforts and regularity in grooming can be optional.

The Indie dog sometimes doesn’t even require grooming at all. But keeping your pooch clean and avoiding any health-related discomfort is your duty as a dog parent.

This dog has a coat and fur which requires minimal to no efforts in maintenance. The desi dog doesn’t shed or drool and has no potentiality to spread infections or cause allergies.

Keeping them away from extreme cold and snowy regions is also a grooming and health precaution for them. Extreme cold can reach their inner depths of the skin and make it itchy and dry.

A surprising fact about their skin and coat is that the pariah dogs have lesser oil glands than other dogs and this makes their coat almost odorless. Yes! This means no bad dog odor and no foul smells.

To avoid any risk and extra accumulation of dirt and debris regularly brush their coat with any dog brush or hound mitt. You can also brush their coat once a week.

Other basic grooming like brushing their teeth, cutting or clipping their nails, and cleaning their ears should be enough.

Feeding

feeding Indian Pariah Dog

Feeding an Indian pariah dog doesn’t require out of the box efforts. These dogs have spent forever surviving on human leftovers and waste. They also hunt small animals and that meat is their food.

Indie dogs do not have big appetites to be satisfied. They eat minimum food and can easily survive on moderate portions of food. It is the responsibility of their humans to make sure they eat right and eat well.

Even with all their history of surviving on human leftovers they still need proper nutrition and diet. The desi dog has such a strong digestive system that it can digest any kind of food and adapt to any kind of diet.

An Indian pariah dog’s diet should consist of both human food and also premium quality dog food and mostly meat-based. The dog food can be dry or wet. It is a judgment call depending on what your pooch likes best.

Puppy (3 to 6 months)

Indian pariah dog puppy will approximately need 2 to 3 meals per day. The timing and portion size can vary but 1 or 1 Β½ cup should be enough.

Make sure your puppy consumes equal amounts of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. This helps in strengthening their metabolism.

Adult (12 to 18 months)

As the dog grows, at 1 year of age or more your indie dog must be fed 2 meals a day. You can feed them boiled eggs, bread, homemade cooked chicken.

At this age, you can also start feeding them dog food. Dog food with chicken and vegetables is what these dogs tend to like more.

Senior (3 to 7 years)

After 3 years or more, your dog will have entered the senior age. At this age, all dogs tend to eat less food or follow their adult phase diet.

This means you can continue giving your senior indie dog its regular diet of 1 or 2 meals or smaller portions in 3 to 4 meals. This again is your judgment call considering your dog’s eating habits.

Suggested: Senior Dog Food

Health and Vaccination

Indian Pariah Dog health

When it comes to health no dog can beat the Indian pariah dog. This Indie dog is one of the fittest dog breeds. As these dogs have a history of no human interference in their breeding process they have evolved naturally. These dogs have minimal genetically inherited disorders.

Common health problems in other exotic breeds or cross-bred dogs are rarely found in the INDog. The pariah dog has no Hip dysplasia, Cancer, Bloat, or even Cherry eye.

It leaves us baffled at how much immunity and metabolically fit these dogs are. Their history and evolving conditions play an important role in their health condition.

The Indian pariah dog is highly independent and is internally strong. Their living conditions make them survival-immune and they can survive anything. Their street history, evolution, and self-perfection makes them the least susceptible to any disease or disorder.

However, various factors and living conditions can make your indie pup sick. They are surely the fittest but they are living beings and falling ill is natural. But you should expect low illness frequency throughout your Indie pup’s life.

Like all other dogs, even the Indian pariah dog is likely to get infected by Rabies. Time-to-time vaccination and basic precautions can avoid the risk of Rabies too. Obesity in dogs is also another health problem in today’s evolved Indian urban dogs.

Vaccination for dogs against Canine Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvovirus, Leptospirosis, and Rabies is important. The Indian pariah dog also requires these important vaccinations and additionally de-worming as well.

De-worming an Indie dog is more a necessity than precaution. These dogs are strays and living on the streets makes them vulnerable and prone to parasites. De-worming your indie pup every 14 days when they are 3 months and as grow once every 3 months is mandatory.

Vaccination is a huge field to cover. Read our Guide To Dog Vaccination for a better idea of dog vaccine.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Indian pariah dogs are very easily trainable. They love their master and they will always follow you. Teaching them basic dog commands like β€œstay”, β€œno”, β€œstop” can be easily done. Lure them with a treat now and then and they will do anything to win the treats more often.

Indian pariah dogs are easy to identify because some of them might be right outside on the streets. Not all street dogs are the pariah dogs but the majority of them are. A pariah dog has a sleek body, wedge-shaped head, a pointed muzzle, and erect ears. The most alert dog with territorial behavior traits even on the streets is an Indian pariah dog.

An indie dog does not shed at all but various factors can lead to moderate shedding in pariah dogs. These factors can be poor grooming or no grooming at all by dog parents or some skin infection. Otherwise, a pariah dog does not shed.

Yes. Indie dogs are hypoallergenic. These dogs do not shed or drool at all. If shedding is happening that is very low and that little quantity does not produce dander which further leads to allergies.


We at Dog Is World request all our readers to adopt dogs and not shop them. Indian pariah dogs are up for adoption in various kennels or dog shelters across India. All you need to do is Google an adoption center nearest to your current location.

Hello Readers,

That’s all about this Desi dog, the Indian Pariah Dog. Hope you liked this article and it helped you know this native breed of the Indian subcontinent well.

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6 COMMENTS

  1. You people behind the dogisworld are doing a very great job by informing people upon the desi street dog that no dog is born of breed at the time of birth all dogs are dogs and must be loved and care like all of us care for other breed dogs around the world…thats a fact that every indian dog lover should keep in mind that either to adopt a dog thats a pride of our nation or to buy a dog with thousand of health issues…!!πŸ™‚

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