Dogs have been around for centuries, and have evolved with us to become man's best friend. Descendants of the wolf, they have been bred for all sorts of tasks, from herding, to hunting, to just being lovable companions to humans. Their desire to be around us and to please us is undying, and I would almost go as far to say what we do not deserve them.
In the present day, you may have heard of most breeds like the Golden Retriever, the Labrador Retriever, the Chihuahua, the Border Collie, blah, blah, blah. Those are some of the most popular breeds around. There are hundreds of breeds, and some of which the name may not have rung a bell. Ever heard of a dog with a split nose? What about a dog with backwards growing hair? No? Well, these are some dogs you may not see every day on the street!
Check out these rare, but awesome dog breeds...
1. Alaskan Klee Kai
"Woah, is that a mini Siberian Husky?" People might ask when they see these pooches on the street, and they would be correct! The Alaskan Klee Kai was a dog developed in Alaska in the 1970s in order to resemble a much smaller husky, and their numbers are increasing. They were bred with American Eskimo dogs and other smaller breeds to achieve their pocket sized bodies. Like huskies, they are full of energy and require lots of exercise, but they make great family pets over all if you are looking for a tiny husky dog!
2. Thai Ridgeback
You may have heard of the Rhodesian Ridgeback, but did you know that there was a Thai Ridgeback as well? Probably not! Thai Ridgebacks, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Cambodian Razorbacks, and Phu Quok dogs are the only 4 dog breeds to have the uncommon ridge trait. Existing since the Middle Ages in Thailand, these rare pups were only available in the United States since 1994 when Jack Sterling imported them here after discovering them on a trip to Bangkok. Tough, active, and strong-willed, these dogs can be difficult to train, but they will thank you in return by being loyal companions.
3. Azawakh
What a beautiful dog! In Azawakhs, their ribs showing indicates that they are a healthy weight. Named after the Azawakh valley in the Sahara Desert from which they originated, these elegant dogs have been cherished companions to the tribes for centuries. These dogs are gentle giants, and are highly affectionate towards kids and families, but they can be standoffish towards strangers. These qualities make them good guard dogs and loyal family companions.
4. Caucasian Ovcharka
Come across one of these bad boys at night and you may just mistake it for a big, fluffy bear out to get you. When they get closer is when you realize that it's just a HUGE dog. Coming from the Caucasus region, these Russian canines were used to herd sheep, and to even fight bears and wolves! Now that is one badass dog! With their original intended purpose being so extreme, The Russian sheepdog can be assertive and strong-willed, and the key to training one is achieving a pack leader status.
5. Catahoula Leopard Dog
Is it a cat or a dog? It's both! It's the Catahoula Leopard Dog, and they are a gumbo of fun. Hailing from good old Louisiana by Catahoula Lake, these dogs basically bred themselves as they mated with mastiffs, sight hounds and other breeds in order to develop it's unique appearance. They are still not recognized by the AKC as of yet, but they are the official dog of Louisiana. Catahoulas can be aggressive towards other dogs if not properly socialized at a young age, as they were originally used to hunt, but proper socialization, like any dog or any child can curb this and allow for them to be great additions to the family. Keep in mind that they are fairly uncommon still.
6. Keeshond
IT'S SO FLUFFEH! These fluffy dogs members of the spitz family, and became a favorite of the Dutch at a time of political unrest. Keeshonds were bred to be companions rather than hunters or herders, so they are really friendly, lovable dogs. They are also highly intelligent and eager to please, so if you get a Keeshond, you will have a good time being with one!
7. Lundehund
The Norwegian Lundehund are like the cats of the dog world, because sometimes they can be born with six or more toes on each paw, as seen in this photograph. They are also really flexible, being double or triple jointed, which allows them to be agile as they make their way through the rough terrain of Norway's mountain ranges to rob puffin nests of their eggs. They were bred in the remote mountains of Norway and were only recently discovered. Lundehunds are primitive breeds who love to dig, bark, and run, so an active lifestyle would be best suited for this breed to allow them to burn energy. Also it's just cool to have a dog who can bend their head backwards or splay their front paws out on each side.
8. Xoloitzcuintli
I know, I couldn't pronounce this dog's name at first too. It's pronounced "show-low-eats-queen-tee", but let's just settle on calling them the Mexican Hairless. These dogs are believed to be the first dogs to set foot in North America, even before the Chihuahua. They were popular medicine, used to treat arthritis and other pains by the Mayans and Incas centuries ago because of their warm bodies. They are still great cuddle buddies today! Keep in mind though, due to this breed's hairless body, they may need sun screen to protect their skin from the sun's harmful rays. Over all though, these dogs make good best friends despite their weird appearance.
9. Lagotto Romagnolo
Los kind of like a poodle, doesn't it? Well, it isn't! The Lagotto Romagolo was bred for one specific purpose: to sniff out truffles! Not the chocolate ones that you eat, obviously, but that mushroom-like plants that grow underground. Hailing from Italy since the 16th century, these dogs are still used for this purpose today. They are saving European dishes everywhere!
10. Coton de Tulear
Is it a Maltese or Bishon Frise? A cloud of fluff? Well no, but it's a relative of those two breeds! This sweet and cuddly dog comes from Madagascar and has been a beloved export for centuries, especially by the French, which explains the French name. It's name means "Cotton of Tulear", which is named after the city in Madagascar, and they were regarded as royal dogs. Like their relatives, the Bishon, these dogs are people pleasers, and absolutely love being around them! They make great family pets are adapt well to apartment living.
11. Lancashire Heeler
Looks a bit like a Doberman crossed with a Dachshund. Lancashire Heelers are low to the ground with their ears erect, and these features helped them with their original purpose of driving cattle to the market and rat hunting in the streets of Britain. Due to the popularity of other herding breeds like the Border Collie, these dogs nearly went extinct, but made a comeback by being bred with Corgis and Manchester Terriers, which explains their short legs and coat coloring. Today these dogs make good pets if you have a spacious yard and if your fairly active. They may look like cute cuddle dogs, but the herding instincts are still there. Ya gotta train them to not bite your ankles!
12. Pumi
These fluffy-eared doggies just got recognized by the AKC a couple of days ago. Pumik, yes, that's the plural, originated from Hungary as efficient herders that carried over to the present day. They come in all different colors with the same whimsical expressions and puffy coats. Expect a challenge when getting one, because these dogs have a big, boastful personality.
13. Czechoslovakian Vlcak
Also just called the Wolfdog, is a result of a lineage experiment starting in 1955 from Czechoslovakia. The breed was developed by crossing German Shepherd dogs with the Eurasian wolf, and the result was a breed that looks very similar to a wild wolf. The first hybrids of a female wolf named Brita and a male German Shepherd named Cézar were born on 26 May 1958 in Libějovice, Czechoslovakia. The traits carried over from the experiment as well, because they have an amazing sense of smell, great eye sight and exceptional hearing skills. Today they are used as attack dogs in the military and also excel at hunting, sporting, obedience, and other activities. I wouldn't want to mess with one of these anyways! However, this is about as close as you can get to having an actual wolf as a lovable companion.
14. Çatalburun
The first thing that catches your attention with this dog is it's split nose, What is up with it? Well, These dogs have this feature because the Turkish believed that the split nose allowed for a wider passage of air, and, in return, a better scent hound. Due to the popular belief that they were on their way to create the best hound dog there ever was, these dogs were bred for the split nose, and are only one of three breeds who have it (other than the Andean tiger hound and Pachón Navarro). Well good luck finding one of these dogs outside of Turkey because that's virtually the only place you can find one.
15. Estrela Mountain Dog
A big fluff ball of joy! What's not to love? Hailing from the Estrela Mountains in Portugal to guard livestock from wolves, these dogs are built for all types of climates. This is an exceptionally rare breed, and there are only two breeders in the US, but their numbers are slowly rising. They can be wary of new people, so train them while they're young!
16. Kai Ken
Also called the tiger dog, these dogs have existed for thousands of years in Japan where they were bred to perfection. Today they are a monumental dog in their native country. These dogs are extremely are even inside of Japan, and are not yet recognized by the AKC. They are similar to other Japanese breeds like the Kishu and Shiba Inu because of their spitz-like appearance. Despite their wild ancestry and independent spirit, they make good pets for people with allergies because they don't shed. Also, they've been in anime! How can you say no to that?
17. Mudi
These dogs have better hair than you do! How does it feel? Originating from Hungary, it is related closely to the Pumi, another Hungarian dog on this list, and the Puli, but was separated in the early 1930s. They were used for herding, but today, even though they are quite uncommon, they are sweet, loyal pets. Also, they have amazing hair and need to give us some tips on how they got it so wavy.
18. Hovawart
This dog is essentially a Golden Retriever with a different paint job. They are possibly the descendants of the Newfoundland, Leonburger and other breeds. They've been around since the Middle Ages in Germany and are mentioned in ancient writings and depicted in drawings. They nearly went extinct in the 1200s but were only recenlty brought back by the efforts of a German man named Kurt in the early 1920s. In the present day they are growing in popularity in Germany and are slowly growing in the States.
19. Kooikerhondje
You may have seen these pooches in old paintings before, but did you ever think that they are an actual breed of dog? Probably not! From Dutch origin, these dogs have been used for centuries as sporting dogs to hunt ducks. They are rapidly gaining popularity in the states today. The little curly bits of hair hanging from their ears are called "earrings" and is a standard for the breed. So fab!
20. Russian Toy
No, this is not a Chihuahua, but it almost has it beat for one of the smallest dogs in the world. In the early 20th century, they were popular among rich Russians, but during the rise of communism and the beginning of the Cold War, they almost went extinct. It was only during the 1950s when they started to breed the dogs again. During this period, a long haired version of the breed was developed and it was decided that this was a desirable characteristic. They are making a comeback as more breeders are popping up, and are simply lovable dogs. They are very friendly around people naturally and are sure to be a crowd favorite.
Which was your favorite dog breed? Did you know of any? Did you learn a new breed or two today?
Our world is ever-changing, and maybe some new breeds will pop up eventually. Who knows? Maybe you saw a breed you like and you'll probably go out and get one. Remember to only buy from respectable breeders! Click on the links provided for more information on these uncommon dog breeds. Thanks for reading! <3
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