The dog world has over 200 recognized breeds, many of which are popular and recognizable, like Golden Retrievers and Poodles. But plenty of lesser-known breeds are waiting to be discovered, too, some so rare they only number a few hundred individuals worldwide! Here, we explore 17 exceptionally rare dog breeds you’ve probably never heard of until now.
Mudi
Originating from the Magyar sheepdogs of Hungary, the AKC lists the Mudi as a medium-sized herding dog that is intelligent, active, and loyal. Their long, curly coat comes in black, fawn, or merle, and they are excellent at agility courses, dog frisbee, and obedience competitions. Despite this, they’re a rare breed, with only around 3,000 individuals worldwide.
Chinook
This large, tan-colored dog looks like a mongrel to the inexperienced eye but is actually a pedigree sled dog bred for traveling across Alaska and northern Canada. The Chinook nearly vanished entirely in the 20th century until dedicated breeders worked together to bring it back. They’re known for their loyalty, friendliness, and strength—a single dog can pull 1,800 lbs!
Catalburun
Bred in the rugged mountainous regions of southeastern Turkey, the Catalburun is an athletic breed with a distinctive appearance. They look like a standard pointer but have a split ‘bifid’ nose and partially bobbed tail, which often kinks to the right. Catalburuns are smart, agile, and adept hunting companions but are deemed a ‘vulnerable’ breed due to their limited numbers.
Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
This small Dutch spaniel may have a long name, but it only grows to 15–18 inches tall and was initially bred to lure ducks into elaborate traps! It uses playful movements and enticing white markings that mimic sunlight reflecting on water to attract unsuspecting waterbirds. There are 9,000+ living in Holland and 2,000 in Germany, but the breed is scarce in the U.S.
Xoloitzcuintli (Xolo)
Xolos are often called “Mexican hairless dogs” and are a bald (or nearly bald) breed that comes in a variety of sizes, from the tiny toy variety at just 10–14 inches tall to the standard type reaching 18–23 inches. They were bred by ancient Aztecs and were believed to have spiritual significance, often being buried with their human companions.
Norwegian Lundehund
Nicknamed the “puffin hunter” for its historical role in scaling cliffs to capture seabirds, the Spruce Pets says the Lundehund has at least six toes on each foot, elongated paws, and excellent flexibility in its neck and spine. These attributes made it superb at climbing steep cliffs to reach the nests of puffins in its native Norway, but it’s now a rare, specialized breed.
The Cesky Terrier
This small, wire-haired terrier was initially bred to hunt small game in the Czech Republic and is known for its spirited personality and unwavering loyalty despite its diminutive size of only 10–14 inches. However, their rarity makes these terriers almost impossible to find outside of middle Europe, and only around 7,000 individuals are estimated to exist globally.
Berger Blanc Suisse
This gentle Swiss breed is often mistaken for a white German Shepherd. It was indeed developed in the early 20th century from white-coated German Shepherds deemed unsuitable for breeding by pedigree dog clubs. It’s a large, intelligent, and agile dog with similar uses to its black and tan relatives. It’s very smart, highly trainable, and an excellent working dog.
Kuvasz
Hungarian livestock farmers bred this giant breed to protect and herd their livestock. It sure is a formidable size, at 26–28 inches tall. However, its fluffy white coat and friendly face make it less intimidating. Interestingly, puppies mature much more slowly than an average dog breed, taking up to three years to reach full maturity. They’re known for being loyal, regal, and energetic.
Kraški Ovčar
Another large shepherd, this multi-purpose herding dog was developed in the harsher climates of Slovenia and is famously resistant to various weather conditions in their mountainous homeland. Standing 19–23 inches tall and boasting a double coat, the breed is intelligent, loyal, and agile but faces an uncertain future as only 300 breeding individuals exist worldwide.
Lagotto Romagnolo
If you love rare mushrooms, perhaps you can seek out one of these truffle-hunting hounds from the Romagna region of Italy. DogTime says they’re a medium-sized breed with an impressive lifespan of up to 17 years and an exceptional sense of smell. They look a bit like a Poodle, with a curly, hypoallergenic coat that comes in various shades of white, brown, and apricot.
Cirneco dell’Etna
These agile hunters are named for Mount Etna, the volcano that dominates the Italian island of Sicily, from which they originate. Cirnecos have a lean build and distinctive reddish-brown coat with black brindle markings. They are known throughout the Italian dog world for their speed, stamina, and keen eyesight. Historical depictions indicate they are an ancient breed with a long history.
Nederlandse Schapendoes
This rare but distinctive Dutch sheepdog has an unusual multicolored coat, with combinations of black, white, and various shades of gray, all common color variants. It’s a mid-sized herding dog with a cheerful, friendly personality that remains popular in its native Holland. Being working dogs, they’re highly trainable and eager to please and make excellent agility competitors.
Miniature Bull Terrier
Hoping to cater to smaller homes and food budgets, Bull Terrier breeders began crossing the tiniest individuals, and the result was a miniature version. They may be smaller than regular Bull Terriers, but they retain their strong personalities and distinctive egg-shaped heads. Mini versions are typically courageous, stubborn, playful, and amusingly goofy.
Nederlandse Smoushond
This small, terrier-type dog has a rough, wiry coat that comes in various shades of grey, brindle, and fawn and was initially bred to catch rats in mills and farmhouses in the Netherlands. Standing at just 18–20 inches tall, they have an excellent sense of smell and are known to be tenacious, agile, and alert. They also make lovable companions for families and do well with children.
Leonberger
According to Purina, this gentle giant is a large, powerful dog that looks similar to a Bernese Mountain Dog but has gold or red fur with black points. Named after the German city of Leonberg from which they originate, they were bred to guard homes and pull carts, and males can be up to 31 inches tall! Leonbergers are one of the rarest giant dog breeds, with only 5,000 estimated globally.
Azawakh
This medium-large sighthound comes from West Africa, where it was bred to be tall, fast, and athletic to chase prey like gazelles and rabbits. Its short, fine coat comes in a vast array of colors and markings, and they’re known to be fiercely independent. Despite this stubbornness, they make excellent pets for active families who provide sufficient stimulation.
Up Next: 19 Signs That Say You’ve Officially Entered Old Age
Old age comes for us all, though we do our best to resist it for as long as possible. But aging isn’t only gray hair, wrinkled skin, and yelling at kids to get off your lawn. Here are 19 signs you’ve realized you’re no longer the young stud you once were!
19 SIGNS THAT SAY YOU’VE OFFICIALLY ENTERED OLD AGE
17 Things That Are Too Woke For Boomers
Our society is so different from what it was decades ago, and boomers don’t like much of what everyone considers normal in today’s society. In this light, here are 17 things about ‘woke culture’ that particularly make boomers uncomfortable.
17 THINGS THAT ARE TOO WOKE FOR BOOMERS
17 Things You’re Just Too Old To Be Doing Anymore
The older you get, the more fragile you are physically and mentally, so it’s important to prioritize your well-being every day. Whether you still feel young at 50 or are closer to 80, we’ve compiled 17 things you’re too old to be doing anymore.