Rare Dog Breeds
There are many, many different types of dogs. The big, the small, and the funny looking ones. All different breeds have been bred for different aesthetics or purposes. Most of us probably know our Labradors, Frenchies, and German Shepherds by this point, but what about the strange and unusual breeds?
Of course, ‘rare’ will depend on your area and what local breeds are available to you, but let us take a look at a number of unusual or rare dog breeds.
Where Do Dogs and Their Breeds Come From?
While we don’t know exactly where dogs come from, scientists believe that dogs as we know them originated somewhere between Central Asia and Eastern Europe[1]. We don’t know much about how these early dogs looked or behaved.
Since dogs would stay around human settlements and breed with each other, this created new ‘types’ of dogs near each settlement. Humans would take dogs where they travelled, and often trade puppies and such, at places they stopped at.
It was thousands of years ago when humans first began selectively breeding dogs for traits, appearance, and temperaments. This was especially popular in the medieval period, with finding the right herding dog, energetic dog, house dog, or hunting dog. Though, things really took off when people began to travel in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Breeds, as we know them, mostly originate from the 18th and 19th centuries, when breeds as a concept became more popular, and people began to record and take more note of certain select breeds and classify them.[2]
Nowadays, there are hundreds of breeds, with some bloodlines going extinct and new breeds being added to the classifications. However, we aren’t including any nonrecognized hybrid breeds such as Bernedoodles or Labradoodles in the article.
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Catahoula Leopard Dog
The Catahoula Leopard Dog is an energetic dog, a working breed, and one of the few breeds to historically originate from Louisiana. Their name comes from the Choctaw word for ‘sacred lake’ and for their unique spotted coat pattern.
Bred in the 18th century by French settlers, who mixed their dogs with the local Native Indian hunting dogs, this rare breed is recognized as the ‘Official State Dog’ for Louisiana. They have been used for a number of activities, such as hunting dogs, bay dogs, tree dogs, and even for hunting wild boar.
While popular in Louisiana, their population remains relatively small outside of their home state.
Otterhound
Unsurprisingly, this rare dog was originally bred to hunt otters in England in the early 1800s. Crossed from Griffon dogs, this big dog sports a curly, dense coat that makes it perfect for hunting in rivers and wetlands.
Out of many of the rare dog breeds, this breed is actually classified as an ‘endangered breed’ since there are so few pure Otterhounds left. After Otter hunting was made illegal in the 70s, this specifically bred breed fell out of popularity, and now you're unlikely to see it going around with your local dog walkers. Though some efforts are being made to preserve them and bring in fresh blood.
Xoloitzcuintli
Pronounced ‘Show-low-its-quinn-tlee’, this Mexican rare breed is naturally hairless.
Xolo’s can be medium or small dogs, depending on the type. This special, rare dog can trace its ancestry back to some of the first dogs to cross into the Americas, and their remains can be found in ancient Mayan and Toltec tombs.
Their hairless appearance comes from a mutated gene that has long been isolated and bred into the Xolo’s. While not as widely recognized as other Mexican breeds like the Chihuahua, Xolo’s still have their place in Mexican history and pop culture.
A Xolo even appeared in Disney/Pixar’s 2017 film ‘Coco’, giving them a small boost in popularity, though not enough to get them off this list of rare dog breeds.
Canaan Dog
If you think this Biblical name sounds familiar, then you would be correct. Canaan dogs do originate near the region of Canaan and the Sinai Peninsula, likely bred from local Pariah Dogs.
These dogs likely originate from when many dogs were left behind during the Babylonian conquest of Israel and the Jewish Diaspora. The dogs probably turned feral and integrated with local wild dog populations.
The dogs have long existed in the area, and are popular among the Bedouin tribes for protecting flocks of sheep. In 1935, efforts were made to stabilize the breed from local populations, resulting in the breed becoming the national breed of Israel.
They are classified as a ‘wild type’, with a thick, smooth coat that comes in a variety of colors. They tend to have a square build and a curled tail. Originally arriving in the USA in the 1960s, the breed has been used for a number of skilled tasks, but their popularity is still not as great as most dogs with a similar appearance, such as German Shepherds or Akitas.
Chinook
This athletic dog was bred to be the perfect sled dog. In the early 1900s, a man named Arthur Walden went on an expedition to the Yukon with a Native American guide and a dog named Chinook. He liked the dog so much that he attempted to breed the same dog to get his own ‘Chinook’.
He eventually succeeded in breeding a powerful dog that was perfect for pulling sleds and trekking through deep snow. They are now the state dog of New Hampshire.
This rare dog is a powerful breed that is still used for recreational sledding today, even though they are more popular as family pets than working dogs.
Lagotto Romagnolo
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The Lagotto Romagnolo is a ‘lake dog’ originating from the marshy Romagna region of Northern Italy. While their short, curly coat makes them look a bit like poodles, they are one of a few distinct, rare dog breeds.
Like poodles, these dogs were mainly bred for hunting small game in the marshes, though some nobles who loved dogs did keep them around as companion dogs. There are paintings depicting similar dogs as far back as the Renaissance.
Probably due to their regional scarcity and similarity to poodles, this rare dog remains one of the lesser known breeds outside of their own country.
Skye Terrier
One of the ‘Most Endangered Dog Breeds Native to the UK’, this rare dog, the Skye Terrier, comes from a small island off the Scottish Coast known as the ‘Isle of Skye’. While historical records can’t be certain, it is claimed that the loyal dog that followed Mary, Queen of Scots, to her execution site and hid under her skirt to comfort her was a Skye Terrier.
This breed is small and hardy, normally coming in a black or ashy gray color. The breed can have floppy or pointy ears like its mainland cousins.
While Skye Terriers are one of the rare dog breeds that have made it across to the USA, numbers remain low, and there are concerns that this rare dog could die out within 40 years.
Norwegian Lundehund
Out of all the rare dog breeds, this one has one of the strangest histories. This dog, originating in Norway, was originally bred to hunt puffin birds on the sheer, dangerous cliffs where they make their nests. The first known account of them comes from around 1591, making them an old breed.
Their unusual purpose has resulted in a number of strange traits. The Lundehunds are very flexible to get into the small holes where puffins live. They also tend to have six toes per foot instead of the usual four, allowing them to get a good grip on the rocky cliffs. Their fawn-colored overcoat is rough, to protect them from dirt, with a soft undercoat, to protect them in harsh Nordic winters.
Thai Ridgeback
The Thai Ridgeback is one of the three recognized dog breeds in the world to have their signature ‘ridge’ along their back. This ridge is caused by the dog’s hair growing in the opposite direction to the rest of the hair.
Thai Ridgebacks originate from Thailand, though their breed origin is largely unknown. They were largely used as hunting dogs or for accompanying carts as early as 360 years ago, though now they are more often used as companion dogs or guard dogs.
They tend to have a solid color, normally red, black, or ‘blue’ - Which is a deep gray. While you can find Thai Ridgebacks in the USA, the breed remains quite rare outside of their homeland.
Komondor
The Komondor, also known as the ‘Hungarian Sheep Dog’, is another one for our list of rare breeds. This rare dog comes from Hungary, where it arrived with the Cuman people as they were fleeing the Mongols in the medieval period.
The dog has historically been used to guard livestock and is a celebrated farm dog. Komondors are always white in color, and are known for their signature ‘locks’ which form naturally as their undercoat and overcoat intertwine and grow together. They require some grooming to prevent their natural curls from matting, but tend to form their traditional ‘mop shape’ quite easily.
The breed's numbers took a dip during the Second World War, when many were killed by invading Germans and Russians to access the farms they guarded, but they are back to being popular in their homeland.
However, despite their unique appearance and friendly temperament, they remain difficult to find outside of Hungary.
Conclusion
There are many rare dog breeds in the world. We took a look at the Catahoula Leopard Dog, Otterhound, Xoloitzcuintli, Canaan Dog, Chinook, Lagotto Romagnolo, Skye Terrier, Norwegian Lundehund, Thai Ridgeback, and the Komondor, but there are many more dogs out there.
Many of these rare dog breeds remain rare because few have left their area of origin, but who knows which breeds may become more popular tomorrow?
Nobody can predict the historical events that make one breed more popular than any other dog. Regardless, let us do our best to support efforts to stop these rare dog breeds from disappearing.
At the end of the day, it doesn’t matter if your dog comes from one of these rare dog breeds, a common breed, or even if they are a mutt. Each dog is unique and deserving of your attention and love.
If you are interested in showing off YOUR dog’s unique personality, regardless of breed, why not check out Sparkpaw’s Dog Jacket Coat Collection for a wide range of colors and staples to suit each unique personality and taste.
Remember, rare dog breeds can come with unique health issues due to smaller population sizes. If you are going to buy one, make sure you are buying from a reputable breeder.
Happy Walking!
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