Let’s get one thing straight right off the bat: any dog is a cool dog, no matter breed, appearance, or pedigree. Yet, when you walk in the street or in a dog park, you will probably see some breeds much more often than others. While some you recognize instantaneously, other uncommon dog breeds you might be seeing for the first time and not even know their names.
Some of these breeds have been designed intentionally, with a specific purpose in mind, like guarding or herding a flock. But at times, weird dog mixes occur when two very unlikely breeds come together in a love relationship, producing a funny, adorable pup no one has seen before. But then again, if you remember that dogs evolved from wolves, all dogs become weird dogs, or should we say, weird wolves.
For this article, we collected some of the rare dog breeds you don’t see in the dog park every day. How many of these exotic dogs have you met in real life? Share this article with your dog-loving friends, and show us your floofs, no matter how rare or common, in the comments because we always appreciate pics of the coolest dogs, and we know yours is just one cool doggo.
#21 Thai Ridgeback
The Thai Ridgeback is one of only three dog breeds that have a ridge of fur on their back that grows in the opposite direction than the rest of the hair. While very intelligent and loyal, their independent character makes them a better match for owners who have substantial experience with dogs.
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98points
#22 Stabyhoun
The Stabyhoun is one of the rarest dog breeds in the world that originates from the Netherlands. While in its native province of Friesland, this breed of farm dog has been mentioned in literature since the early 1800s, it was only in the 1960s that they became known outside the province, and they only left the Netherlands in the 2000s.
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98points
#23 Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen
You have to be exceptional at your job to become a recurring hero of your nation’s folklore. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeens are well-known for their stamina and bravery. Their comparatively small size and short legs make them great hare hunters. As pack dogs, they require either a lot of time with their human or another dog or cat as a companion.
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96points
#24 Russian Toy
The Russian Toy survived almost complete extinction twice, once in the 1920s and later in the 1990s. It was introduced to the international community only after the 1990s. As they were bred to fight rats and be watchdogs, Russian Toys are pretty vocal to this day. They become attached to their family despite the age of the members.
94points
#25 Otterhound
Since Otterhounds were originally bred to hunt otters, they perform very well both on land and in the water. They even have webbed feet, which is a very unusual trait for dogs. They are usually very friendly towards their humans and have a unique bass voice.
93points
#26 Canaan Dog
Say hi to Israel’s national dog. For ages, bedouins of the Middle East used them for guarding their camps and herds. The breed carried this trait through the centuries and remains a very agile and defensive protector of their home and family, though never really aggressive. They are very close with their people but prefer to keep their distance with strangers.
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92points
#27 Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Dandie Dinmont Terriers have a long body, short legs, and a distinctive hairdo. Friendly and chill, they make great companions for older children. The name of the breed is rumored to have originated from a character in Sir Walter Scott’s novel Guy Mannering.
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91points
#28 Skye Terrier
Twice as long as it is short, the Skye Terrier is said to have originated from the Isle of Skye in Great Britain, hence the name. While they enjoy daily walks and come from a hunting background, Skye Terriers prefer to live indoors. They are said to be an endangered breed, as not many of them are born each year.
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88points
#29 Norwegian Lundehund
The name “Lundehund” consists of two Norwegian words: “lunde,” i.e. puffin, and “hund,” i.e. “dog.” This breed was designed to hunt puffins and their eggs. As these birds are known to make nests in inaccessible places on cliffs, the Norwegian Lundehund has six toes on each paw to help them climb and cling to the cliffs.
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88points
#30 Schapendoes
Schapendoes were originally bred as herding and farm dogs. During World War II, only a few dogs remained, threatening the breed to become fully extinct. However, breeders were able to bring the breed back. They are not much into guarding but love participating in sports and are very high-spirited and affectionate.
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82points
