Are you a dog lover? What a coincidence – I am too! Dog breeds are truly amazing. One thing that makes them unique is how varied their species are. They are a rainbow of colors, shapes, and sizes.
With so many extraordinary Dog Breeds to choose from, which breed we choose depends on several factors. If you live in a small, rent-constrained home, choosing a Yorkie is more of an experience than a Saint Bernard. If you have kids, you’ll probably agree that a mild Border Collie is more suitable than a Pitbull. You also have to decide whether you want a German Shepherd as a protection dog or a Cocker Spaniel that will roll on its back and demand a belly rub from even the most demanding strangers. Then some are looking for something completely different: a special dog that no one else in the area has. If this describes you then you are successful.
Here is a look at 10 unusual breeds that will help you stand out from the typical dog owner.
Catalburun
Also known as the Turkish Pointer, the Catalburun is known for its distinct cut nose, which is likely due to inbreeding because of the breed’s rarity. In that case, it’s too sad! Although it was initially believed that their unusual noses gave them tremendous smelling abilities (which is why they became popular as hunting pups), cutting-edge technology may dispel this notion.
Tibetan Mastiff
These massive animals were bred in Asia for about 2,500 years, first to protect nomadic tribes from tigers, bears, etc. Now this is not surprising since they look like half bear and half tiger. Fun fact: this breed isn’t even actually a Mastiff! It’s just that when the Europeans first saw them, they decided to lump them together because they were so much bigger. When they first met the Tibetan “spaniel” and the Tibetan “terrier”, the same mistake was made. How foolish to misidentify the breed, isn’t it?
Azawakh
This breed is native to Africa and initially served as search and shepherd dogs for the Tuareg, a nomadic people who live in the Sahara. Let’s get one element out of the way: although the Azawakh looks somewhat like a greyhound, they are no longer the same, get it? They are fast and have long legs, although their bones are flatter than their greyhound counterparts. Also, they walk with a somewhat cat-like gait. Meow?
New Guinea Singing Dog
Is it a wild dog? Pet? A dingo? All of the above? Scientists aren’t entirely sure how to classify this rare breed native to New Guinea. As their name suggests, they are best known for their distinctive, high-pitched howl. They are also known to be very gentle around people, with no known biting incidents.
Swedish Vallhund
Are you looking for the perfect dog for a mighty Viking like you? Well, here you go! Swedes have been breeding Vallhunds for over a millennium and they serve all sorts of purposes. They are the best for herding livestock. They can catch mice in your basement. They can protect you from sneaky burglars. They are also agile, obedient, and athletic, so whenever you throw a tennis ball across the room and immediately regret it, no problem! Your Vallhund will happily fetch it for you!
Mudi
This curly-haired dog originated in Hungary and was bred to herd livestock, a task it serves for most of the country’s rural population. It is also popular as a show dog due to its intelligence and trainability. While it is deeply attached to its owners, the Mudi is known to be antagonistic towards strangers. They need to be socialized well as puppies, that’s what we’re saying.
Bergamasco Shepherd
Part dog, part throw rug, the Bergamasco Shepherd – as the name suggests – is a shepherding breed that originated in Bergamo, Italy, along the foot of the Alps. They are known to be smart, patient, and graceful. If found to be overly shy or aggressive, it is seen as a personality flaw as Bergamascos are fully socialized by nature.
Bedlington Terrier
If you adopted a Bedlington Terrier thinking you were bringing home a lamb, you could be forgiven. However, the confusion would still be a little silly as most normal people can confirm it is a dog before buying. On any occasion, this unusual breed – originating in the British mining town of Bedlington – is good for hunting and serves as a fierce shield dog despite its sheep-like appearance.
Karelian Bear Dog
As a national treasure in their native Finland, the Karelian bear dog was bred to protect against real bears and other aggressive animals. They are very committed to their owners and are likely to suffer from separation anxiety due to their particular social behavior. They are considered territorial and will behave aggressively around strangers even though they are not known to bite humans.
Telomian
The rarest of all dog breeds, the Telomian is believed to be the only dog from Malaysia that is also found in no other place in the world. They were originally bred as hunting dogs by Orang Asli Indigenous humans who lived in stilted houses as a way to protect themselves from dangerous jungle animals. Those elevated houses led Telomians to develop hiking abilities that are not standard for puppies. How about that!