In a world where Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers seem to dominate every dog park and Instagram feed, it’s easy to forget that there’s a whole universe of fascinating, lesser-known breeds out there just waiting to be discovered.
Today, going to take a look into these 8 dog breeds that are so unique, you’ll wonder how you’ve never heard of them before.
1. Alaskan Klee Kai
Size: 13-17 inches tall, 10-20 pounds
Coat: Thick double coat, similar to a Siberian Husky
Temperament: Intelligent, energetic, loyal, can be aloof with strangers
Alaskan Klee Kais may look like miniature Huskies, but don’t let their small size fool you – they definitely have the big, bold personalities to match their husky-like looks.
Developed in Alaska in the 1970s by Linda Spurlin (ref), the Klee Kai is a relatively new and rare breed that was created by mixing Alaskan and Siberian Huskies with smaller dogs like American Eskimo Dogs and Schipperkes. The result is an adorable, fox-like dog with the classic Husky appearance but in a more compact, apartment-friendly size.
2. Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican Hairless Dog)
Size: 10-23 inches tall, 10-55 pounds (toy, miniature, and standard sizes)
Coat: Hairless with smooth, tough skin; some have short coarse hair on head, tail, and feet
Temperament: Loyal, alert, calm, aloof with strangers
With a name that’s a mouthful (pronounced “show-low-eats-queent-lee“) and a body that’s nearly naked, the Xoloitzcuintli or “Xolo” for short is a truly unique ancient breed hailing from Mexico. Revered by the Aztecs who believed they had healing powers and could guide souls through the underworld, the Xolo is now recognized as the national dog of Mexico.
Most Xolos are hairless with a smooth, tough, protective skin that makes them resistant to sun and injuries compared to other hairless breeds.
3. Catalburun (Turkish Pointer)
Size: 17-24 inches tall, 30-55 pounds
Coat: Short and dense or medium-length
Temperament: Intelligent, loyal, calm, strong prey drive
The Catalburun or Turkish Pointer is an extremely rare breed sporting one very distinct feature – a nose split right down the middle, giving it a forked appearance (ref). It is one of only three breeds in the world with this trait (the other two are the Spanish Pachón Navarro and the Bolivian Andean Tiger Hound).
The Catalburun hails from the Tarsus region of Turkey where it was developed hundreds of years ago as a keen scent hound and pointer, especially for hunting partridge.
To date there are only a few hundred Catalburun dogs in existence, making this one of the rarest breeds around.
4. Bergamasco Shepherd
Size: 22-24 inches tall, 57-84 pounds
Coat: Unique matted coat that forms felt-like flocks or loose mats
Temperament: Independent, intelligent, loving, protective
No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you – that really is a dog that looks like a mop! The Bergamasco Shepherd is an ancient Italian breed sporting one of the most unusual coats in the canine world.
Made up of three types of hair that form into flat, felt-like mats, the Bergamasco’s coat naturally cords as the dog gets older, reaching the ground and providing protection from weather and predators.
5. Peruvian Inca Orchid (Peruvian Hairless Dog)
Size: 9-26 inches tall, 8-55 pounds (small, medium, and large sizes)
Coat: Hairless with smooth skin; some have short hair on head, tail, and feet
Temperament: Affectionate, loyal, noble, protective
The Peruvian Inca Orchid, despite its delicate-sounding name, is a true hound through and through – just without the typical fur coat. This ancient and elegant breed originated in Peru, where it was cherished by Incan nobility for its graceful, sleek appearance and believed to possess mystical healing abilities.
Also known as the “Peruvian Hairless Dog,” the Inca Orchid comes in both hairless and coated varieties, with the hairless being more prevalent. Their skin, which can be solid or spotted in various colors, is quite delicate.
6. Catahoula Leopard Dog
Size: 22-24 inches tall, 50-95 pounds
Coat: Short, dense coat in a variety of colors and patterns including blue merle, brindle, and leopard spots
Temperament: Intelligent, independent, loyal, energetic, strong work ethic
Catahoula Leopard Dogs are sure to turn heads wherever they go with their striking spotted coats and piercing blue or green eyes. Originally bred in the southern United States to hunt wild boar and herd cattle, these powerful and muscular dogs are known for their incredible strength and endurance.
7. Azawakh
Size: 23-29 inches tall, 33-55 pounds
Coat: Short, fine coat in colors including red, black, brindle, and sometimes with white markings
Temperament: Independent, loyal, affectionate with family, aloof with strangers, strong prey drive
Azawakhs are a sight to behold, with their long, slender legs and elegant, almost cat-like appearance. These unique sighthounds originated in the Sahel region of Africa, where nomadic tribes prized them for their keen eyesight, speed, and endurance in hunting gazelles and other small game.
8. Norwegian Lundehund
Size: 12-15 inches tall, 13-30 pounds
Coat: Dense and rough outer coat with a soft undercoat, in reddish-brown to fallow with white markings and often with a black mask
Temperament: Energetic, alert, loyal, protective, strong prey drive
Last but certainly not least, we have the Norwegian Lundehund – a unique breed with some seriously quirky physical characteristics.
Bred to scale steep cliffs and hunt puffins in Norway, the Lundehund has six toes on each foot for extra grip, as well as elongated rear foot pads. Even more bizarre, they can bend their head backwards to touch their spine and turn their forelegs to the side at a 90-degree horizontal angle, making them the contortionists of the canine world.
Nearly extinct in the 1900s, Norwegian Lundehunds remain one of the rarest breeds today.
Celebrating the Unconventional Canines Among Us
As we’ve seen, the world of rare and unique dog breeds is filled with surprises at every turn.
While they may not be the easiest dogs to come by or the most low-maintenance companions, these weird and wonderful breeds are cherished by those who appreciate their one-of-a-kind qualities and are willing to go the extra mile to meet their needs.
These are dogs that challenge our preconceptions about what a “typical” dog looks and acts like, and remind us that there’s beauty and value in the rare and uncommon.
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Davin is a jack-of-all-trades but has professional training and experience in various home and garden subjects. He leans on other experts when needed and edits and fact-checks all articles.