If you were stopped on the street and asked to name as many dog breeds as you could think of, how many could you come up with?
Worldwide we know of many popular types of dog breeds. Old favourites like the Labrador Retriever and Yorkshire Terrier. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the Golden Retriever.
But what about those breeds which many people would simply have never heard of? The rare, hidden gems of the dog world. And the world is very much the optimum word.
There are thousands of dog breeds from all over the world and here we’ll take a look at some of the breeds which might have flown under your radar.
New Guinea Singing Dog
The New Guinea Singing Dog breed has been around for thousands of years and seems to be one of the earliest recorded breeds known to man.
Dog breeds like the Labrador Retriever or the German Shepherd have only existed for a short period of time in comparison to some breeds; with a record dating back to only the past few hundred years.
When dogs first became domesticated many breeds of dogs were bred for their functioning traits like behaviour, hunting and guarding. It was not until recently that dogs were bred for their distinctive appearance.
Since we have moved into more modern times, a need for more types of dogs has been met with the cross-breeding of dogs to achieve a dog with certain behavioural characteristics and aesthetic looks.
Beauceron Dog
Have you thought about hunting a bear lately? If so you might need a Beauceron Dog as that is originally what this dog was bred for.
There is not an exact time frame of when this breed’s origin came into play, though we do know it did come from France, and the first possible written word of this breed dates to at least 1578.
Many will understand the relationship when they find out that this breed was one of the several thoughts to be used to create the Dobermann Pinscher.
Erdelyi Kopo
Have you ever heard of the name Erdelyi Kopo? This dog is also known as the Transylvanian Hound!
This breed has been around for what many consider a time dating as far back as the Middle Ages and is believed to have originated between Romania and Hungary.
Grouped along with other scent hounds this rare breed is extremely smart and if left alone would need to be well secured to avoid this natural escape artist a way out.
Xoloitzcuintli
There is also the Xoloitzcuintli (pronounced roughly as sho-lo-eets-quint-lee or sho-lo-skwink-le), or to make it easier the Mexican Hairless Dog or Xolo.
This breed is native to both South and Central America and Mexico, it is known to vary in size anywhere from 10 pounds (4kg) to 50 pounds (20kb) and has been listed as both sacred dogs to the Aztecs along with now in modern times as the national dog for Mexico.
Owczarek Podhalanski
Would you like to have a Polish sheepdog? What about the Owczarek Podhalanski, more commonly known as the Polish Tatra Sheepdog.
Most will speculate that this breed was first introduced into the world during the 14th century, near Tatra which is a Mountain region on the southern portion of Poland, however, as with others in this guide, you will see that not all records were kept as they are now in modern times.
Cão Da Serra De Aires
The Cão Da Serra De Aires is a herding breed whose ancestors were mostly known for herding cows, pigs and even horses at times.
We can estimate that the breed is close to 100 years old though many early breeders did not keep the best track record of dates. We do know from this breed that it is a type that has a high level of stamina and is able to adjust well to home life if given enough “running room”.
This breed is also very clever, more than most when it comes to herding their livestock. These are working dogs, also social but the dog will become possessive of their territory if the need strikes.
Azawakh
Have you never noticed the very skinny breed called the Azawakh? Many only weigh in at 35-55 pounds (15-25kb) but due to their height tend to look a little on the skinny side.
A rare dog breed that came from the pariah dogs in sub-Saharan Africa, this dog has a strong instinct for guarding as well as a digging habit.
Taigan
Have you ever heard of a Taigan? This breed is a sighthound, a little larger than a medium height dog whose colours range from black to a black and white mix – even a brown/yellow.
These hounds are great for work in rugged climates, with a thick coat and large lungs that allow them to work in higher elevations compared to other sighthounds.
Kooikerhondje or Kooiker Hound
The last time you caught a painting by Rembrandt or Steen did you wonder what type of dog that was? That would most likely be the Kooikerhondje or Kooiker Hound which is still new to some areas of the world but has been around since the 17th and 18th centuries originating in the Netherlands.
This breed comes with a waterproof coat, and while it is small in size can quickly put weight on with a healthy appetite so be sure to give this pooch a little workout if needed.
Thai Bangkaew Dog
A lovely breed from Thailand is the Thai Bangkaew Dog, a medium-sized dog who is protective of the family but still friendly towards strangers.
There are times the Bangkaew will show its stubborn side so patience is needed with this breed along with consistent reinforcement and training.
Korean Jindo Dog
As a small hunting breed, the Korean Jindo Dog can still stand to carry its weight, originating from Jindo Island in South Korea this tail-wagger.
Jindo’s are wonderful hunters with their pack sensibility, outstanding courage and cunning behaviour. Packs have been known to bring down large game like deer and boar, then allowing one to come back to the master leading it to the prey while the others stand guard.
Brussels Griffon
The Griffon Bruxellois or Brussels Griffon is a breed of toy dog, named for their city of origin of Brussels, Belgium. The Griffon Bruxellois may refer to three different breeds, the Griffon Bruxellois, the Griffon Belge and the Petit Brabançon.Originally bred to hunt and kill rats, this former Belgian street dog is a distinctive and unusual dog breed. These dogs are bold, playful, stubborn, and mischievous. By 1880, the breed was sufficiently established to be recognized at Belgian dog shows.
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The book is much easier to find than the dog, though. The breed is small but not dainty, lovable and playful but still tough and amongst the most docile of the terriers.
They would make an excellent city dog, but they can be hard to obtain.
Chinese Crested Dog
The ultimate unique dog breed, the Chinese Crested lands itself in the toy group with a height of up to 13 inches. The dog can be hairless with long fur on the head, tail, and ankles or it can be coated.They are exotic-looking small dog who does not actually hail from China. They are fine-boned, elegant, graceful, happy and alert. These dogs make loving companions and have low demands for exercise, making them ideal for smaller living spaces.
Coton de Tulear
Known as the Royal Dog of Madagascar, the Coton de Tulear (pronounced Cu-toe de Too-lay-are) dates back several centuries. Sharing ancestors with the Maltese and Bichon Frise, this happy-go-lucky pup historically served as a royal pet.Sociable and smart, the Coton often behaves like a little, furry clown. Their bouncy antics and tireless energy are endearing but owners must be careful not to fall completely under their Coton’s spell—this fun-loving breed will take advantage of a lenient master.
