The Top 10 Most Rare Dog Breeds

Ah, our four-legged companions. What would humanity be without the domesticated dog? (Canis familiaris). I’m sure we'd still be scavenging and surviving off nature, with no formal government or civilization. But, that’s a discussion for another time!

Through selective breeding and geographic isolation, countless dog breeds have been developed to serve humanity’s needs. Some breeds never gained popularity, others had small populations, and many have been phased out, now considered rare.

10. Catalburun

This breed, known as the Turkish Pointer, is easily recognized by its distinctive 'split-nose'. This characteristic may have arisen from extreme inbreeding, or possibly because local hunters favored dogs with split noses for their legendary hunting abilities over those with normal noses. Regardless, they are virtually unknown beyond Turkey, though they are highly valued in their homeland for their hunting skills.

The Mudi is a Hungarian herding dog known for its outstanding herding abilities! Its soft, curly coat and sleek face make these medium-sized marvels easy to identify. Thankfully, the Mudi is gaining popularity in the dog world due to its incredible herding skills and success in canine agility competitions. There are already Mudi Clubs in Canada and the U.S., though this breed remains quite rare outside Hungary.

This breed was first introduced to the United States in 1994 and has seen a steady rise in recognition and popularity ever since. Known for its wrinkled face, this Asian breed is easily identified by the unique ridge of hair that grows against the natural lay of the coat along its spine, a feature it shares with the Rhodesian Ridgeback. These dogs are strong-willed and powerful, and continue to be used in their native countries as livestock guardians and protection dogs.

Also referred to as the 'Puffin Dog', this small hound was kept by the Vikings and was prized for its agility as a hunter. Its joints are remarkably flexible, and it has double dewclaws on all four feet. Unfortunately, this breed suffers from a serious digestive disorder that makes it difficult for them to absorb nutrients from food, which significantly shortens their lifespan.

This breed, also known as the 'American Dingo', is genetically related to other primitive dog breeds such as the Australian Dingo and New Guinea Singing Dog. They are incredibly adaptable and unique. Unlike most domestic dogs, which experience two estrus cycles a year, Carolina dogs have only one, much like their wild counterparts. This pariah dog is native to the American Southeast, and I recall seeing these 'yellar dawgs' running through the woods of Lexington County during my teenage years in South Carolina.

This breed is a direct descendant of the original Mastiff dogs from ancient times. These large, woolly dogs are fierce protectors in their native Himalayan region. When this breed was initially brought down from the high mountain ranges to the valleys for trading and breeding, they faced several health issues. Thankfully, modern Tibetan Mastiffs are far removed from their original mountain habitat and have been selectively bred for a more balanced temperament. These dogs are massive, with males often weighing over 160 pounds!

This sighthound is quite rare outside its native Africa but is becoming more popular in the United States, where it is estimated that between 100-200 dogs currently reside. The Azawakh resembles a stretched-out greyhound and is more pack-oriented compared to other sighthounds. It is primarily used to hunt gazelles and other swift animals in the African deserts.

This distinguished hound breed dates back to the 1100s. Once a prized hunting dog, they were used in packs to hunt otters, which is how they earned their name. Sadly, when otter hunting was banned in England in the late 1970s, these large hounds were displaced from their country estates and found new homes as pets. It is believed that there are only about 350 Otterhounds in North America today.

Regarded as a national treasure in the Netherlands, the Stabyhoun is both a pointer and a retriever, and continues to be used as a gundog. The Dutch Dog Registry closely monitors the breeding of this rare breed, with only 100 Stabyhouns currently residing in the United States.

This rare breed is a direct descendant of the famous sled dog named Chinook. After the death of the breed's founder in 1963, the breed faced rapid decline and seemed destined to vanish forever. However, in 1981, a devoted group of dog enthusiasts located the last 11 breedable dogs and worked tirelessly to revive the breed. Today’s Chinook is mostly a companion animal, though a few still serve as sled dogs.

Bonus: Australian Stumpy Tailed Cattle Dog

I had to include the Australian Stumpy Tailed Cattle Dog. While it closely resembles the more commonly known Australian Cattle Dog (ACD), the Stumpy Tailed Cattle Dog is actually an older breed, having been recognized nearly 50 years before the Australian Cattle Dog came to be. Originally used for herding cattle and assisting ranchers, the Stumpy is unique for its naturally short tail. Unlike most ACDs, this breed doesn’t have tan points on the legs, face, or belly, nor does it feature the characteristic white forehead blotch, or 'Bentley’s Mark', found on nearly 80% of ACDs.

Contributor: Roxy