Top 8 Rare Breeds of Dogs

key point

• One of the breeds on this list is considered a rare climbing dog and is known for it.
• Another breed on this list, the result of highly specific breeding, is a relatively new breed.
• Another rare dog breed is an ancient species that has survived by breeding in famous parts of the world.

Dogs were first domesticated 20,000 to 40,000 years ago, and humans haven’t been shy about selectively breeding traits they deem useful for survival or even aesthetics. The World Canine Organization has identified 360 different breeds worldwide and only considered breeds that reached a certain recognition, age and population size.

This leaves out some of the rarest and most unique breeds. Formal recognition by the Kennel Club is not required for the dogs on our list, and the lack of a formal breed census prevents a granular ranking of the world’s rarest dog breeds by population size.

Instead, our list aims to highlight some of the world’s interesting and rare breeds. While they may have become rare due to possessing obsolete or overly specialized skillsets, populations in narrow geographic concentrations, or lack of interest from breeders, all of these dogs themselves have an interesting story to tell.

By looking at outliers, we can better understand the true diversity of domestic dogs and broaden our worldview beyond the typical environments of golden retrievers, huskies, and chihuahuas. Here are eight of the world’s most fascinating and rare dog breeds.

#1. Telomian: Rare climbing dog in Malaysia

The Telomian’s rarity reflects the fact that it was originally bred by the isolated Orang Asli people of Malaysia – it has developed some unique characteristics to serve its community. The Telomian is a small to medium-sized dog known for catching snakes and mice, and bears some resemblance to similar professional hound breeds. Each Telomian is identifiable by their distinctive black mask, but perhaps their most distinguishing feature is their deft claws, which they developed to climb the ladders they used to reach their Orang Asli highland dwellings. While there are very few of these rare dogs in the United States, there aren’t enough of them to qualify for membership in the American Kennel Club. Telomians are less domesticated than most dog breeds, making them more difficult to integrate into regular households.

The breed is partly derived from dingoes, which you can learn more about here.

#2.Norwegian Lundhound: the result of highly specific breeding

The Norwegian Lundehund was bred specifically to hunt puffins, which sets it apart from other hound breeds. But the truth is, the Lundehund is probably older than most hounds. The unique tooth structure that Lundehund shares with the 5,000-year-old Varanger Dog fossil remains suggests that they split off from the rest of the evolutionary family tree long ago. You can more easily distinguish them from other dogs due to their distinctive six-toed feet. These unique claws help them navigate treacherous cliffs and slippery crags where puffins are known to inhabit, and they are also used to dig the burrows that puffins call home. The development of new puffin hunting techniques nearly wiped out the breed in the early 20th century, although their numbers have since grown to about 1,400 individuals.

Norwegian Lundhounds are actually recognized by the AKC and you can learn more about them here.

#3. Lagotto Romagnolo: brought back from the brink of extinction

Lagotto Romagnolo is another ancient breed that is now rare, although it has a much higher place in history. Much of this can be attributed to the water dog’s frequent presence in Renaissance Italian art, partly due to its less specialized use and its ability to adapt to new surroundings. Lagotto Romagnola’s adorable curly coat certainly helped raise its profile, but it was originally meant for utility. These medium to large dogs were used for hunters to catch waterfowl from the water, and their thick curly coats help insulate their bodies from the cold and water. As water dogs fell out of fashion, the breed turned to truffle hunting, and their curly coats offered a new advantage, helping them stay safe from brambles and brambles as they foraged in the wilderness. Eventually, public interest in the breed declined significantly. As of 2009, a passionate community of breeders keeps the Lagotto Romagnolo alive, although the breed only has about 500 members in the United States.

#4.Otterhound: Britain’s most endangered dog breed

Lagotto Romagnolo wasn’t the only water dog that fell out of favor. The equally curly-haired Otter Hound has deep ties to British history. King John kept his own Otterhound pack, and resident members of the breed can often be found in and around churches and larger estates as well. Their rugged coat and large, energetic personality make them ideal for hunting otters. While some hunters sell their pelts for a tidy income, otter extinction was largely due to competition between humans and otters for fish in nearby waters. Ironically, the otter hound’s efficiency nearly led to its extinction. Hunting of otters was briefly banned in the UK in 1979 out of fear that the activities would lead to a dramatic decline in otter populations. While it would be discovered that the pesticides were actually the source of the problem, otter populations never fully recovered. The world population of the breed is estimated to be around one thousand, although numbers have risen slowly but steadily over the past few years.

You can learn more about this beautiful and rare British breed here.

#5. Mudi: One of Hungary’s Best Kept Secrets

Rareness can sometimes be a barrier to official Kennel Club recognition, but Mudi proves it doesn’t have to be. The youngest of the three Hungarian shepherd breeds, Mudi has generated some interest in Finland as a rescue dog and as a pet throughout North America. Although its lineage dates back to the 19th century, these dogs were killed in large numbers during the Nazi invasion and occupation of Hungary during World War II. Deliberate conservation efforts have brought the breed back from the brink of extinction, and numbers have grown to several thousand individuals. Although still rare, the dog was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2022.

The Mudi dog breed is super versatile, intelligent, and alert and can be trained to be an all-purpose helper. These Hungarian farm dogs are very brave and very useful with even the most stubborn and unmanageable livestock. The breed is considered loyal, protective and not aggressive. Plus, they make great family pets.

Mudis are kind, intelligent, intelligent dogs and you can learn more about them here.

#6.New Guinea singing dog: An elusive former wild breed

Among the rare dog breeds, the New Guinea singing dog is one of the few that has never been fully domesticated. They get their name from the beautiful and haunting howl they use to communicate with each other, which includes many types of barks and howls, covering an impressive range of tones and tenors. Until recently, it was thought that the only living members of the breed were the 200 or so surviving in zoos and sanctuaries—these domesticated specimens were being inbred due to the lack of diversity in such an isolated breeding pool. A 2016 expedition in New Guinea found communities of at least 15 of these medium-sized dogs in remote highland regions, and opened up the possibility that these elusive canines might be more common.

#7. Azawakh: Rare despite ancient lineage

Although they are sometimes mistaken for more popular hunting dog types such as the Italian Greyhound and Whippet, the Azawakh actually first appeared in West Africa as early as 8,000 years ago. Their fine and beautiful coat can come in many different colors, but the breed’s lean, powerful musculature is always evident. Originally bred as hunting dogs, this rare breed is distinguished from other sighthounds by its fierce devotion to its human companions. Although they have been around for thousands of years, they were not introduced to the United States until the 1980s. Even so, this stately and beautiful breed was not recognized by the AKC until 2018.

#8. Biewer Terrier: One of the newest small breeds

The Biewer Terrier was recognized by the AKC in the same year as the Azawakh – but its relatively new recognition can be credited to how young the breed was in the first place. In 1984, when a litter of Yorkies belonging to German breeders Gertrud and Werner Biewer produced a puppy with a distinctive blue, white and gold coloring, they realized they had something truly unique. A 2007 genetic study determined that the Biewer Terrier is a distinct breed from the Yorkshire Terrier, although the two remain very similar in appearance, behavior and personality. There are approximately 1,500 Biewer terriers in the United States.

You can learn more about this playful breed, including its pronunciation the same as “beaver terrier,” here.

If you’re looking for the rarest dog breeds in the world, here’s the definitive list:

Here is a list of the rarest dog breeds: