We have met and pet the most common dog breeds, but we often forget the rare ones. The truth is the less-known breeds can be as wonderful as any other famous one! There are some unique breeds, each offering something special for every dog lover.
Let’s explore the 5 rarest dog breeds in the canine world!
1. Mudi
The Mudi is a medium-sized herding dog with a lively personality, high energy level, and exceptional intelligence. It is closely related to the Puli, as both breeds originate from Hungary.
This breed has existed for centuries and is believed to have originated from a mix of Hungarian herding dogs and a spitz-type dog. In terms of appearance, Mudis come in a variety of colors, such as black, white, and brown, and a unique merle pattern called cifra. Similar to the Border Collie, they also have high energy levels and require plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. Mudis can be trained to herd farm animals, protect houses, or be kept as pets.
Their rarity is due to their use as soldier dogs during World War 2. Today, they remain rare, even in their native Hungary.
2. Sharplaninec
The Sharplaninec (or Sharplaninac), also called the Yugoslavian Sheperd dog is another rare breed of herding dog. While it is common in the Balkan region, its limited popularity outside the Balkans is due to its large build and very strong-willed nature. Due to their specific work-dog purpose, they are rarely seen outside of their native land and are even banned in some countries.
Despite this, the Sharplaninec is very valued in its native land. This love toward the breed is depicted on the Macedonian Denar, where they are featured on the 1 Denar coin. The name Sharplaninec comes from Shar Planina, which translates to Shar mountain, as this is the region where the breed originally comes from. At first glance, they share some similarities with the Tibetan mastiff.
These dogs come with a dense double coat, which could be fawn, black, or a combination of both. They have a strong sense of loyalty toward their owners.
3. Berger Picard
The Berger Picard is one of the oldest French herding breeds. It’s assumed that this breed was carried by the Romans when they invaded the northern areas of France, near Picard. Other stories of origin are that they were brought by the Celts in ancient times. Regardless, this breed has a deep connection to history, having served in both World Wars and almost going extinct because of it.
Berger Picards are medium-sized dogs with a long shaggy coat. Despite their coat, there is a slight elegance in their appearance, especially by the way they wear their tail coiled toward their back in a J shape. The coat can be black, brown, white, and taupe – or all of them together in a non-uniform pattern.
Another interesting physical trait is their smile. It’s an easygoing breed, easy to train, and very hard-working. They rarely bark even though they have high energy levels.
4. Finnish Spitz
Known as Finnland’s national dog, this fox-like beauty is famous in the north of Europe and slowly rising to fame in other parts of the world. Originally hunting dogs, this breed is famous for their sharpness, intelligence, and lively personality. They are medium-sized dogs that are very affectionate. These dogs, with proper training, make great pets, as their playful nature can bring a lot of joy to a household.
Their most characteristic trait, aside from their orange coat, is their tendency to be very vocal. This vocality comes as their way to communicate since they were bred to show game to the hunters by barking. They bark so much that there is even a competition in the Scandinavian region featuring these dogs.
5. The Mexican Hairless Dog (Xoloitzcuintle)
Another ancient breed, linked to the ancient Mayans and Aztecs, is the Xoloitzcuintli, or Xolo for short. This unique dog is one of the rare hairless dog breeds, although some members have a fine short coat. The hairless ones have a particularly striking look – with their skin being smooth and shiny in texture. But being a hairless breed requires special care from their owners to protect their skin.
The Xolos are known for their affectionate and loyal nature. They form a deep bond with their families. This can be proven by looking back at history – The Aztecs and Mayans believed the Xolo had a spiritual connection, so they associated them with the underworld. Similar to how the Egyptians were buried with their cats, some of the Yucatecs were buried with their dogs.
Rare dog breeds often have rich histories and play important roles in their native countries. Each breed offers unique qualities and discovering them could lead you to the perfect dog for you.
