The rarest dog breeds in the world are some of the most charismatic dogs in the world. These rare dogs were all bred as working dogs, and their physical stature and demeanor reflect that.
The physical attributes that made these dogs well-suited for their original jobs (think thick fur for Arctic travel or a muscular body for pulling a sleigh) are the same attributes that make them less than ideal in a modern home, where dogs are primarily kept as companions and pets.
(Shelter dogs are often the least likely candidates for adoption due to their physical appearance, as many people prefer dogs with less “challenging” coats, shorter legs, or smaller heads.) However, don’t let their unusual physical features deter you
In this world, numerous dog breeds are rare. Some are very rare. Others are not as rare as you might think.
But they are all very interesting because of the interesting story behind each of them. Some of the dogs on this list are rare because they were created through selective breeding, some because they were created accidentally, and others because of the story of how they got their name.
This dog is a domesticated canid, or a subspecies of the gray wolf, a mammal widely distributed throughout Eurasia and North America. The dog breed has been selected for millennia for sensory capabilities, numerous behaviors, and physical attributes.
We have come up with a list of the top 12 rarest dog breeds in the world. Many factors affect the rarity of dogs, from their genetics to the number of dogs of the breed existing in the world. These 12 dog breeds are the rarest in the world:
1. Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff is a large breed of Mastiff native to the Himalayan Mountains of Tibet, Bhutan, Nepal, and India. This is a very old breed that is believed to have originated in the frozen, harsh Tibetan plateau.
The dogs were bred as livestock guardians and are thought to have been brought to Tibet by the Tibetan people’s ancestors. Tibetan Mastiffs are considered to be one of the oldest breeds of dogs.
They can grow to be about 100 pounds, making them one of the largest dog breeds. These massive dogs have a double coat composed of a thick, long outer coat and a dense, wooly undercoat. T
hey tend to shed in the spring and fall, but not year-round. The hair is long and straight and should be brushed at least once a week.
The Tibetan Mastiff’s head is large and broad. Their teeth and jaws are strong. Their tails are thick and heavy, hanging down to the hocks.
2. Bedlington Terrier
As many people know, the Bedlington Terrier originated in Bedlington, Northumberland, a small village in England. Bedlington Terriers are small, low-set, short-legged dogs that were originally bred to hunt vermin.
Today, the Bedlington is one of the rarest dog breeds globally, with only about 200 dogs worldwide. These dogs were once known as “the poor man’s terrier” because of their low upkeep, but today they are known for their laid-back, friendly and sweet nature.
The Bedlington Terrier is a small terrier developed in the 19th century in the River Tweed area of Northumberland in England. It was bred to catch rats in the local coal mines. It has shaggy hair and an easy-going personality.
The Bedlington has a friendly, even-tempered, and outgoing disposition. It’s intelligent and playful. It’s a dog that bonds easily with people and other pets. It’s also very loyal and obedient.
3. Swedish Vallhund
The Swedish Vallhund is a small, sturdy dog breed that originated in Sweden. It was bred to herd and guard small stock.
The Swedish Vallhund is an intelligent breed that is also highly responsive to its handler and is an extremely affectionate companion.
The Swedish Vallhund is one of the rarest breeds of dogs in the North. Unlike many other dog breeds, the Swedish Vallhund is not native to Sweden but is instead a descendant of dogs brought to Sweden by the Vikings in the 9th century.
This breed is best known for its distinctive appearance: it has a wolf-like head with a large muzzle and is known for its thick, fluffy coat. Although the Swedish Vallhund is not a commonly found pet, it’s a very friendly and affectionate breed ideal for people who live in colder climates.
4. Otterhound
The Otterhound is a large, powerful dog with a short, thick coat and a very strong sense of smell. It can be trained to hunt both in and out of the water and is a very capable swimmer.
The Otterhound has a very loud voice and is known for its distinctive baying. The Otterhound was bred to track and hunt otter.
Otterhounds are an ancient breed developed by hunters to swim after and retrieve otters. This dog will hunt for the game from dawn until dark. This dog is a pack dog, needing companionship and social interaction.
The Otterhound is a medium-sized dog, short, compact, and muscular, with a long head and a deep chest. The ears are large, folded over, and should be covered with long hair. The Otterhound’s feet are webbed, similar to an otter.
5. Finnish Spitz
The Finnish Spitz is an ancient breed of dog from Finland. The main function of the Finnish Spitz was to hunt small game, birds, and rodents. The breed was used for hunting all kinds of small games, from squirrels to reindeer.
The Finnish Spitz was also used for hunting birds. The barking would frighten the birds into the air then the Finnish Spitz would pursue them and catch them on the wing.
This would have been useful when the hunters were hunting large flocks of migratory birds.
6. Chinook
Chinook dogs are a crossbreed of a Labrador and a Husky. (They’re also known as Labradoodles). Chinooks are smart, social, and affectionate.
However, they may be too much to handle for the average pet owner because they require a lot of attention and exercise. They’re also known to have a fair amount of separation anxiety and may destroy a home if left alone for too long.
7. Catahoula Leopard Dog
The Catahoula Leopard Dog is the official state dog of Louisiana. This dog was developed by the Native Americans of the area and was used as a hunting dog.
The Catahoula Leopard is a well-muscled dog with a wide, deep chest. The head is broad and rectangular, with a wide muzzle.
The nose is usually black, and the ears are small in proportion to the dog’s rest. The eyes are dark. The tail is thick and heavy. The coat is short, but it is not curly.
8. Peruvian Inca Orchid
The Peruvian Inca Orchid ( Llewellin Setter) is a rare dog breed from the Andes of Peru. It was considered extinct by most since the 1970s until a small population was found in the 1980s.
This native breed is still in danger of extinction since the small population of dogs is still in danger of breeding with other breeds, which is why the Peru government has deemed it illegal to export these dogs out of the country.
In the late 1960s, the Peruvian government decided to develop a breed of hunting dog to help protect the herds of alpacas and llamas from the many predators that roamed the area.
9. Thai Ridgeback
The Thai Ridgeback is a dog breed that originated in Thailand. It may have descended from the Asian wolf. It was developed to track and hunt games such as deer and wild boar and predators such as tigers and leopards.
It is still used for hunting in Thailand and other Asian countries. The Thai Ridgeback is a powerful breed that is muscular and athletic and has an active lifestyle.
The Thai Ridgeback Dog is a general-purpose guard/working dog. It was bred to protect the Thai farmers’ livestock from predators such as tigers, leopards, and wild dogs.
The Thai Ridgeback also served as a companion to the hunter. It still serves both purposes today.
10. Norwegian Lundehund
The Lundehund is a breed of dog that originated in Norway. He was developed to herd fish into fishermen’s nets, but he’s also a popular household pet, as he is very affectionate and loyal.
While the Lundehund might be rare, it’s not because he’s hard to find: he’s rare because he’s hard to keep. He needs lots of exercise and stimulation to prevent boredom, and he can be destructive when bored.
He is well suited to active households and hardy enough to adapt to life in various environments, as long as he gets lots of chances to exercise.
The Norwegian Lundehund or NorskLundehund, in its native tongue, means “puffin dog” in English.
This breed is so rare that its precise origins are difficult to trace, but it is believed to have descended from a pack of dogs brought to Norway by the Vikings sometime before the eleventh century.
The Lundehund may have been used to herd sheep and cattle, hunt puffins, and other useful purposes.
11. Azawankh
There are many dog breeds in the world, and most of them are very popular. However, some breeds are rare. The Azawakh is one of them.
Azawakh is a breed originating from Algeria, where it was bred for centuries by Berber nomads. This guard dog breed is famous for its incredible endurance and speed.
The dog is a tall, skinny, very muscular dog. The Azawakh is a very intelligent, affectionate, and loyal dog.
12. Mudi
The Mudi is a dog that comes from New Zealand. It is a rare dog in the USA, but it is a very popular dog in Hungary. The Mudi is a very lively dog who is smart, loyal, and easy to train.
In Hungary, it is known as the Hungarian Shepherd, but it is not related to the German Shepherd. It is very closely related to the Puli, though. They are both tough and reliable herding dogs.
Bring your attention to these top 12 rarest dog breeds in the world. Who would have imagined that there are so many rare dog breeds out there? Be prepared to be amazed by the diversity of these incredible animals.
Wherever you’re going to choose one, be ready to give it enough space to play or live. You don’t want to end up in the same situation with the Pomeranian, who became the most popular dog breed in the US in 2015, or the Chihuahua, the number one most popular breed in the UK.