Dogs are everywhere nowadays. But at the end of the day, you probably see the same breeds over and over again. Truth be told, some people just want that unique factor.
They want something rare, something not many other people have. And with that in mind, we give you the top 10 rare dog breeds that are just hard to find.
Just remember, rarity also means a higher price. If you are prepared to shed some bucks, you can get your rare dog breed. And they are all recognized by the American Kennel Club.
American Foxhound
The dog might look like a Beagle, but he is not. He is quite rare, unlike the Beagle you can see almost on every turn.
The American Foxhound is one of the oldest breeds in America, and also one of the rarest. There even four types within the breed.
Same as the Beagle, the Foxhound is quite energetic, and if they do not get their daily dose of exercise, they might turn into destructive behavior.
For experienced owners, they are a delight, as they can follow you in your active lifestyle.
However, novice owners should look for something else. As a hound type dog, the American Foxhound has a strong sense of smell.
Catahoula Leopard Dog
The Catahoula Leopard Dog, also known as the Catahoula Cur or Louisiana Catahoula, is a medium to large sized breed of dog that originated in Louisiana, USA.
Known for their striking coat patterns, which can come in a variety of colors including blue merle, red merle, brindle, and solid colors such as black, white, and tan. They are named after the Catahoula Parish in Louisiana where they were first bred as a versatile working dog to hunt, herd, and protect livestock.
The Catahoula Leopard Dog is highly intelligent, energetic, and independent, which makes him a great working dog but also requires an experienced owner who can provide plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.
Because of all these traits, they are a popular option for crossbreeding.
Beauceron
Another dog that looks like common breeds, the Beauceron might look familiar to the Rottweiler. He is an incredibly rare protector since he is large and powerful.
The dog is basically a French shepherd dog, but he is more versatile than just a shepherd dog.
Be careful, he has a dominant personality and will try to assert himself as the alpha in the family. Because of their rarity, the price can go quite up.
You need to give this dog a lot of exercises and playtime, as well as walks. Without exercise, they turn to destructive behavior and are very hard to handle.
Fila Brasileiro
The Fila Brasileiro is a Brazilian Mastiff. It has origins in breeds like the Mastiff and Bloodhound. The Fila Brasileiro is known for his excellent tracking ability.
However, they are also known for their aggressive behavior and unforgiving, impetuous temperament. When used for hunting, they do not attack the prey, but trap it and wait for the hunter to arrive.
While they look big and dangerous, they are good family dogs, as long as they spend a lot of time with the family.
The hunting dog requires a lot of attention, and if left chained in the yard with little to no attention, he will become more and more aggressive.
Cesky Terrier
The Cesky Terrier is a terrier originating in Czechoslovakia and looks a lot like the Scottish terrier, Schnauzer, and Yorkshire terrier. They, however, have a distinctive look.
As a terrier, he has a tendency for barking. However, unlike most terriers, he is less active. For some people, that might be a good family pet.
You get all of the traits of a terrier-like intelligence and friendliness with family, but without the high energy.
Just remember, at the end of the day, he is a terrier, and he does have hunting and prey drive. Keep him away from small birds and animals. He is likely to chase them down.
Swedish Lapphund
The Swedish Lapphund, also known as the Lapland Dog or Lapphund, is a medium-sized breed of dog that originated in the Lapland region of northern Scandinavia.
Swedish Lapphunds are known for their thick, fluffy coat that comes in a variety of colors, including black, brown, and white. They have a sturdy build and a wedge-shaped head with expressive, almond-shaped eyes.
The Swedish Lapphund was originally bred by the indigenous Sami People to be a herding dog and a guard dog. The canine was also used as a hunting dog and sled dog.
Overall, the Swedish Lapphund is a friendly and versatile breed that requires a committed owner who can provide them with the exercise, training, and socialization they need to thrive.
Canaan Dog
If you are ready to spend time on a waiting list, the Canaan dog is one of the rarest breeds you can find.
There are estimates that there are only 1,600 dogs of this breed in the world. Every year, there are only between 15 and 20 litters in the United States.
The Canaan Dog is Israel’s national dog. He is also one of the oldest dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club.
Clever and friendly, they require a moderate amount of exercise. The possible rarest dog breed will be happy to spend time with you, especially if it is a long walk and hike.
Harrier
This rare breed might look like a big Beagle or a small English Foxhound, but he is a different and unique breed. Harrier is a sweet and affectionate dog breed, with high energy. As a scent hound, she was used to hunt hare and fox.
Nowadays, the Harrier does well in agility training and competition, as well as a natural tracker.
These dogs have a playful and outgoing personality, but not as outgoing as the Beagle. They love to be around people and dogs, but not small animals.
You can expect the Harrier to behave well with kids, and be friendly and tolerant with them. On the other hand, she is reserved with unknown people. If left alone or bored, she will bark and express her opinion.
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Dandies are small and long, but they pack quite a lot of character. And what is surprising, they are great watchdogs. The Dandie can defend himself and will bark as he is a large and scary dog.
This small Scottish dog belongs in the terrier family and is unique thanks to the distinctive topknot of hair on the head.
Friendly, but tough, they do not well with young children. However, older children will love to play with the Dandie.
This rare breed is even on the endangered native breed in the United Kingdom, and he is one of the rarest purebred dogs.
Catalburun
Known as the Turkish pointer, the Catalburun is one of only three dog breeds with a split nose feature. Native to Turkey, they are often unheard outside of the country. The Catalburun is praised for his stamina and agility.
One downside of this breed is the known inbreeding. Because of their rarity, a lot of breeders have tried inbreeding trying to increase the population.
While helpful for increasing the population, inbreeding can result in serious health issues. If you get one, try to get from a reputable owner that will guarantee there is no inbreeding.
Pharaoh Hound
The Pharaoh Hound is a medium-sized breed of dog that originated in ancient Egypt and is known for its sleek, muscular build and striking appearance.
Nowadays, you can say they can claim the title of rarest dog breed. These dogs have a short, glossy coat that ranges in color from tan to red and often have white markings on their chest, feet, and tail tip. They are also known for their unique facial features, including large, erect ears and amber-colored eyes that often give them a quizzical expression.
The Pharaoh Hound is intelligent, energetic, and loyal rarest breed that will be a great companion for an active family.
Otterhound
This big dog is considered to be the rarest in the world. In fact, he is even rarer than the white rhino and the giant panda. There are only 600 worldwide, with Britain being their native country.
The Otterhound is a scent hound and originally bred for hunting otters. However, when hunting otters became illegal in Britain in the late 1970s, the breed became to lose popularity.
Because of his size and bouncy personality, he can be problematic for young children. After all, he can weigh up to 125 pounds. As for his rarity? Last year, there were only 24 puppies in Britain.
Skye Terrier
If you are looking for a unique and rare dog breed, look no further. With his giant ears, the Skye terrier is definitely one that will demand attention. Depending on how you look at his ears, they can resemble either bat wings or pigtails.
Easily trained and smart, they make good family pets and companions. Of course, that is only with proper socialization.
As with other terrier dogs, the Skye Terrier is not as friendly with other animals. He is, however, great with animals he was raised with.
Native to Britain, according to some estimates, there are only 2000 left in the world. Last, year, for example, there were just 42 puppies born. How is that about rarity?
