We all think our dog is the most special – to us, they’re the best dog in the world. We value our own dogs more than the pups we see walking past us on the street because they’re the ones that are there for us. They wake us up with kisses, bring us their favorite toys, and greet us at the door even if we’ve only been gone for 10 minutes. But is there a scale for how special our pups are? Not exactly, but there are 10 dog breeds that have more unique characteristics than the rest of the world’s 360 officially recognized breeds. While this doesn’t mean any individual dog is better than the rest, it is fascinating to learn about the differences in these breeds from your typical pup. These are the 10 most unique dog breeds in the world.
10. The Hungarian Puli
The Hungarian Puli turns heads wherever they go. Their unique hairstyle is revered in the dog world because their fur forms thick “cords” that drape over the dog’s body, making them functionally weatherproof.
“These dogs look like smaller versions of Komondors since they too have long fur that locks and resembles human ‘locks,'” notes Courtnye Jackson, a veterinarian and founder of The Pets Digest. “They are from Hungary and are primarily used as herding dogs.” For this reason, their fur is there to protect them from the elements.
9. The Saluki
The Saluki confuses many unfamiliar dog owners with their unique appearance. Similar in build to the Greyhound, this dog causes a double take on second glance. The Saluki, originating from the Middle East, has flowing wisps of hair on the ears and tail, but not the rest of the body, giving them a perpetual windswept appearance.
8. The Peruvian Inca Orchid
The Peruvian Inca Orchid has a fairly typical build, but an atypical coat. “This sighthound originated in Peru and is intelligent as well as affectionate. The Inca is great with families and fun fact—you guessed it, doesn’t shed much!” says Travis Brorsen, celebrity pet trainer. The only place this dog might have noticeable hair is the top of their head, giving them an adorable mohawk-like appearance.
7. Xoloitzcuintle
In the same camp as the aforementioned Inca is the Xoloitzcuintle, another famously hairless dog. This breed recently received attention for their appearance in the Disney film “Coco.” While some may find this breed’s nude appearance scary, there are just as many that find them precious. They are athletic pups able to compete in sports like agility, or have some fun in the sun – with sunscreen, as their delicate skin suffers from sun damage easily.
6. The Bedlington Terrier
The Bedlington Terrier is renowned for their abilities as a strong and loyal sighthound. However, they’re also just as known for their unique coat which almost exactly replicates a sheep in appearance. Their thick, soft coats can be found in a multitude of colors, but the resemblance is most striking in white Bedlingtons. This breed does need frequent coat maintenance, as an ungroomed Bedlington Terrier’s coat will quickly overgrow and develop mats.
5. The Schapendoes
The Schapendoes holds an appearance that most other pups can’t compete with. Hailing from the Netherlands, the “does” portion of this breed’s name means “swamp,” and a muddy Schapendoes would certainly be reminiscent of a swamp creature. They are known for their luxurious beards. However, there are few Schapendoes in existence today. Schapendoes were popular in the Netherlands during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but their numbers dwindled as other herding breeds were imported into the country. After WWII, the breed was revived, but they still pale in popularity to many other breeds.
4. The Kai Ken
The Kai Ken is known as the “Tiger Dog” not only for their bold temperament but for their truly stunning coats. These dogs have orange-and-brown brindled markings differing from the brindle found in most other breeds, giving them their namesake tiger-like appearance. Originally bred as a hunting dog, this interesting breed with a Shiba Inu-like build is one of six protected breeds in Japan and is incorporated into a national monument in the country.
3. The Pharaoh Hound
The Pharaoh Hound looks in some ways like an exaggerated picture of a dog, with long, lanky limbs and oversized ears. But in fact, this breed is much older than most others, dating back to depictions found in Egyptian temples in 4400 B.C. Linda Simon, MVB, MRCVS, a consulting veterinarian at FiveBarks, notes that “they have very thin skin and a sparse coat so they do not cope well in cold temperatures. Another thing to consider is that, although they are incredibly affectionate, they are still hunting dogs by nature and love to run and require a decent amount of exercise.”
2. The Papillion
The Papillion is more widely recognized than most other dog breeds on this list, but this breed, whose name means “butterfly” in French, should still turn heads due to their unique features. Their large ears are said to give their head the shape of a butterfly’s wings, and their long, silky hair is not only gorgeous but hypoallergenic. Additionally, this breed is “one of the oldest toy dog breeds [and] have been depicted in artwork dating to the 16th century,” according to PetMD.
1. Doodles
Doodles, designer crosses between Poodles and other dog breeds, are some of the most common dogs you could find. For example, how many Labradoodles and Goldendoodles live just on your street? With outstanding temperaments and tightly wound coats, it’s understandable why so many want to adopt a Doodle breed. However, Doodle crosses can also be performed with rare breeds, and actually increase awareness of their less-common parent breed.
Madelyn Harris, a dog expert and writer for Doodle Dog Club, says one of the most interesting crossbreeds she’s come across is the Dalmadoodle, a mix between the loyal firehouse Dalmation and a Poodle. “They’re known for their unique, distinctive appearance, which includes fluffy doodle hair with Dalmatian spots!” she shares.
However, Doodle breeds aren’t the champion of dog breeds many consider them to be. The breeding scene for these dogs is often overrun with backyard breeders looking to make a quick buck, which can result in dogs with anxiety disorders and more serious health issues. And while Doodles are often touted as the end-all for those suffering from dog allergies but still seeking a canine companion, if you’re looking for a hypoallergenic dog there are plenty of other breeds that are great for allergy sufferers – like the aforementioned Papillion.
How Rare Is My Dog?
At the end of the day, it really doesn’t matter how “special” your pup is in terms of breed rarity. The bond you have with them is ultimately what makes your dog an important part of your family. However, looking into your pup’s rarity can still be fascinating. Your dog could have made the AKC’s list of 20 Rarest Dog Breeds, or carry the genetics from one of them. You can check your mixed breed pup’s parentage with a doggie DNA test.
Keep in mind that even if your dog is one of the most popular in the world, there are plenty of avenues for them to be special. They could garner social media attention with a funny trick or cute antics, compete and win in dog sports, or maybe just excel at being your companion.
