dogs have been domesticated for thousands. In all that time, we’ve managed to develop hundreds of different species with unique traits. While some breeds are thriving and popular, like the Labrador retriever, others are more elusive and unknown. Here are some of the rarest dogs in the world.
Canaan Dog
The Canaan dog has a lineage in pariah dogs from the Middle East. Today, it is Israel’s national dog and has physical features similar to those of German shepherds. They can be found in Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel, with their global population only being around 3000.
Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romagnolo has its roots in truffle hunting. The Italian breed was used as a water retriever in marshlands, but today, its role is now defunct. They have curly hair, and their population thrives in Italy, where they are becoming more popular due to demand. Still, they are a very rare breed outside of Italy.
Azawakh
The Azawakh live in the Sahel region in West Africa. The breed was developed by nomadic tribes, such as the Tuareg people. The dog is rare outside of countries like Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso. It thrives in desert regions and makes a wonderful pet, as rare as it is.
Norwegian Lundehund
Norwegian Lundehunds were originally bred to aid hunters in catching puffins from steep cliffs. They are a unique breed with six toes on each foot which aids in traversing rugged terrain. They are a rare breed, even in their home country of Norway.
Xoloitzcuintli
Xoloitzcuintli, or more commonly called the Mexican hairless dog, is an ancient breed that goes all the way back to the Aztec Empire over 3000 years ago. They are said to be calm and long-lived dogs that were important in Aztec culture. They are endangered today, but remain an iconic cultural symbol in Mexico.
Stabyhoun
The Netherlands is home to the a versatile pointer-retriever mix called the Stabyhoun. There are less than 7000 globally, and are not found commonly outside of the Netherlands. Only in the early 2000s did the breed get more attention from other countries, but it still remains a rare breed.
Peruvian Inca Orchid
This hairless breed has heritage in the ancient world with it first emerging all the way back in 750 A.D. It is an extremely rare and threatened breed with only around 1000 around today. They have a rich cultural lineage and are an important breed to conserve and keep around.
Otterhound
As the name suggests, the otterhound was bred for helping hunters catch otters. Their adaptations include webbed feet and good stamina for swimming. They come from Britain and are their most endangered dog, with their population numbering fewer than 600 globally.
Mudi
The Mudi is a curious breed from Hungarian that has its roots as a herding dog. It is very intelligent but isn’t found often outside of Hungary due to strict breeding regulations. They are a loyal breed that are praised by their handlers, yet their numbers still remain low.
Chinook
The Chinook was bred as a sled dog over a hundred years ago. They are enormous, but gentle dogs that had impressive stamina and enduring for sled pulling. They are most commonly found in their place of origin – New Hampshire, and less than 1000 are around today.
Skye Terrier
The Skye terrier was originaly bred on the Scottish Isle of Skye. They are an incredibly loyal breed that has a long coat and loving nature. Today, their numbers are dwindling even on the Scottish Isle, which could have contributed with its isolated nature.
Thai Ridgeback
The Thai ridgeback has long hair all over its back and hails from its homeland in Thailand. They are slowly gaining global appeal due to their unique traits, but their numbers still remain very low outside of Southeast Asia. They are great guard dogs and loyal companions.
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