From the Hungarian pedigree sheepdog to the Italian truffle hunter, here are some of the world's rarest dog breeds in the world. Check your knowledge and see what number of these unique species you can name.
It is not possible to provide a precise count of the many dog breeds that may be found in the world today. There is a wide variety of dog breeds available to pick from when looking for a loyal friend, from the little but strong Chihuahua to the large yet gentle Golden Retriever. But, there are certain obscure breeds of dog that you probably haven't heard of, no matter how many mutts you assume you recognize.
Norwegian Lundehunds have existed since the last ice age, making them one of the world's rarest dog breeds due to their distinct appearance. This red-coated canine has its roots on the islands located off the coast of Norway, where it was bred specifically to pursue Puffins along the cliffs. The Norwegian Lundehund has six toes upon every front paw, movable ears, and a neck so elastic it's able to crane back to touch the spine because of its peculiar hunting habitat.
The curly-coated Lagotto Romagnolo is really the oldest water retriever in the world but is often misidentified as a poodle mix. This stunning unusual dog breed originated in the medieval Italian area of Romagna when it was put to work retrieving ducks from wetlands. It's no surprise that this breed has been helping people go duck hunting for decades; they have a shaggy, waterproof coat, strong bodies, and an acute sense of smell. The clever retriever, however, has changed its tune in the latest days and is currently the only dog species officially recognized for truffle hunting.
Azawakhs are the most peculiar sighthound, a type of hunting dog that relies on its sight rather than its sense of smell to track down its prey. This graceful, long-legged breed originated in the Sahel area of Africa, where it was domesticated and taught to protect nomad tepees from predators.
According to the Kennel Club, the British Otterhound is the most seriously threatened of the United Kingdom's indigenous dog breeds. Less than a thousand of these wonderful canines exist in the world, making them even more uncommon than the white rhinoceros despite their widespread fame for their magnificent manes of hair and lively personalities. The Otterhound is said to have originated in The Borders sometime during the Middle Ages, and its name implies that it was raised to guard fishermen against otters. Despite this, the specialized breed almost went extinct and is now recognized as a vulnerable species because of the prohibition on otter hunting in the United Kingdom.
Despite its name—which is pronounced "moody"—this breed, which originated in Hungary, is recognized for its high levels of energy and optimism. While they are rather common in Eastern Europe, the Mudi breed is critically endangered, with only around a thousand individuals left. It is thought that the pointy-eared, wavy-coated dog first appeared in the 1800s as a result of spontaneous breeding between the popular Pumi or Puli breeds. Mudis are noted for their intelligence and speed, making them ideal herders and guard dogs for livestock.
