10+ Rare Dog Breeds You Didn’t Know Existed

What in one country is considered exotic, in others is something common and current. For example, in 2009 the whole world saw the movie “Always by your side” and at the same time learned about the existence of the Akita Inu breed, which is very common in Japan. But there are dogs that are rarely found in their homeland. In this post, we are going to talk about these animals, among which are the “multitasking” dog and a representative of the smartest breed, among others.

O awesome.club collected for you the most unusual canine specimens. Who knows, maybe soon everyone will be able to have their own Catalburun.

Pungsan is the fierce and intelligent hero of Korean folk tales, the one who could defeat a Siberian tiger. And in these stories there is little fiction: the breed was bred to hunt large animals, including the Amur tiger. This is an incredibly strong and hardy dog ​​that hunts well in the mountains and can sleep in the snow.

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un presented the president of South Korea with two dogs of this breed as a sign of friendship. Pungsans are a national treasure in the country, but due to the small number of the breed, they are virtually unknown outside of North Korea.

Stabyhoun is a “for the poor”. Their owners, originally, were farmers who could not keep several dogs to hunt, house and work. Therefore, they managed to transform these dogs into indispensable and very capable workers in all spheres: they hunted, guarded the houses, captured mice and pulled cars. Currently, they are also excellent swimmers and are comfortable even in cold water.

In addition, Stabyhouns are “multitaskers” and have an angelic character: they are friendly, intelligent, patient with children and animals, and they also strive to please their owner.

Behind this cute dog with curls hides a serious worker, capable of handling large herds of sheep. Pumi are excellent herders, but keeping them in the house is not recommended because they react to movements, smells and even the softest sounds with a very loud bark, which is their distinguishing feature. Your neighbors will definitely not be happy with such a tenant.

This is one of the most intelligent breeds, but full of contradictions. In the lives of these dogs there are two loves: the owner, to whom they are infinitely loyal, and the spirit of freedom. And they often choose to go with the latter. For this reason, the pumi needs to be free and have its own territory. If you choose to have them as a pet in a city, they can cause problems because they easily start fighting with other dogs and can’t help but bark at all strangers.

The Sapsali are restless and with a legendary history. More than 1,000 years ago, Koreans mentioned them in their folktales and legends. They believed that they were capable of chasing away evil spirits and ghosts. Therefore, these dogs, at first, did not have official functions: they were considered talismans and were believed to bring luck only when entering a house.

Unfortunately, many Korean dog breeds, including this one, were almost completely wiped out during the Japanese occupation. By the mid-20th century, only 8 specimens of sapsali remained, and despite multiple attempts to increase that number, debate continues as to whether the survivors were purebred. Either way, they are family pets, love children, and get along great with other animals.

A unique feature of these dogs is the nose, which is divided into two parts. Their place of origin is Turkey, but even there it is difficult to find them today. One of its advantages is its ability to develop great speed and keep pace, as well as a sensitive sense of smell. That’s why they are believed to be the best for hunting.

Catalburun recognizes only one owner and is very loyal, but despite that, it is also kind to the rest of the family. It is impossible to disturb him, even if you try to provoke him. However, there are exceptions: he can be aggressive in front of small animals in his territory. That’s because it’s hard to suppress your hunting instinct.

This is a very rare and ancient breed of greyhounds from Africa. French general Eugène Daumas visited Algeria in 1835 and was amazed at the conditions these dogs were in. They were covered with blankets and adorned with precious stones, were fed selected meat and, instead of doghouses, lived in Bedouin tents. They were considered part of the family and mourned after his death. Unfortunately, World War II wiped out many breeds in Europe, including the Slougi, and in their native territories these dogs almost completely disappeared in the 1960s.

The Kai were bred for hunting and attracted everyone’s attention with their tabby color. They choose only one owner and do not cling to the rest of the family. They are famous for their courageous and calm nature: they swim well and can climb trees. All Kai have an innate ability to work in the pack. They can even hunt a bear or an antelope thanks to their well-coordinated work. And they’re not just pets, they’re also Japan’s national treasures.

The Kuvasz is a shepherd from Hungary. After the Second World War, only 30 specimens remained and this is currently considered a very rare breed.

Many horror stories are told about them, but in reality they are very loyal and patient animals. Despite their fierce nature, it is important to take care of them and give them special attention. All the accidents that happened to them were caused by the mistakes of their owners. They bred deliberately infuriated dogs, using the harshest breeding methods. In case of cruel treatment, any dog ​​is capable of attacking.

These dogs love to howl and there’s even a theory that arctic wolves’ blood flows in them. The Greenland dog is distinguished by its strength, tenacity, endurance and unique ability to guide itself. Although this is one of the oldest sled dog breeds, they were often used as hunters of northern animals such as deer, walrus and bear.

This breed was created in the Middle Ages on the coast of Portugal. These animals hunted for fish, searched for the remains of broken nets, and sent messages from ship to ship. In the middle of the 20th century, Portuguese fishermen, as a social group, disappeared almost completely, and along with them these intrepid, obedient and very intelligent dogs.

The nests of puffins, whose meat was highly prized, are found in rock crevices, and it was very difficult for humans to reach them. The Lundehund breed was created precisely for these purposes: due to its unique anatomical structure, it is an animal that can climb rocks and caves. And it not only caught the birds, but also their eggs. During one night, this dog can collect up to 80 puffins.

The main feature of the breed is its paws with additional toes. Common dogs have four toes that touch the ground, while Lundehunds have five, and instead of an inner toe, they have two: one with three phalanges and an additional one with two. It is because of this unusual structure that they can use their paws as if they were cats.

The Carolina dog can only be found in the southeastern United States, but its origin is unknown. Despite the fact that these animals are used to living alone, they are friendly and considerate of people, so today there are enthusiasts who raise them at home. They are dogs that do not tolerate the cold and are also weaker and slower than domesticated dogs.

Which of these races did you like the most? Leave your opinion in the comments below.