There are many different types of dogs in the world, and most people know about the popular breeds such as Labradors and German Shepherds. However, there are many other breeds that are lesser known but still make great pets. In this blog post, we will discuss 10 dog breeds that are not as well-known but still make great companions. So if you are looking for a new dog to add to your family, read on to learn more about these fascinating breeds!
Azawakh
The Azawakh is a sighthound dog breed from Africa used for hunting gazelles and hares. It has very similar looks to the Sloughi, but smaller in stature. They are found in West Africa; their native country is the former French Sudan.
Korean Jindo Dog
This canine originated in Korea and is used for boar hunting and to guard property and livestock. They are very agile and fast and do well in mountainous areas.
Catahoula Cur
Originally bred in Louisiana, USA, the Catahoula Cur is a working dog used for hunting wild boar and bear. It can be very territorial and fearless in nature; they are also great family dogs.
Norwegian Lundehund
The Norwegian Lundehund (Puffin Dog) comes from Norway and was used to hunt puffins. They have six toes on each foot and flexible joints that allow them to turn their heads backwards as far as 180 degrees.
Ibizan Hound
This hound has been named after the Mediterranean Island of Ibiza where it is from, used originally for hunting rabbits and hares over open country hillsides. They have a distinctive yodel-like bark.
Swedish Vallhund
This breed goes back over a thousand years and areknown as the Viking dog. The word Vallhund means herding dog and they were once used to herd cattle and sheep. They are related to the Corgi breeds-and you can tell by the body shape!
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier dates back to the 1700’s when they were used to persue mice, rats, otters and badgers. They are often called “the big little dog” for their fearless personality and were believed to have decended from the Dachshund / Basset hound.
Löwchen
The Löwchen is a fearless little dog, hence it’s French name which translates into “Little Lion Dog”. Their origins date back to the 16th century and they are related to the Maltese and Bichon Frise. It is traditional to cut its fur to look like a lion!
Levriero Italiano
The Italian Greyhound, also known as a “Levriero Italiano”, is a small sighthound breed that originated in Italy. It has been used for hundreds of years by Italians to hunt small game such as rabbits and birds. The Levriero Italiano’s size is comparable to that of a large cat, standing between 30 and 38 cm tall at the withers, with a weight between 5 to 10 kg.
Bergamasco
The Bergamasco is an Italian dog breed used originally for herding livestock in the Alps. They are not recognized by any major Kennel Club, but recently gained attention when one was featured on the television program “Pedigree Dogs Exposed” in 2008. This made many people aware of this rare breed.
