Have You Heard of These 15 Rare Dog Breeds?

Updated on September 14, 2022

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In the 1980s, the Chinook dog breed faced extinction. The equally sturdy and speedy breed had originated in New Hampshire less than 100 years prior, and yet by 1965 the Guinness Book of World Records listed the Chinook as the "rarest dog in the world." By 1981, the population had dwindled down to just 11 breedable dogs total. That is, until the Chinook breeders stepped in. The rare breed's numbers are into the hundreds now, and the Chinook was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2013. But it's not the only dog that's come back from the brink of oblivion. Many of these rare dog breeds have seen their populations dwindle to abysmal numbers due to everything from international war to industrial evolution. Luckily, the hard work of breed clubs (and in some cases, benevolent aristocrats!) has paid off and preserved these unique dog breeds for generations of dog lovers to come.

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Harrier

Nope, that's not a beagle! Or a foxhound. (Though they are a close relative!) According to the American Kennel Club, this English hunting breed should be smaller than an English foxhound and stockier than a beagle.

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Pyrenean Shepherd

This hard-working herding breed can be either "smooth-faced" or "rough-faced," depending on the coat. Both result in a charmingly shaggy appearance worthy of the big screen.

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Otterhound

According to the AKC, this breed is "more rare than the Giant Panda and is one of the most endangered dog breeds in the world."

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Cane Corso

Although this breed's lineage dates back centuries, it was only found in southern Italy until 1988.

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Lagotto Romagnolo

Not to be mistaken for a doodle at the local dog park, this rare, truffle-hunting breed hails from Italy.

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Chinook

Nobody loves a comeback story more than the Chinook, which is now the official state dog of New Hampshire.

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Skye Terrier

Standing less than a foot tall and sporting a sassy hairdo, this breed may be rare but it's certainly unforgettable.

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Dandie Dinmont Terrier

With a charmingly whimsical name and looks to match, this previously declining breed can attribute its revival to the hard work of the Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club.

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Borzoi

Reminiscent of both the wolfhound and the greyhound, this regal Russian breed can run up to 40 miles per hour.

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Azawakh

The AKC notes that, though this ancient breed sports a rather skeletal look, they're incredibly sturdy and skilled in a variety of roles.

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Norwegian Lundehund

The Norwegian lundehund came in very last in the AKC's 2021 ranking of breed popularity. But don't let their last-place position fool you: the rare breed makes for a perky, loyal friend.

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Berger Picard

You may know this endearingly scruffy breed from its lead role in the movie adaptation of the book, Because of Winn Dixie. The film provided a welcome boost to the breed, which has worked its way back from near extinction.

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Cirneco dell'Etna

Ranked 183 out of 197 on the AKC's most popular list, this ancient sighthound was saved by Dr. Maurizio Migneco, a veterinarian who wrote about the breed's decline. A Sicilian aristocrat, Baroness Agata Paternó Castello, took notice and worked over the next 26 years to restore the Cirneco's population.

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Cesky Terrier

The AKC estimates there are only 600 Cesky terriers living in the U.S.; a shame, given their mellow, family-friendly nature.

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Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen

If the name sounds like a mish-mash of other breeds... well, that's for good reason. It roughly translates to "large, low, shaggy dog of the Vendée." (And explains the names and looks of those more familiar breeds, like basset hound or the Brussels griffon!)

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