Have You Heard of These 15 Rare Dog Breeds?

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.

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.

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."

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

The Norwegian lundehund came in very last in the AKC's 2020 ranking of breed popularity. But don't let their last-place position fool you: the rare breed makes for a perky, loyal friend.

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.

Ranked 179 out of 195 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.

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

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!)