22 Rare Dog Breeds You Might Not Know About
Choosing a dog by a single trait can be misleading. Breed tendencies can help narrow a search, but individual temperament, health, age, training and the owner's routine often matter just as much. This guide uses the historical search intent behind this URL while updating the framing for responsible modern ownership.
The dogs below are strong candidates for the theme, but none should be treated as a guarantee. Meet the individual dog where possible, research health testing, and make sure the breed's real daily needs match the home you can provide.
| # | Breed | Why it may fit |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saluki | An ancient sighthound built for speed and endurance. |
| 2 | Basenji | A small African hunting breed famous for being relatively quiet rather than truly silent. |
| 3 | Kerry Blue Terrier | An Irish terrier whose coat matures to blue-gray shades. |
| 4 | Dogo Argentino | An athletic Argentine breed developed for large-game hunting. |
| 5 | Caucasian Shepherd | A very large guardian breed developed for serious livestock and property protection. |
| 6 | Boerboel | A heavy South African farm guardian with confidence and strength. |
| 7 | Cardigan Welsh Corgi | A sturdy low-set herding breed with surprising athleticism. |
| 8 | Bluetick Coonhound | A large American scent hound known for endurance, tracking ability and a distinctive ticked coat. |
| 9 | Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever | A compact, energetic retriever known for agility and intense play. |
| 10 | Portuguese Water Dog | An athletic water-working breed with a curly or wavy coat. |
| 11 | Greyhound | A tall sighthound known for explosive speed and, in many adults, a surprisingly relaxed indoor temperament. |
| 12 | Great Dane | A giant companion and working breed whose calm adult demeanor can fit quieter homes if space and costs are realistic. |
| 13 | Standard Poodle | An athletic, highly trainable dog that needs both exercise and mental work. |
| 14 | Miniature Poodle | A compact, quick-learning companion with enough athletic ability for active homes. |
| 15 | Bernese Mountain Dog | A large Swiss working breed typically valued for a steady, affectionate style. |
| 16 | Newfoundland | A giant water-working dog often known for a gentle family reputation. |
| 17 | Basset Hound | A low-slung scent hound with a powerful nose, moderate exercise needs and an independent streak. |
| 18 | Bullmastiff | A very powerful mastiff developed for guarding work. |
| 19 | Rottweiler | A strong, versatile working breed that can be calm and confident with sound breeding and structured training. |
| 20 | Doberman Pinscher | A fast, athletic guardian breed that tends to work closely with its handler. |
| 21 | German Shepherd Dog | A versatile herding and service breed known for trainability and athleticism. |
| 22 | Cane Corso | A large Italian mastiff with guardian heritage and substantial physical power. |
1. Saluki
An ancient sighthound built for speed and endurance. It is often reserved, sensitive and highly motivated by chase, making secure exercise important.
For the specific theme of this article, Saluki should be judged on more than appearance or reputation. Consider daily exercise, ability to settle, social behavior, grooming, likely adult size and any breed-specific health screening recommended by recognized breed organizations. The best fit depends on the individual dog's age, health, training history and the owner's routine.
2. Basenji
A small African hunting breed famous for being relatively quiet rather than truly silent. It is athletic, independent and can be challenging to contain.
For the specific theme of this article, Basenji should be judged on more than appearance or reputation. Consider daily exercise, ability to settle, social behavior, grooming, likely adult size and any breed-specific health screening recommended by recognized breed organizations. The best fit depends on the individual dog's age, health, training history and the owner's routine.
3. Kerry Blue Terrier
An Irish terrier whose coat matures to blue-gray shades. It is energetic, strong-minded and requires regular coat maintenance.
For the specific theme of this article, Kerry Blue Terrier should be judged on more than appearance or reputation. Consider daily exercise, ability to settle, social behavior, grooming, likely adult size and any breed-specific health screening recommended by recognized breed organizations. The best fit depends on the individual dog's age, health, training history and the owner's routine.
4. Dogo Argentino
An athletic Argentine breed developed for large-game hunting. Physical power, prey drive, socialization and local legal or insurance restrictions require careful consideration.
For the specific theme of this article, Dogo Argentino should be judged on more than appearance or reputation. Consider daily exercise, ability to settle, social behavior, grooming, likely adult size and any breed-specific health screening recommended by recognized breed organizations. The best fit depends on the individual dog's age, health, training history and the owner's routine.
5. Caucasian Shepherd
A very large guardian breed developed for serious livestock and property protection. Its independence, strength and territorial behavior make expert management essential.
For the specific theme of this article, Caucasian Shepherd should be judged on more than appearance or reputation. Consider daily exercise, ability to settle, social behavior, grooming, likely adult size and any breed-specific health screening recommended by recognized breed organizations. The best fit depends on the individual dog's age, health, training history and the owner's routine.
6. Boerboel
A heavy South African farm guardian with confidence and strength. Secure containment, deliberate socialization and owners comfortable managing territorial behavior are important.
For the specific theme of this article, Boerboel should be judged on more than appearance or reputation. Consider daily exercise, ability to settle, social behavior, grooming, likely adult size and any breed-specific health screening recommended by recognized breed organizations. The best fit depends on the individual dog's age, health, training history and the owner's routine.
7. Cardigan Welsh Corgi
A sturdy low-set herding breed with surprising athleticism. Weight management, back health and sufficient activity are important despite short legs.
For the specific theme of this article, Cardigan Welsh Corgi should be judged on more than appearance or reputation. Consider daily exercise, ability to settle, social behavior, grooming, likely adult size and any breed-specific health screening recommended by recognized breed organizations. The best fit depends on the individual dog's age, health, training history and the owner's routine.
8. Bluetick Coonhound
A large American scent hound known for endurance, tracking ability and a distinctive ticked coat. Vocalization, prey drive and secure containment are major practical considerations.
For the specific theme of this article, Bluetick Coonhound should be judged on more than appearance or reputation. Consider daily exercise, ability to settle, social behavior, grooming, likely adult size and any breed-specific health screening recommended by recognized breed organizations. The best fit depends on the individual dog's age, health, training history and the owner's routine.
9. Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
A compact, energetic retriever known for agility and intense play. It needs purposeful exercise and can be vocal when excited.
For the specific theme of this article, Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever should be judged on more than appearance or reputation. Consider daily exercise, ability to settle, social behavior, grooming, likely adult size and any breed-specific health screening recommended by recognized breed organizations. The best fit depends on the individual dog's age, health, training history and the owner's routine.
10. Portuguese Water Dog
An athletic water-working breed with a curly or wavy coat. Exercise, grooming and mental work are important.
For the specific theme of this article, Portuguese Water Dog should be judged on more than appearance or reputation. Consider daily exercise, ability to settle, social behavior, grooming, likely adult size and any breed-specific health screening recommended by recognized breed organizations. The best fit depends on the individual dog's age, health, training history and the owner's routine.
11. Greyhound
A tall sighthound known for explosive speed and, in many adults, a surprisingly relaxed indoor temperament. Daily walks and safe opportunities to run matter, while prey drive and cold sensitivity deserve planning.
For the specific theme of this article, Greyhound should be judged on more than appearance or reputation. Consider daily exercise, ability to settle, social behavior, grooming, likely adult size and any breed-specific health screening recommended by recognized breed organizations. The best fit depends on the individual dog's age, health, training history and the owner's routine.
12. Great Dane
A giant companion and working breed whose calm adult demeanor can fit quieter homes if space and costs are realistic. Early training is essential because even friendly poor manners become difficult at giant size.
For the specific theme of this article, Great Dane should be judged on more than appearance or reputation. Consider daily exercise, ability to settle, social behavior, grooming, likely adult size and any breed-specific health screening recommended by recognized breed organizations. The best fit depends on the individual dog's age, health, training history and the owner's routine.
13. Standard Poodle
An athletic, highly trainable dog that needs both exercise and mental work. The continuously growing coat requires regular clipping, so low shedding should not be confused with low maintenance.
For the specific theme of this article, Standard Poodle should be judged on more than appearance or reputation. Consider daily exercise, ability to settle, social behavior, grooming, likely adult size and any breed-specific health screening recommended by recognized breed organizations. The best fit depends on the individual dog's age, health, training history and the owner's routine.
14. Miniature Poodle
A compact, quick-learning companion with enough athletic ability for active homes. Regular grooming and training games are important parts of ownership.
For the specific theme of this article, Miniature Poodle should be judged on more than appearance or reputation. Consider daily exercise, ability to settle, social behavior, grooming, likely adult size and any breed-specific health screening recommended by recognized breed organizations. The best fit depends on the individual dog's age, health, training history and the owner's routine.
15. Bernese Mountain Dog
A large Swiss working breed typically valued for a steady, affectionate style. Heavy coat, heat sensitivity, shedding and breed-specific health research are major ownership considerations.
For the specific theme of this article, Bernese Mountain Dog should be judged on more than appearance or reputation. Consider daily exercise, ability to settle, social behavior, grooming, likely adult size and any breed-specific health screening recommended by recognized breed organizations. The best fit depends on the individual dog's age, health, training history and the owner's routine.
16. Newfoundland
A giant water-working dog often known for a gentle family reputation. Size, drool, coat care, heat management and future mobility are practical issues every owner should consider.
For the specific theme of this article, Newfoundland should be judged on more than appearance or reputation. Consider daily exercise, ability to settle, social behavior, grooming, likely adult size and any breed-specific health screening recommended by recognized breed organizations. The best fit depends on the individual dog's age, health, training history and the owner's routine.
17. Basset Hound
A low-slung scent hound with a powerful nose, moderate exercise needs and an independent streak. Owners should manage weight, ears, stairs and the breed's tendency to vocalize.
For the specific theme of this article, Basset Hound should be judged on more than appearance or reputation. Consider daily exercise, ability to settle, social behavior, grooming, likely adult size and any breed-specific health screening recommended by recognized breed organizations. The best fit depends on the individual dog's age, health, training history and the owner's routine.
18. Bullmastiff
A very powerful mastiff developed for guarding work. Many adults are comparatively calm indoors, but strength, visitor management, training and responsible socialization make experienced ownership important.
For the specific theme of this article, Bullmastiff should be judged on more than appearance or reputation. Consider daily exercise, ability to settle, social behavior, grooming, likely adult size and any breed-specific health screening recommended by recognized breed organizations. The best fit depends on the individual dog's age, health, training history and the owner's routine.
19. Rottweiler
A strong, versatile working breed that can be calm and confident with sound breeding and structured training. Early leash manners, socialization and breed-appropriate health screening are essential.
For the specific theme of this article, Rottweiler should be judged on more than appearance or reputation. Consider daily exercise, ability to settle, social behavior, grooming, likely adult size and any breed-specific health screening recommended by recognized breed organizations. The best fit depends on the individual dog's age, health, training history and the owner's routine.
20. Doberman Pinscher
A fast, athletic guardian breed that tends to work closely with its handler. It benefits from daily training, exercise and careful attention to breed-specific health screening.
For the specific theme of this article, Doberman Pinscher should be judged on more than appearance or reputation. Consider daily exercise, ability to settle, social behavior, grooming, likely adult size and any breed-specific health screening recommended by recognized breed organizations. The best fit depends on the individual dog's age, health, training history and the owner's routine.
21. German Shepherd Dog
A versatile herding and service breed known for trainability and athleticism. Breeding quality, socialization, orthopedic health and sufficient mental work strongly influence household success.
For the specific theme of this article, German Shepherd Dog should be judged on more than appearance or reputation. Consider daily exercise, ability to settle, social behavior, grooming, likely adult size and any breed-specific health screening recommended by recognized breed organizations. The best fit depends on the individual dog's age, health, training history and the owner's routine.
22. Cane Corso
A large Italian mastiff with guardian heritage and substantial physical power. Calm training, early socialization, secure management and experienced ownership are more important than creating an intimidating image.
For the specific theme of this article, Cane Corso should be judged on more than appearance or reputation. Consider daily exercise, ability to settle, social behavior, grooming, likely adult size and any breed-specific health screening recommended by recognized breed organizations. The best fit depends on the individual dog's age, health, training history and the owner's routine.
How to choose among them
Before deciding, compare the following:
- Energy: how much purposeful exercise and play can you provide every day?
- Training: do you want a highly handler-focused dog or can you manage a more independent temperament?
- Noise: barking and vocal behavior matter in apartments and close neighborhoods.
- Grooming: coat length alone does not predict maintenance; some low-shedding coats require frequent clipping.
- Health: request documentation for breed-appropriate health screening rather than relying on appearance.
- Size and strength: consider elevators, stairs, cars, veterinary transport and future old-age mobility.
- Other animals: prey drive and dog-to-dog sociability vary widely, including within a breed.
Bottom line
There is no universal “best” breed in this category. The strongest match is the dog whose temperament, exercise needs, health profile and management requirements fit the owner's real life. Use breed tendencies as a filter, then evaluate the individual dog and breeder or rescue information before making a decision.