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About This Quiz
There are over 175 dog breeds registered by the American Kennel Club, and while many of us know quite a few of them, there are many rare breeds that we almost never see in passing. Dogs' origins can be traced all over the world, and there are a few which can only be found in their native countries.
Like other dogs, these lesser-known breeds have been bred over the years for specific purposes, whether that be to herd or protect livestock, to retrieve game and to track down animals, to pull carts and people or to keep as companions. Many of these dogs are average looking, but some will make you stare in amazement.
Everyone has either heard of or owned a Labrador Retriever, a German Shepherd, a French Bulldog, or a Beagle, but would you be able to identify a Beauceron, a Dandie Dinmont Terrier, or a Lagotto Romagnolo if you saw one? If you would like to test your knowledge of some of the lesser-known dog breeds in the world, then you have come to the right place. Take it to see how well you do!
Tibetan Mastiff
Norwegian Lundehund
The Norwegian Lundehund is a small breed of Spitz dogs which originated in Norway to hunt puffins and their eggs which were extremely valuable during the 16th and 17th centuries. The breed faced near-extinction twice – during World War II and in the 1960s with distemper.
Rat Terrier
American Eskimo dog
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Jindo
Belgian Sheepdog
Pyrenean Sheperd
The Pyrenean Shepherd, also known as the Pastor de Los Pirineos in Spain, is native to the Pyrenees mountains that form the natural border between France and Spain. It was originally bred to flock and herd livestock.
Brussels Griffons
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Komondor
The Komondor, also called the Hungarian sheepdog, is a large breed of dog which originated in Hungary where it has been called one of the country’s national treasures. The large livestock guardian dog is known for its long corded coat which gave it its nickname ‘mop dog’.
Chow Chow
Saluki
Afghan Hound
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Canadian Eskimo
Smooth Fox Terrier
Papillon
New Guinea Singing dog
The New Guinea Singing dog is a rare breed of dog which is named both after the place it is found and for its unique vocalization. When multiple dogs howl together, which typically starts off as just one, is called a chorus.
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Newfoundland
Pekingese
Otterhound
The Otterhound is a scent hound which originated in the United Kingdom where it was used as a hunting dog since the medieval period. It is currently listed as a vulnerable native breed as there are approximately 600 worldwide.
German Pinscher
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German Shepherd
Louisiana Catahoula Leopard dog
The Louisiana Catahoula Leopard dog which was named after the Catahoula Parish in Louisiana, USA. It later became the state dog, but it was traditionally bred to hunt wild boar. They come in a variety of colors including blue and red merle and brindle.
Keeshonden
Puli
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Mudi
The Mudi is a breed of herding hunting dog which originated in Hungary. It is closely related to the Pumi and Puli, and today this breed is bred for companionship, sport, show, and as working dogs.
Labrador Retriever
Basenji
Xoloitzcuintli
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Kooikerhondje
The Kooikerhondje, which means “small caging dog” in Old Dutch, is a breed of working dogs which originated in the Netherlands sometime during the 16th century. The breed almost went extinct during the Second World War but was rescued by a noble Dutch man.
French Bulldog
Berger Picard
American Staffordshire Terrier
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Beagle
Affenpinscher
Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romagnolo is a breed of dog which originated in the Romagna region of Italy, where it was used to retrieve waterfowl as well as truffles. The dog is known for its curly coat, and all colors are accepted except if it has a black coat.
Giant Schnauzer
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Poodle
Swedish Vallhund
Chinese Crested
Pumi dog
The Pumi dog is a breed of sheepdog which originated in Hungary where it was used to herd sheep. There are approximately 2,000 registered dogs in Hungary, but the population of these lively dogs has been said to be growing.
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Rottweiler
Bedlington Terrier
The Bedlington Terrier is a small dog which is named after the small mining town of Bedlington, North East England where it originated. They were originally bred to hunt different vermin, but were also used in numerous sports.
Tibetan Mastiff
Russell Terrier
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Yorkshire Terrier
Lhasa Apsos
Azawakh
The Azawakh is a breed of hunting and guardian dog which originated in different regions in West Africa. These sighthounds are usually associated with different nomadic tribes including the Tuareg people.
Wirehaired Vizslas
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Boxer
Swedish Vallhund
The Swedish Vallhund, also called the Swedish cow dog, is native to Sweden, of course! They were originally bred as herders and drovers, and nearly went extinct in the 1940s.
Chow Chow
Greyhound
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American Foxhound
The American Foxhound was originally bred for their superior sense of smell. It is the cousin of the English Foxhound and is both taller and rangier than it, and it is also known for its musical bark referred to as “bay.”
German Shorthaired Pointer
Italian Greyhound
Sussex Spaniel
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Dachshund
Irish Setter
Pumi
Skye Terrier
The Skye Terrier is a breed of dog which is native to the United Kingdom where it is “one of the most endangered dog breeds.” The hunting dog has a long double coat with short hair on its head which mimics a veil over its eyes.
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Siberian Husky
Finnish Spitz
The Finnish Spitz was developed to hunt different types of game from squirrels to bears. They are still primarily used for that purpose, but many people keep them as companion dogs as they are very friendly.
Miniature Pinscher
Komondorok
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Great Dane
Hovawart
The Hovawart is a medium to large breed of dog which originated in Germany where it was bred as a watchdog but is also kept as a companion dog to families. Although this breed is fairly easy to train, it is not suitable as a first pet.
Old English Sheepdog
Lowchen
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Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Cairn Terrier
Pharaoh Hound
Thai Ridgeback
The Thai Ridgeback was long unknown to the Western world. It is one of three breeds of dogs which have a ridge of hair along its back in the opposite direction to its coat—giving it the name ridgeback.
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Dandi Dinmont Terrier
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier was named after a fictional character from the novel “Guy Mannering.” The dog has a very long body, short legs, and a characteristic topknot of hair on the top of its head.
Shih Tzu
Chinese Shar-Pei
Caanan dog
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Doberman Pinscher
Polish Lowland Sheepdog
Cesky Terrier
The Cesky Terrier is a small breed of dog which was originally created for hunting in the forest. Today, it is one of the rarest dog breeds in the world.
Great Pyrenees
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Miniature Schnauzer
Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound, also known as the Kuchi Hound, is a type of hound which is known for its characteristic long, thick and silky coat and its ring curled tail. The dogs were specifically bred for their unique features and were given away as gifts by the Afghan Royal Family.
Dalmatian
Finnish Spitz
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Australian Shepherd
Chinook
German Wirehead Pointer
Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff is a breed of dog which originated in the place it was named after. There, it was used by local tribes to protect their sheep from predators like tigers, wolves, and leopards. There are two types which can both be produced in the same litter.
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Caucasian Shepherd dog
The Caucasian Shepherd is giant, but that doesn't fully describe HOW big they truly are. They can have long or short coats, and their ears are historically cropped, though that practice is falling out of fashion.
Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
Whippet
American English Coonhound
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Boston Terrier
Bull Terrier
Wirehead Vizsla
The Wirehead Vizsla is a rare breed of dog which originated in Hungary where they are known for their excellent hunting abilities but are also suitable kept as pets. The dog has a wiry coat which is usually golden to russet in color, and they all have a prominent beard giving them their characteristic expression.
Bergamasco Sheepdog
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Pomeranian
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Bergamasco Shepherd
The Bergamasco Shepherd is a rare breed of dog which originated in the alpine region of northern Italy. Originally used to herd dogs, the dog is known for its matted and lock-like fur made up of three different types of hair.
Alaskan Malamute
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Lancashire Heeler
The Lancashire Heeler, also called the Ormskirk Terrier or Heeler, is a small breed of dog which was developed in England to herd and drive cattle. In recent years, it has been recognized as a vulnerable breed which means that 300 or fewer are registered each year.
Havanese
Otterhound
Scottish Terrier
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Shetland Sheepdog
American Foxhound
Carolina dog
The Carolina dog, also known as the American Dingo or yellow dog, lives along isolated stretches of longleaf pines in Southeastern states. Often mistaken for the Australian Dingo, these animals are typically found in the wild but can be domesticated.
Samoyed
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Bernese Mountain dog
Stabyhoun
The Stabyhoun, also known as Stabij, is a breed of hunting dogs which originated in Friesland, Netherlands. It is considered one of the country’s national treasures, and with only a couple thousand left, it is one of the five rarest dogs in the world.
Australian Cattle dog
Norwegian Lundhund
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Brittany
Labrador Retriever
Airedale Terrier
Puli
The Puli is known for their tight long curls and their ability to herd and guard livestock. These solid-colored (usually black) dogs originated in Hungary are both very rare and very expensive.
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Chinook
The Chinook was originally bred to be a "mushing" or sled-dog, which seems weird for a dog originally bred in New Hampshire. But it all starts to make sense when you learn that the original breeder spent time in Alaska during the Gold Rush.
English Springer Spaniel
German Shepherd
Portuguese Water dog
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Cocker Spaniel
Golden Retriever
Papillon
Slovak Cuvac
The Slovak Cuvac is a breed of mountain dogs used in sheep farming by people in the Slovak mountains. They are natural guard dogs and are also loyal, gentle giants, making them great for families.
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Vizslas
French Bulldog
Bullmastiff
Peruvian Inca Orchid
The Peruvian Inca Orchid, also known as the Peruvian hairless dog, is one of many hairless dogs popular during the Incan Empire. During the Spanish conquest of Peru, the breed nearly went extinct, but survived in rural areas.
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Pug
Beauceron
This rare breed of dog is known for having double dewclaws, and it was the breed which was used to create the Dobermann Pinscher. The Beauceron originated in Central France, where it was bred to herd animals.
English Cocker Spaniel
Yorkshire Terrier
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Chihuahua
Beagle
Mexican Hairless dog
The Mexican Hairless dog, also called the Xoloitzcuintli, is found in three different sizes: toy, miniature, and standard. These dogs were very important to the Mayans, and it was thought that the god Xolotl made them from the Bone of Life.
St. Bernard
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Maltese
Poodle
Belgian Malinois
Telomian
The Telomian, also called the Anjing Kampung, is native to Malaysia, where it was bred to control the vermin population. These rare dogs are known for their unusual ability to climb which has been attributed to the native people building their houses on stilts.
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Canaan dog
The Canaan Dog is a breed that originated in Israel, where it was used as a guard dog. Today there are approximately 3,000 of these dogs around the world, mostly in North America and Europe.
Weimaraner
Akita
Rottweiler
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Miniature American Shepherd
Shiba Inu
German Shorthaired Pointer
Bracco Italiano
The Bracco Italiano, also called the Italian Pointer, is a breed of dog which originated in Italy supposedly as a cross between an Asiatic Mastiff and a Segugio Italiano. They were usually owned by aristocrats, but nearly went extinct twice.
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Newfoundland
Kai Ken
The Kai Ken, also called the Tiger dog and the Tora Inu, is a rare breed of dog native to Japan, where it is a national monument. They are natural hunters, and they are kept both as watchdogs and companion dogs.
West Highland White Terrier
Boxer
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Rhodesian Ridgeback
Cane Corso
English Foxhound
The English Foxhound is a scent hound which was bred to hunt foxes and other game in the late 16th century. They are pack hounds, and they get along well with other animals making them great for families.
Great Dane
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Basset Hound
Border Collie
Bichon Frise
Russkiy Toy
The Russkiy Toy, also called the Russian Toy, is a very small breed of dog which was developed from the English Toy Terrier and comes in two coat types; smooth and long coat. There were two occasions where the breed was wiped out; in the 1920s due to communism and in the 1990s after the revolution of 1989.
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