30 awesome dog breeds you’ve never heard of – until now

Iceland’s native dog is not only unique, but rare. Rescued from the brink of extinction in the 1950s, the Icelandic Sheepdog is slowly increasing in numbers. A natural herder, the breed is alert, intelligent and enthusiastic. Friendly with other animals and gentle with children, the Icelandic forms strong bonds with its master. Occasionally, this attachment can cause separation anxiety and excess barking. With a gentle touch, a skilled owner can teach their Icelandic Sheepdog to be calm in their absence.

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While common in Australia, this breed is surprisingly hard to find in the United States. When it comes to herding sheep, the Australian Kelpie is the blue-chip candidate for rounding up the herd, whether the herd consists of sheep, other dogs, or kids. For that reason, the Kelpie isn’t a breed for a first-time dog parent or a family with young children. If the Kelpie is right for you, however, it’s essential that you to provide your pup with plenty of stimulating mental and physical exercise daily. That could even include surfing! A Kelpie named Abbie Girl won the World Dog Surfing Championship in Pacifica, California, two years in a row!

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The Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound, which is originally from Germany, has a superior tracking ability and can differentiate between a wounded animal it is hunting and other animals of the same species. The BMSH needs lots of space to roam and is not a fan of kennels. “This energetic breed is courageous and determined when hunting,” says Mary Burch, PhD, an animal behaviourist. “They are calm and devoted to their families, but they need an experienced owner.”

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The Estrela Mountain Dog is one of the oldest breeds in Portugal. The Mastiff-type dog has some unique features, including a black mask, a hook at the end of its tail, and small ears. An Estrela is a devoted companion for life. “Much like the Leonberger, this is a big and sturdy dog with a warm personality,” says Mari-Beth O’Neill, Vice President of the America Kennel Club (AKC) Sports Services. “You do not see dogs like this every day. If you are looking for a dog that is a protector and a playmate, this is it.”

It would be incredibly rare to see a Thai Ridgeback outside of Thailand. You might mistake a Rhodesian Ridgeback for one, as both have the trademark ridge of hair on their back that grows in the opposite direction of their coat. These days, Thai Ridgebacks are loyal companions, and while they also exhibited loyalty way back when, they did so in a slightly different way: It was their job was to keep cobras away from their humans, and they would kill a cobra, if necessary. “While Thai Ridgebacks can be loyal family pets, they are independent and protective and are not the best choice for the first-time dog owner,” says Burch.

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The Treeing Tennessee Brindle hails from the United States, mainly in and around the Appalachian and Ozark Mountains. TTBs are alert, agile and super fast. They have an inherent instinct to hunt, and they “tree” their prey by forcing it up into a tree. Once they have the prey isolated, they alert their human by baying. According to the AKC, the old saying “You’re barking up the wrong tree” comes from this type of hunting. For non-hunting humans, TTBs love agility training, going out for walks several times a day, playing games inside (like hide-and-seek), and chasing balls.

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This adorable small breed hails from the rocky island of Vaeroy in Norway. Long ago, Islanders depended on the Lundehund to hunt and retrieve puffins from rocky crevices to sustain them through the long winter. And the Lundehund is perfectly equipped for the task. It has six fully functioning toes (not dewclaws) and extra paw pads – for rock hoppin’. Clever and affectionate, the Lundehund’s other distinctive features include an “elastic neck” that stretches back, so its head can touch its spine, and ears that go forward and backward at will or even shut. Regularly check the ears of your dog to avoid a buildup of wax and debris, which can result in infection.

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The “flocks” on the Bergamasco Sheepdog always get a second look. How is that hair even natural? Yet it is, and it happens because the strands of hair get woven together, creating flat layers of felted hair that cover the body and legs. The unique coat isn’t just glam-squad worthy – it helped its ancestors stay warm and cosy in the frigid Italian Alps. The Bergamasco’s long upper eyelashes keep the curtain of hair out of its eyes, preventing snowblindness. Surprisingly, the flocks don’t shed and aren’t as hard to maintain as they look, O’Neill says.

How about a muzzle snuggle from this cute scruffy face? The Pyrenean Shepherd comes in two coat varieties: rough-faced and smooth-faced. Rough or smooth, both types have bright eyes and a perpetual smile. The breed is a great candidate for agility, rally, obedience, dock diving, freestyle work and almost any fun dog sport. Devoted to their pet parent, the Pyrenean has an intuitive sense about their owner’s desires and does particularly well with clicker training and positive, reward-based methods.

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You know you’re top dog if your picture is on a postage stamp and you’re the national dog of your country. The contemplative eyes and distinguished beard of the Czech Republic’s Cesky Terrier conveys a stately and dignified vibe. Yet the Cesky is no stuffy politician. “They are a pack breed, which means they would fit well with other dogs, and they love to play and are great companions with their family,” says Jerry Klein, DVM, the AKC’s Chief Veterinary Officer.