5 Breeds of Dogs You May Not Know
There are a lot of dog breeds in the world. The actual number of breeds differs based on who you ask. AKC (American Kennel Club) currently recognizes around 200 breeds, whereas the FCI (Federation Cynologique Internationale) recognizes over 340 breeds. Either way there is a dog for everyone out there, some just aren’t as well known as others. Take a look below at some of the under the radar breeds that might be just what you’ve been looking for!
Originating in Norway (hence the name), the Norwegian Lundehund is a member of the spitz family and was originally bred to hunt puffins. Now they make great pets for owners seeking an active, mid-sized companion. What this breed is really known for is adaptations that most dogs don’t have. Norwegian Lundehunds have double dewclaws, meaning they have six toes per foot instead of the typical four toes. These amazing dogs can also fold their pointy ears inward to keep debris, bend their head back behind them and swing their front legs out at a 90-degree angle.
With a similar look to their distance mastiff cousins, the Boerboel breed originated from South Africa and average 150lbs as adults – that’s a lot of RAWBBLE. These large dogs were bred to protect their homes and farms from intruders of any kind, including people and other animals -even lions. While Boerboels have a protective temperament, they are typically calm and composed, making great companions.
Easily mistaken for a “doodle,” the Lagotto Romagnolo was bred in Italy for water retrieving. While they are soft and teddy bear-like, these dogs have highly tuned senses. In fact, they more commonly bred for “truffle-searching” because of their keen sense of smell. While considered a sporting breed, these curly-haired companions are typically very affectionate and easy to please, making them great pets for families.
The Carolina Dog, sometimes referred to as the American Dingo, is a medium-sized pup that was originally was just a free-roaming mutt found throughout Southeastern United States. Through DNA analysis, researchers found that the Carolina Dog’s contains ancestry that dates back to prehistoric times. Carolina dogs typically have pointy ears and a short coat. They are pretty shy until they get to know someone, but are very attached to their people.
Many of us have heard of the smooth-coated Vizsla, but have you heard of their wire-haired cousin? The Wirehaired Vizsla is actually an entirely different breed than their sleek cousin. The smooth-coat Vizsla has been around for hundreds of years, but the wirehaired breed originated in the 1930s when hunters wanted a Vizsla-like dog that could tolerate colder climates.
