If you love dogs as much as we do, we bet you’ve met your fair share of breeds. Our neighborhoods and dog parks are filled with popular kinds of canines who are, according to the numbers, some of America’s favorite dogs: Labrador Retrievers, German Shepherds, Bulldogs, Beagles and more.
But, how about the rarer breeds you’re not so likely to see strolling around the block every day? We want to show these guys some love, too! In honor of all the less-common dogs out there, we’ve put together a video roundup of five fascinating breeds you probably haven’t met.
Puli
No, this isn’t a floor mop come to life! The Puli is a Hungarian herding breed known for his amazing corded coat, which comes in three colors: black, gray or white. His quirky coat is functional, too — it’s a holdover from his sheep-herding origins. The dense outercoat and soft, woolly undercoat help protect him from rough brush and attacks by predators.
The Chinese Crested looks a bit like a mythical creature, doesn’t she? The hairless variety of this breed is, of course, striking — but you may be surprised to learn that the Chinese Crested also comes in a variety called Powderpuff. These dogs actually have soft, silky hair. And even the hairless variety of Chinese Crested may have a small amount of fur, including a tuft on her head called a crest.
It’d be pretty hard to miss a Black Russian Terrier! This stunning giant breed typically weighs between 80 and 145 pounds, and was developed by the Russian army to work as a guard dog in very cold climates. It shouldn’t surprise you, then, that many of these dogs are protective, independent thinkers who require lots of training and socialization.
Here’s another fascinating breed created to be a watchdog: The Keeshond (pronounced “KAYZ-hund”) hails from Amsterdam, and was developed there in the early 1800s to protect barges. If you’re thinking that the Keeshond closely resembles some more popular breeds, like Huskies and Pomeranians, you’d be correct! She’s a member of the Spitz family, which also includes the Chow Chow, Norwegian Elkhound and Finnish Spitz.
The portable, often lively Coton de Tulear is a relative newcomer to the collection of breeds that are fully recognized by the American Kennel Club — in 2015, he competed at the Westminster Dog Show for the first time. As you might be able to guess from their fluffy white coats, Cotons belong to the Bichon family. The breed takes its name from the African island where he became popular: Tulear, Madagascar.
