Dog breeds you didn't know!

Introduction

Hello there canine enthusiasts, you might have heard about many breeds of dogs that are out there like the golden retriever, german shepherd, siberian husky, rottweiler, poodles, pugs etc. But the world of dogs is huge and there are a lot of breeds out there which even aficionados like you might have missed or are not aware of. In this post we will take a look at rare and exotic breeds of dogs which you might not have heard of before. If you are a dog buff or admirer you should know about them to increase your fame among other dog lovers. So, here is the list of dog breeds which you might not have heard of :

1)     Norwegian Lundehund

2)     Catalburun

3)     Xoloitzcuintli

4)     Peruvian Inca orchid

5)     Estrela Mountain dog

Norwegian Lundehund

The Norwegian Lundehund is a small dog breed that originated from the country of Norway. Historically, this breed of dog was selectively bred for the purpose of hunting puffin birds and their eggs for food in the caves and cliffs of the Norwegian coast. The Norwegian Lundehund is quite small in stature, agile and has six toes on each foot enabling it to climb mountains and rocky terrain effortlessly. The dog was crucial to the people of the Scandinavian country who relied on puffin meat during harsh winters because only this dog can retrieve puffins and their nests from small crevices and inaccessible places in the mountains. The breed almost went extinct in the 1960s and is now considered endangered and efforts for preservation of this breed are underway. Today these dogs serve as friends and companions to us humans.

Lifespan : 12-14 Years

Height : Female : 30-36 cm, Male: 33-38 cm

Weight : 6-8 kilograms

Origin : Norway

Catalburun

The Catalburun also known as the Turkish Pointer is a breed of dog native to Turkey specifically bred for the purpose of hunting. It is an extremely rare breed with only a few hundred specimens alive today. The breed is not officially recognized by any kennel clubs although efforts are being taken to officially recognize it as a breed. The most prominent characteristic of the breed which particularly sticks out is its split or forked nose. Due to this unique feature Catalburuns are known to have excellent sense of smell and are able to detect scents both on the ground and in

the air making them exceptional pointers. In modern times Catalburuns have been trained to track narcotic substances, explosives and as search and rescue dogs. Keeping aside their history, they are extremely cute and lovable creatures who would be a wonderful companion.

LIfespan : 10-13 Years

Height : 45-50 cm

Weight : 20-25 Kilograms

Origin : Turkey

Xoloitzcuintli

Couldn’t figure out how to pronounce it? We understand, it is pretty difficult to pronounce. Good thing is that we can call it Xolos for short. This is a really interesting breed of dog originally from the country of Mexico. It is named after the deity named Xolotl, who is believed to have created this breed. Xolotl is a god worshiped by the Aztecs and this breed is closely associated with this deity. Stories say that these dogs were unfortunately killed and buried along with their owners because the tradition believed that they would guide them to the underworld. These dogs come in different sizes and are one of the hairless breeds. Ceramic sculptures of hairless dogs were found nearby burial grounds of ancient west Mexico. This breed of dog was considered sacred by the Aztecs and other closely related civilizations. They are descendents of ancient dog species and have a history that goes back to 3000 years. Judging by their appearance, we must say that they do have a mysterious aura. Today these doggies serve as guard dogs and are as cute and lovable as any other breed.

Lifespan : 12-15 Years

Height : 23-67 cm

Weight : 5-23 Kilograms

Origin : Mexico

Peruvian Inca Orchid

The Peruvian Inca Orchid is a hairless breed of dog native to the country of Peru in South America. These dogs are strongly associated with the cultural heritage of Peru and are known to have been kept since the Inca empire. As part of the Peruvian national identity, they are celebrated in art and literature. Depictions of these hairless Peruvian dogs have been seen in ceramic vessels unearthed from archeological sites. They come in a variety of sizes and different colors including chocolate brown, elephant gray and copper. Apart from this, these dogs are really affectionate, friendly, loyal and would make great companions and a valuable addition to your family.

Lifespan : 11-12 Years

Height : 40-50 cm

Weight : 8-12 Kilograms

Origin : Peru

Estrela Mountain Dog

The Estrela Mountain Dog is a relatively large breed of dog native to the country of Portugal in eastern Europe. It gets its name from the Estrela mountains in Portugal. These dogs are intelligent, affectionate, loyal, protective and caring. They have history dating back centuries and are among the oldest dog breeds in Portugal. For centuries they have been fierce protectors of livestock and have a natural instinct to protect and guard. They have a thick coat of fur to withstand harsh and cold climates and are large enough to fend off predators. They form deep bonds with their human companions and are known to be patient, gentle and caring towards children making them a top choice for families.

Lifespan : 10-12 Years

Height : Female : 62-69 cm, Male : 65-72 cm

Weight : Female : 30-40 Kilograms, Male : 40-50 kilograms

Origin : Portugal

Conclusion

So, have you heard of any of these dog breeds before? Did knowing about these breeds surprise you. Well there are a lot more breeds of dogs that are out there which you may not have heard of but these ones especially shine bright among the crowd. These ones are truly rare and exotic breeds found around the world. Are there any rare breeds which you know which others may not? Tell us in the comments. Also do you want to know about rare cat breeds too? Check out our post on the top five cat breeds you might not have heard of. Thank you for reading!!