5 Dog Breeds You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

Dog breeds are more than just the commonplace golden retriever, Siberian husky, or Shih Tzu. There’s actually a whole range of dog breeds that are rare or pretty hard to see when they’re outside their native homeland. If you’ve ever been curious to know more about these breeds, come check them out.

Leonberger

A gentle giant worthy of being called a family dog, the Leonberger may scare first-time onlookers with its 28-30in height. This German working dog has a strong build and thick double coat, making it perfect for taking on difficult tasks in harsh environments. Nowadays, however, the Leonberger’s affectionate and kind nature had made it more of a companion dog.

Catahoula Leopard Dog

Spotted and beautifully colored, the Catahoula leopard dog is a hunting-type dog that originated from Catahoula Parish, Louisiana. You’ll be surprised when you see its unique leopard-like spotted coat in colors like blue merle, red merle, and brindle. This dog is lively and energetic, which works well with its job as a hunting dog and search and rescue dog.

Bergamasco Shepherd

You may have caught a peek at this type of canine in the media before, but we’re sure you’ve never heard its name. The Bergamasco shepherd is 70-80lbs of Italian sheepdog that hails from the frigid Italian Alps. Its defining characteristic is its coarse, matted, and tangled hair, a trait necessary for herding livestock in cold weather.

Presa Canario

The Presa Canario is probably one of the most intimidating dogs you’ll ever lay your eyes on. This Spanish dog is characterized by its massive body and heavy build. Not surprisingly, it’s been used as a guard dog, herding dog, and even fighting dog in the past.

Swedish Vallhund

This Scandavanian cattle dog is small in stature but strong in every other aspect as its main tasks are to herd, watch, and guard. It’s an old breed, dating all the way back to the Viking era, and is also very closely related to the Corgi. Whether the Corgi was brought to Sweden or the Swedish Vallhund to England, no one really knows.