Do you consider yourself a dog breed know-it-all? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! Many of us dog lovers are pretty darn good at recognizing dog breeds but there has come a time or two when we get stumped. Your left completely dumbfounded and end up spending the next few hours (or days even) racking your brain about what that dog was sitting with the man on the bench! Perhaps, it may have been one of the following rare dog breeds that you were lucky enough to see. Let us know in the comments if you have seen any of them, what was your first thought, and which ones do you like the best.

Stabyhoun

These dogs are just as adorable as their name indicates and are among the top five rarest dog breeds in the world. They hail from Friesland so are conditioned to extreme cold. They have several different skills including guarding property, catching vermin, and hunting. Most commonly, however, they are used to retrieve water and as loving, friendly pets.

Lagotto Romagnolo

The name meaning “lake dog from Romagna”, was appropriately given since this beautiful breed is from the small sub-region of Italy. The water retriever is a friendly and easy to train breed that is now the only purebred dog used in Italy to hunt truffles. Due to their wonderful temperament, they also make fabulous companion dogs, show dogs, and therapy dogs.

Czechoslovakian Wolfdog

Another little-known breed is the Czechoslovakian Wolfdog aka Czechoslovakian Vicak (Czech for German Shepherd). This handsome dog may be the closest you can get to a real-life Direwolf, a breed made popular by the television show Game of Thrones. This breed is the result of an experiment by the Czech military mating a German Shepherd with a Carpathian wolf. Like most wolf-hybrids, they are not recommended as pets, especially in households with children.

Kooikerhondje

Yes, we know, just call them Kooiker for short. This adorable breed is rapidly gaining popularity after actually going extinct after World War II. They were revived by the enthusiasts of the breed and we can certainly understand why. The Kooiker is an extremely charming, affectionate, and happy breed. The medium-small stature is also appealing for those looking for an easy to maintain furry companion. The Dutch spaniel even appeared in paintings by Rembrandt and Jan Steen.

We hope you enjoyed the first part of our series on rare dog breeds. Like any pet, it is always advised to do extensive research before adopting or obtaining a dog. A dog is a lifetime commitment that should be treated like any other family member. Make sure you will be able to care for your dog now and in the future. Shop Pupaholic for all your pet clothing and pet supply needs.

Image credit: American Kennel Club