16 Weird Dog Breeds (With Pictures)

Dogs Breeds You May Have Never Heard Of

There are hundreds of dog breeds around the world. There are the most common breeds that you might not even be able to go a day without seeing—like a Golden Retriever or a Corgi—and others that you could go your whole life without ever laying eyes on.

Some are just much more rare, while others are usually kept in regions of the world where you may never step foot. In this article, we are going to discuss 16 of the weirder breeds of dogs.

16 Odd Dog Breeds

1. Xoloitzcuintli
2. Komondor
3. Bedlington Terrier
4. Norwegian Lundehund
5. Brussels Griffon
6. Shiba Inu
7. Chinese Crested
8. Bergamasco
9. Chow Chow
10. Tibetan Mastiff
11. Peruvian Inca Orchid
12. Neapolitan Mastiff
13. English Bull Terrier
14. Chinese Shar-Pei
15. Rhodesian Ridgeback
16. Pachon Navarro

1. Xoloitzcuintli (or Mexican Hairless): Nature's Water Bottles

This dog breed has a name that's about as odd as their looks. Formally known as Xoloitzcuintli (try to pronounce that!) or more commonly "Xolo," the Mexican hairless resembles an ancient statue that came to life or perhaps some type of sleek, otherworldly creature (Chupacabra, anyone?).

As the name implies, aside from a tufty Mohawk at the top of the head, this dog breed has little hair, making its dark, part smooth, part wrinkly skin quite apparent. They're like the canine equivalent of a sphinx cat if you will.

The breed's lack of hair provides a necessary respite from the heat of the tropical climates of Central America. It's also helped these dogs avoid pesky parasites like ticks and fleas.

With this breed's weird appearance and mouth that boasts crooked or missing teeth, you won't see these dogs winning anything at beauty shows. Still, they have quite an important reputation in the annals of ancient folklore.

Not many people know that these dogs have a history of being associated with healing powers. There is some half-truth to this, though: Xolos, with their warm bodies, have a history of being used as hot water bottles.

Indeed, these intriguing dogs have a history of being placed in beds with the sick and arthritic to help them heal. Who still believes it's all about looks?

2. The Komondor: The Mop Dog

The Komondor, often affectionately nicknamed the "mop dog," boasts a peculiar coat that may have you wondering about the perks of having a living cleaning tool in your home.

Jokes aside, this breed's unique coat is the result of the hair naturally tangling and forming distinctive white cords that resemble dreadlocks.

While their looks may resemble a mop on four legs, these Hungarian dogs are serious workers with a history of guarding livestock from potential predators such as wolves, coyotes, and feral dogs.

Their coats aren't just there for decoration: their color is meant to allow them to be camouflaged among flocks of sheep, and their density effectively protects these hardworking dogs from the elements.

Additionally, the heavily corded coat also helped protect them from wolf bites.

3. The Bedlington Terrier: A Dog in Sheep Clothing

It's a lamb! It's a sheep! No, it's a Bedlington Terrier!

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This adorable "lambkin" is the Bedlington terrier. They're quite a rare sight, but one that leaves a lasting impact. Just because this dog looks like a lamb doesn't mean they'll act like one. The Bedlington is ultimately a "terrier" at heart, with all its terrier-like traits.

These active, courageous dogs were selectively bred to hunt down rats, rabbits, foxes, and badgers and force them out of their hiding spots, often through the use of their teeth. Despite their history, these dogs make loving companions.

Another unique trait of this dog is the presence of what is known as a "Filbert ear." A Filbert ear is an interesting ear type that is only seen in this breed. It consists of a triangular ear with a distinctive tassel at its tip.

The ear is velvety to the touch, and the tassel at the tip is described as being silky. The term "Filbert" derives from a nut of the hazel family due to its resemblance in shape.

4. The Norwegian Lundehund: The Polydactyl Dog

This breed is as weird as it gets. Imagine a dog with six toes, the ability to close its ears as needed, and the ability to flex its head backward to the point of touching the spine!

No, we are not talking about some odd creatures popping out of a sci-fi movie. We are obviously talking about one of the oddest dog breeds in the world: the Norwegian Lundehund!

A question that likely comes to mind is why this dog needs to have extra toes (this makes it a polydactyl dog, by the way) and such amazing flexibility.

Turns out, there are several good reasons for all these perks and features, and it all dates back to when these dogs were utilized for hunting puffins—seabirds with brightly colored beaks and striking facial markings—commonly found among the rugged coastal cliffs of Norway.

Reaching the treacherous cliffs required a dog with a superior range of motion so as to move around the narrow spaces with ease. Flexing the head backward, hugging the cliffs with the front legs, and holding a good grip with their toes were necessary actions reminiscent of an acrobat.

Truly, this dog breed, with its unique traits, is a marvel of nature!

5. The Brussels Griffon: The "Ewok" Dog

This dog breed has often been nicknamed the "Ewok dog" due to its close resemblance to the Star Wars creatures.

The resemblance is attributed to this dog breed's expressive face, which is blessed with prominent eyes and distinct fur, as well as a rough-looking coat and its small size.

Like other small terrier dogs, the Brussel Griffon's history involved hunting down critters, more precisely rats, from the stables of coachmen during the 19th century.

While this breed drastically suffered after the First and Second World Wars, it saw a resurgence following the Jack Nicholson movie As Good as It Gets in the 1990s, which featured a Brussel Griffon named Verdell.

6. The Shiba Inu: The Red Fox Dog

While the Shiba Inu resembles a red fox, dogs and foxes are different species, and therefore, they are not genetically related. Dogs have 78 chromosomes (39 pairs), while the red fox has 38 chromosomes (19 pairs).

The Shiba Inu is an ancient breed. This breed has a history of being used for hunting small and large animals by using its sense of smell and vision in the dense undergrowth of Japan's mountainous areas.

While this dog breed can come in three main coat colors, the orange-red with urajiro (areas with cream to white fur) is preferred as it gives this dog breed a fox-like appearance.

Many Shiba Inu owners report that their dogs share several traits in common with cats. They're described as independent and fastidiously clean, and you may see them lick themselves as if they were a cat!

7. The Chinese Crested: The "Ugly" Dog

No dog really deserves to be called ugly, but ugly dog contests do exist! The most popular one is held yearly in Petaluma, California.

When judges are forced to pick a dog that is less pretty than others, a Chinese Crested is often the winner.

This is likely because Chinese Crested dogs are, for a good part, hairless (other than some random hairs here and there), have overcrowded or missing teeth, and some are prone to blindness.

Sam was a Chinese Crested who was proclaimed three-times champion of the annual ugly dog contest held at the Sonoma-Marin Fair.

8. The Bergamasco: The Felted Dog

While the Komondor sports "cords," the Bergamasco dog sports "flocks." Flocks consist of strands of hair that are tightly weaved together, creating flat layers of what looks like felted hair.

This dog's hairdo isn't there for decoration; like in the Komondor, it actually carries several functional roles.

A Bergamasco's flocks protect this dog from the elements. This heavy coat keeps these dogs toasty in the winter and cooler in the heat of summer.

As in the Komondor, the flocks protected these dogs from any potential bites from wolves, along with potential insect bites. Ticks can hardly penetrate this dog's coat to reach the skin.

9. The Chow Chow: The Blue Tongued Dog

There are a few animals on this planet known for having blue tongues: giraffes, the blue-tongued skink, and the polar bear are a few of the animals that come to mind.

But did you know that Chow Chows are known for sporting blue tongues? To be exact, there is also another dog breed known for its blue tongue, the Chinese Shar-pei, but the Chow Chow deserves a spot of honor in the Weird Dog Club because it has some other unique traits—their so-called "scowl" and a characteristic tilted gait.

The reason why Chow Chows have blue-black tongues remains a mystery, and no genetic explanation has been found; however, legendary explanations have been passed down for generations.

10. The Tibetan Mastiff: The Most Expensive Dog

Is it a bear? Is it a lion? No, it's a Tibetan Mastiff! What makes this dog join the weird dog breed list is its impressive size and intimidating looks.

These imposing looks are reminiscent of this breed's past. Indeed, Tibetan Mastiffs are considered a primitive breed blessed with hardy traits that allowed them to survive life in Tibet and other high-altitude Himalayan regions.

Standing up to 19 inches at the shoulder and weighing well over 100 pounds, Tibetans will make any intruder think twice before entering an home. There's a belief that this breed is the progenitor of all modern mastiffs. And some specimens may weigh even up to 180 pounds!

Unique traits include that females are only in heat once a year, puppies are born in December/January, and they're capable of adapting to the low oxygen levels of high altitudes. On top of that, they're belived to be the most expensive dog in the world.

11. The Peruvian Inca Orchid: The Flower Dog

This is another ancient dog breed that originated in Peru. Like the Chinese crested, this breed can be hairless (other than a few tufts of hair located on the head, legs and tail) and its dentition is incomplete.

Pottery and textiles from 750 AD from the Chimú, Moche, and Vicus cultures portray this breed. Like the Mexican hairless, these dogs were used as water bottle surrogates to help heal achy joints and arthritis. This breed's urine and feces were even believed to have healing properties!

Intriguing traits are, of course, their hairlessness that is sometimes coupled with some unpigmented areas on the skin, giving them a gray and pink mottled appearance.

This dog breed's nickname, the flower dog, derives from the fact that they were found in the Inca homes amidst their orchids.

12. Neapolitan Mastiff: The Gargoyle of the Estate

A Neapolitan Mastiff is not a common sight, but if you ever encounter one, know that you can't walk past one without being captivated by their sheer size and unique appearance.

These fellows are so wrinkly, you'll literally see their skin roll as they move around. The most distinguishing wrinkles are concentrated on the head, making them resemble gargoyles, the traditional eerie creatures commonly found in Gothic architecture featuring creatures carved out of stone.

Neapolitan mastiffs have been known for being used as loyal estate and farm guardians. According to the American Kennel Club's book The Complete Dog Book it may be possible southern Italian farmers purposely bred "an alarmingly ugly dog, whose looks alone were enough to repulse any intruder."

13. The English Bull Terrier: The Egg-Head Dog

While some Chihuahuas have deer heads and other Chihuahuas have apple heads, the English Bull Terrier is known for sporting an egg-head.

But what in the world is an egg-head? As one may deduce, it's a head that is curved and shaped like an egg, or for those sport fans out there, a rugby or American football, if you will.

The egg-head in tandem this breed's characteristic triangular eyes, and you end up with what's considered this breed's signature "varminty" expression.

14. The Chinese Shar-Pei: The Hippo Dog

Like the Chow Chow, the Chinese Shar Pei sports a bluish-black tonogue, but one distinctive feature that really stands out is this dog breed's resemblance with a hippopotamus. This hippo look is granted by the Shar Pei's muzzle shape which gives them a unique look not seen in any other breed.

On top of the hippopotamus look, this breed is blessed with generous wrinkles, which are particularly noticeable during puppyhood.

Another peculiar trait is their skin which has a prickly feel. The breed standard describes it as being extremely harsh and one of the distinguishing features of the breed.

15. The Rhodesian Ridgeback: The Dog With Ridges

As the name implies, this dog breed is known for a characteristic ridge found on the back. Not to be confused with a dog's raised hackles, the ridge is a unique trait that consists hairs growing on the dog's back in the opposite direction.

On top of presenting as a line, the ridges also boast two crowns (hair whorls) located opposite of each other.

Originating in South Africa, breeders started to notice a common trend: specimens with a ridge on their back had a tendency of making excellent hunters.

The ridge is present on these dogs' back from the day puppies are born. Nowadays, the ridge is such an important feature in this breed that a ridgeless Rhodesian is considered a serious fault.

16. The Pachon Navarro: The Split Nose Dog

As odd as it may sound, there is a dog breed that sports a peculiar split nose—the dog's nostrils are split by a band of skin. Seeing is believing, so the best way to understand their split nose is by examining a photo or getting up close and personal.

Don't expect this dog breed though to show up at Crufts Dog Show, as this breed is quite rare and you'll be unlikely to spot one unless you happen to visit Spain.

Also known as Navarra pointer, the Pachon Navarro's nose was once believed to be a sign of a superior sense of smell, but this remains, for the most part, anecdotal.

On top of the Pachon Navarro, there are other dog breeds known for their split noses, namely the rare Catalburun of Turkey, the Andean tiger hound of Bolivia (which most likely descends from the Pachon Navarro), and the Tarsus fork-nose of Turkey.

What's Your Pick?

Now that you've read a bit and seen pictures of 16 of the weirdest dog breeds out there, I'm curious to know which one is the most memorable to you. You can vote for your favorite weird dog breed in the poll below!

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© 2024 Adrienne Farricelli CPDT-KA, Dip.CBST