25 Most Bizarre Dog Breeds

Bred in the 19th century as a fighting dog, the Bull Terrier looks pretty darn intimidating. However, they’re actually said to be quite friendly and good family dogs. The most bizarre part of this breed is the dog’s weird, egg-shaped head.

The Fila Brasileiro, also known as the Brazillian Mastiff, was bred to be a hunting dog. It also serves as a guard dog and works with livestock. Oh, and did we mention it can also hunt big game like jaguars? You don’t want to mess with this dog. They’re faithful to a fault and hate being touched by strangers.

Raised in Hungary to herd sheep, the Mudi is extremely fast and has a distinct thick coat. While some are all black, others can have a rare color called “cifra” which is a dark and light grey that can have a spotted or marble texture.

The Catahoula Leopard Dog can also have a marble texture with spots, giving it a unique appearance. Bred in Northern Louisiana to herd pigs, they are good family dogs who are both protective and affectionate.

There’s a good reason they’re called the New Guinea Singing Dog. Their howl is unlike anything you’ve probably ever heard before, but unless you watch a video of it, you’re unlikely to hear it in person. They are exceptionally rare wild dogs in New Guinea.

The Lagotto Romagnolo is a unique breed in Italy that was almost extinct until a group of dog lovers were able to keep it going. It has a unique, thick coat of curly hair and is specially bred to hunt waterfowl and the truffle.

The Otterhound was bred to do exactly what it names suggests, to hunt otter. Which, of all the animals to hunt, otter seems like a weird choice. This breed has a strong nose and exceptionally long, shaggy hair.

Big, wrinkly, and ugly as all get out, the Neapolitan Mastiff was bred to be a guard dog but is today considered a “gentle giant.”

The Affenpinscher is a tiny companion dog originally bred to be ratters. But, let’s be honest, they look like Ewoks from Star Wars.

The Thai Ridgeback is a primitive breed of dog from Thailand that was used for hunting and pulling carts. Though, like most primitive breeds, they’re very difficult to train.

With six toes on each foot, both double jointed, the Norwegian Lundehund is a very bizarre dog, indeed. Originally, it was used to rob puffins nests of their eggs and scale cliffs. This breed also has pretty amazing acrobatic talents with a wide range of motion.

Another Ewok-look-alike, the Brussels Griffon is a former Belgian street dog bred to hunt rats. This breed has quite the intelligence and sense of humor, keeping its owners on their toes.

Looking like a pile of wrinkly laundry with a face, the Shar Pei was bred to guard, hunt, and fight, but it’s now just a beloved companion for many owners.

This primitive dog breed from Tibet is known for its poofy coat especially on the top of its head. It was bred to guard livestock but today is popularly used as a show dog.

The Phu Quoc Ridgeback is a very rare breed of dog from the island of Phu Quoc in Vietnam. Since it’s been isolated on an island for so long, it has a strong, pure bloodline. It gets the name Ridgeback due to the distinctive coat of hair that runs down its back; the hair grows in the opposite direction of the rest of its coat.

The Azawakh breed comes from the Sahara Desert and is a tall and thin dog with very long legs. They’re hunting dogs, loyal and rather protective of their homes.

With an unusually long nose, the Russian Borzoi looks more like an ant-eater than a dog. They were bred and raised to be hunting dogs and would hunt in packs of three to go after rabbits, foxes, and wolves. Much later, they became royal companions.

Good luck pronouncing that name! It’s also called the Mexican Hairless Dog and is considered to be descended from the first dogs to set paw on North American soil. People love to cuddle with them because of the heat that emanates from their body.

The Pumi is a newer breed but also rare with few litters born in the United States. It originated in Hungary and comes from the Puli breed (number 5).

Looking like it just got a perm at the hair salon, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier was bred to hunt otters and badgers. It’s a calm and reserved breed, considered “the gentleman of the terrier family.”

The Puli breed has a thick, wooly coat; it’s hard to believe they can see through it. But, don’t be fooled, it’s a tough herding dog and is often seen at dog shows.

The Bergamasco is a sheepdog that also happens to look like large walking carpet. Its long cords of hair are like nothing we’ve ever seen before.

There’s no easy way to say it, but the Bedlington Terrier looks like a space alien. With its thick, curly coat and flappy skinned ears, this breed was once used to hunt rats and today is used in dog shows.

Bred to be an invalid’s companion, the Chinese Crested is good at its job, practically capable of reading minds. However, its bizarre outward appearance might take you aback.

The Peruvian Inca Orchid, also called the Quechua, derives from the Andes. It’s name means dog without vestments or naked dog, and while it can have a coat of hair, many do not. Those without a coat of hair might have a tiny spot of hair on the top of its head. Lively and alert, they are also good hunting dogs.