Newest Dog Breeds You've Probably Never Heard Of

Originating in Italy and bred as a guard dog, the Cane corso is described by the AKC as a peerless protector. This dog is intelligent, loyal, and docile in the company of its owners. However, that docility may not extend to others, and the cane corso requires intensive socialization and training.

Known as the “Dog of the Vikings,” the Icelandic sheepdog is a spitz type with a foxy face and friendly expression. Spitz characteristics include pointy ears and a bushy tail. The Icelandic sheepdog can have a long or short coat, but both types are thick and weatherproof. A true herding dog, it is athletic and very active.

The Leonberger was popularized by Heinrich Essig of Leonberg, Germany, in the 1800s. This very large breed caught the attention of artists and celebrities and was even used in theater productions in the U.S. It almost went extinct after World War I but was revived in Europe and re-established in America in the 1970s and 1980s.

Bred to hunt raccoons and foxes, American English coonhounds have been around for centuries. George Washington, an avid fox hunter, may have been the first in the U.S. to have one. They are great hunters and can follow their prey up a tree.

The Cesky terrier was first bred in 1949 by a Czech geneticist, who started with Scottish and Sealyham terriers. This little hunting dog has a long body and short legs. The Cesky terrier comes in two colors: blue-gray and light brown. It has a lot of facial hair and a long coat that requires regular grooming.

Originating in Switzerland, the Entlebucher was used to herd cattle in the Alps. It is small, muscular, athletic, and agile. The Entlebucher has a beautiful coat — black with symmetrical white and tan markings — that requires minimum upkeep.

The Finnish lapphund is an ancient breed that was used by indigenous people to herd reindeer. It has a tendency to bark, which makes it a good watchdog but also means it requires careful training. The lapphund is used as a therapy dog and in search and rescue.

Also known as the Norwegian puffin dog, this breed was originally used to retrieve birds from steep cliffs on remote islands. It not only has extraordinary climbing abilities, but also some unique physical characteristics, including at least six toes on each foot and a remarkably flexible neck that enables it to turn around in narrow caves.

The Xoloitzcuintli was named after an Aztec god — the Aztecs revered the breed and believed it to have healing powers. One of the world’s most ancient breeds, it was actually registered with the AKC from 1887 to 1959 as the Mexican hairless dog, but was dropped because of insufficient numbers being bred and registered. The Xoloitzcuintl was subsequently revived and officially recognized in 2011.

The Russell terrier breed originated in England and was developed in Australia. It is a strong working dog and requires lots of exercise. It is also very intelligent and good at tricks. The Russell terrier has a weatherproof coat that can be smooth, broken, or rough.

The treeing walker coonhound is another dog that was bred to hunt raccoons. In fact, it has been called the “people’s choice” of coonhounds. Its name — treeing walker coonhound — may be misleading as it is a very strong runner and has a competitive character.

The official state dog of New Hampshire, the Chinook was developed as a sled dog by polar explorer Arthur Treadwell Walden in the early 1900s. One of the pups in the first litter was named Chinook, and today all of the members of this rare breed are descended from him.

The podengo was bred as a hunting dog in its native Portugal and was well adapted to harsh terrain. It was also used by explorers to rid ships of vermin and to catch game when they made landfall. The breed comes in pequeno (small), medio (medium), and grande (large) sizes. It can have a wire coat or a smooth coat, the latter more popular historically.

The rat terrier was bred to hunt vermin and for farm work. It is energetic and needs exercise. It is intelligent and trainable and does well in agility and obedience events. Its coat has a pied pattern that comes in various colors in combination with white.

The coton de Tulear is also known as the “Royal Dog of Madagascar.” Coton is the French word for cotton, which the breed’s white coat resembles, and Tulear is a town in Madagascar. Coton de Tulear is a companion dog, an AKC designation that certifies a dog is able to perform obedience tasks. It is small but sturdy, with an expressive face and a hypoallergenic coat.

The wirehaired vizsla was first developed in Hungary in the 1930s. Hunters wanted a dog with the traits of the vizsla breed, but heavier and with a wiry coat to better suit the rough conditions. The breed was imported to North America in the 1970s and appealed to sportsmen who wanted a good but different gundog. The breed’s distinguishing features include its beard and eyebrows.

Though the Bergamasco is a sheepdog with origins in the Middle East, it has long been associated with, and gets its name from, the town of Bergamo in the Italian Alps. The breed’s most distinctive feature is its coat, which consists of hair of three different textures layered over its body and legs. This protects it from the elements and from predators.

The berger Picard is one of the oldest French sheepdog breeds. It needs a lot of exercise but should be kept on a leash as it has a vigorous prey drive. A berger Picard was featured in the movie “Because of Winn-Dixie” and the Berger Picard Club of North America was formed shortly after the film’s premiere in 2005.

The boerboel was developed as a farm dog in South Africa. It is a mastiff type, strong and muscular in appearance, and can weigh up to 200 pounds. It is also dominant, so new owners should have experience handling large dogs.

The Cirneco dell’Etna is a rabbit-hunting dog found all over Sicily, including the area around the volcano from which it takes its name. It is an ancient breed that has changed little over the years. It has good scent, sight, and hearing and is free from inherited health problems.

The lagotto Romagnolo originated in Italy, where it has been used to hunt waterfowl and truffles. Its hunting skills mean it has also been used in search and rescue. The lagotto Romagnolo can be shy, so socialization is very important, particularly during the early weeks of its life. As a working dog it needs regular mental stimulation and physical exercise.

The miniature American shepherd was developed in California in the 1960s and was originally called the miniature Australian shepherd. It has been used to herd small stock such as sheep and goats, and its own small size and temperament makes it a good household pet and travel companion.

Despite its name, this isn’t really a water dog but was developed to herd and protect livestock. In fact, it will herd anything that moves — even children! The Spanish water dog has a curly coat that covers its entire body, including its eyes, giving it a resemblance to the poodle.

This breed first appeared in 1972, when a hairless puppy was born in a litter of rat terriers in Louisiana. A breeding program of the hairless pup led ultimately to registration by the AKC in 2016. In fact, it’s the first hairless breed to have originated in the U.S. The lack of hair means it’s not suitable for hunting or ratting, but it does make an excellent watchdog.

The pumi was originally bred in Hungary to herd sheep and semi-wild livestock in rugged conditions. It is very energetic and excels at dog sports. It doesn’t shed, but it does need regular brushing and combing. The pumi is relatively rare in the U.S., where only a few litters are born each year.

The sloughi, also known as the Arabian greyhound, is a sighthound breed that originated in North Africa. Similar dogs were prized in ancient Egypt and given as tributes to the Pharaohs. The sloughi is known for its speed, agility, and endurance, and it is relentless in pursuing prey.

The grand basset griffon Vendéen is a scenthound that originated in the Vendée region of France. It has a shaggy coat, complemented by a shaggy moustache, beard, and eyebrows. It is a low-set dog with short legs, bred so that hunters on foot could keep up with it.

The Nederlandse kooikerhondje is known as the “little white and orange dog with a big heart” because of its color and temperament. It was used by hunters to lure ducks into cages. It might have died out but for the efforts of a Dutch noblewoman, Baronesse von Hardenbroek van Ammerstol, during and after World War II. The breed was officially recognized by the Raad van Beheer (the Dutch equivalent of AKC) in 1971.

The Azawakh is a sighthound and a sprinter that originated in West Africa. It was used by Tuareg nomads to hunt hare, antelope, wild boar, and other prey, to protect camps and flocks, and it was regarded as a member of the family. The Azawakh is a lean dog with long legs and a very fine coat.

This French water dog was used to locate, flush, and retrieve birds hundreds of years ago, but it was only recognized by the AKC this year. Its defining characteristic is a dense curly coat that runs the full length of its body to the tip of its tail. The barbet is athletic, intelligent, adaptable and devoted — in short a versatile dog.

As its name suggests, the Dogo Argentino originated in Argentina. The breed was created by Antonio Nores Martinez, a doctor with a passion for dogs and for hunting. It is a powerful and athletic dog with a short, completely white coat. It is used to hunt wild boars and other formidable game and is very protective of those it loves. It is sometimes called the Argentinian mastiff.

The latest breed to gain recognition is the Belgian Laekenois, pronounced lak-in-wah. The Laekenois was added in July 2020. This dog makes for a great pet but needs more exercise than most dogs. Of the four officially recognized Belgian herding breeds, the Laekenois is the rarest. There have been fewer than 400 in the U.S. since 1995.