Members of the canine population are just adorable creatures but some are more striking than the rest. We have seen the cutesiest of them all, the most energetic, gigantic, and gorgeous, however, there is a distinct group of these creatures that are known as the exotic dog breeds. For this piece, we have gathered the most unbelievable of canine breeds to ever exist in this world. From a breed sporting a natural Mohawk to another with a living dreadlocked cotton furball, this list of canine breeds extraordinaire will surely sweep you off the ground.
Table of Contents
1. Azawakh
Though the Azawakh formerly functioned as a sighthound, this breed of canine of West African origin has now been relegated to the role of a camp guardian which is a more secondary function. The breed is indigenous to Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. Its general appearance will always elicit questions like, what type of dog is that? The standard coat color of the Azawakh can be black, dark fawn, blue fawn, brindle, grizzle, or clear sand.
Life expectancy for the breed ranges from 10 to 12 years and the adult can weigh from 15 to 25 kg. Temperament-wise, this proud member of exotic dog breeds can be affectionate, refined, attentive, aloof, rugged, and fierce.
2. Catalburun
Catalburun Is among the exotic dog breeds and is also one of the three breeds of dogs that come with a split nose feature. The dog is completely unheard of outside its native Turkey and is known for its stamina and agility. The breed comes in medium size with an athletic build and a deep chest complemented by an elongated straight whip-like tail and the typical pointer droopy ears.
Its short coat is often seen in white with flecks or patches of tan, liver, brown, or black. The shape of the skull is best described as classic with a nose that appears to be double because the two nostrils are separated by a deep cleft. The dog comes with a long muzzle.
3. Puli Dog
One look at the fur and you would know why the pull belongs to the exotic dog breeds. Puli is a small to the medium-sized dog of Hungarian origin used for livestock guarding and herding. The dog’s long, corded coat can be black, white, cream, brindle, brown, or silver, and is bathed in tight curls that appear like dreadlocks. Life expectancy for the Puli is 12 to 16 years and it comes with a height of 39–45 cm for the male and 36–42 cm for the female. The dog is energetic, obedient, agile, intelligent, faithful, and loyal.
4. Bergamasco Shepherd
This furball of Italian origin is also one of the exotic dog breeds you wouldn’t believe are of this earth. The Bergamasco Shepherd is native to the Alps near Bergamo where it formerly functioned as a herding pup. The canine is intelligent, vigilant, patient, and determined, as well as known to live up to 13 to 15 years. Height for the male ranges from 58–62 cm and they weigh from 32 to 38 kg, the female weighs 26–32 kg and stands at 54–58 cm in height.
5. Borzoi
Also known as the Walking Cloud or the Russian wolfhound, the Borzoi is indigenous to Russia and Belarus. The standard coat color for the Borzoi can be white, black, brindle, cream, fawn, or red. This dog breed is independent and athletic in nature with an intelligent, respectful, gentle, and quiet disposition. It can live from 7 to 10 years and weigh 25–40 kg for the female that can stand at 66 cm at the shoulder. The shoulder length for the male is 75 – 85 cm with 34–47 kg in body mass.
6. Neapolitan Mastiff
Mastino Napoletano or Neapolitan Mastiff is a large breed from Central Italy with a stubborn, fearless, trainable, protective, dominant, and obedient nature. This exotic dog breed can come in brindle, black, blue, tawny, or mahogany coat and can live from 8 to 10 years. Bodyweight for the male can go from 60 to 70 kg and 63 to 77 cm for height, while the female stands from 58 to 70 cm and weighs 50–60 kg.
7. Bedlington Terrier
Another member of the exotic dog breeds is the Bedlington Terrier which took its name from the mining town of Bedlington located in Northumberland North East England. The hound is an intelligent affectionate, good-tempered, and spirited dog originally used for vermin hunting but now functions as a racing dog amid other dog sports.
The coat can come in blue & tan, liver, liver & tan, and sandy & tan. Life expectancy ranges from 12 to 14 years and the male can weigh 7.7–10 kg with 41–44 cm in height. The female can stand 38–42 cm tall while also weighing 7.7–10 kg.
8. Catahoula Leopard Dog
The exotic designs on this breed make it stand out from others. The Catahoula Leopard dog is American by origin and took its name from the Catahoula Parish in Louisiana. The pup’s temperament is best described as energetic, intelligent, inquisitive, independent, gentle, and loving, and the coat can be realized as brindle, black, black merle, red merle, red or yellow. The life span for the Catahoula can range from 10 to 14 years and the female stands 51–61 cm tall weighing 16–45 kg while the male of the species weighs 16–48 kg with a height of 56–58 cm.
9. Peruvian Inca Orchid
It is hard to talk about exotic dog breeds without including the Peruvian Inca Orchid. The breed is native to Peru and is also called the Peruvian Hairless dog, naked dog, the Peruvian Viringo, or Chimú dog. It comes in white, black, tan, brown, grey, and pink coats. The dog is known to be lively, intelligent, affectionate, noble, alert, and protective. Majorly raised as a pet, the Peruvian Inca Orchid is of medium size – 8–12 kg for the adult, and life expectancy is 11–12 years.
10. Löwchen
Also referred to as the Little Lion dog, the Löwchen dog is a breed that must appear on the list of exotic dog breeds as its existence completely challenges the laws of dog breed physics. In fact, the pup is comparable to a magic trick that has spiraled in an unsuspecting direction. Its physical attributes can be best described as a mesh of a Chinese Crested and a Terrier.
This active, intelligent, playful, friendly, familial, and happy pup is among the rarest dog breeds worldwide. The coat can be cream, black, chocolate, black & silver, and black & tan. Bodyweight for the male is from 5–8 kg with a height that ranges from 33–36 cm, the female stands 30–33 cm tall, weighing 4–6 kg. Life expectancy for the Löwchen is 12–14 years
11. Paisley Terrier
Though now extinct, the Paisley Terrier is indigenous to Scotland. It belonged to the breeds of Terrier which were bred to function as a pet, as well as a show dog version of the Skye Terrier. The present-day Yorkshire Terrier has the Paisley Terrier as its progenitor and the dog was usually called silky.
12. Caucasian Ovcharka
The Caucasian Ovcharka is a breed that is considered too big to exist. This dense double-coated hound with a furry tail is indigenous to the rugged Caucasus Mountain region located between Asia and Europe. It is a shaggy dog used for sheep herding, domestic companion, show dog, and property guard.
The exotic dog breed is sweet, steady, and kind to family members, including kids and other pets but regards strangers with suspicion which brings its aggressive traits to the fore. The Ovcharka is a light sleeper that takes its guardian role very seriously and has the tendency to alert people to possible danger by barking at night.
13. Xoloitzcuintle
Also called the Mexican hairless dog, the Xoloitzcuintle comes in three sizes – toy, miniature, as well as standard. A single litter can give rise to a variety of puppies both coated and hairless with their colors coming in black, fawn, brindle, dark brown, bronze, and copper & white. This intelligent, cheerful, compassionate, alert, calm, and protective dog can live from 12 to 15 years.
Read Also: Dogo Argentino: Breed Facts And All You Need To Know
14. Bichon Frise
The UK classifies the Bichon Frise breed of dogs as a member of the toy dog group while the Americans see it as a member of the non-sporting group of dogs. This miniature breed can only grow to a max height of 23–30 cm, though this is only possible with the males of the species. The female can only make it to 28 cm in height but both sexes weigh between 3 and 5 kg. Talking about temperament, the Bichon Frise is considered to be affectionate, feisty, playful, cheerful, gentle, as well as sensitive. They can survive up to 12 years, but we have seen some that thrived to 15 years of age.
15. Shar Pei
Known for its blue-black tongue and deep wrinkles on the coat, the Shar Pei completes our list of exotic dog breeds. This rough short-coated pup can come in fawn, black, cream, lilac, red, and sand colors, as well as known to be affectionate, suspicious, reserved, devoted, loving, and independent. The breed can live from 9 to 11 years. Height for both the male and the females can go from 46–51 cm with the female weighing 18–25 kg while the male comes a bit heavier at 25–30 kg.
Recap Of Exotic Dog Breeds
- Azawakh
- Catalburun
- Puli Dog
- Bergamasco Shepherd
- Borzoi
- Neapolitan Mastiff
- Bedlington Terrier
- Catahoula Leopard Dog
- Peruvian Inca Orchid
- Löwchen
- Paisley Terrier
- Caucasian Ovcharka
- Xoloitzcuintle
- Bichon Frise
- Shar Pei