This is my pick of the top 29 most beautiful rare dog breeds.
#1 Afghan Hound
The Afghan Hound is well-known for its striking beauty and long coat.
It first appeared in the United States in 1926.
#2 Xoloitzcuintli
Xoloitzcuintli, or Xolos, originated in Mexico over 3,000 years ago.
There are only about 1,000 Xolos in the United States.
#3 Löwchen
The Löwchen has a history as a companion dog to the wealthy and elite.
In the late 60’s, the Löwchen was listed in the Guinness Book of Records as the rarest breed.
#4 Norwegian Lundehund
The Norwegian lundehund is a small to medium non-sporting dog breed that has an extraordinary physical balance due to its six toes on each foot. There are no more than 3,000 Norwegian Lundehunds in the world.
#5 Azawakh
The Azawakh is a breed of dog from West Africa that is capable of reaching speeds of 40 miles per hour. In 2024, AKC ranked them as the fifth-rarest breed in the US.
#6 Otterhound
The Otterhound is an English dog breed that is known for its incredibly rare status as an endangered breed. In 2012, there were around 600 otterhounds in the world.
#7 Skye Terrier
It is a medium-sized terrier breed from the Isle of Skye in Scotland. In 2020, the Skye Terrier Club estimated that only 5,000 remain.
Editor’s Pick
#8 Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a Scottish dog breed with a double coat. It is the only breed of dog to be named after a character from fiction. It is put on its list of vulnerable native breeds.
#9 Cesky Terrier
The Cesky Terrier is a calm and affable breed that originates from the Czech Republic. There are fewer than 600 dogs to be found in the US.
#10 Polish Lowland Sheepdog
The Polish Lowland Sheepdog is a medium-sized dog that originated in Poland. There are only an estimated 1,500 to 2,000 Polish Lowland Sheepdogs in the US.
#11 Bergamasco Sheepdog
The Bergamasco sheepdog is a very ancient Alpine breed. The Bergamasco is classed as a rare dog breed.
#12 Finnish Spitz
The Finnish Spitz originated in Russia and descends directly from the natural stock without cross-breeding. The Finnish Spitz is a rare dog breed in North America.
#13 Italian Greyhound
The Italian Greyhound comes originally from the Mediterranean region. As far as I know, it was bred as a companion to the nobility. You won’t see them every day.
#14 Borzoi
Borzoi is a breed of large hound developed in Russia to pursue wolves. Borzois are relatively rare.
#15 Sloughi
The Sloughi’s origins can be traced to the region of North Africa. Sloughis remain rare outside of their native region.
#16 Great Dane
The Great Dane is a mastiff-sighthound that descends from hunting dogs. You should know that the Blue Great Danes are rare because recessive genes cause their coat color.
#17 Silken Windhound
The Silken Windhound is an American breed of sighthound. It was first developed in Texas in the 1980s.
#18 Saluki
The Saluki was once considered the “Royal Dog of Egypt.”
#19 Whippet
The Whippet is a British breed of dog of sighthound type. The rarest Whippet color is dun.
#20 Catahoula Leopard Dog
It is an American dog breed named after Catahoula Parish, Louisiana. Red Catahoula leopard dogs are very rare.
#21 Chinook
The Chinook is a sled dog known for its patience.
#22 Canaan Dog
The Canaan dog is a breed of herding dog developed in Israel in the 20th century. It is the national dog of Israel. Around 2,000 to 5,000 dogs are living worldwide.
#23 Lagotto Romagnolo
The Lagotto Romagnolo is an Italian breed of dog that was used as a gun dog. The Lagotto Romagnolo is a rare breed in the United States. The breed nearly became extinct in the 1970s.
#24 Hovawart
The Hovawart is a medium to large-sized German dog breed that is difficult to find in the US. It was bred by German barons as a watchdog, guard of cattle and farms.
#25 Estrela Mountain Dog
It was first bred in the mountains of Serra da Estrela, in what is now Portugal. The Estrela Mountain Dog is used by the Marine and Portuguese Police.
#26 American English Coonhound
The American English Coonhound is descended from hunting hounds. The UKC first recognized it in 1905.
#27 Ibizan Hound
The breed has origins in the Balearic Islands. The wirehaired Ibizan Hound coat type is less common.
#28 Cirneco dell’Etna
The Cirneco dell’Etna is an Italian breed of hunting dog from Sicily.
#29 Biewer Terrier
The Biewer Terrier originated in Germany in 1984. It was recognized by the AKC in 2021.