A list of dog breeds that possess strange behaviors, appearances and habitats.
Dogs are such beautiful and unique animals, no wonder, they are seen in most houses as guardian dogs, hunting companions or just simply pets. But did you know that there are some dog breeds that are rare, strange or possess something unique. Here is a list of 10 dogs that have those qualities:
Bulldogs
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A Bulldog traces its roots to England. It has a smooth, short coat and may come in different colors such as: red, white and fawn. An adult male bulldog averages about 55 lbs. Dogs have around 100 different facial expressions, much of these are made with the ears. But did you know that bulldogs can only make 10 facial expressions, the reason is due to their breeding.
Chow Chow
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Chow is one of the oldest recognizable dog to evolve from the wolf and have originated from China. The Chow is a robustly built dog with erect ears that are rounded at the tip. They have very thick double coat that can be smooth or rough. Chow has a thick fur around the neck giving it a mane appearance. The coat’s color may vary from black, red, blue, fawn and cream. They can reach up to 18-22 inches (46-56 cm.) in height and weighs as much as 45-70 pounds (20-32 kg.). What’s unique about this breed of dog is its tongue: every known dog has a pink tongue but Chow has an unusual blue-black/purple tongue. Chows are also distinguished by their very straight hind legs and their curly tail. It has thick hair and lays curled on its back.
Podengo
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The Podengo or Portuguese Warren Hound is an ancient breed of dog from Portugal. It look likes a long-bodied Chihuahua that usually a yellow or fawn color, but others can be brown or black. These dogs would have accompanied Portuguese explorers in the 15th and 16th centuries and has been a popular household dog. Podengo is still considered rare outside its homeland but is becoming more widely known.
Lundehund
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The Norwegian Lundehund is a small Spitz type dog, which has lived solely on two isolated Norwegian village namely: Mostad and Lofoten. They average 12 -15 inches in height and weigh about 13-20 pounds. They have a thick and rough outer coat and a soft undercoat. Colors vary from black, gray, reddish-brown to black or white with dark markings. Lundehund is one of the world’s rarest breed of dog having unusual features including: 6 toes on each foot, has joints in the neck which allows 180-degree rotation, can close its ears thus protecting them against dirt and moisture and has mobile fore shoulder-joints, so that both front legs can stretch straight out to the sides.
Lowchen
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The Lowchen is small, bright, and friendly dog that is native to France. It is an old breed type, found in many countries as far back as the 1500s. It’s called “little lion dog” due to its fur growth, as it resembles a lion’s mane. Other physical features of the dog breed includes: a compact, balanced body with a medium-length tail; short, wide muzzle; a short head with a broad skull; a lively round eyes, black nose and has pendent, feathered ears; long and wavy hair. The coat colors includes: white, black and lemon.
American Foxhound
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The American Foxhound is the oldest known American dog breed that dates back to 1650! They are direct descendants of English hounds brought to America in 1650 and centuries later were bred later to a French hound. American Foxhounds are scent hounds, bred to hunt foxes by scent. The dog’s appearance includes: legs are very long and straight-boned; a slightly domed, large skull; chest is rather narrow; wide and pendant ears; hazel or brown eyes. Its coat is short and abrasive and come in four colors: red, blue, tan, black and blue. American Foxhound is about 21-25 inches tall and weigh between 29-34 kg.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks
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The Rhodesian Ridgeback is big, handsome, muscular hound dog breed native to Southern Africa. It has a powerful, smooth tail that typically curve backwards. The short, sleek coat’s colors vary from light to dark wheaten, sometimes with small white markings on the chest and feet. Also, it has round eyes and black nose and average 25-27 inches (63-69cm) in height and weighs between 80-90 pounds (36-41kg). What make ridgeback unique is its his distinctive reverse-hair coat marking along the top of their backs. It is formed by two whorls of hair and tapers behind the shoulders and down to the hips.
Great Pyrenees
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The Great Pyrenees is a very old breed used as a livestock guardian dog. They are large and muscular dogs that can grow to between 50–55kg in weight and from 69–81cm long. The long, straight or slightly wavy outer coat and a soft and thick undercoat. Their coats are white and can have varying shades of gray, red, or tan around the face. The chest is fairly broad and with medium-sized triangular ears. What’s so weird about Great Pyrenees is they’re so sensitive to anesthesia that it can kill them. Great caution is required for any surgery for this breed.
Dachshunds
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Dachshunds are short-legged, vigorous, elongated, muscular dog. Considered as the smallest breed of hunting dog, Dachshunds are developed to scent and chase several burrow-dwelling animals including rabbits and badgers. They stand low to the ground, that allows them to maneuver through tunnels with ease. There are three types of Dachshund: the short-haired, the wired-haired, and the long-haired. With each of these varieties there are three sizes.
Also, they come in a different colors: black, red, chocolate, tan, crème, gray for solid colors. For bi-color: black and tan, chocolate and tan, black and cream, chocolate and cream, gray and crème, gray and tan. Adult standard size Dachshund averages 14-18 inches in height and may weigh about 4.9kg while Miniature can reach up to 14 inches. The toy breed averages 12 inches (30cm.) and weighs up to 3.5 kg.
Saluki
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Saluki is one of the oldest dog breed in the world. Records show that it was first domesticated in Ancient Mesopotamia around 3000 B.C. Widely admired for its beauty, speed and endurance, the Saluki is a good companion of nomadic desert tribes over an area stretching from the Sahara to the Caspian Sea. The overall appearance of the Saluki is one of grace and symmetry having well muscled shoulders, deep and narrow chest, long and well muscled neck with soft and smooth coat. Salukis may come in different colors: White, golden, cream, tan, fawn, red, black, grizzle and tricolor (white, black and tan). Adult males average from 23 to 28 inches in height.
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