30 Cutest Dog Breeds You’ve Never Even Heard Of

1. Bolognese

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Nope, not a typo. And also not the delicious Italian Spaghetti Bolognese we all know and love. The Bolognese breed does come from Bologna in Italy though! Better known as the Bolo, is the perfect easy going pet. It's a lapdog who loves a low key lifestyle, meaning a walk or a low energy game is all it needs. They don't shed much either so bonus points for that.

2. Otterhound

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The Otterhound is a rare and wonderful dog breed. There are only around 600 in the world! It has a waterproof coat and webbed feet so loves a good swim in the water. They are bouncy enough to get excited when you get home but also independent enough that they're happy spending time on their own too. The perfect combination!

3. Schipperke

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Another dog from Belgium, the Schipperke was nicknamed 'the black devil' although its personality is not fitting of that. It's a mischievous and inquisitive breed, but will be fully dedicated to its owners. Just be wary of their escape tactics, it will happily scale any fence given the chance.

4. Chinese Crested

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Unusually NOT from China, the Chinese Crested is actually from Central America! 'Cute' in an acquired taste sort of way, these dogs were used as ratters on ships and also traded for goods. Chinese boat crews loved these dogs, hence their name. They can either be hairless or powderpuff and any litter will have a variety of both.

5. Ibizan Hound

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Slender and graceful like a deer, the Ibizan Hound is very distinctive because of it's large amber eyes and red and white fur. A Spanish breed that comes with a smooth or wiry coat. It used to hunt rabbits, but now is quiet and great with child. Just be aware of how high it can climb!

6. Portuguese Podengo

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A pint-sized Portuguese bundle of joy. It's inbuilt in them to run and play until they drop, making them a very high energy pet. They are a great, healthy dog breed that tends to live long and happy lives. Their coats also need minimal grooming, coming in either wirey or smooth forms.

7. Coton de Tulear

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Coton de Tulear is the royal dog of Madagascar. You might see similarities to a Maltese and Bichon Frise and they do share some ancestors. This little furry lapdog will be an entertaining and sociable pet, but they will soon have you wrapped around their little paw.

8. Treeing Tennessee Brindle

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Found mainly in the Appalachian and Ozark Mountains, Treeing Tennessee Brindle's are fast and agile. Their instinct is to hunt, meaning they're constantly alert and hunt their prey by forcing them up a tree, hence the name. They will need several walks a day and constant interactions like games and chasing balls.

9. Berger Picard

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A movie star dog! The Berger Picard was the star of Because of Winn-Dixie. 

It may look a little scruffy, but don't let it fool you. This dog is a proud French pedigree. It was traditionally a sheep dog, but numbers have dipped of the year so is not well known world wild. An athletic but loyal dog that will crave your attention.

10. Cane Corso

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Descended from Roman war dogs, the Cane Corso is great for hunting, herding and guarding. Making a comeback over recent years, they will definitely need an experienced dog owner who knows how to train their instincts. It's a large dog that can be very protective.

11. Boykin Spaniel

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These golden eyes will make you fall in love straight away. Combined with their soft, chocolate coat the Boykin Spaniel wold be a great asset to any household. Although, we must not underestimate this breed. It's a hard working spaniel that was bred for tracking wild turkeys as has been recognised as the state dog of South Carolina.

12. Canaan Dog

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One of the oldest American Kennel Club's breeds and also the national dog of Israel! They're a great guard dog given their highly territorial nature and their extraordinary hearing and sense of smell. You would definitely feel safe with one in your home, plus they are extremely loyal to their family. They need a lot of training but can definitely get on with other dogs too.

13. Leonberger

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Another German dog, and a favourite of the European royals. They resemble a lion and they are a very affectionate breed, so would definitely enjoy a good cuddle. They need to be trained well, as a whopping big dog, they can cause some damage and are naturally built to think they are in charge.

14. Icelandic Sheepdog

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The Icelandic Sheepdog nearly went extint in the 1950s, but now their numbers are slowly increasing. The native dog of Iceland is an intelligent breed, that is a natural herder. They are known for their strong attachment to their owners which can lead to separation anxiety and excessive barking. But with some patience, they can be trained to avoid this.

15. Australian Kelpie

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A great candidate if you need someone to round up your herd. Even if that herd is sheep, other dogs or even kids! It needs a lot of mental stimulation, exercise and training, so may not be the best choice for a first time owner, but an Australian Kelpie will be a great companion.

16. Thai Ridgeback

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You would never really see this breed outside of Thailand, although they do look similar to a Rhodesian Ridgeback. Both have the distinctive ridge of hair on their backs. Their ancestors jobs was to keep cobras away from their humans and be able to kill one if necessary. Nowadays, they are just fiercely loyal companions that can be very protective.

17. Norweigian Lundehund

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A breed from Norway, the small Lundehund has six fully functioning toes and extra paw pads, all designed to help them navigate rocky terrains in the hunt for puffins. They also have an 'elastic neck' which allows its head to stretch so far back it can touch its spine!

18. Bergamasco Sheepdog

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Hair envy? You would definitely do a double take at this dog if it walked past you. Is that even natural!? Yes it is. The strands of hair get woven together, giving a felt appearance. It's not just for show though, as it was to help their ancestors stay warm in the Italian Alps. They're not as hard to maintain as they look and they don't shed!

19. Pyrenean Shepherd

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This cute, scruffy face of a Pyrenean Shepherd is a dog that will be absolutely devoted to its human parents. They love to be active and playful but also loves to spend time and smile at its owners. You can get rough or smooth faced coats, but both with bright intriguing eyes.

20. Cesky Terrier

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You know you've made it when you're on a postage stamp... and these Cesky Terriers are no stranger. The national dog of the Czech Republic, they are a very dignified creature. They love to be around other dogs and would make a great small pet for a family.

21. Belgian Laekenois

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These native Belgian dogs are super fluffy and will have you wanting to run your fingers through it's coat. They won't sit around for long though as these dogs love an active lifestyle and would much rather be up and running around. It's one of four Belgian dog breeds around today.

22. Teddy Roosevelt Terrier

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Named in honour of President Roosevelt, the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier is an outgoing and friendly dog that would make a great family pet. President Roosevelt appointed these dogs to get rid of the rat infestation in the White House. Although these days they are much more suited to social homes.

23. Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound

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Originally from Germany, clue is in the name, but one of its great skills is their incredible ability for tracking. It can even tell between a wounded animal it's hunting and other animals of the same species. The Bavarian Mountain Scent Hound's need a lot of space to roam and burn off their energy but they are also a calm and lovely family dog.

24. Saluki

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The slim build of a Saluki lends itself to its immense agility and fitness. It's skills were used in Egypt as hunting hounds of pharaohs back in the day. They were so well respected in their time that they were actually mummified like the pharaohs themselves!

25. Estrela Mountain Dog

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One of the oldest breeds in Portugal! It's got a very unique mix of features, including a black mask with small ears. It is very much known as a companion for life. They are a great dog that live long and happy lives and will be both a protector and playmate all in one.

26. Biewer Terrier

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This dog is as cute as it looks in the picture. Not your usual yappy Terrier, pronounced 'beaver', the Biewer Terrier is a lovely lapdog who just wants your love and affection. It isn't fully recognised by the AKC yet, but it's definitely becoming increasingly more popular.

27. Dandie Dinmont Terrier

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Sir Walter Scott's classic 1814 novel, Guy Mannering, was the inspiration for the name of this breed. The only dog breed to be named after a literary character. There are very few of this breed in the US. It's a small breed that's lovable and playful but can definitely still be tough when it wants to be.

28. Azawakh

One of the loyalest and sweetest dog breeds around. They can be easily confused with a Saluki and can sometimes be misunderstood for being aloof, but they are definitely unique in their own right. Originally used to chase gazelles across the Sahara in Africa, the Azawakh's definitely favour roaming a beach and running with their humans.

29. Tibetan Mastiff

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An ancient and majestic breed from China. The Tibetan Mastiff can be independent but also highly protective of the right people. It's a big task to train one of these dogs but will come with a high reward and would make a wonderful pet for the right people.

30. Kai Ken

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One of the lesser know Japanese breeds. You get three different brindle varieties which translates to 'tiger' in Japanese! They were used as a multipurpose hunter back in the day and they camouflage in a Japanese forest. They are rare, even in Japan, these days but are definitely an undervalued choice of pet!

31. Telomian

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This rare and athletic dog breed comes from Malaysia, around medium sized and actually has a few unique characteristics, like its bluish tongue color and its eyes that are more wideset than other breeds. They have natural prey instincts and are also great watchdogs!

32. Catalburun

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Hailing from Turkey, this adorable breed is very, very rare - but the reason why they're rare is actually tragic, linked to their small numbers. Its double nose and low set ears may look like quirky cute features, but they're results of inbreeding which unfortunately result in health complications.

33. The New Guinea Singing Dog

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This dog isn't known for its singing (maybe howling), but while it has a cute name - and a cute face - it's actually a very difficult breed, and isn't recommended for everyday families. It takes an experienced handler to have this dog, and while they can be domesticated, they're very independent, as they hail from wild dogs.

34. Vallhund

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Translating in Swedish to the 'shepherd dog', this adorable wolf-looking breed is nicknamed 'the big dog with short legs' because of its - well, adorable tiny legs! But don't let the small legs fool you - they have tons of energy, love running around and are herding dogs at heart.

35. Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka

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This particular breed owes thanks to Louis XIV of France - he gave their ancestor breed to Russian nobles, who then crossbreeded them with other dogs, including bichon frise. They used to only be black, but their thick coats now come in pretty much every color!

36. Russian Toy

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The Russian Toy is an adorable small dog breed, recognisable for the long tufts of fur framing its face, while the rest of it has very short hair. It's a very nimble dog with graceful legs, and although it might be stand-offish at first, it's very affectionate with the people it knows and loves.

37. Pumi

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This particular breed is actually a herding dog, hailing from Hungary. The Pumi would traditionally guide sheep from one pasture to another. While they have very long, scraggly soft coats, they also love rolling around in the mud - which isn't the best combination!

38. Lowchen

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This cute dog breed loves a good cuddle and sitting on its owner's lap. Its name means 'little lion dog', and it's easy to see why! They can be very loving and needy dogs, which means they aren't the best for people out of the house all day. They can be very yappy, and also sad when you tell them to stop!

39. Kromfohrlander

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This breed has a genetic makeup that makes it look like it's constantly smiling! Which is adorable. And it's not all a lie, either, because they're very happy dogs and get very excited to see their owners. They're very loyal dogs, and are very agile, so being active will be easy for them.

40. Jagdterrier

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This dog has a very unique and cute look because it looks like what a Doberman would look like if it had the fur of a terrier! This dog is traditionally a German hunting dog, and with that in mind they have bags of energy, as well as being highly driven. Because they were bred to hunt, they'll need an owner who can keep them active.

41. Dutch Smoushund

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This dog is only very well known within Holland. It almost went extinct back in the 1940s! This cute little breed is very loving and loyal to its family, and also very playful - to the point it would probably get itself into a lot of stupid situations. They can also be great little watchdogs.

42. The Danish-Swedish Farmdog

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This dog is prime example of small in size, big in personality. While originally descending from working farm dogs, this breed was bred to be a more domesticated companion dog. Their ancestry means they'll be great active dogs if you want a breed to run around at the park with!

43. Basenji

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This dog is very strange in that it doesn't bark! That doesn't mean it's silent, though. The Basenji breed can make lots of different noises, like howls, whining and even screaming. They're hunting dogs from Africa, and make for very intelligent pets - with a lot

of energy!

44. Carolina Dog

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These cute hunting dogs use their sight and speed to hunt, and are also known as American dingoes! They can be very independent, reserved and even suspicious when they first meet people, but when they get to know you, they'll be very eager to please!

45. Karelian Bear Dog

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This huge bundle of fluff is a very accomplished hunting dog - so accomplished that it can be quite reserved and self-sufficient, but will work with others to hunt. It also has an amazing sense of smell. Despite what their big size and hunting instincts might suggest, they actually don't need a ton of daily exercise.

46. Stabyhoun

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These adorable dogs were bred to hunt moles and rabbits, so they have a natural instinct to want to dig up your lovely garden! They're very smart dogs, and they're also very gentle in nature, making them great family dogs and easy to train. They're very loving, which is even better if you have a big family!

47. Mudi

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These Hungarian farm dogs, pronounced 'Moodie', are very courageous and hard-working animals who can be fiercely loyal of a family they get invited into! They're very loving and devoted to their owners, but they can be very unfriendly to people they don't know very well.

48. Peruvian Inca Orchid

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This striking sighthound from Peru comes in lots of different coat types, including hairless and dogs with short coats. They also happen to come in a variety of sizes! They're traditionally known as hunting dogs, but in modern times are companion dogs - ideally kept indoors as much as possible!

49. Catahoula Leopard Dog

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This muscular large dog needs a firm hand to train and walk it! It originates from the state of Louisiana, the only dog to come from this state, and it's a very loyal, protective and territorial guard dog - which is great news for you, not so great for people it doesn't know very well!

50. Bedlington Terrier

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This rare breed of dog has a very unique look - once you know what a Bedlington terrier looks like, you'll easily spot another one! They were originally bred as working dogs that would help against vermin and wild animals. This breed loves a lot of care and attention!