#16 Pharaoh Hound
The native Maltese name of this breed is Kelb tal-Fenek, which translates as “rabbit dog.” Its English name refers to the dog’s appearance, which resembles the dogs found in Ancient Egyptian paintings. It is also said that the breed takes its roots from Egypt; however, the Pharaoh Hound is a fairly modern dog, traditional for rural Malta.
#17 Catahoula Leopard Dog
The state of Louisiana also has its official dog, & it is called the Catahoula Leopard Dog. Most of them come with leopard-like spots of various colors, though solid coats are also possible. While initially bred to be hunters, Catahoula Leopard Dogs are also great herders & search & rescue dogs.
#18 Finnish Spitz
Though originally designed as a hunting dog that can go after any prey, from grouse to elk & sometimes even bear, a Finnish Spitz is also a great house pet that bonds with family members well. In Finland, where it is still often used for hunting, the Finnish Spitz has been recognized as the national dog since 1979.
#19 Beauceron
A Beauceron is a versatile employee, as it can work as a guard & herder for sheep & cattle, protecting them against wolves. During wars, they also served as messengers, land mine detectors, & supply transport dogs, while in peaceful times Beaucerons are often employed as police or rescue dogs.
#20 Thai Ridgeback
The Thai Ridgeback is one of only 3 dog breeds that have a ridge of fur on their back that grows in the opposite direction than the rest of the hair. While very intelligent & loyal, their independent character makes them a better match for owners who have substantial experience with dogs.
#21 Saluki
Coming from the Middle Eastern region, Salukis have short fur, except for their long ears that are completely covered with hair. Their long legs & snouts make the breed a great hunter. Salukis belong to the sighthound category, among other dogs who hunt by sight rather than by scent.
#22 Stabyhoun
The Stabyhoun is one of the rarest dog breeds in the world that originates from the Netherlands. While in its native province of Friesland, this breed of farm dog has been mentioned in literature since the early 1800s, it was only in the 1960s that they became known outside the province, & they only left the Netherlands in the 2000s.
#23 Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen
You have to be exceptional at your job to become a recurring hero of your nation’s folklore. Grand Basset Griffon Vendeens are well-known for their stamina & bravery. Their comparatively small size & short legs make them great hare hunters. As pack dogs, they require either a lot of time with their human or another dog or cat as a companion.
#24 Russian Toy
The Russian Toy survived almost complete extinction twice, once in the 1920s & later in the 1990s. It was introduced to the international community only after the 1990s. As they were bred to fight rats & be watchdogs, Russian Toys are pretty vocal to this day. They become attached to their family despite the age of the members.
#25 Otterhound
Since Otterhounds were originally bred to hunt otters, they perform very well both on land & in the water. They even have webbed feet, which is a very unusual trait for dogs. They are usually very friendly towards their humans & have a unique bass voice.
#26 Canaan Dog
Say hi to Israel’s national dog. For ages, bedouins of the Middle East used them for guarding their camps & herds. The breed carried this trait through the centuries & remains a very agile & defensive protector of their home & family, though never really aggressive. They are very close with their people but prefer to keep their distance with strangers.
#27 Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Dandie Dinmont Terriers have a long body, short legs, & a distinctive hairdo. Friendly & chill, they make great companions for older children. The name of the breed is rumored to have originated from a character in Sir Walter Scott’s novel Guy Mannering.
#28 Skye Terrier
Twice as long as it is short, the Skye Terrier is said to have originated from the Isle of Skye in Great Britain, hence the name. While they enjoy daily walks & come from a hunting background, Skye Terriers prefer to live indoors. They are said to be an endangered breed, as not many of them are born each year.
#29 Norwegian Lundehund
The name “Lundehund” consists of 2 Norwegian words: “lunde,” i.e. puffin, & “hund,” i.e. “dog.” This breed was designed to hunt puffins & their eggs. As these birds are known to make nests in inaccessible places on cliffs, the Norwegian Lundehund has 6 toes on each paw to help them climb & cling to the cliffs.
#30 Schapendoes
Schapendoes were originally bred as herding & farm dogs. During World War II, only a few dogs remained, threatening the breed to become fully extinct. However, breeders were able to bring the breed back. They are not much into guarding but love participating in sports & are very high-spirited & affectionate.
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