International Dog Day: Meet the world's rarest dog breeds

Dogs are considered a 'man's best friend' because they are loyal and make for an excellent companion. They are extremely faithful to a point of risking their lives for their owners. Whether you are a doting pet parent or simply an animal lover with an unending curiosity about the pet world, International Dog Day is the perfect occasion to know about some rare dog breeds that you may not be familiar with.While a lot of us have only heard about a popular few breeds of dogs like German Shepherds and Labrador, there exists a special category of dogs that are exceptionally rare. Each of these exceptional canines boasts of unique traits that set them apart from the usual pooches in your neighbourhood. Be it their distinctive appearances or temperaments, here's what makes these breeds truly special and different from the usual pooches in your neighbourhood.
Fila Brasileiro or Brazilian Mastiff is a rare and giant dog breed with an impressive appearance. They emerged in the 15th century and are said to have been descended from a mix of European dogs, brought by the explorers from Portuguese. Thw word 'fila' means ‘to hold’ or ‘to arrest. With a distinctive coat and a loose fold of skin on their neck called Fila, they surely stand apart from other dog breeds with their muscular build and unwavering loyalty. In Brazil, there's a saying that translates to - 'Faithful as a Fila', which says volumes about their loyalty and trustworthiness. The are also very docile dogs with a huge streak of bravery. But when it comes to raising them, they need an owner who could give them enough space to grow and exist.
An ancient and rare breed native to the highlands of New Guinea, the New Guinea singing dog is renowned for its unique high-pitched yodels, barks, and whine-like sounds. The sounds they make is a cross between a wolf’s howl and whale song. Despite its name, this species remains wild and is not domesticated. Believed to have existed on the island for over 5,000 years, these agile and athletic dogs are adapted to the rugged terrain of the highlands. The breed is closely related to the Australian Dingo. The species is however endangered with fewer than 200 of them remaining. It was thought that the dogs were extinct in wild in the 1970s, with only few existing in zoos and as pets. The descendants are highly inbred, putting them at a risk of being infertile.

They are the best sniffers around and are renowned for their exceptional sniffing skills. Otterhound is blessed with a big nose and large nostrils; their appearance is incredibly adorable. It is a large hunting breed from England, yet it is quite a friendly and good-natured breed with an even temper. You cannot ignore their presence as they are tall, long and well-built. They have a rough, double coat and webbed feet, making them different from hounds. They are a vulnerable native breed with only 600 animals worldwide.
An Italian breed originating from the marshlands of Italy, the Lagotto Romagnolo was used as a gun dog and for hunting truffles, thanks to its thick, curly coat. Lagotto Romagnolo means "lake dog from Romagna". Truffle hunters look for truffles - which is an underground fungus and alert their owners. Lagottos are the only purebred dog in the world which is officially recognized as a specialized truffle hunter. These dogs are about 50 centimeters at withers, powefully built and has a rustic appearance. Its coat is thick, wool-like and tightly curled into ringlets.
The Mudi dog breed hails from Hungary and is known for being a small, rare herding dog known for their intelligence and a lively spirit and have been in existence since the 19th century. They have a medium and curly coat type. They are also well renowned for being an excellent search and rescue dog in both Finland and the U.S. They excel at dog sports and are known for traits like obedience and agility. They can be white, yellow, brown, black, or gray. These rare dogs have a population of a few thousand worldwide. In the U.S., there are fewer than 500 Mudis.
These West African dogs originated from Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. These slender dogs have refined appearances, but have been known to sustain in the long and hot desserts of Sahara. The nomadic Tuareg people of the Sahara desert bred them for hunting games. It still continues to excel in various dog sports as a companion and show dog. They are 23 to 29 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 35 to 55 pounds. Their elegance and endurance make them a unique and versatile breed. They have a fine coat, which may come in any color combinations of red, clear sand to fawn, brindled, parti-color, blue, black and brown. The head can have a black mask and white markings on the leg.
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(Images courtesy: iStock)