The top 5 rarest dog breeds in the world
These dogs or at least their ancestors have been around as man’s best friend for over a millenia and still attract interest because of the characteristics that they have acquired over the ages.
- Xoloitzcuintli or Mexican hairless
When a breed’s named Xoloitzcuintli, it has to be rare and exotic and this particular breed certainly is. It is also the official dog of Mexico, of which country it is a native. Xolos are gaining in popularity and can command a price of around $2500.
The dog is one of the world’s oldest and rarest breeds. The Aztecs prized these animals. Their ancestors brought the Xoloitzcuintli with them when they came over from Asia. They were called Biche by the Aztecs, which meant “naked”; this was a reference to their hairless bodies. Statues, clay figures and remains of Xolos have been found at 3000 year old Maya burial sites. The Xolos experienced a population crisis in the 1940s and were in danger of extinction. The species was kept alive by remote Indian tribes and later on through the efforts of Mexican breeders.
Xolos comes in three sizes, Toy, Miniature, Standard, and two varieties: The coated and the hairless. Xolos have upright bat-like ears and bright almond-shaped eyes. The dogs are tough and exceptionally hardy and can live up to twenty years. Xolos make excellent companion dogs; they bond well with the family and prefer to be aloof with strangers. Loyalty, intelligence, and alertness are their hallmarks.
A Xolo is a low-maintenance pet although pups require a lot of exercise and attention to keep them out of mischief. Xolos also require protection from severe heat and cold.
- Neapolitan Mastiff or Italian Mastiff
Another ancient breed of dog, now used as a guard dog. However during Roman times, it was used in war campaigns and also in the arenas against leopards. Neapolitan mastiffs have loose skin on their bodies; they are shorter than English mastiffs. These mastiffs can weigh up to 68 kg.
A large broad forehead, a rolling gait, large flews and a dewlap are distinctive features of the mastiff. Temperament-wise it is relaxed with its owners but can be a little stubborn. They can get over-protective of their owners and are very considerate with children.
The Neapolitan mastiff traces its ancestry to the ancient Greek Molossus that originated with the Molossis people in the mountainous regions of northwest Greece. The Molossus is thought to be the common ancestor of all mastiff breeds in Europe. The mastiff was thought to have become extinct but was rediscovered in Naples in the 1940s.
Italian mastiffs are not keen joggers and rightly so. Their weight makes the effort stressful on their joints. These dogs have a lifespan of 8-10 years. They are prone to ailments such as hip dysphasia, eye disease and eyelid problems, such as a cherry eye, and cancers.
These dogs do not require a lot of exercise but because of their excessive wrinkles they need special care while bathing. Also, the drool should be cleaned periodically to prevent smell and infection.
- Norwegian Puffin Dog or Lundehund
The lundehund traces its origins to the 1500s. The breed was developed specifically to hunt puffins, which were an important source of winter food for the Norwegians. The Norwegian Puffin Dog was exceptionally flexible; it can bend its head entirely backwards, touching the top of its head to its back. It has at least six toes on each foot, and has the ability to close its ears to keep water out. And hey!! These dogs also look cute.
The dog is a polydactyl; unlike other dogs that have extra vestigial toes, the toes on the lundehund are fully functional and help it to grasp the slippery sides of the cliffs on which the puffins reside. Along with the reindeer, the lundehund is the most flexible quadruped around. These dogs are finely adapted to their job – flexible backs, the ability to stretch out their forelegs to the maximum, extra digits, the ability to close ears and prick each ear open separately mean that this breed is the champion as far as dog spelunking goes.
The Lundehund has been classified as “vanishingly rare”. In 1942, canine distemper wiped out all but one lundehund in Norway. Today, there are around a thousand remaining all over the world.
The lundehund has an ancient ancestry, traceable to the 5000-year old Varranger dog that was found in Lapland. Lundehunds are known to suffer from Lundehund syndrome in which the animal is unable to absorb nutrients from what it eats, this happens due to an overgrowth of digestive bacteria in the stomach of the dog.
- Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
The Nova Scotia Duck Tolling retriever is a gundog and a very unusual one at that!! It helps its master by prancing and frolicking at the water’s edge and thereby piquing the waterfowl’s interest which then come close to investigate and is hunted down by the hunter. The toller then goes to retrieve the fowl. The dogs are called tollers because of the act of “tolling” that they perform – enticing and luring game to come within range.
This breed came into being in the early 20th century in Nova Scotia. The dog shows characteristics of cocker spaniel and Irish Setter; it is possible that these breeds have contributed to defining this retriever breed. Tollers have a strong compact muscular body, a thick coat that is water-repellant.
Tollers make intelligent pets, are loyal companions, and they have the energy required to make efficient decoys and retrievers. They weigh between 17-23 kg; they require a cold climate and a lot of physical exercise.
- Chinese Sharpei
Once named the rarest dog breed by Time magazine and the Guinness Book of World Records, as late as 1973 the dog was in danger of disappearing completely, the dog is doing reasonably well now. It is also known as the Chinese Fighting Dog.
Images of Shar pei can be found on Han dynasty pottery dating back to 200 BC. Back then, the dog was bred as a companion dog and a guard dog.
Sharpei are considered to be amongst the most ancient dog breeds still going around. They are originally from the Guangdong province of China and in the olden days, they were used by the royal family as guard dogs. Their small ears and deep-set eyes coupled with their folds of skin made them ideal for combat. These days they can be seen as family pets. Shar pei have a loving and devoted nature, though they may tend to be a little reserved and aloof.
The dog has a life expectancy of up to 10 years; the dog has a padded head and therefore is sensitive to heat. It needs access to shade and water.
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Dr.Karunanidhi - August 26th, 2007 2:10 am
its amazing to know about to five rare dog breeds of the world. oe kind suggestion please take into account one of the India’s rare breed RAJAPALAYAM breed losing its distinct ancestory and historical importance in poligar wars along with another dog breed KOMBAI. please consider this request.
thanking you
Dr.K