The 20 Most Bizarre Dog Breeds in the World

If everyone had the same kind of dog, the world would be a far less interesting place. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors and temperaments. Some are bred for specific purposes. They may be intended to help with work, as in herd dogs, or hunters, or to guard our valuables and property.

Most of us are familiar with the standard dog breeds, but there are some that are very unusual, if not outright bizarre. We’ve gathered information on twenty of the most unusual dog breeds in the world today.

You may recognize a few of them, but some are either so few in numbers, or new as breeds that they have not yet been recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Here are our picks for 20 of the most bizarre dog breeds:

1. Komondor

The Komondor breed originates in Hungary. This huge canine reaches an average of thirty inches when fully grown. He looks even larger because of his huge coat of fur that just happens to be the thickest on a canine in the world today. He’s one of the shaggiest breeds that you’ll find.

He looks like the world’s biggest dust mop with hair that takes on a matted, almost dreadlock appearance. This unusual looking dog has hair that hangs down over his eyes, making us wonder how he can see when we can’t even see his eyes through all of the fur.

2. Bedlington Terrier

The Bedlington Terrier is named for its place of origin which is Bedlington, England. It’s difficult to tell this dog from a sheep if the truth be told. He bears a similarity to a standard sized poodle, but the grey coat is truly as thick as sheep’s wool with tight curls that are known for being hypo allergenic.

It’s an interesting breed with a quite bizarre appearance. The body shape looks like a sideways S with curvy contours. This breed is truly one of a kind placing it second on our list of the most bizarre dogs in the world. If you can get past the odd appearance, he makes an excellent choice for pet owners who are prone to allergies.

3. Puli

The Puli is by far one of the most unique breeds that you’ll find. This guy has a cool Jamaican style hair that fluffs outwards, cascading down to make him look like a barrel held up by four short legs. The breed originates in Hungary and was originally bred to be a working dog, assisting in the herding of livestock.

His fur is actually pretty cool looking and one of the most interesting things about it is that it is highly resistant to water. He’s one of the most bizarre looking dogs we’ve seen with two black eyes that peer out from a mass of tightly curled dreadlocks.

4. Russian Borzoi

The Russian Borzoi of course, was originally bred in Russia. It has a body shape that is similar to a greyhound, but the coat is unique in that it is sleek on top, getting thicker and curlier near the belly and legs.

Borzois are unusual looking dogs that are a trainer’s nightmare. They are known for their stubbornness and sense of independence. They are quite agile and love to hunt and chase small animals.

5. Brussels Griffon

At first glance, the Brussels Griffon makes you think that an ewok got loose and bred with a terrier. This weird looking little dog doesn’t realize that he’s a small breed. He struts around the yard looking for someone to bully. Brussels Griffons generally have take charge personalities and they tend to attempt to dominate other dogs in the area.

They’re opinionated pups who assert themselves over everyone around so it’s important to begin their training from one day, and make sure that they know you’re the dominant part of the equation.

6. Affenpinscher

The Affenpinscher was first bred in Germany for the purpose of hunting down rats and killing them. This bizarre looking dog is medium in size and build and while there’s nothing unusual about the shape of his body, it’s the hair that takes the prize.

This dog is covered in brown and dark gray tendrils that swirl about, making him look as though he just came out of a beauty school as a new experiment for pat and swirl styles.

The coat is so unusual and bizarre, that it almost looks classy. We had trouble finding out where his nose was because it’s buried under all of that fancy swirling hair.

7. Neapolitan Mastiff

Imagine a Sumo wrestler transformed into a dog. The Neopolitan Mastiff is a huge dog breed that is one of the most unusual in appearance. Just the sight of him is enough to scare you. He weighs up to 130 pounds when fully grown. He has a hulking body mass and an extremely droopy face with eyes that are much like a hound’s.

Try not to be too put off by his appearance though. He makes one of the most efficient guard dogs on the planet. Neapolitan Mastiffs are known for their loyalty and their ability to do the job that they’re trained for.

8. Bergamasco Shepherd

Bergamasco Shepherds are one of the most unique breeds, not only because of their distinct appearance, but also because of the fact that the puppies look nothing like the full grown adults.

This dog truly transforms as it grows from puppy to adult. They are born with short, smooth hair. The older they get, the longer the hair grows, until it resembles long, knotted locks that tendril down its body several inches. As adults Bergamascos look like they really need a trip to the barber shop.

9. Bull Terrier

Most of us are familiar with the Bull Terrier breed. They have an unusual egg shaped head that makes them an oddity of sorts in the dog world. When you add the sharp pointy set of ears that stand up straight, they are truly weird looking dogs.

Just because they are a popular breed, doesn’t mean that they don’t look a bit on the bizarre side. Another physical feature that makes this dog so darned odd is the fact that the head sits atop a massively beefy body.

10. French Bulldog

French bulldogs are known for their affectionate and loving personalities. They’re lap dogs that can’t seem to get enough attention for satisfaction. They were originally bred to get the bulls riled up by taunting them.

The spectator sport was cruel and out of vogue, which is a plus for this odd looking little dog with a sad face. There are quite a few pet owners out there who consider this lovable little guy to be really cute, but this is a matter of personal preference.

They do have adorable faces, but they look like they’ve been through a trash compactor with a smashed in looking nose and a multitude of wrinkles that make the face resemble a mask of sorts.

11. Fila Brasileiro

This breed is a relative or the Mastiff and Bloodhound. It is a huge dog that has the skeletal structure of a mastiff with big bones and a massive frame. It’s covered with a loose skin that sports a smooth coat. A bit frightening at first glance, the dog features a droopy face with wrinkles that cascade down the neck, rippling when they run.

Fila Brasileiro’s were originally bred to be trackers, which makes them all the more ominous. They have in fact established a reputation for their aggressive temperaments.

12. Catalburun

The Catalburun dog breed is among the most rare in existence. They originate from the country of Turkey and were originally bred to be hunters. What really makes this one of the most bizarre breeds is the split nose feature, then add the suspended appearance of the ears and you have a strikingly odd looking canine.

It is believed that the reason they have such a weird appearance is because due to scarcity, they have been massively inbred and it has resulted in some unattractive physical characteristics.

13. New Guinea Singing Dog

This dog makes our most bizarre list because of its unique voice. It has the appearance of a large fox with broad pointy ears that stand stiffly pointed skyward. This dog was once a wild breed that has since been domesticated. It is known for its intelligence as well as its physical abilities.

If you’ve never heard a dog sing before, here’s your chance because this one will serenade you day and night. This unique breed isn’t around in the large numbers of some of the other more well known ones, so it may be a little difficult to find one. Did we mention that they are also fantastic tree climbers to boot?

14. Mudi

The Mudi is a breed that originates in the country of Hungary. They were bred for work in herding and protecting flocks of sheep. It’s an unusual looking dog that has a coat bearing tight, wooly curls of grey fur.

It actually looks like a cross between a dog and a llama, with a long neck and tendrils of hair that extend outwards for a kind of cool look. This dog is actually one of the most versatile and multi-talented breeds in the world.

In addition to being good herd dogs, they are also excellent hunters as well as rodent exterminators. This is not a dog to raise in small confined areas. By virtue of their nature, they require wide open spaces in which they can roam free.

If they are kept in smaller areas, they seriously need to be taken on long walks on a daily basis. If you’re looking for a dog that doesn’t really look like a dog at all, then you may want to consider investigating a Hungarian Mudi.

15. Lagotto Romagnolo

Lagotto Romagnolo is an Italian breed that originates from the Romagna sub region of the country. They were first bred to be gun dogs, but they have evolved into some of the best truffle hunters in the world.

What makes them so unusual is that They have the face of a Brussel’s Griffon, and the body of a large standard sized poodle. The coat most closely resembles a dirty carpet with thick tufts of tight curls covering the entire body, with the exception of the facial area.

The dog is really odd in appearance, but it does serve some very useful functions, hence, the popularity of the breed in Italy.

16. Azawakh

The Azawakh is a breed of dog that originates in West Africa. While there is no disputing that the build of this dog is elegant in appearance, the elongated neck looks like it’s been stretched to abnormal lengths.

The head looks too small for its body because of this configuration. It is known to possess intelligence that is far above average in the canine universe. It has a short coat that comes in a wide assortment of colors and markings.

Azawakhs make brilliant companions and they are fiercely loyal and protective over their owners. They make a loyal addition to any family and this is a part of their immense popularity in West African regions.

17. Peruvian Inca Orchid

The Peruvian Inca Orcid breed is perhaps one of the most bizarre looking dogs on earth. This is an ancient breed that is believed to have originated in Peru around 750 AD.

They’ve been around for centuries, but the breed hasn’t traveled in mass numbers throughout the world. They are among the most rare dogs in the world. Some of the dogs in this breed are hairless, with a few tufts of fur on the top of the head. It gives them a unique, yet disturbing appearance.

They are very uncommon dogs and they are very difficult to find for sale. They are highly valued for their hunting and lure coursing as they are highly intelligent dogs that are also swift and agile. The hair and skin colors come in a wide variety.

18. Catahoula Leopard Dog

The Catahoula Leopard Dog is a breed that originates in the United States of America in the Catahoula Parish of the state of Louisiana. This is believed to be the first dog that has been bred first in the United States.

When you look at a Catahoula Leopard dog, the first thing that you see are the striking bright eyes. While the eye colors come in a broad range, the most striking are the blue ones.

They are so bright and they contrast with the spotted coat that is often a mixture of different brown, grey and red hues that make up the maelstrom of spots against patches of white.

They come in a variety of different colors but the spotting patterns are consistent across the breed. In some cases they may appear more as blotches or patches, but the leopard like appearance is fairly consistent. This dog is used for hunting wild boar in the southern states of the country.

19. Norwegian Lundehund

The Norwegian Lundehund originates in the country of Norway. The dog was bred for the hunting of Puffin. What is so different an unusual about this breed is that they have six toes on each foot.

They also have full control over their ears which generally remain in a stiff and upwards pointing position, and they can tip their heads backwards until it touches their back bone.

There aren’t many dogs on earth that have this tremendous versatility and control over their bodies. This is what makes them so different, and a bit on the bizarre side. In fact, there isn’t any other breed that is even close to being like them.

Norwegians appreciate them because they are easy to live with and in addition to being good hunters, they make nice family pets.

20. Otterhound

The Otterhound is a case of dog meets fish. These unusual dogs are massive in size and although they’re not that unusual in appearance, they do have some physical characteristics that set them aside from all other canine breeds. Otterhounds are amazing and very capable in the water.

This is because they have webbing built right into their feet. It’s like aquaman, only in the form of aqua dog. Their coats are rough and durable so they are just as effective as hunters on land as they are as water babies. If you weren’t impressed already, Otterhounds are also scent hounds.

They have a natural instinct that makes them some of the best trackers in the canine club. Even if you’re not into the whole amphibious canine scene, Otterhounds make wonderful pets.

They have amazing personalities because they are inquisitive as well as a bit on the boisterous side, but they are also amiable. They love to play with their owners but they also are quite eager to please.

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• The 20 Most Difficult Dog Breeds to Train