5 RARE DOG BREEDS YOU MAY HAVE NEVER HEARD ABOUT !!

Being a hunting breed, the Kais are very intelligent, athletic, healthy and independent. They housebreak easily and are fairly easy to train, although they do require a firm hand and good socialization since very birth. They make good inside-house dogs, happy to live in an apartment as long as they are getting enough walks in the park. However, the Kais need to be kept on a leash – otherwise their strong hunting instincts will take over and lead them off on a chase of prey.

These small spaniel-type dogs that originate from the Netherlands used to be popular around 17th and 18th century (as evidenced by their presence in paintings of Rembrandt and other masters), but reached the brink of extinction after World War II. Thanks to enthusiasts’ efforts, Kooikerhondje have been rescued and are gaining recognition again, although the breed has not been recognized in the US or Canada yet.

The Kooikerhondje have a reputation for being well-behaved, quiet and loyal. They tend to be reserved with strangers, but grow friendly and affectionate once they warm up to someone. These are fairly energetic dogs, so it’s better if they have plenty of space to run around, like a fenced yard. Warning: since the breed has quite a small genetic pool, it’s prone to certain hereditary disorders, in particular von Willebrand’s disease, hereditary necrotising myelopathy (ENM) and eye diseases.

This adorable hairball hails from Scotland (namely the Island of Skye). There was a time when this breed used to be extremely popular with the British nobility: Queen Victoria in particular was quite the fancier. From there the Skye terrier’s popularity spread across the pond, and in late 19th – early 20th century it looked like the breed was well on the way to becoming a universal favorite. However, that never quite happened and the interest gradually died out. Currently the Skye terrier is considered an endangered breed that may well become extinct within 40 years.

Plucky, loyal and curious, Skye terriers are great for adult owners. Their silky coat needs regular combing, but otherwise they are relatively low-maintenance. Like many short-legged dogs they may suffer from degenerative disc disease. Jumping, climbing and even long walks are to be avoided for the first 8-10 months of a Skye terrier’s life, as active exercise may damage their bone growth and lead to problems later on.

These lovely scruffy-looking dogs are very rare even in France – the land where they have been living since the 9th century A.D. Because of their mutt-like appearance Berger Picards never managed to win over the hearts of the nobility, and came close to extinction as a result of the two World Wars. At present there are only about 3,500 of these dogs in France (and 400 altogether in North America.)

The Berger Picard is a lively and intelligent dog with a stubborn streak that makes formal obedience training necessary. They are herding dogs by nature, and good guard dogs because of their developed protective instincts. If not exercised regularly, these puppies may turn to destructive behavior out of pure boredom, but generally they are quiet and sweet-tempered. The Berger Picard is a healthy breed, although hip dysplasia might be a problem.

The Löwchen, or Little Lion Dog, at one point had the dubious pleasure of bearing the title of the world’s rarest dog breed: in 1971 there were only 65 registered examples in existence. Nevertheless, the breed’s history might be traceable all the way back to 15th century. Little lion dogs, companions of the wealthy and elite, appear in many Renaissance paintings and works of literature.

The Löwchen is a great house pet: friendly, playful and intelligent, and, unlike many other toy dog breeds, not known to be a barker. They need affection and may suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for a long time. They are also good with children, and make excellent family pets – it’s a real pity the breed is virtually unknown.