We love dogs of all kinds. But let’s face it, some of them are a bit…strange.
Whether they have physical characteristics which are unique, or they have certain behaviors which make them “special”, some canine breeds are just a bit on the quirky side. To us, that makes them even more lovable. Here are some of the oddest breeds of dog we’ve come across.
- Chinese Crested: These little dogs have hairless bodies, except for tufts of hair on their head, feet and tail. Their bare-skinned bodies are known to run quite warm, and there are stories of owners using their dogs as a kind of “hot water bottle” for aches and pains.
- Catalburun: This Turkish hunting dog is known for having two noses – or rather, its nose appears to be “split” into two. Although we may find that odd, in their country of origin it is considered not only normal, but desired, as the dogs exhibit superior hunting instincts and not surprisingly, sense of smell. They are exceptionally talented bird hunters.
- Leopard Dog: These dogs have a strangely colored, leopard spotted coat and mesmerizing blue eyes. They can also climb trees with ease, a strange trait indeed. It is safe to say these unique dogs have a corner on quirkiness.
- Bergamasco: Known as “the dog without a face”, this dog’s strange coat looks more like an old rug thrown over a canine. It’s felted coat is thick, heavy and yes, nearly completely obscures his face.
- Azawakh: These dogs look like they are traveling gracefully on stilts. The lean bodied canine has a heritage of hunting the Sahara desert with nomads, and the long legs kept them high above the scorching hot sands. The Azawakh is a regal looking dog which is one of the fastest on the planet – in fact, they used to hunt gazelle.
- Bansenji: The basenji is a dog full of quirky characteristics. He has a tail curled like a pig, and a bark to match. In fact, the breed doesn’t bark at all – its vocalizations can be described more like a squeal. The breed originates in the Congo in Africa where it still helps its owners to hunt (what else?) wild boar; and is considered on of the world’s most primitive breeds.
- Bedlington Terrier: You might not consider this dog to be a killer, based upon their odd appearance which more resembles a lamb than anything else. However, in the past this dog was bred to relentlessly hunt and kill rats, badgers, otters, fox and even rabbits. Truly a wolf in lamb’s clothing, just give this dog something to chase and her gentle look will disappear.
- Chinese Shar-Pei: Have you ever wondered why those adorable shar-peis had so much skin? In ancient China, they were used as fighting dogs, and the loose folds of skin allowed them to sustain bites or attacks without their body (under all that skin) being harmed. Today they no longer fight, but those folds of skin are as adorable as ever. Shar-peis also exhibit a unique blue-black tongue.
- Komondor: When this dog runs across your yard, you may think your mop came to life. The Komondor’s Rastafarian-style dreadlocked coat hangs in cords, created when the curly undercoat get trapped by the rougher outer coat. As the dog ages, the cords get longer and longer, often dragging on the ground. The cords protect the Komondor against tough predators and also give him a waterproof thermal coat
No matter the strange look or behavior of a dog, they are all the same at heart – they have immense amounts of love and loyalty, and no home is complete without one. Whatever type of dog you have in your family, make sure they are properly trained. The experts at Gulf Coast K9 Dog Training are looking forward to meeting you and your unique dog.
