10 of The World’s Most Strange Dog Breeds

A list of 10 of the World’s Most Strange Dog Breeds. Read and learn more about them.

They maybe normal dogs from afar, but examining them closely will prove otherwise. Possessing either a typical behavioral trait or physical oddity — they are indeed strange breeds of dog.

The Barkless Dog

Barkless but not mute! Bizarre breed don’t you think so? Basenjis normally whine, but do not bark, instead it produces a very unusual yodel-like sound commonly called “barroo”. It also shared a unique trait with wolves and dingoes – females give birth to litters only once a year. Lastly, the breed requires less grooming – no doggie smell for it washes itself like a cat.

A Basenji is a small, mischievous-looking, stocky built, short coat dog with erect ears and curled tail. Eyes are almond-shaped with wrinkled brows. Coat color varies from red, black, all-white, tricolor (black with tan), and brindle (black stripes on a background of red.) Dogs measure 40.6 cm (16 inches) at the withers and 11 kg (24 pounds). The breed is intelligent, energetic, alert, curious, graceful and affectionate. It will do okay in an apartment if it gets enough exercise.

The Crested Dog

The perfect description for our next entry – An imposing crest adorning a hairless body. The Chinese Crested is another unusual dog breed with characteristic tufts of hair (mane) on the head, feet and tail. The Chinese crested comes in two distinct varieties, the “hairless” without fur, and the “powder puff” with fur, that can be born in the same litter. The “powder puff” has a long, soft coat.

This rare and bizarre breed is considered small measuring 30 cm (12 inches) in height and weighs about 4.5–5.9 kg (10–13 lb). Color ranges from solid, spotted or mixed. Chinese Crested has wedge-shaped head, almond-shaped eyes, long muzzles and large, erect ears.

This energetic dog is intelligent, loyal, charming, very affectionate, agile, and playful. Grooming focuses on two aspects: hairless type body should be moisturized regularly while powder-puffs coat should be brushed very regularly. Chinese Crested will do okay for apartment life.

The Puffy-lion Dog

Chow Chow, which means “puffy-lion dog”, is one of the most unusual dog breeds for its three characteristic features: the mane of a lion, the blue/black tongue of a bear and its stilted gait. A sturdy built dog of Chinese origin, the breed is characterized by its dense double coat (smooth or rough), huge ruff behind its large head, and almond-shaped eyes. It sports broad and deep muzzle, black nose, and small, triangular, erect ears.

The coat may be black, blue, fawn, gray, cream, gray, red, tan or a rare white. Dogs measure 46-56 cm (18-22 inches) tall at the withers and weigh 20-32 kg (45-70 pounds.) Chow Chow is intelligent, independent, well-mannered, and affectionate type of dog. It will do okay in an apartment provided it gets a daily walk. Healthy chow can live up to 15 years.

The Leopard Dog

Catahoula Leopard Dog is best described as an unusual dog breed with strange coat, intriguing blue eyes and has the ability to climb trees! Considered to be the first dog breed developed in North America, the breed’s distinct feature is its unique leopard-spot color pattern (black or brown) spread on any coat color. Coat color includes blue Merle, red Merle, brindle, and solid colors.

Adult males measure 56-58 cm (22 to 26 inches) in height and 16-37 kg (55-80 pounds) in weight. The breed is highly intelligent and energetic. It is an affectionate, protective, territorial type of dog. A single-coated dog, the breed requires minimal grooming. Life Span: About 12-13 years.

The Double-nosed Dog

A Turkish hunting dog breed famous for its very unusual split nosed or double nosed. One of only three dog breeds that own a split nose feature, the Catalburun has one of the superior scenting instincts. The breed is also known for its great hunting skills, agility and stamina. The “split nose” is separated down the center by a thin band of skin and fur. The nose color may come in brown, black or pink. Generally, the breed possesses a smooth, short, white coat with patches of black, brown, tan, or yellowish-red. Listed as one of the top 10 rare dog breeds, the Catalburun has a life span of 12-17 years.

The Singing Dog

The New Guinea Singing Dog (also known as the New Guinea Dingo), is a wild dog endemic to New Guinea. It is named for its unique vocalization – producing a melodious howl, characterized by a sharp pitch at the start and very high frequencies at the end. The breed measures 31–46 cm (13–16 in.) at the withers and weigh 9–14 kg (17–25 lbs.) It has a broad head with almond-shaped eyes, erect, pointed ears and short legs. The plush coat comes in brown, black and tan. This strange, dog breed is active, lively, and alert. Since it is related to wild dogs, the breed is not recommended for most families. Life Expectancy: About 15-20 years.

The Most Extreme Waterdog

The Newfoundland is a massive, muscular breed of dog well-known for its excellent rescue/lifesaving trait. With a stocky built, webbed feet, waterproof double coat, and natural swimming abilities – the Newfoundland is the ultimate water dog. On average, males measure 69-74 cm 22–28 (27–29 inches) tall at the shoulder and weigh 60–70 kg (130–150 lbs.) Color can be black, brown, gray, or white with black markings (Landseer.) The breed is intelligent, lovable, loyal, calm, and courageous. The Newfoundland will get along well in an apartment if sufficiently exercised. Life Expectancy: 9 – 15 years.

The Elastic Dog

How does the Norwegian Lundehund dog outwits its prey (puffin birds) up and down vertical cliffs? Simply by just what it is –an elastic dog! To help it climb and descend vertical cliffs, the breed has four remarkable features – First: six toes on each foot that aids it to hunt the birds in their inaccessible nesting locations. Second: an elastic neck joint that enables the head to tilt backward to touch the spine in return allowing its forehead to touch its back. Third: flexible shoulders capable of producing an odd rotary movement. Lastly: very mobile ears capable of closing and folding forward or backward to protect from debris.

The Norwegian Lundehund is a small dog measuring about 31-39 cm (12-15.5 inches) in height and 6-9 kg (13-20 pounds) in weight. It has a wedge-shaped head, almond-shaped eyes, black nose, and medium-sized erect ears. The short, double coat can come in brown, black, gray or fawn. The breed is alert, energetic, friendly, affectionate, and protective.

The Corded Coat Dog

A herding breed native to Hungary, the Puli is best known for its characteristic weather resistant, corded coat similar to dreadlocks. The outer coat is curly while the undercoat is dense, soft, and wooly. The coat serves as protection during harsh weather. Generally, pulik sport black-colored coat. Other coat color includes white, gray, or cream.

The breed is a compact, medium-sized dog measuring 41-46 cm (16 to 17½ inches) at the shoulder and weighs 11-16 kg (25-35 pounds.) Pulik are reasonably intelligent, obedient, loyal, highly active, and agile dogs. An all-weather dog, the breed will do okay both in an apartment or a farm. Life Expectancy: About 12 or more years.

The Wrinkle Dog

Our last entry on the list is a breed of dog originating from china – known for its distinctive loose wrinkled skin and a blue-black tongue. The Shar pei, or Chinese Shar-Pei, resembles no other dog. The breed is squarely built with a broad, flat head. Eyes are dark, almond-shaped; the muzzle is wide; teeth meet in a scissors bite; blue-black tongue; small, triangular ears; and curled tail.

The extremely harsh coat comes in two types: Horse coat (very short and prickly) and Brush coat (longer and softer than the horse coat.) Colors includes apricot, black, blue, chocolate, cream, fawn, and red. Dogs measure 46-51 cm (18-20 inches) tall, weigh 18-25 kg (40-55 pounds.) the Shar Pei is intelligent, courageous, loyal, affectionate, and a very playful dog. Life Expectancy: 10 -12 years.