Are you in search of an exceptional companion dog? Take a look at these rare breeds. Either they are hard to come by outside their native homelands, or have recently made comebacks from declining population numbers.

As with clothing or baby names, certain breeds go in and out of fashion for various reasons – their purpose for existence may have changed or their former task no longer requires their presence.

Mudi

Mudis are an agile, courageous breed of dog with a fierce sense of loyalty that are rarely seen outside Hungary. Bred as herders and guard dogs, these Mudis devotedly protect their human families while eagerly learning. Obedience lessons typically start at seven weeks, as Mudis master commands quickly. Mudis thrive under reward-based training methods but tend to become overexcited easily so it’s important that owners monitor this aspect of training closely.

Due to their heritage as herders, Mudis require plenty of mental and physical stimulation. They enjoy activities like walking briskly along a leash, hiking, swimming and other physical pursuits. Mudis excel at agility and obedience training and may even become competitive herders themselves! With incredible alertness they make excellent watchdogs but may be reserved towards strangers.

Mudis make wonderful family pets, with children of all ages often being attracted to them and other household pets getting along well together – though their herding instinct means they shouldn’t be left alone with small creatures like birds or hamsters; cats should also be introduced early.

Mudis are generally healthy dogs, although sheen suggests they could be predisposed to hip and elbow dysplasia, cataracts and luxating patellas. Mudis may also suffer from color dilution alopecia – which results in itchy, flaky skin with hair loss – so regular veterinarian visits and nutrition are critical for this high-energy canine breed. As their coat is dirt repellant they require only occasional brushings to remove any tangles or matts.

Nederlandse Kooikerhondje

One glimpse at a Kooikerhondje will demonstrate why it captivated hearts around the globe in 1915 when it rescued Prince William II of Orange during an assassination attempt. Their beautiful autumn-inspired coats of red, orange, and white come complete with dark-tipped ears and a unique black nose for added charm – the ideal combination to complete this striking breed.

Kooikerhondje dogs were originally designed to hunt waterfowl, often seen hunting duck decoy ponds in Holland known as “eendenkooi.” As active and athletic creatures, these Kooikerhondje breeds can thrive when given plenty of exercise and outdoor playtime; therefore large yards are ideal.

These energetic dogs should be carefully watched when around children and may require firm, consistent training methods. While these dogs may initially exhibit signs of suspicion towards strangers (following “stranger danger”), which could result in puppy mouthing or bites; with proper socialization this trait will subside over time.

Responsible breeders will screen both parents and offspring for hereditary diseases like Von Willebrand Disease, which causes abnormal bleeding in the body, as well as cataracts that cloud eyes and impair vision. If either condition exists, either parent and/or offspring may be removed from breeding programs. When selecting your puppy, make sure it exhibits healthy characteristics while looking beautiful!

Norwegian Lundehund

As an excellent example of “Form Follows Function,” the Norwegian Lundehund was created on Norway’s rugged islands to hunt puffins – now protected species – for food. Though puffins no longer reside there, today the Lundehund remains an active companion with six toes on each front foot and an unusual double-jointed neck structure that are hallmarks of its breed.

Lundehunds are highly vigilant dogs that often bark when something is out of the ordinary, not simply out of barking; rather they do so to provide protection and fearful security for themselves and those they perceive as threats. As a result, these breeds should be socialized early and extensively so as to foster trusting relationships between both parties involved.

These dogs excel at problem-solving, and excel in positive reinforcement-based training. Athletic and energetic, they relish sessions of play. Although generally not interested in chasing squirrels or small animals, when an opportunity presents itself for food they’ll do everything it takes to secure it!

Lundehunds tend to have sensitive digestive tracts and require a low-fat, high-protein diet for proper functioning. If left untreated, lymphangiectasia – an intestinal problem which prevents absorption of essential nutrients – could develop and potentially starve them out, leading to eventual starvation. Otherwise this breed is usually healthy with an average lifespan of 12-15 years.

Pyrenean Shepherd

A classic herding breed, the Pyrenean Shepherd is an agile and graceful canine capable of agility training. A common sight at dog sports events, this lean and graceful breed makes an excellent companion for active families and is known for scoring highly on herding instinct scales; making a natural watchdog. While typically affectionate towards family members, its protective instinct can sometimes overrule his nature when dealing with strangers.

Puppy herders are specifically bred to warn their flock of any threats, so it is necessary for them to be socialized and trained from an early age. Because these smart and quick learners can sometimes be stubborn, patience must always be shown when working with these pups so that they do not cause trouble by acting up or acting out.

Pyr Sheps make great additions to rural settings where they can get plenty of exercise and mental stimulation, although apartment living may still work provided there is a fenced-in yard to play in. Canine sports and advanced obedience training can help control this herding breed’s wild nature. Canine sports and advanced obedience training can also be effective ways to tame its wild nature. Unfortunately, Pyr Sheps do not do well living with other cats or other dogs, being predisposed to eye disease, hip dysplasia and patent ductus arteriosus birth defect (affecting blood flow), arthritis or seizure attacks.

Sloughi

Sloughis can often be likened to the physical traits of cheetahs; their agility and speed rival that of any cat breed. Originating in North Africa where they remain highly sought-after by hunters for hunting desert game such as gazelles and hares. Though nearly extinct due to World Wars II destruction, dedicated breeders helped revive this unique dog breed across America and Europe; today the Sloughi weighs between 50-65 pounds with height between 24-30 inches.

The Sloughi’s coat is short and dense, featuring fine hairs ranging in color from light sand to red fawn. Any deviation from what is outlined in their breed standard constitutes disqualification; additionally, their eyes tend to be large with deep-set eyes that may display both expression or distance depending on their mood.

Sloughis tend to be reserved around strangers, yet form close bonds with their families. While they typically get along well with children and other pets, strangers tend to be less fond of them. Furthermore, harsh training methods should be avoided.

Sloughis may appear peaceful inside your home, but they require daily physical activity in order to remain healthy and happy. Long walks or jogs, backyard playtime and canine sports are great ways to get them moving; addison’s disease and Progressive Retinal Atrophy risk is high so routine eye exams should also be scheduled as regular prevention measures.

Stabyhoun

The Stabyhoun is one of the rarest canine breeds on Earth. Hailing from the Netherlands and known for its medium-sized sporting dog capabilities, this medium-sized sporting breed features either black or white feathering around their chest, belly, legs and tail – an epithet that perfectly conveys this breed’s devotion and dedication. “Stabyhoun” means “stand by me”, an apt description for this devoted breed!

These breeds of dogs are easy to train and form strong bonds with their owners, making them well-suited to many sports and activities, including agility, obedience training, hunting, triathlons and endurance racing. Furthermore, these dogs may serve as herding animals or guardians for larger animals such as cattle and horses.

Stabyhouns are highly desired among dog lovers despite being relatively rare breeds, due to their loyal temperament and excellent health. Families as well as hunters find them popular choices; however, due to strict breeding policies and slow breeding process the Stabyhoun can be more costly than expected.

If you are considering purchasing a Stabyhoun, it is crucial that you conduct sufficient research on its breed and locate a reputable breeder. When making your final selection, always speak to multiple responsible breeders and veterinary professionals for opinions before making your final choice. Furthermore, ensure your new pet gets plenty of exercise and a well-balanced diet – fresh water should always be available and treats monitored to avoid overfeeding as overweight dogs are susceptible to several diseases and disorders.https://www.youtube.com/embed/wH18N8BDcb4