All dogs are cute and cuddly, right? Not always! Some dogs are flat-out odd-looking, but that doesn’t mean that these unique dogs aren’t down for snuggles. Some pet parents like a unique-looking dog, whether that means the dog has a one-of-a-kind coat, a ton of wrinkles, or perhaps very little in the way of fur at all! Maybe the dog’s facial features make the canine unusual and unique. No matter what physical qualities make a dog appear unusual, you can bet these pups deliver the best when it comes to love, companionship, and snuggles.
If you know a little about dogs, you’ve probably seen some of the following breeds competing in dog shows or maybe on a television show. We’ve compiled a list of a few of the most unique or the weirdest dog breeds available; let’s look at these special breeds and find out what’s to love about each of them.
Article Summary
1. The Shar-Pei
The Shar-Pei is a wrinkly yet darling dog breed. The dog originated in China, where the name “shar-pei” translates to “sand skin.” The Shar-Pei makes a great guard dog, but, they are very affectionate with family members. It is important to note that Shar-Pei doesn’t always get along with strangers. They require early socialization in order to combat this issue.
The Shar-Pei is not the only dog breed that has a lot of wrinkles (see the Dosa Korean Mastiff below); however, the Shar-Pei DOES have one feature that keeps it from being confused with other breeds—its muzzle. Some compare the nose and facial shape of the Shar-Pei to that of a hippo! When Shar-Pei is a puppy, her wrinkles are in abundance! The wrinkles don’t go away; rather, they spread out and seem to flatten. They tend to become less noticeable as the dog ages, but the Shar-Pei is still so unique that one will not mistake the breed for another!
Again, while you won’t necessarily see this one of a kind feature unless you look in its mouth, the Shar-Pei is one of two breeds of dog that possesses a black tongue—the other breed with this characteristic is the Chow Chow, who is not related to the Shar-Pei, although they are both Chinese in origin.
2. The Bedlington Terrier
The Bedlington Terrier can attribute its unique look not to bone structure or skin formation, but simply to the universal grooming style of this breed! Some refer to Bedlington Terriers as “half camel, half sheep” looking dogs. The hair of the Bedlington Terrier is curly, and most groomers keep the fur shorn according to American Kennel Club standards.
The Bedlington Terrier possesses a pear-shaped head; however, most of this is due to the way the coat is groomed. They do have triangular ears, however.
Most might be surprised to find that the Bedlington Terrier was trained to fight. Keep in mind that all terrier breeds are tenacious, and when they want something, they stop at nothing to get it.
Overall, the Bedlington Terrier is a sweet breed that does need a great deal of exercise in order to be happy. Engage this breed with some unique chew toys that will keep the Bedlington Terrier mentally occupied. Food puzzle dog toys that engage the puppy for twenty or thirty minutes at a time coupled with a few short, brisk walks per day will keep this sweet dog happy and healthy.
3. The Dosa Korean Mastiff
The Dosa Korean Mastiff is another wrinkly dog that works as a guardian. The Dosa has a close relative; the Tosa Mastiff. Both breeds sport an overabundance of wrinkles.
4. The Bull Terrier
If you’re over a certain age, you likely won’t remember Spuds Mackenzie, a Bull Terrier that represented a fun-loving time for the Budweiser company. Spuds’ character brought a lot of attention to the uniquely formed Bull Terrier, who is distinct because of his tall, pointed ears and elongated muzzle.
5. The Peruvian Inca Orchid
There are a very small number of what are are called the hairless dogs that have little or no fur on their bodies. One of these is the Peruvian Inca Orchid, an ancient breed and one of the most intelligent dogs. This gorgeous and unique dog has the absolute least amount of hair of any breed; its skin features a reddish-brown color that is mottled on the legs, stomach, and feet, making it one of the most weird looking dogs.
6. The Chinese Crested
Another dog that has very little fur is the Chinese Crested [1]. While the Peruvian Inca Orchid is mostly bald, however, the Chinese Crested dogs got its name because of the long hair they sport on certain parts of their bodies (it’s head and ears for the most part). Adding to the oddity of the appearance of the dog is the fact that the hair on these parts is long and somewhat thick!
The Chinese Crested appears as if a groomer shaved all the hair off its body, leaving only select areas with long, poofy hair. The Chinese Crested is a smaller dog; it is slightly larger than the Chihuahua but is slender.
The Chinese Crested requires a great deal of care. Because the only fur the dog possesses is on its feet, tail, and head, the rest of the body requires certain attention in order to keep the Chinese Crested happy and healthy. The Chinese Crested requires sunscreen on its body when outdoors. They can and do become sunburned if left outdoors for very long. It is also important that the Chinese Crested receives more frequent baths than other breeds.
The Chinese Crested not only looks unique, but its one-of-a-kind coat (or lack thereof) develops some issues most other dog breeds do not experience. The Chinese Crested can develop acne as well as dryness—so much so that a Chinese Crested without the proper level of moisturizer can experience cracked skin.
One more unique issue of the Chinese Crested—they have no premolar teeth. One wouldn’t necessarily know this without looking in the Chinese Crested’s mouth, but it is still something that sets the breed apart.
7. The Puli
From dogs with little or no hair to dogs with lots of odd-looking hair, the Puli is often compared to a mop! The hair of the Puli looks as if it has been twisted into dreadlocks making it one of the most unique dog breeds.
The Puli is a type of sheepdog, and its original job was to guard livestock. The unique coat of the Puli was intended to both protect the dog from the elements as they watched over the flock, but also protected the dog from any potential predators too.
The Puli originated in Hungary, a place known for cold, bitter winters with lots of snow. Their unique coat offered protection from this frigid weather.
The Puli actually has a few “cousin” breeds that sport the same type of coat. Of all the related corded coat breeds, however, the Puli is the smallest.
The Puli’s unique “dreads” begin forming when the dog is about nine months of age. The Puli is typically black, but there are other colors that are considered standard for the breed. Puli pups never shed. However, when dog owners get ready to groom the Puli, they need to block the entire day on the calendar.
Owners must ensure that the Puli’s coat and cords stay separated. When the cords of the Puli’s coat start to bind together, the resulting matting and tangling can be an absolute nightmare to get back to normal. In some instances, the large mats that form when the cords start to run together must be shaved so growth starts anew. The Puli’s face is covered by these dreadlocks or cords as well.
The Puli is a loyal and loving dog that is also extremely smart. The Puli will need a moderate amount of exercise in order to stay happy and healthy. Keep in mind that the Puli is quite agile, so always keep an eye on him when out taking walks.
You may also be surprised to learn that the Puli’s corded, massive coat is water-resistant! They can leave a body of water, shake it off, and go right back to business!
8. The Komondor
The Komondor is a relative of the Puli. It also sports a corded coat, but the Komondor is the largest of these related breeds. These dogs often weigh just under or a little over 100 pounds. Their coat is long, corded, and heavy.
The Komondor reaches thirty inches (at the shoulder) in height when fully grown. However, the long cords of fur make the Komondor appear much larger. The coat is considered the thickest of any canines on the planet. The “dreads” even cover the Komondor’s face, which makes many of us wonder how the dog can even see!
9. The Bergamasco
This corded dog is not related to the Komondor or the Puli, but it is considered a corded breed. This breed originated in the Alps of Italy.
The Bergamasco is a shepherd dog. It is important to note that the puppies of this breed look absolutely nothing like the adult Bergamasco. The puppy has short, smooth hair that will somehow transform into the cords the Bergamasco sports as an adult. The corded locks that form after the Bergamasco reach a certain age hang down its body—often several inches of length.
Like the Puli and the Komondor, the Bergamasco Shepherd will need frequent and determined grooming that will keep the complicated coat from becoming very matted.
10. The Neopolitan Mastiff
Like some other dog breeds on this list, the Neopolitan Mastiff is massively huge that is considered to be unique looking. The Neopolitan Mastiff is considered one of the giant dog breeds, but that is not the only reason this dog is unique looking.
The Neopolitan Mastiff weighs in at 130 pounds when grown. The Neopolitan Mastiff’s skull is huge and broad; his face is muscular and stout. The eyes remind one of a hound dog—the eyes are droopy and somewhat wrinkled. Many are frightened of this giant dog, but the fear is unfounded.
The Neopolitan Mastiffs are great family pets being some of the sweetest, most gentle dogs—at least with family and loved ones. The Neopolitan Mastiff can be trusted with children; they are wonderful guard dogs and will put themselves in the face of danger to protect their family members. They are actually quite intelligent, and they will work happily at most any job the dog is trained to do.
FAQs
What are the most bizarre-looking dog breeds in the world?
The corded breeds are mostly related, and they are quite unique in appearance. This would be the Komondor, the Puli, and the Bergamasco Shepherd. However, there are two breeds that are almost completely hairless, and this makes them distinctive—the Peruvian Inca Orchid and the Chinese Crested.
