15 Underrated Dog Breeds You Should Know About

We all know how amazing Golden Retrievers are for families, and we can’t help but love the cuteness of a Corgi’sbackside while singing the praises of everything French Bulldog. But what about the breeds that don’t get as much attention? If you’re on the hunt for a breed that’s often overlooked and seriously underrated, check out these 15 underrated dog breeds you should know about.

Curly-Coated Retriever

The Labrador Retriever has held the title of the most popular dog breed in the United States for an impressive 26 years—but what if you’re looking for a breed that’s just as loving? Enter the Curly-Coated Retriever! With its unique coat of tight, water-resistant curls, this strong breed was developed as a hunting dog and is one of the oldest retriever breeds. This canine loves hanging around people and needs daily exercise to avoid boredom.

Doberman Pinscher

If you’re a fan of German Shepherds, you might want to check out the Doberman Pinscher. This dog originated in Germany in the late 19th century and was named after tax collector Louis Dobermann, who wanted a mid-sized guard dog that could also be a companion. Once favored by the police and military for their intelligence and strength, Dobermans are so much more than just their historical job description.

Cesky Terrier

The Cesky Terrier is essentially a mix between the more well-known Scottish Terrier and Sealyham Terrier. This muscular, short-legged pup sports wavy facial hair and a coat that comes in various shades of gray. Developed in the early 20th century in what’s now the Czech Republic, the Cesky Terrier is an active breed that loves to dig and needs daily exercise to stay happy.

Anatolian Shepherd

The Anatolian Shepherd combines a sighthound’s speed and endurance with a mastiff’s powerful build, making it an ideal breed for guarding livestock against wolves, big cats, and other carnivores. Ironically, conservationists are now utilizing this skill to help protect one of the world’s most famous predators—the cheetah. These fast and imposing dogs can effectively scare off hungry felines in a non-violent way.

Japanese Chin

The Japanese Chin is one of the underrated lap dogs out there. Despite its name, this small breed actually originated in China, and was bred to be a good companion. With a sensitive and intelligent nature, the Japanese Chin can be quite cat-like, often running the household with a bit of flair. According to the AKC, their silky, flowing coat is surprisingly low-maintenance, although it does need regular grooming.

Brussels Griffon

With a fancy name, the Brussels Griffon may be a toy breed, but it’s not your typical pampered little dog. This breed has a terrier-like disposition and makes for a good watchdog. Originating in Belgium in the early 1800s, the Brussels Griffon was initially used to hunt rats. Intelligent, sensitive, and active, this pooch loves being around its people and needs daily exercise to stay happy.

Norwegian Lundehund

Grab a Norwegian Lundehund’s paw, and you might do a double-take. This unique breed has not five, but six toes on each foot. And none of these extra digits are useless anatomical oddities. Every single toe is jointed and fully functional. These dogs were bred to hunt puffins—which like to perch on slippery rock faces that make it tough for predators to get a grip.But Lundehunds can easily hunt them down.

Bull Terrier

Bulldogs are regularly among the AKC’s top five most popular breeds but don’t overlook the Bull Terrier, which blends the best traits of Bulldogs and various terrier breeds. The AKC describes this playful pup as “a three-year-old child in a dog suit.” While the muscular Bull Terrier might come off as a bit aloof, the reality is that this breed has a sweet, loving temperament. With their short, glossy coat, Bull Terriers require very little grooming.

Toy Manchester Terrier

Originally bred to kill rats and chase rabbits for sport in Manchester, the Toy Manchester Terrier is both fast and fearless. This smooth-coated breed features a striking mahogany tan and jet black coat, and it’s a smaller version of the OG Manchester Terrier. Known for getting along well with children and other dogs, the AKC notes that this breed is a greatchoice for city dwellers looking for a little dog with “big-dog style.”

Bedlington Terrier

The Bedlington Terrier is hard to miss, sporting a face that resembles a lamb’s, a fleecy coat, and an arched back. However, not many people consider this breed right away when choosing a dog. Named after a mining shire in England, this pooch is a natural hunter of vermin. With a mild temperament, it’s energetic without being overly rambunctious and intelligent without being mischievous.

Tibetan Mastiff

While the genetic evidence isn’t definitive, it’s believed that modern Chow Chows, Saint Bernards, and Boxers may have all come—at least in part—from the majestic Tibetan Mastiff. If you’re looking for a dog that will definitely scare off any intruder, this breed is a perfect fit. Weighing in at up to 220 pounds and known for their thunderous barks, Tibetan Mastiffs make truly impressive guardians.

Schipperke

The name “Schipperke” means “little captain” in Flemish, according to the AKC. This distinctive breed stands no taller than 13 inches and has a thick, black coat. Developed in Belgium as low-maintenance vermin catchers and watchdogs, the Schipperke has become a lovable companion. This little pup is hardworking, intelligent, and independent but can also be mischievous and playful.

Azawakh

With an almost deer-like appearance, Azawakhs—also known as Tuareg Sloughis—boast the long limbs of a racing dog. Despite their ability to reach top speeds of 40 miles per hour, these sighthounds are mainly used as family guardians and livestock protectors in their native West Africa. It wasn’t until the late 1980s that the breed made its way to the United States when the first confirmed American-born litter came into the world.

American Foxhound

One of the first dog breeds developed in the United States, the American Foxhound is also among the country’s rarest native breeds. As per the AKC, this breed evolved from dogs brought over from England to the American colonies in 1650. As a true hound breed, this dog is independent and a bit stubborn, boasting a strong hunting instinct.

Australian Cattle Dog

Back in the nineteenth century, breeders in Australia put in years of work to create a herding dog that was agile, loyal, and tough enough to handle the continent’s scorching heatwaves. The result? The Australian Cattle Dog is a breed with afamily tree that includes Dalmatians, Smithfields, Kelpies, and even Dingoes. These pups are not just hard workers—they’re also known for sticking around for a long time!