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Unrecognized and Rare Breed dogs

Unrecognized and Rare Breeds refers to all breeds which are not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC), and which do not belong to a general kennel club designation such as the Herding Group, Hound Group, etc.. There are several reasons why a breed is not recognized by kennel clubs such as the AKC. Worldwide, there are hundreds of dog breeds, some of ancient origin and some relatively recent. Many foreign breeds and rare breeds are relatively unknown in the USA, and therefore are not recognized. Many rare breeds are found only in very small populations in isolated regions. They are also referred to as “emerging breeds” by some international associations.

The preservation of a rare breed depends on the integrity of their pedigree and ownership records. Many dog fanciers see AKC recognition as necessary for breed development. Before a breed is recognized, the AKC registers 200 dogs of that breed in what is known as the Foundation Stock Service Program. After the breed is recognized, only dogs which have descended from the foundation stock, can be registered with the AKC.

The American Rare Breed Association (ARBA) allows the registration of rare breeds which are not AKC-recognized.

Top 10 recommended Unrecognized and Rare Breed dogs breeds
(based on 5 recommendations)

  Breed Overall recommendation  Recommendations
Shiloh Shepherd Shiloh Shepherd 4.8 15
Havana Silk Dog Havana Silk Dog 4.9 13
Estrela Mountain Dog Estrela Mountain Dog 4.9 12
Northern Inuit Dog Northern Inuit Dog 4.8 12
Fila Brasileiro Fila Brasileiro 4.7 9
American Alsatian American Alsatian 5.0 7
American Bulldog American Bulldog 4.6 7
Blue Lacy Blue Lacy 4.9 7
Coton de Tulear Coton de Tulear 5.0 7
Alaskan Klee Kai Alaskan Klee Kai 4.7 6

Unrecognized and Rare Breed dogs Breeds recommended by attribute

Appearance  
Kai Ken Kai Ken
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Aidi Aidi
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
American Mastiff American Mastiff
  • Currently 100
5.0 3
Bolognese Bolognese
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Chinese Chongqing Dog Chinese Chongqing Dog
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
more
Temperament  
Kai Ken Kai Ken
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
American Mastiff American Mastiff
  • Currently 100
5.0 3
Bolognese Bolognese
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Chinese Chongqing Dog Chinese Chongqing Dog
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Norsk Buhund Norsk Buhund
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
more
Overall activity  
Aidi Aidi
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Kai Ken Kai Ken
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Chinese Chongqing Dog Chinese Chongqing Dog
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
New Zealand Huntaway New Zealand Huntaway
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Formosan Mountain Dog Formosan Mountain Dog
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
more
Trainability  
Kai Ken Kai Ken
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Aidi Aidi
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
American Mastiff American Mastiff
  • Currently 100
5.0 3
Bolognese Bolognese
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Chinese Chongqing Dog Chinese Chongqing Dog
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
more
Barks a lot  
New Zealand Huntaway New Zealand Huntaway
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
New Guinea Singing Dog New Guinea Singing Dog
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Icelandic Sheepdog Icelandic Sheepdog
  • Currently 100
4.5 2
Caucasian Ovcharka Caucasian Ovcharka
  • Currently 100
4.5 2
Maremma Sheepdog Maremma Sheepdog
  • Currently 100
4.5 2
more
Health vigor  
Carolina Dog Carolina Dog
  • Currently 100
5.0 4
Kai Ken Kai Ken
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Bolognese Bolognese
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
American Alsatian American Alsatian
  • Currently 100
5.0 7
Aidi Aidi
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
more
With adult family members  
Kai Ken Kai Ken
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Bolognese Bolognese
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
American Alsatian American Alsatian
  • Currently 100
5.0 7
Aidi Aidi
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
American Mastiff American Mastiff
  • Currently 100
5.0 3
more
With children below eight  
Kai Ken Kai Ken
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Aidi Aidi
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
American Mastiff American Mastiff
  • Currently 100
5.0 3
Bolognese Bolognese
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Norsk Buhund Norsk Buhund
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
more
With children above eight  
Kai Ken Kai Ken
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Aidi Aidi
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
American Mastiff American Mastiff
  • Currently 100
5.0 3
Bolognese Bolognese
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Norsk Buhund Norsk Buhund
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
more
With strangers  
Bolognese Bolognese
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
New Zealand Huntaway New Zealand Huntaway
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Markiesje Markiesje
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Icelandic Sheepdog Icelandic Sheepdog
  • Currently 100
5.0 2
Tosa Tosa
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
more
With cats  
Aidi Aidi
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
American Mastiff American Mastiff
  • Currently 100
5.0 3
Kai Ken Kai Ken
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Labradoodle Labradoodle
  • Currently 100
5.0 2
Sarplaninac Sarplaninac
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
more
With strange dogs  
Bolognese Bolognese
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
New Zealand Huntaway New Zealand Huntaway
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Markiesje Markiesje
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Treeing Walker Coonhound Treeing Walker Coonhound
  • Currently 100
5.0 2
Dogo Argentino Dogo Argentino
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
more
Watch dog ability  
Aidi Aidi
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Kai Ken Kai Ken
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Chinese Chongqing Dog Chinese Chongqing Dog
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Cane Corso Cane Corso
  • Currently 100
5.0 6
Markiesje Markiesje
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
more
Guard dog ability  
Kai Ken Kai Ken
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Aidi Aidi
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Chinese Chongqing Dog Chinese Chongqing Dog
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Formosan Mountain Dog Formosan Mountain Dog
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
German Spitz (Grossspitz) German Spitz (Grossspitz)
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
more
Low cost to own  
Teddy Roosevelt Terrier Teddy Roosevelt Terrier
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Formosan Mountain Dog Formosan Mountain Dog
  • Currently 100
4.0 1
Mudi Mudi
  • Currently 100
4.0 1
German Spitz (Mittelspitz) German Spitz (Mittelspitz)
  • Currently 100
4.0 1
Australian Koolie Australian Koolie
  • Currently 100
3.7 3
more
Easy to groom  
Chinese Chongqing Dog Chinese Chongqing Dog
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Norsk Buhund Norsk Buhund
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
New Zealand Huntaway New Zealand Huntaway
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
Lancashire Heeler Lancashire Heeler
  • Currently 100
5.0 2
Feist Feist
  • Currently 100
5.0 1
more


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