There are certain dogs that everyone knows, from golden retrievers and French bulldogs to pit bulls and poodles, because they’re practically everywhere. In the U.S., you see them on TV and on social media, and even when you step out for an afternoon stroll.
Of course, there’s a good chance you don’t know them all. There are more than 350 recognized dog breeds from all around the world, many of which are exceedingly rare in America, and many of these unusual dogs are worth knowing about. Below are 15 of our all-time favorites.
Azawakh
The Azawakh is a lean and powerful hunting dog from West Africa. It’s a sighthound, meaning it takes down its prey with help from its keen sight and incredible speed. These dogs are recognized for being agile and elegant, with speeds of up to 40 miles per hour, and have nonchalant personalities that have been compared to those of cats.
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Belgian Laekenois
Belgium has four native dogs, including the rarest if the bunch, the Belgian Laekenois (pronounced “lak-in-wah”). These tough, active and hard-working herding dogs are extremely protective of the land they watch, while also being quite loving and friendly with people they know well. They’re unique for their rough and fluffy coats in hues of reds, soft browns and greys, with black muzzles.
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Cimarrón Uruguayo
The Cimarrón Uruguayo comes from Uruguay and is descended from mastiffs brought into the country from Spain during early colonization. The name “cimarrón” means “runaway” or “untamed,” as originally, these dogs ran wild and sometimes attacked livestock. Eventually, ranchers captured and domesticated these dogs to instead guard their farms. They’re known for their cleverness and recognizable brindle coats.
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Cirneco dell’Etna
With its sharp features and sleek body, the Cirneco dell’Etna has the look of a hunter. Indeed, this Italian hunting dog, which hails from Sicily, is beloved for being a skilled and stealthy predator. They have a powerful sense of smell and move silently enough to snag small game, including rabbits, before they can be detected.
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Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The Dandie Dinmont terrier, which comes from Scotland and Northern England, gets its name from a character in the Walter Scott’s novel, Guy Mannering. These small and playful-looking dogs have distinctively soft coats and short legs, and have long been bred as loyal companion dogs. 
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Also read about: 10 Things You’ll Relate to If You Grew Up With a Dog
Finnish Spitz
As the name suggests, the Finnish spitz originally comes from Finland. “Spitz” means “pointed” in German, and accordingly, these pups are known for their wolf-like look thanks to sharp ears, heavy fur and almond-shaped eyes. This breed was was created to be the ultimate hunter, tackling prey from the smallest rats and birds to bears and elk, and indicating the location of game with a bark and drawing their attention to aid their hunting partners.
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Ibizan Hound
The Ibizan hound, of course, comes from the Spanish island of Ibiza. They’re lean and active sighthounds that usually stand quite tall, allowing them to see rabbits and other small game animals from a distance before they use their rapid speed to capture them. They come in both smooth and wire-haired varieties, but most often sport a familiar white and red coat pattern.
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Japanese Chin
Don’t let the name fool you—the Japanese chin is actually a cute companion dog from China. It’s believed that Japanese royalty first received them as a gift from the Chinese emperor, and they’ve been popular pets for more than a millennium. They make exceedingly good lapdogs as they’re well-behaved, cuddly and calm, without being as needy as some other similar dogs.
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Keeshond
The Keeshond is instantly recognizable for its almost fox-like appearance and luxuriously fluffy silver and black coat. It’s another spitz dog that’s popular across Europe—especially in cold and snowy regions—and its double coat keeps it warm and insulated even in harsh climates. They were originally bred as watchdogs, but have also become popular family pets thanks to their gentle temperaments.
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Komondor
While many people are at least familiar with the concept of “mop dogs,” they’re less likely to know their names. The Komondor sheepdog is one such variety. It comes from Hungary and is unmistakable for its long and white corded coat, reminiscent of the thick strings of a mop. For centuries, these unusual-looking dogs have been trusted to watch livestock. There is also a smaller Hungarian herding dog with a similar look, called a Puli, which usually has a black coat.
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Also read about: The 35 Cutest Dog Breeds of All Time
Otterhound
The otterhound’s history goes all the way back to medieval England, where it was bred specifically to hunt otters. They’re large scent hounds, meaning they use their keen sense of smell to track down prey—even underwater—and with their thick, waterproof coats, webbed feet and strong swimming abilities, their qualities make them highly suited to the task.
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Pyrenean Shepherd
The Pyrenean shepherd hails from the Pyrenees mountain range between France and Spain. They have thick coats in booth smooth and rough varieties that make them suited to chilly mountain weather, and tough, muscular bodies that are excellent for high-energy sheepdog work.
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Sloughi
Also called the Arabian greyhound, the Sloughi (pronounced “sloo-ghee”) has been around from centuries and originally comes from Northern Africa. They’re agile and lead, as they were bred for hunting game in the desert, with prey ranging from gazelles and hares to jackals.
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Xiasi
The origins of the Xiasi dog (pronounced “she-ah-seh”) go back nearly a millennium in the Guizhou region of China. They’re powerful and muscular hunters that were originally bred to take down prey and guard their owners and property, but over time, they also developed into a symbol of luck and good fortune. They’ve also earned the nickname of “the white dragon dog.”
Xoloitzcuintli
And last, but certainly not least, is a dog you’ll recognize if you’ve seen Disney’s Coco, even if you couldn’t necessarily name it. The Xoloitzcuintli is a breed of Mexican hairless dog that’s among the oldest dog breeds on the planet, dating back more than 3,000 years. They come in various sizes and are recognizable for their bat-like ears, sleek shapes and, of course, being mostly hairless.
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