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Rare dog breeds
Out of the Ordinary
Many of the rare dog breeds below are less common in the United States of America, but not necessarily in other countries.These rare dog breeds and miniature dogs have been bred with a specific purpose in mind, but now are all small dog breeds which are mostly companion dogs designed for interaction with humans and need to be housed indoors.
All these rare dog breeds make great pets for either family or individuals, not all are suitable for small children, though and some need vigorous daily exercise or grooming. Many of us want rare dog breeds that are more unusual for their adorable and different looks or because of their individual personalities to other more easily available small dog breeds. Possibly your family came from Europe and you would enjoy have one of the more exotic rare dog breeds detailed below.
American Hairlesss - Weight - 12 - 16 lbs (5kgs to 7 kgs)
- Height - 12 - 16 inches (26 - 36 cms)
- All colors except Merle and Albino
- Non existent coat Skin needs sun protection.
- Maintenance - Bathing and nail clipping is all that is required.
- Family - Loves companionship and must live indoors.
- Life expectancy - 12 - 15 years
- Lively and athletic. Suits a family or individual who enjoys walking and playing with their pet.
Affenpincher - Weight - 2 - 8 lbs (4.2 - 16 kgs)
- Height - 12 inch (25 - 30 cm)
- Color - Prefer Black/brown markings
- Harsh and dense coat
- Daily brushing
- Family - Family pet and Watch dog
- Life expectancy - 12 - 14 years
- Personality - Sturdy and Fearless. These rare dog
breeds makes a very good family pet.
Bedlington Terrier - Weight - 18 - 23 lbs (8 - 10.5 kgs)
- Height - 16 inches - (40 cms)
- Color - Blue, liver or sandy. Dark colours preferred.
- Coat - Thick and crisp. Not Wiry.
- Maintenance - Clipping 3 times a year. Daily brushing.
- Family - Hypoallergenic dogs. Good with children.
- Life expectancy - 15 - 16 years.
- Personality - Plucky, assertive, stubborn. Ideal small dog for family or single person.
Biewer Terrier - Weight - up to 7.5 lbs (3.1kgs)
- Height - up to 8,5 inches (22 cms)
- Color - White, Black/Blue and Gold
- Coat - Long hair parted down the middle hanging straight and evenly.
- Maintenance - Regular combing and trimming ears.
- Family - Excellent family pet, and companion. Loves other dogs and children.
- Life expectancy - 14 years
- Pleasant, unselfish and have great humor. Lively and intelligent. Superb Companion Pet.
Chinese Crested Dog - Weight - Under 12 lbs ( under 5.5 kgs)
- Height - 9 - 13 inches (23 - 33 cms)
- Any color, solid or spotted
- No coat. Silky head and feet. (Powderpuff variety has a very thin coat)
- Regular baths and moisturising skin and sun protection
- Devoted pet, wary of strangers. Must live indoors
- Life expectancy - 12 - 13 years
- Intelligent and lively. Ideal miniature dogs for people with allergies and want a dog to "baby".
Corgi - Cardigan Corgi - Weight - Dogs 22 - 26.5; bitches 20 -24 lbs (dogs 11 -17; bitches 9 - 12.5 kgs)
- Height - 12 - 15 inches (27 - 33 cms)
- Red, Sable, Brindle, Black and Tan with or without white markings. White acceptable on legs, chest and neck.
- Double coat, close lying and flat.
- Heavy shedding twice a year. Regular bushing is required.
- Ideal pet, suitable for country or apartments. Socialising early is essential.
- Life expectancy - 12 - 15 years.
- Can be a couch potato. Strong willed and intelligent. Devoted pet.
Corgi - Pembroke Corgi - Weight - Dogs 22 - 26.5; bitches 20 -24 lbs (dogs 10 -12; bitches 9 - 11 kgs)
- Height - 10 - 13 inches (25 - 30 cms)
- Color - Red, Fawn, Sable, Black and Tan with or without white markings. White acceptable on legs, chest and neck.
- Coat - Double, close lying and flat.
- Regular bushing keeps his coat shiny. Sheds heavily twice a year.
- Family pet, suitable for apartment or country living. Males need to be neutered if they are to live with other male dogs.
- Life expectancy - 12 - 15 years.
- Should have light to moderate exercise. Strong willed and intelligent. Fabulous family pet.
Japanese Chin - Weight - 4.5 to 13 lbs (2 to 6 kgs)
- Height - 10 inches (23 - 25 cms)
- Color - Black and white, red and white, shades of orange
- Coat - Abundant, long, straight and silky
- Maintenance - Regular combing,
- Family - Ideal for apartment living.
- Life expectancy - 12 years
- Personality - Gentle and good natured. Rarely bark. Good choice for quiet family life.
French Bulldogs - Weight - 17 to 28 lbs - Under 10 kgs ( varieties up to 13 kg)
- Height - 10 - 14 inches ( 25 - 35 cms)
- Color - Brindle, Pied and fawn.
- Coat - Dense, glossy and Soft.
- Maintenance - Occasional brushing. Keep face folds clean.
- Family - Delightful family pet, devoted, gentle with children.
- Life expectancy - 11 - 12 years
- Personality - Good watchdog. Very affectionate and good natured. Perfect for a small family with children.
Italian Greyhound - Weight - 6 - 8 lbs (3 - 3.5 kgs)
- Height - 13 - 15 inches (33 - 38 cms)
- Black, Grey and Fawn. White only on chest and feet
- Very fine coat.
- Very low maintenance. Occasional wipe.
- Good family pet with gentle children.
- Life expectancy - 13 - 14 years.
- Quiet, affectionate. Loves human companionship. Toy dog breed not for a boisterous family.
Miniature Pinschers - Weight - 4.5 - 10 lbs (2 - 4.5 kgs)
- Height - 10 - 12 inches (25 - 30 cms)
- Color - Solid fawn, or back or blue with tan markings
- Short, thick coat, sensationally sleek
- Minimal maintenance
- Good with children - but must not be man handled
- Life expectancy - 13 - 14 years
- Guard dog, lively and affectionate. A choice of miniature dogs that needs firm training.
Schipperke - Weight - 6.5 to 18 lbs (3 - 8 kgs)
- Height - 12.5 - 14 inches (22 - 33 cms)
- Color - Solid black
- Dense and harsh coat
- Regular brushing
- Gentle with children, can be snappish needs training
- Life expectancy - 14- 16 years or longer
- Personality - Can be snappish with his food and toys. Otherwise a devoted family pet. A fine watch dog.
- Rare dog breed in USA but not so in Europe.
Scottish Terrier - Weight - 18 - 23 lbs (8.5 - 10.5 kgs)
- Height - 10 - 11 inchs (25 - 28 cms)
- Color - Black, wheaten or brindle in any color.
- Coat - Dense undercoat, wiry outercoat. Weather resistant.
- Regular brushing, professional stripping or home clipping.
- Ideal as a family pet, although can be a bit snappy with other dogs.
- Life expectancy - 12 years or longer
- Sturdy, self confident and independent. A fabulous guard dog and reliable family pet.
Shih Tzu Dog - Weight - 10 - 17.5 lbs (4.5 to 8 kgs)
- Height - Not more than 26 cm
- Color - All colors, white on tip of tail is ideal.
- Long, dense and straight coat.
- Daily brushing and monthly bath.
- Loves companionship. Does not like to be alone.
- Life expectancy - 13 - 14 years
- Personality - Lively and independent. Miniature dogs ideal for apartment living.
Silky Terrier - Weight - 8 - 10 lbs (3.5 - 4.5 kgs)
- Height - Approx 9 inchs (22.5 cms)
- Color - Blue and tan or gray blue and tan. Dark blue on tail which is usually docked.
- Straight silky and fine coat. Very shiny.
- Daily brushing, fringe tied up. Twice monthly bathing and clipping around face and feet.
- Not suitable for young children or other small pets. Can be a bit snappy with his toys and food.
- Life expectancy - 14 to 15 years.
- Alert, affectionate, can be resistant to training. Fabulous lap dog breed for those who have time for grooming and temperament to deal with a feisty and stubborn but dependable breed.
Toy Fox Terrier - Weight - 3.5 - 4 lbs (1.5 to 3.5 kgs)
- Height - Not more than 10 inches (25 cm)
- Color - (preferred) Tri - white black with tan. Black and white or Black and tan. Predominantly dark head and predominantly white body.
- Short coat, shiny and smooth.
- Occasional brushing.
- Of all toy dog breeds this little one loves playing and exercise throughout it's life.
- Life expectancy - 14 - 15 years
- Lively and athletic. The AmerToy is not ideal for apartment living unless he gets daily exercise.
For other Small Dog Breeds: Return from Rare Dog Breeds to About Small Dog Breeds Home Page
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