12 Rarest Dog Breeds — our top picks
Dingo
Dingo: medium-sized, very high energy and very low trainability — seldom seen outside its country of origin. Australian wild dog, not truly domesticated. Primitive canid with strong survival instincts. Worth knowing before you commit: the Dingo needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
New Guinea Singing Dog
New Guinea Singing Dog: medium-sized, high energy and low trainability — seldom seen outside its country of origin. Primitive breed from New Guinea known for unique vocalizations. Wild-type dog with dingo characteristics. Worth knowing before you commit: the New Guinea Singing Dog needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Cesky Terrier
Cesky Terrier: small-sized, medium energy and high trainability — seldom seen outside its country of origin. Czech terrier with silky coat and calm temperament. Less aggressive than most terriers, excellent family pet. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Cesky Terrier needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Glen of Imaal Terrier
Glen of Imaal Terrier: small-sized, medium energy and medium trainability. Irish terrier with gentle temperament. Longer and lower than most terriers, calm and patient.
Kai Ken
Kai Ken: medium-sized, high energy and medium trainability. Japanese tiger dog with brindle coat. Primitive hunting breed with strong prey drive and loyalty. Worth knowing before you commit: the Kai Ken sheds heavily enough that cleaning becomes a daily routine.
Kemmer Stock Mountain Cur
Kemmer Stock Mountain Cur: medium-sized, very high energy and high trainability. Specialized line of Mountain Cur bred for hunting and treeing. Athletic and determined with strong hunting drive. Worth knowing before you commit: the Kemmer Stock Mountain Cur needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Lowchen
Lowchen: small-sized, medium energy and high trainability. Lion Dog with distinctive lion clip and cheerful personality. One of the rarest toy breeds in the world. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Lowchen needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
Mi-Ki
Mi-Ki: small-sized, low energy and high trainability. American toy breed with calm, friendly temperament. Hypoallergenic companion developed for optimal family pet characteristics. Worth knowing before you commit: the Mi-Ki does badly left alone all day.
Mudi
Mudi: medium-sized, very high energy and very high trainability. Rare Hungarian herding dog with versatile abilities. Intelligent and energetic all-purpose farm dog. Worth knowing before you commit: the Mudi needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Pachón Navarro
Pachón Navarro: medium-sized, high energy and high trainability. Ancient Spanish pointer with unique split nose. Hardy, versatile hunting dog with strong tracking abilities. Worth knowing before you commit: the Pachón Navarro needs serious daily exercise, and gets destructive without it.
Prague Ratter
Prague Ratter: very small-sized, medium energy and high trainability. Worlds smallest breed by height, Czech toy dog with excellent ratting ability. Ancient breed with noble history. Worth knowing before you commit: the Prague Ratter does badly left alone all day.
Sealyham Terrier
Sealyham Terrier: small-sized, low energy and medium trainability. Small Welsh terrier with distinctive white coat. Calm, charming, and less aggressive than most terriers. Worth knowing before you commit: the coat is real work — the Sealyham Terrier needs frequent brushing and regular professional trims.
How this ranking works: each of DoggyQ's 321 breeds is scored on the traits that decide this particular question — the same trait ratings shown on each breed's own guide page, so you can check the reasoning rather than take a ranking on faith. Read more about our methodology, or see which breed you look like from a single photo.
Which dog do you look like?
Take one photo and an AI model tells you which of our 321 breeds you most resemble, and which features gave it away. Free, no account, and your photo is never stored. It is a game rather than advice — but every match links straight into that breed's real guide.
See which dog you look likeFrequently asked questions
- What is the rarest dog breed?
- Based on temperament and care needs, the Dingo ranks as the top choice for people drawn to unusual and hard-to-find breeds, followed by the New Guinea Singing Dog and Cesky Terrier.
- How was this list of dogs for people drawn to unusual and hard-to-find breeds chosen?
- Each breed is scored on the traits that matter most for people drawn to unusual and hard-to-find breeds — such as energy, size, grooming and temperament — using DoggyQ's breed database. The same trait ratings are printed on each breed's own guide page, so you can check why a breed placed where it did.