13 Dog Breeds You Never Head Of That You Need To Get Right Now

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1. Vallhund

Honden Centrum / Via hondencentrum.com

The proud and stout Vallhund is the ancestor of the Corgi. Norsemen brought them to Britain over a thousand years ago, giving the 25-pounders the ironic name of "Viking Dog".

2. Kuvasz

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The Kuvasz breed originally comes from Tibet but is most associated with Hungary, resulting in its awesome pluralization, kuvaszok (as in look at all these adorable kuvaszok!) For hundreds of years, kuvaszok were the guards of the Royal Hungarian Family.

3. Thai Bangkaew

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Legend has it that the Bangkaew (bang-COW) was bred in a monastery between a native domestic dog and a jackal. They're renowned for their swimming and digging abilities.

4. Podengo

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Podengos have been in Portugal since at least the Middle Ages and are unique for coming in three distinct sizes that rarely interbreed: Pequeno, Medio, and Grande (that's right, you can have a Pequeno or a Grande of this dog!)

5. Kangal

Kangal Dogs International / Via kangaldogsinternational.org

These pups will grow up to be giants, weighing up to 145 pounds! They would march with the Turkish army in grand parades in the 18th and 19th centuries.

6. Jamthund

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The baller Jamthund is used in Sweden for moose hunting and dog sled pulling! This has earned them the nickname Swedish Elkound.

7. Polish Tatra Sheepdog

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The Tatra can also be called Owczarek Podhalanski, which is why we'll keep calling it Tatra. The dog used to herd sheep in the Tatra Mountains of Southern Poland and Romania.

8. Kintamani

The Kintamani is one of the few dogs native to Indonesia, coming from the island of Bali. Despite its short hair, it's probably descended from the Chow Chow.

9. Aidi

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The Aidi were first bred in the Atlas Mountains of Northern Africa to guard livestock and their owners from jackals, hyenas, and other wild animals. For the francophiles, they can also be called Chien d'Atlas.

10. Hokkaido

Ainu Dog / Via ainu-dog.info

The Hokkaido is a close relative of the Shiba Inu and native to the Japanese island of the same name. Its most famous member is Kai-Kun who starred in his own commercials:

11. Elo

The Elo is a very recent breed, arising only in 1987. They have since been interbred beyond all sense: 97% are related to each other.

12. Mucuchies

Dog Wallpapers / Via dogwallpapers.net

The native of Venezuela is famous for being the breed of Nevado, the dog of Simon Bolivar during his liberation of South America.

13. Icelandic Sheepdog

The Icelandic Sheepdog came over with the first Viking settlers and still herd sheep in the countryside to this day.