These 13 Unique Dog Breeds Are Unlike Any You’ve Ever Laid Eyes On

Lorna Paxton Ladd |

Feb 29, 2024

We’re used to seeing popular dog breeds like Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and French Bulldogs everywhere. These breeds are popular for a reason, but what if you’re a dog lover looking for something a little more…unusual?

Weird-looking dogs aren’t everybody’s cup of tea, but for some dog owners, weirder is better! Funny-looking dog breeds can be great family pets, making life a little more interesting for your neighbors who wonder, “What’s that creature they’re walking?”

Here we’ll introduce you to 13 unique-looking dog breeds from around the globe. As we count down the weirdest dog breeds in the world, we’ll also share facts about their history, unique physical traits, and interesting tidbits to help you impress other dog lovers with your knowledge.

13. Bull Terrier

Bull Terrier Quick Facts

Height: 21-22 inches
Weight: 50-70 pounds
Lifespan: 12-13 years
Country of Origin: England
Breed Group: Terrier

Consider the Bull Terrier a “gateway” into weird-looking dogs. Relatively well-known as the famous Target Dog, Bull Terriers are playful, social, and loyal dogs with a stubborn streak. Easy to identify by their egg-shaped heads, Bull Terriers also have a unique triangular eye shape, unlike any other breed.

12. Catahoula Leopard Dog

Catahoula Leopard Dog Quick Facts

Height: 22-24 inches
Weight: 50-95 pounds
Lifespan: 10-14 years
Country of Origin: United States
Breed Group: Working

The Catahoula Leopard Dog is a unique working breed developed by early French settlers in Central Louisiana. Affectionate and loyal, the Catahoula is also athletic and determined and can be territorial. The Catahoula Leopard Dog earns a place on our weird dog breeds list thanks to its unique coat colors and patterns. Catahoulas are also known for their incredible eye colors and amazing breed variation.

11. Thai Ridgeback

Thai Ridgeback Quick Facts

Height: 20-24 inches
Weight: 35-75 pounds
Lifespan: 14-15 years
Country of Origin: Thailand
Breed Group: Working

An incredibly rare breed found almost exclusively in Thailand, the Thai Ridgeback is a protective, loyal, athletic dog breed known for several distinctive traits. As its name suggests, the Thai Ridgeback has a raised ridge of fur along its spine, much like the more well-known Rhodesian Ridgeback. The Thai Ridgeback also has a spotted or solid black tongue and an earnest, wrinkled face.

10. Neapolitan Mastiff

Neapolitan Mastiff Quick Facts

Height: 24-31 inches
Weight: 110-150 pounds
Lifespan: 7-9 years
Country of Origin: Italy
Breed Group: Working

An ancient breed that once fought alongside gladiators during the height of the Roman Empire, the Neapolitan Mastiff still retains its fearsome looks today. Thanks to its deep wrinkled folds and pendulous jowls, the Neapolitan Mastiff is a weird-looking dog, but don’t let the funny looks fool you—Neapolitans are all business. Watchful, protective, and dignified, Neapolitan Mastiffs take the job of looking out for their families very seriously and are often used as guard dogs.

Fun Fact: A male Neapolitan Mastiff named Hugo played the role of Fang in the Harry Potter films!

9. Bedlington Terrier

Bedlington Terrier Quick Facts

Height: 15-17.5 inches
Weight: 17-23 pounds
Lifespan: 11-16 years
Country of Origin: England
Breed Group: Terrier

This funny dog looks funny mostly because of its traditional haircut, but the Bedlington Terrier deserves a spot on this list nonetheless. Traditionally trimmed to accentuate their pear-shaped heads, tasseled ears, and skinny tails, the Bedlington Terrier’s history isn’t nearly as warm and fuzzy as its coat. Originally bred to hunt mice, rats, and other varmints in dangerous coal mines and alongside poachers, the Bedlington Terrier today is a beloved affectionate, and loyal family dog.

Fun Fact: Bedlington Terriers are one of the top dog breeds recommended by trainers as apartment dogs!

8. Borzoi

Borzoi Quick Facts

Height: 26-28+ inches
Weight: 60-105 pounds
Lifespan: 9-14 years
Country of Origin: Russia
Breed Group: Hound

Easily one of the most iconic weird-looking dogs, the Borzoi gained fame as the subject of several viral weird-looking dog memes! The physical proportions of the Borzoi are so unique, and these dogs seem to be long everywhere–they have long noses, long legs, long bodies, and even long tails. Somehow otherworldly, the truth is that the Borzoi breed originated in Russia, which we can confirm is on Earth.

7. Brussels Griffon

Brussels Griffon Quick Facts

Height: 7-10 inches
Weight: 8-10 pounds
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Country of Origin: Belgium
Breed Group: Toy

You might think you recognize this weird-looking dog breed from the Gremlins movies, but these are actually Brussels Griffons! Delightfully curious, loyal, and social little dogs, the Brussels Griffon has distinct small pointy ears that sit on either side of their heads and a voluminous mustache any bearded gentleman would be envious of. Once used as ratting dogs, the Griffon became the furry friends of the Belgian aristocracy in the 1870s and have been pampered ever since.

6. Norwegian Lundehund

Norwegian Lundehund Quick Facts

Height: 12-15 inches
Weight: 12-18 pounds
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Country of Origin: Norway
Breed Group: Non-Sporting

This rare dog breed originates on the tiny Norwegian island of Værøy where locals once used these dogs to collect puffins from rocky crevices to help them survive the cold winters. A dog bred in near-total isolation, the Norwegian Lundehund looks unlike most domestic dog breeds and looks almost fox-like. The Norwegian Lundehund also has several unique physical traits including six functioning toes—most dogs have five—an extra-flexible neck and shoulders, and ears that can shut against wind, rain, and snow.

5. Mexican Hairless Dog

Mexican Hairless Dog Quick Facts

Height: 10-14 inches (toy), 14-18 inches (miniature), 18-23 inches (standard)
Weight: 10-15 pounds (toy), 15-30 pounds (miniature), 30-55 pounds (standard)
Lifespan: 13-18 years
Country of Origin: Mexico
Breed Group: Non-Sporting

The Mexican Hairless Dog—or the Xoloitzcuintli AKA Xolo—is an ancient dog breed with at least 3,000 years of history. Xolos were once considered holy watchdogs for their ancient Aztec owners, protecting them both in life and after death. Today the breed comes in three sizes and two varieties—hairless and coated. The hairless variety of Xolo is easily one of the strangest and most unique-looking dog breeds, especially with their deep black, red, and even bronze skin.

4. Puli

Puli Quick Facts

Height: 16-17 inches
Weight: 25-35 pounds
Lifespan: 10-15 years
Country of Origin: Hungary
Breed Group: Herding

The Puli is athletic, intelligent, and agile, somehow able to pull off incredible feats of athleticism under a mop of corded fur! While the Puli’s incredible dreadlocks look amazing and make a total statement, they have a practical purpose, too. The Puli was originally used as a herding breed by shepherds in Hungary, and those thick corded dreadlocks help lock in heat and keep out snow, wind, and cold.

Fun Fact: The plural of Puli is Pulik!

3. Bergamasco Sheepdog

Bergamasco Shepherd Quick Facts

Height: 22-23.5 inches
Weight: 57-84 pounds
Lifespan: 13-15 years
Country of Origin: Italy
Breed Group: Herding

The Bergamasco Sheepdog—or Bergamasco Shepherd—might at first glance look like a pile of rags, but those mats of hair are perfectly normal and a key feature of this breed! Like all dogs, Bergamasco Sheepdogs need regular bathing, but you don’t need to brush out the mats—they’re protective. Smart, hard-working, and stubborn, the Bergamasco is highly devoted to its humans and protecting its home.

2. Peruvian Inca Orchid

Peruvian Inca Orchid Quick Facts

Height: 9.75-15.75 inches (small), 15.75-19.75 inches (medium), 19.75-25.75 inches (large)
Weight: 8.5-17.5 pounds (small), 17.5-26.5 pounds (medium), 26.5-55 pounds (large)
Lifespan: 12-14 years
Country of Origin: Peru
Breed Group: Hound

Yes, this is a dog, not an exotic flower variety! The Peruvian Inca Orchid comes in a coated variety, we are fascinated by the hairless variety which comes in a rainbow of colors like black, pink, brown, and white. An affectionate and friendly breed, the Peruvian Inca Orchid is a wonderful family companion, but a bit of a liability around small animals like cats, rabbits, and guinea pigs.

1. Chinese Crested Dog

Chinese Crested Dog Quick Facts

Height: 11-13 inches
Weight: 8-12 pounds
Lifespan: 13-18 years
Country of Origin: China
Breed Group: Toy

The Chinese Crested Dog takes the cake as our weirdest-looking dog breed! When you search Google for funny-looking dog pictures or funny-looking dog memes, you’re certain to come across images of the Chinese Crested Dog. Examples of this breed have reigned supreme in the World’s Ugliest Dog competition for years and even won back-to-back in 2022 and 2023. Mostly hairless with just a few tufts of fur, the Chinese Crested is also prone to dental disease which doesn’t help the breed’s looks.