Are you looking for something a little more unique than a German Shepherd or Labrador Retriever? If so, you’re probably aware your options aren’t super limited in the canine realm. On the other hand, do you really know what’s out there? Let’s dig in and we’ll show you some amazing breeds of dog that you may not have heard of and open your eyes to a whole new world of doggy possibilities.

1. Coton du Tulear

Coton du Tulear are a gorgeous breed of dog that most people haven’t heard of. They’re bright white, extremely fluffy, and rather small. Their coat is very soft despite its wiry look, making them a favorite among those who know their lapdogs.

As far as their personality? Playful and outgoing the Coton du Tulear is one of the most curious dogs around and they’re extremely easy to socialize. One of their neatest tricks is that they often stand up on their hind legs to amuse people with no training.

They’re actually the national dog of Madagascar. Most likely originating from pirate dogs for a long time only the leaders of the country were allowed to own them which contributes to their rarity. The unique coat is incredible for those who’ve never been near one before and is thought to be the result of a single genetic mutation in the past.

The end result? A fluffy, soft dog with a unique coat and an excellent temperament as a companion.

2. Finnish Spitz

The Finnish Spitz resembles a red fox, but the similarities end there. These unique hunting dogs are considered “barking pointers,” which means that they’re used in the field to bark at game. While originally bred to find game in trees they’ve been known to chase elk and even bears in some instances.

To be fair, despite their amazing looks there’s a reason they’re a bit rare and it’s tied to the way they’re hunted with. The Finnish Spitz is known for rapid, loud barking and outside of hunting contexts they’re known to bark at pretty much anything which is even slightly out of the ordinary.

In Finland, there are even competitions for their barking.

Still, if you can put up with the noise then you’ll have an independent, loving family dog that most people find endearing. They’re rather unique, and not very common these days, but there’s a reason the breed is still around.

3. Norwegian Lundehund

The Norwegian Lundehund is a small Spitz-type dog that was originally bred to hunt puffins and steal their eggs. Despite the rather odd provenance, they’re a great dog that is usually found as a hiking companion these days.

Oddly enough, the Norwegian Lundehund is actually one of the oldest purebred dogs in the world. They hail from as far back as the 1600s, but the breed has suffered quite a bit for their ancient purebred status.

The fact of the matter is that inbreeding wasn’t as well understood in the past as it is now. The repetition of recessive traits can cause serious issues in these dogs, but those who are in charge have currently begun an outbreeding program to try and keep them going.

The breed has actually come near extinction more than once. When it comes to rare breeds, however, they’re definitely up there. There are only 1400 or so of them currently in the world, but if you can find one and are looking for a small dog that likes to be active you’re in luck.

4. Canaan Dog

Another breed with ancient provenance, the Canaan Dog is actually the national dog of Israel. There’s evidence that the breed was in existence as far back as 700 years ago, making them truly elderly.

Unlike the Norwegian Lundehound, however, the Canaan Dog is actually one of the healthier breeds out there. They’ve existed alongside humans in a semi-wild state for some time, fitting neatly into the category of dogs known as pariahs. That means there’s been plenty of opportunity for outbreeding among them.

Today they’re carefully bred, avoiding many of the problems that arise with inbreeding in some popular species of dog.

Due to their pariah state these dogs tend to be extremely intelligent but very wary. Life in the desert has caused them to develop more advanced survival instincts than many other breeds which can make them unsuitable as pets for some.

To other owners, it simply makes them a challenge worth taking on. For an experienced dog keeper being able to make a loyal canine companion out of a Canaan Dog is a rewarding task but those unfamiliar with their differing temperament from your average dog will likely find them quite frustrating to raise and train.

5. Otterhound

The Otterhound is an extremely rare dog that comes out of Britain, with roughly 600 of them left worldwide. Like their name suggests they were originally bred to hunt otters and because of their unique quarry they have some truly unique qualities.

The most prominent of these is their coat. It’s oily and rough, as well as being a double coat, which helps to repel water and keep the dog warm in the Northern climate. In addition, they have strongly webbed feet which made them strong swimmers.

The reason for the decline of these intelligent dogs? Primarily the fact that otters have become a protected species in Europe.

They’re a large breed, coming in regularly at over 80 pounds but their distinct lineage means that only a few animals were able to be bred into a companion animal. These days there are few packs of them remaining, but they’re beginning to make a comeback as they’ve been selectively bred.

Despite the small gene pool, the Otterhound is often a remarkably healthy dog, especially for a larger breed. Their unique provenance and a renewed interest in the breed haven’t quite outstripped their rarity yet but more of them are finding homes as family dogs these days.

Having a newborn child in the home is a glorious thing. You are so amazed by this special creation that you have brought into the world that you never want to let your little one out of your sight. In fact, the feeling is often mutual. Rather than fight that at night, many mothers have adopted the practice of co-sleeping after they’re moved to a larger mattress size. It just seems more natural for mothers and infants to sleep side by side. To be fair, there are both supporters and opponents of co-sleeping. In fact, there is so much controversy regarding the issue that many mothers who have adopted co-sleeping never talk about it even with their close friends or pediatricians. 

Pros of Co-Sleeping

Sharing the bed with your infant allows for the type of skin to skin contact that is highly beneficial. This has been shown to reduce the amount of stress that infants often experience. You will find that co-sleeping helps to further strengthen the special bond that exists between the infant and parent. Another benefit of co-sleeping is that it is believed to help increase the length of time that mothers can continue to breastfeed their newborn child. 

Co-sleeping is also very convenient. Parents have long dreaded having to get up out of their bed to walk over to that of their infant’s in the middle of the night. With the newborn right there with the parent, this can be avoided. The practice also allows the baby and parent to connect their sleep cycles together. It is believed that this results in the infant waking up less often during the night. 

Cons of Co-Sleeping

There are also some noted disadvantages of co-sleeping that should be taken into consideration. There is always the potential for injury when you are sleeping in such close proximity to your infant. This is especially common if you were to roll over on your infant while you are asleep. Because an adult bed does not typically have railings and sits much higher off the ground than a crib, there is the potential that the baby can fall off the bed as well. You will also want to be careful of tight spaces between the baby mattress and the wall, for example, as babies tend to get stuck in between those. The result can be quite hazardous. If you are not aware of your sleeping positions and afraid of the moves you are making during sleep, you should consider getting yourself the best pillow for combination sleepers that can help you sleep calmly without worrying about hurting or waking up your baby.

Another con of co-sleeping is that the transition process can be quite difficult. Once you start the practice, it is hard to go back. This is because many infants will experience separation anxiety when you suddenly ask them to start sleeping on their own. You will also suffer from a lack of privacy. Your bed is meant for you and your partner. When you start the practice of co-sleeping, you may lose that level of intimate connection that you have grown used to in your own marriage. This is something that you will want to consider as well. 

Now that you understand the potential benefits and downsides to co-sleeping, you are more informed to make your own decision. You will have to weigh the disadvantages with what you perceive to be the advantages. In the end, this is your child so you need to do what you feel is in his or her best interest. At the end of the day, that is the best that you can do.