Some dogs merely love their owners, then there are those that are willing to put their lives on the line for them. They don’t just form bonds, but lifelong attachments that run deeper at a soulful level. Before you say anything, they know how you feel, what you need, and possibly even why you feel this way. A cosmic connection, if you may.
Studies show that dogs that detect human emotions through visual, auditory, and chemical channels. Particularly with their favourite person. This isn’t a pet that is happy as long as it’s fed and clean; it needs to know you’re okay, and it needs quality time to spend with you.
They think of their relationship with their owners as a mutual partnership that benefits both parties. It is rooted in mutual respect and care for each other. However much you love your pets, multiply that by 10, that’s how much they love you, at least.
In this guide, we will explore rare breeds with intense attachment styles. This isn’t just a pet; it is a companion for as long as they live.
Quick Insight: Some researchers think this human-canine attachment is linked to a dog’s cognitive abilities, while others believe it’s more about their friendliness and social nature.
Rare Dog Breeds with Intense Attachment
1. Mudi
The Mudi is a rare breed from Hungary, according to AKC. It is an all-purpose, agile, intelligent, and very alert farm dog. It is a medium-sized dog that has been around since the 19th century. It wasn’t particularly bred, but evolved naturally through crosses of Pumi, Puli, & German Spitz breeds.
There are no more than a couple of thousand Mudis in the world today. Mostly in Hungary, then Finland, then scarcely in Europe, the US, & Canada.
This working breed is very lovey-dovey with its family members. It is good with children and also does well with other dogs.
These are energetic dogs with intense attachment styles, often choosing one person to bond closely with. This is a loyal dog breed and aloof towards strangers. They tend to demand attention, so they need owners who will be present and give them the attention they need.
2. Lagotto Romagnolo
Bred as water dogs, this is an ancient breed. They are small to medium in size and were originally bred by duck hunters as retrievers. It is the only dog that is known to hunt truffles. It can be trained as an inside watchdog or an outdoor working dog as well.
They aren’t necessarily barky, but the Lagotto Romagnolo will take its time to warm up to strangers. They, however, won’t shy away from being loud in case they feel like their owners need to be alerted to any suspicious behaviour around the house.
These velcro dogs enjoy having activities to do with their owners, as Purina states. Due to their intelligence, they need mental stimulation as well as physical exercise. They are known to form strong bonds and become emotionally tuned to their owners’ emotions.
3. Canaan Dog
PetMD notes that the Canaan Dog dates back to the 2200-2000 BCE. Their ancestors were called the Pariah dogs, bred to herd sheep and livestock and serve as guardians.
They require early socialization and proper training, but then they spend their life glued to you and focused on your well-being.
They are close and attached to their owners, fiercely loyal. This is also why they are untrusting of strangers and people they don’t know. They need time, more than certain breeds that may be loyal but can be more trusting.
They need approximately an hour of moderate exercise daily to be content. Give them mental stimulation to keep them occupied and remain even-tempered. They have a flat but thick double coat that needs to be brushed weekly, a few times.
4. Otterhound
This energetic and active dog was originally bred to, as the name suggests, hunt Otters. They like the water and can swim long distances to make sure they catch their prey.
They have a shaggy and long waterproof fur that protects them from the water and prevents it from serving as a hurdle in their tasks. With webbing between their toes for further ease in the matter.
They are very sweet-tempered, which makes them ideal family dogs, especially those who are ready to put in the work and effort into their relatively more extensive upkeep than the other pets. They are eager to please their owners; however, so can be trained easily using positive reinforcement training methods.
They have a boisterous nature, so they need consistent training to behave and not accidentally knock over children by jumping too much.
This is not a little dog, so you won’t be playing hide and seek with them, but nor do they experience separation anxiety if they’re alone. As long as they know you’re around, these gentle giants are happy to lounge at one spot in the house.
5. Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Hill’s Pet states this is not a pack dog by nature, preferring to choose one person to bond closely with. There isn’t a lot of barking or drooling, being relatively very low-maintenance dogs in this department. However, they still have grooming needs and social needs that need to be fulfilled as well.
They need regular exercise to maintain their lean appearance. It is a friendly dog that fits well into the family. It isn’t a noisy dog by nature but has a surprisingly loud bark, especially considering its medium size. It is an alert watchdog.
Although they are very loving, they can be a bit stubborn, hence they need an attentive and patient trainer who is also assertive.
They aren’t aggressive, so they make excellent companions even with children. They are gentle and affectionate with the right people.
6. Cirneco dell’Etna
An independent, affectionate, and friendly breed. They are playful animals who love their humans. They are excellent companion and loyal dogs, they have clear boundaries with children and can be trusted around them. On top of it, they also get along really well with other dogs.
This is an ancient breed from Sicily, an athletic hunter that gives into quick bursts of speed. It has a cousin in the island of Malta known as the Pharaoh Hound; the Cirneco dell’Etna is often referred to as its miniature version.
One of the most loyal dog breeds with an amazing work ethic, the Cirneco forms close bonds with its owners but tends to maintain its independence and free-spirited nature.
They are very family-friendly, but their free-spiritedness requires them to be kept on a leash in open areas, and early socialization to take place to get along with other dogs easily.
7. Polish Lowland Sheepdog
A medium-sized herding breed that is known for its intelligence, its loyalty, and its very lively temperament. It was originally bred to herd and guard sheep. As a descendant of the majestic Hungarian Puli, it has a thick and dense coat that needs good looking after.
They are highly intelligent, which means you need to treat them that way. They thrive in mentally and physically stimulating environments, which adds to their playful nature. They can retain memories excellently, so their independence requires them to be dealt with patience.
This independent streak and intelligence mean they take time trusting and getting used to new people. They enjoy companionship and love being next to their owners. They make wonderful playmates, too.
8. Peruvian Inca Orchid
The Peruvian Inca Orchis is an intelligent and elegant breed. They can be traced back to 350 BC, making them ancient breeds. In cultures like Mocha and Chimu, they are evident on pre-Inca pottery.
They were sacred, considered to be gifts of the gods, used for medicinal purposes and to provide warmth.
As a hunting dog that is very affectionate, the Peruvian is loyal. They enjoy trips and outings with families but aren’t suited for a full-time outdoor role. Also, this isn’t the best choice for a house with small children, despite their intelligence and elegance.
This is a noble breed with a life expectancy of 12-14 years. They are loyal, loving, and caring towards those they know and love. They need early socialization to be well-mannered indoor pets.
Conclusion
Every dog expresses their love and affection in different ways. Some are loyal and show it with their attention and body language, others form deep bonds and refuse to leave your side. Some require training to show their love, while others can’t control their bursts of love regardless of any amount of training provided.
Despite their medium, large, or small size, these dogs have a sense of their favorite toys and favorite humans and can recognise family even with blindfolds on. Some additions to the list of affectionate breeds can be the Saint Bernard, Border Collie, Irish Setter, Shih Tzu, Australian Shepherd, French Bulldog, Great Dane, Cocker Spaniel, Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd, Pit Bulls, and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
While these breeds are loving, there are just a handful of them that are known for the strength of their strong bonds and the loyalty in their hearts. Which is an important factor to keep in mind when choosing a pup.
