Not all rare dogs are aloof or mysterious; some are bursting with joy, energy, and personality you can’t help but fall in love with. These lesser-known breeds might not make it to every neighborhood park, but they carry a spark that lights up every space they enter.
Their cheerful spirits, curious minds, and contagious zest for life prove that being “rare” doesn’t mean being reserved.
Petting a dog can sweep your stress from your day, and while the social interaction between people and their dogs actually increases levels of the feel-good hormone oxytocin, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
And now imagine, wrapping your arms around a rare furry friend! What will stay longer? Stress or Joy? Rareness is more irresistible than popularity. A unique dog breed is always a joyful treat for any dog lover.
Being proud of their lineage, these gems prove that they can be your forever companion. They have rivalled the most famous dog breeds in terms of loyalty, enthusiasm, and strong attachment to their humans. Let’s discover the canine world where every paw will tell you the story of its originality.
Get ready to meet some extraordinary pups who embody pure, tail-wagging joy.
Rare Dog Breeds That Are Surprisingly Happy
1. Leonberger
Despite their majestic, lion-like appearance, Leonbergers are among the most cheerful and affectionate giants you’ll ever meet. Beneath their regal mane and powerful build lies a heart full of sunshine, always eager to play, cuddle, or simply be near their favorite people.
Known for their calm temperament and gentle humor, they have a natural gift for lifting moods and creating harmony wherever they go. Their rarity only adds to their charm, as every Leonberger seems to radiate a unique blend of confidence, warmth, and pure joy that makes life feel a little brighter.
According to PetMD, the Leonberger was at risk of vanishing during World Wars I and II. These rare dogs are now used in search and rescue work. Leonberger’s nickname is Leo, and it resembles a lion due to its mane around the chest and neck.
This reddish gold dog has a warm-hearted nature and carries the potential to be a therapy dog. They have been with British royalty for years due to their long coat, amiable nature, and working abilities on farms. Leo is a gentle giant and makes a perfect human companion.
They are wonderful service dogs, along with sensitive souls. Avoid any fight or argument in front of them, as they may step in to stop it. Leonbergers are highly intelligent dogs that reduce the effort in training. They need an ample amount of exercise to live a healthy life.
2. Black Russian Terrier
This gentle giant has an affectionate nature for its family and children, but is a little aloof to strangers. However, the Black Russian Terrier was originally bred to be an intimidating and imposing dog in 1930, as noted by Orvis. Their natural protective instincts were used to protect the military camps.
Behind their big frame, there is a soul that excels in keeping their loved ones happy. They seek attention in stillness rather than barking. BRTs bond deeply with owners by offering love, softness, and protection.
These Terriers carry this assertive appearance during work, while at home, they are loving, relaxed, and confident pets. Owing to their proud history, BRTs are considered good watchdogs and guard dogs. They are blessed with a thick double coat, which sometimes needs trimming.
The Black Russian Terrier is native to the Soviet Union and seldom found beyond. This active breed does not like to be alone and always needs something to do. The calm and alert Blackies have high energy levels. They excel in regular exercise and training sessions such as agility and obedience.
3. Dogue de Bordeaux
Dogue is a French Word that means Mastiff. This even-tempered dog enjoys comfort over everything. Despite their menacing appearance, Dogue de Bordeaux is kind-hearted and companionable towards its favorite people. They are loyal and make strong bonds with their family by serving as guard dogs.
If we date back in history, this breed served as hunting dogs and working dogs as well. It ranks among the oldest and rarest breeds, with unmatched head size in the dog world.
With its wrinkled face and powerful presence, there is a heart that is made of love. Dogue de Bordeaux shows its happy mood with a grin, tail wag, and expressive eyes.
Despite having low maintenance coat, they are too much for a novice pet parent. They need experienced and firm handling. Along with training, these large energy balls also demand long walks of 45 minutes.
They may jump to an impressive height, so owners should be very careful about this. Consistent training and early socialization are mandatory for the Dogue de Bordeaux.
4. Irish Wolfhound
Irish Wolfhounds with grey coats were bred to act as herding dogs. The double coat of these tall dogs protects them from harsh weather and predators. In the 19th century, this friendly breed was about to become extinct in Ireland.
Despite being a strong and muscular dog breed, they make excellent family dogs with a calm and loving temperament. They are not aggressive dogs and are very patient around children.
But it is advised that they should be trained and socialized well before being introduced to children and other family members.
Irish Wolfhound enjoys lounging and sleeping; nonetheless, they do need exercise. These moderate shedders do not need regular grooming, says Royal Canin. If you are unable to spend quality time with them, this may lead to separation anxiety. So, physical and mental stimulation is necessary in this context.
Native to Ireland, this kind dog is deeply rooted in companionship. According to Irish Wolfhounds.org, a Goldie (Irish Wolfhound) grew up with rabbits; it used to chase them for playing without giving any harm. It shows its unique blend of care and playful nature for other pets.
5. Neapolitan Mastiff
Despite having a wrinkly face that makes Neapolitans somewhat an ugly dog breed, it has starred in the famous Harry Potter films. The powerful and insightful dog breed has long been the partner of the old Roman army during wars. They were particularly bred for protection and to keep the intruders away.
With natural protective instincts, these dogs are happiest when it comes to their leisure time. However, they are equally loyal to their families and always ready to guard them.
Many owners have shared their experiences with these big dogs as loving, faithful, and gentle furry friends. They are a bit reserved around new members or strangers, but they are approachable with other family dogs.
Modern Neapolitan Mastiffs are not energetic and athletic dogs. Short walks will benefit their health, and are well-suited for apartment dwellers. They are kind but independent, which makes their training challenging. For that reason, they are not an ideal option for inexperienced pet parents.
6. Scottish Deerhound
This powerful and muscular sighthound was bred to hunt the local wild red deer, which weighed around 400 pounds. For this purpose, the Scottish Deerhound was trained to develop the stamina to chase after the prey for a longer time span.
In the past, the aim to develop this giant was never to be a companion.
Despite their fondness for running, these majestic dogs love cuddling and relaxing at home. Though these hound dogs are not as affectionate as other breeds. But through proper socialization, they would become well-mannered dogs.
These gentle dogs are quite friendly towards their owners, but are not welcoming to strangers. Scottish Deerhound finds its love and happiness in peaceful moments shared with its favourite ones. Though they bloom while running, they always return to their owners with a soft knowing gaze.
In the USA, this royal breed of Scotland is rare. Deerhounds are less vocal dogs and do not have much guarding instincts, since they were bred to be sighthounds. The puppies are wilder and destructive than the calm adult deerhounds.
Being an independent dog, pet parents may face challenges during its training, but they can be assisted via positive reinforcement methods.
7. Tibetan Mastiff
Watchful and powerful, the Tibetan Mastiff has a keen expression, a cascading mane, and an imposing frame. It looks as magnificent as a lion. This brave dog was used in Tibet and the Himalaya as an estate guardian, and even today, it has been working as our guard.
The rarity of the Tibetan Mastiff results from the blend of history, genes, and social dynamics. It is assumed that the origins of this breed span more than three millennia. Regardless of their breeding purpose, these dogs are still protective and loyal, forming strong bonds with families.
From noble sentinels to gentle companions, they show great affection towards children. They instantly light up when a purpose is given to them by their owners. Yet these mastiffs do not like the presence of any other dog in the house.
These dogs are also considered a smart breed, since they quickly learn commands and basic obedience skills. However, they also show a stubborn nature when it comes to taking commands from owners. That’s why they should be adopted by experienced pet parents.
Conclusion
When we talk about rare dog breeds, they need your care more than anything else. Admiring them is not enough. All the virtues they have and all the abilities they are blessed with should be nurtured properly by pet owners.
Love, quality time, and basic needs with a safe environment will strengthen your bond with them.
All the dog breeds mentioned in this article prove to be surprisingly happy and loyal to their owners. However, they thrive with proper training, early socialization, and constant love from their handlers.
