- Imagine scratching a dog’s back and then it turns its head around 180 degrees to look at you.
Every dog is a good dog. But that doesn’t mean some of them aren’t a little weird.
Since their ancient domestication, dogs have been bred for wildly varying tasks. This has resulted in some distinctly unusual pooches.
Yet, they’re still good dogs. Here’s a look at eight strange dogs that you may not have known of.
1. Catahoula Leopard Dog
The Catahoula Leopard Dog is a hunting dog from Louisiana known for its distinctive fur pattern. Their speckled coats resemble the spots on, you guessed it, a leopard.
These dogs are also known for their unusual (and a little creepy) eyes. They’re particularly shiny, looking like little glass beads, and may come in any natural color – or even a combination of colors.
A Catahoula dog is a high-energy, playful, and smart pooch. They require a lot of exercise but are loyal friends to their owners.
2. Cirneco Dell’Etna
Ever wondered what dogs looked like thousands of years ago? Just look at the Cirneco Dell’Etna
These Sicilian hunting dogs are famous for their almost primitive looks. Although no animal remains unchanged over thousands of years, the Cirneco Dell’Etna still strongly resembles the dogs of history.
But don’t take my word for it. Compare these pups to depictions of dogs on the walls of ancient Egyptian tombs, and you’ll be hard-pressed to point out the differences.
3. Thai Ridgeback
The Thai Ridgeback derives its name from its funky hairdo. These dogs sport a line of reverse-growing hair along their backs.
Their mohawks come in eight different patterns, from thin lines to guitar-shaped blotches. If you’ve never seen or even heard of these dogs, don’t feel bad. They’re exceedingly rare outside Thailand, and even there they’re not that widespread.
4. Bergamasco Shepherd
Seeing a Bergamasco shepherd, you might think the poor dog is neglected and filthy. However, don’t go bathing and brushing that matted fur.
The long, thick fur of this Italian breed naturally forms matted locks that cling to the dog’s body. They have a crucial purpose, as the fur forms a natural armor against scrapes and foul weather in their mountainous home region.
In fact, the fur is so thick that it may not dry properly after washing, which can lead to skin problems. Just trust me when I say the shaggy dog is perfectly happy as it is.
5. Bedlington Terrier
The Bedlington Terrier hails from – you’ll never believe this – the town of Bedlington in the northeast of England. Like the Bergamasco Shepherd, they’re known for their fur, but this dog is far from shaggy.
This breed’s hair grows in a curly, fluffy pattern that kind of makes them look like sheep. Their owners often groom their dogs to further enhance that poofy appearance.
As a fun fact, Bedlington Terriers absolutely love snow. It makes for a fun sight when the snowball is rolling around in the white stuff.
6. Cesky Terrier
The Cesky Terrier is another terrier breed with distinctive hair. Its fur grows long and straight, which would leave the untrimmed dog looking like a broomhead that came to life.
However, as these are show dogs, their owners meticulously trim their pooches’ hair. The prevailing popular style is to keep the hair short, except for the dog’s feet, belly, and face.
Let me tell you, that makes for a funny-looking little dog.
7. Brussels Griffon
The Brussels Griffon is originally a mixed breed that was recognized as an independent breed already in the 1800s. They come in two main varieties, one long-haired and the other short-haired.
Either way, the most noticeable feature about the Brussels Griffon is their facial expression, which makes the dogs look like grumpy old men. It’s just a matter of whether the geezer is clean-shaven or has a magnificent mustache.
But do these dogs look a little familiar to you? It’s no surprise if they do, because George Lucas based the looks of the hairy Ewok creatures from Star Wars on the Brussels Griffon.
8. Norwegian Lundehund
The Norwegian Lundehund is a cute, small-ish dog that doesn’t look weird at all on a first glance. Take a closer look, though, and you’ll find they’re anatomical freaks.
These dogs are perfectly adapted to hunting puffins on craggy, nigh-inaccessible Norwegian shores. They have six fully-muscled toes on each foot and their forelimbs can bend 90 degrees to the sides, like human arms, to help them grab onto slippery rocks.
Their ears can fold down to be almost airtight to keep spraying seawater and sand out of them. Oh, and their necks are double-jointed so they can bend their heads backward to look behind them.
Want more strange puppies? Read our original list of 8 Unusual Dog Breeds.