Newest Dog Breeds You've Probably Never Heard Of

The wirehaired vizsla was first developed in Hungary in the 1930s. Hunters wanted a dog with the traits of the vizsla breed, but heavier and with a wiry coat to better suit the rough conditions. The breed was imported to North America in the 1970s and appealed to sportsmen who wanted a good but different gundog. The breed’s distinguishing features include its beard and eyebrows.

Though the Bergamasco is a sheepdog with origins in the Middle East, it has long been associated with, and gets its name from, the town of Bergamo in the Italian Alps. The breed’s most distinctive feature is its coat, which consists of hair of three different textures layered over its body and legs. This protects it from the elements and from predators.

The berger Picard is one of the oldest French sheepdog breeds. It needs a lot of exercise but should be kept on a leash as it has a vigorous prey drive. A berger Picard was featured in the movie “Because of Winn-Dixie” and the Berger Picard Club of North America was formed shortly after the film’s premiere in 2005.

The boerboel was developed as a farm dog in South Africa. It is a mastiff type, strong and muscular in appearance, and can weigh up to 200 pounds. It is also dominant, so new owners should have experience handling large dogs.

The Cirneco dell’Etna is a rabbit-hunting dog found all over Sicily, including the area around the volcano from which it takes its name. It is an ancient breed that has changed little over the years. It has good scent, sight, and hearing and is free from inherited health problems.