You Have to See These 5 Exotic Dog Breeds

German Shepherds, Poodles, and Chihuahuas have one trait in common: they're all common dogs. Thousands of homes in the United States have these dog breeds in them. They're not unusual or unique in the slightest. If you want a different dog - both in terms of looks and personality - you'll want one of the exotic dog breeds. Exotic breeds are ones that are uncommon to find here in the States.

Here are the top five unique dog breeds that you might want to consider for your next exotic pet! There are probably a couple on this list that you haven't even heard of before.

Puli

Pulis are an exciting and unique dog breed. They are unmistakable in their appearance as they have wool-like "dreadlocks." When they jump in the air, the dreadlocks fly out, and the dog looks like a ball. They're quite fascinating dogs to watch!

Underneath all that fur is a fierce, small, and loyal dog. Pulis are incredibly smart animals. They're also quite agile and have a reputation as the "acrobat of the dog world." They're relatively easy to care for, requiring little maintenance. Even the cords, which you might think would require a lot of support, actually don't. It would be best if you separated them after bathing, but other than that, there isn't any magic trick to keeping the Puli's unique fur in good condition.

Bergamasco Sheepdog: This Is One of the Most Exotic Dog Breeds!

The fur on the Bergamasco makes it one of the neatest exotic dogs that you can get. These dogs are loving, affectionate, and fantastic around children. They're also incredibly smart and able to learn new tricks with ease.

Given the Bergamasco's unique fur, you might think that they would require significant maintenance. However, these are some of the most maintenance-free dogs you can get! They only need to be bathed two-three times per year. Their fur doesn't shed, and people who are typically allergic to dogs are usually not allergic to Bergamascos. The only thing that you'll have to do with these intriguing dogs is to trim their nails!

There are also no breed-specific health issues with this dog, which makes this breed relatively hardy. Expect these dogs to live 13-15 years.

Caucasian Shepherd

These dogs are amongst the biggest ones around. They are usually 2.5-3 feet tall and weigh 180 pounds, although there have been reports of dogs that weigh much more than that. Caucasian Shepherds were originally livestock guard dogs due to their size, but now they're pets instead of defenders of other animals.

You may have heard that larger breeds tend to have shorter lifespans than smaller types of dogs. This statement is true, for the most part, but Caucasian Shepherds don't follow this trend. Despite being one of the exotic dog breeds with the most massive stature, these dogs live to be 10-12 years old on average. Not bad for such a substantial dog!

Bedlington Terrier

Another one of the particularly unique dog breeds, the Beddington Terrier, is a dog that sort of looks like a llama. These are small dogs with very distinctive features. Their sleek, curved back, curly fur, and little head are unmistakable. As you might guess, from looking at these beautiful pets, they are excellent runners. If they engage in a pursuit of something, you'll see just how fast they can run!

Grooming for Beddington Terriers is similar to that of other dogs. Brushing 2-3 times per week should suffice. Beddington Terriers are reasonably easy to train, although they can be stubborn at times. They are generally a healthy dog breed, with an average life span of up to 16 years.

Neapolitan Mastiff

These dogs are oh-so-wrinkly! Their imposing appearance and suspiciousness of others make them frequent guard dogs. However, despite being wary of strangers, with their owners, they are about as sweet as can be! 

Being a short coat breed, all you should need every once in a while is a bath. These dogs are healthy for the most part. However, they can develop a "cherry eye." With this condition, the corner of the eye becomes red and inflamed. Most of the time, there's no damage, but occasionally the inflammation develops into something more serious. If you get a Neapolitan Mastiff (which is one of the more unusual dog breeds), then this is something to keep in the back of your mind.

Exotic Dog Breeds: So Many From Which to Choose!

There are numerous dog breeds in the world. While many homes might have a German Shepherd or a poodle, there's a particular delight in giving a home to a unique dog breed. They're sure to turn heads when you're out walking, and they provide you with an experience that not many people have. Like the Bergamasco, some of these breeds can even be beneficial in that they do not have as much hair!

How many different kinds of dogs are there?

Worldwide, the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) lists 360 recognized dog breeds. However, many of the dogs that you might find for adoption or at the store are hybrids. It's impossible to know just how many kinds of dogs total there are in the world, but it is safe to assume that it is in the hundreds, if not thousands!

How to find your dog's breed?

There are a few ways to go about finding the breed of your dog. You can research online. You can also ask your vet. Your vet has had a lot of experience with dogs and can likely identify what type of dog you have. If those methods fail and you want to know conclusively what your dog's breed is, then you can order a dog DNA test. However, due to the cost, this option is generally a last resort.

What breed of dog is black and white?

There are a few black and white dog breeds, so seeing a black and white dog isn't enough to determine the kind conclusively. Boston Terriers, Dalmations, and Border Collies are among the more popular black and white dog breeds.

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