Not all breeds are created equal, but some look awfully similar to one another. The following breeds are among the most distinct looking breeds of the 152 recognized by the AKC. They definitely stand out in a crowd. And for good reason!
Bedlington Terrier
This breed comes from England and is known for their lithe bodies and the mohawk that runs from the tip of their nose to the top of their head. Occasionally mistaken for a lamb, the Bedlington Terrier was bred for hunting badgers, rats, otters and other animals considered vermin.
Komondor
Is there a way to tell the difference between a mop and a Komondor? No matter, this hearty breed is a herding dog from Hungary. Their hair grows long and may be corded as a puppy to get the distinctive look awarded to this unique breed.
Chinese Crested
The Chinese Crested stands out for having a hairless body, a tuft of fur on the head, a puff of hair on the tail and wispy ankles. Looking like a four legged rock star, these sweet dogs were believed to be bred as companion animals. It shows, these little dogs are utterly devoted to their people.
English Bull Terrier
Between the sloping nose, the wide forehead and the stocky build, the English Bull Terrier is truly unique among his peers. They carry strong prey drives and an excessive need to be with their humans.
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
This stout little dog sports a top hat of hair, making him look like a dandie gentleman indeed. While the appearance of this sprightly dog may look refined, their origins are anything but. The Dinmont Terrier was originally bred to hunt otters and badgers in Scotland and England before gaining notoriety through Sir Walter Scott’s travels.
Irish Wolfhound
Easily the largest of the canine species, the Irish Wolfhound’s rough, grey coat and large size seem to dominate the distinctive breeds. Standing 32-34 inches at the shoulder, an Irish Wolfhound is much more docile than the name might suggest. While bred to hunt wolves, today’s Irish Wolfhound would rather hunt Z’s in a comfortable bed.
Old English Sheepdog
This once popular breed carries the distinction of being popular with the grooming world now. The Old English Sheepdog wears and incredibly thick double coat that requires frequent brushing. They don’t mind though, as long as their human is with them, they will submit to as much brushing as needed.
Papillion
Papillion in French means “butterfly”. This dog was aptly named for their butterfly like ears. A small companion dog, the Papillion enjoys nothing more than snuggling with their favorite human.
Pembroke Welsh Corgi
One of the more enduring legends surrounding this breed is that the fairies use them as transportation. Shorter and stockier than their Cardigan counterparts, the Pembroke Corgi’s have little stubs for tails. It doesn’t stop them from fawning over their humans; their behind just wiggles a little harder when the dog sees them.
Toledo, United States.
