Discover Dogs: Nine Dog Breeds You've (Probably) Never Heard Of

This October I was lucky enough to win tickets to The Kennel Club’s yearly Discover Dogs event at ExCel in London ( https://www.discoverdogs.org.uk), an extravaganza of dog breeds that offers prospective dog owners the opportunity to scope out the perfect pooch. 

It’s not expensive to attend, there are trade stands, a central arena with show dogs and agility athletes performing and where else will you get hands-on with such an extensive canine collective? However, considering the purpose of the event, I couldn’t help notice there was considerable variation in the amount of information provided by the breed reps. 

I think naivety about breed dispositions to disease can have heartbreaking and costly consequences and it’s not necessarily something a newbie would consider asking about. Many people have never considered the risks of Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, let alone have any understanding of how vets score these conditions (https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/glossary/health-tests.aspx). 

And details about the Kennel Club breed standards don’t actually help to judge the suitability of a dog for your lifestyle. It’s character quirks, drives to guard, herd or follow tracks, the possibility of mahoosive vet bills for chronic conditions, or even just the cost of food for a big dog that can bring the pigeons home to roost for some starry-eyed innocent eyeing up a gorgeous puppy. 

However, many reps took a lot of trouble to produce material that was easy on the eye and very educational and I made sure to congratulate them on their efforts.

It was no surprise that on-trend breeds such as Pugs and Frenchies were completely obscured by their seas of adoring fans, as were the dog breeds immortalised in films such as Lassie, Lady and the Tramp and 101 Dalmations.  It’s confirmation of how fickle and suggestible we humans are that such trends exist. 

Instead, I decided to check out some of the lesser known breeds. 

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever 

No, they don’t charge ducks a fee for crossing the road. ‘Tolling’ is a Canadian term for luring game into the open for hunters. Of the many types of retriever, they are the smallest. They have a reputation for being aloof but while they might not be cuddle monsters, they have an endless appetite for sniffy walks and fetch games. (http://www.toller-club.co.uk)

Kooikerhondje ( COY-KER-HUN-JE)

Around the size of a cocker spaniel, this delightful little dog of Dutch background was bred to lure ducks out for hunters, much like the Toller, and sports a similar striking white and chestnut coat and plumed tail. Affectionate, friendly and biddable, this family member will relish training and enjoy long sniffy walks and sporty activities. (http://www.kooikerhondje.org.uk)

Picardy Sheepdog 

This ancient French breed is an adorable character and it’s mystifying why they are yet to make it big in the UK. Affectionate and friendly, without being clingy, bags of character without being hard to train, this rough coated scamp is a pragmatic choice as a family pet. Dirt and mud soon dries and falls off their fur before decorating the furniture, and their coats are not oily, so they won’t stink out the car after a walk in the rain (https://www.facebook.com/groups/picardysheepdogclubgb/). 

Canaan 

This is the true wild child of the dog world whose behaviour coexisting with Bedouin nomads in Israel provides us with a model of the original ‘self-domestication’ of canids and their slow maturation has more parallels with wolves than domestic dogs. This is not a beginner’s dog, but given a life of enrichment, plenty of activity and training know-how, you couldn’t find a more perfect pal with little risk of chronic conditions due to its robust gene pool (https://canaandog.co.uk). 

Braque D’Auvergne

This French pointer has a grand lineage that has links to the aristocracy of the Middle Ages. A good-looking, gregarious dog who relishes human and canine company alike, they are still very much hunters powered by their keen tracking instinct and appreciate an active lifestyle working closely with their human partners to focus these drives on fun activities (www.braquedauvergne.co.uk).  

Bracco Italiano 

Lugubrious looks disguise a lust for life in this breed. I was literally bowled over by the affectionate greeting of this Italian hunting dog which demonstrates what a loving family member you are guaranteed. It’s important to remember, that the more closely a dog bonds with humans, the harder it is likely for them to tolerate being alone. Like most hunting dogs Braccos will thrive best with plenty of  mental enrichment and regular physical activity (https://braccoitaliano.co.uk/why-choose-a-bracco/). 

Bolognese

Much prettier than a bowl of pasta these lap dogs are related to the better-known Bichon Frise and offer the same adorable white cloud of compact cuddliness. While your cushions won’t get covered in fluff because they don’t shed,  the flip side is that any owner has their work cut out with grooming these snowy tresses at home plus regular trips to a pro groomer can be an assault on the wallet (https://bolognesedogclubuk.co.uk/members/breeders/). 

Brussels Griffon 

If you are after a pocket Eewok, this rough- or smooth-coated pint-sized sweetie from Belgium is known as the ultimate velcro dog that wants to be next to you 24/7. But they are also sturdy little adventurers that can take on all the enrichment and activity that bigger dogs can offer - and this can be key to ensuring your little Griff doesn’t become a fatty. Those big adoring eyes need to be cherished as they are prone to injury and disease and be wary of the usual breathing comfort issues of a brachiocephalic dog (http://thegriffonclub1897.co.uk/news.php

Havanese 

Pour yourself a Cuba Libre to toast this Caribbean cutie. These bright companionable lap dogs won’t be crawling up the walls to go on long walks, but they thrive best with mental enrichment (they love games and trick training) and lots of human company. You’ll need to be dedicated to maintaining their silky locks as they don’t shed and maybe have ear plugs at the ready - apparently they’ve never heard of an ‘inside’ voice! (http://www.labayamesa-havanese.com)