When walking through any busy park or popular dog walking spot, there are certain breeds of dog you can almost guarantee you’ll see. Labradors, Cocker Spaniels and Golden Retrievers are just some of the UK’s most popular breeds, with Labrador Retriever puppies accounting for 38,074 Kennel Club registrations in 2024 alone.
There are lots of things to consider when choosing which dog is right for you, your home and lifestyle. Some people look for breeds known for being child-friendly, while others prioritise breeds that are said to be easier to train. Others look for certain sized dogs, or breeds with fewer grooming needs.
A behaviourist has shared three rare breeds perfect for people who want a family-friendly dog that’s also just a little bit out of the ordinary.
Posting to TikTok, Will Atherton, a clinical canine behaviourist, said: “Here are three rare dog breeds that still make amazing family dogs.
“Now these might be perfect breeds for you if you want a perfect family dog but you’re the kind of person that doesn’t want something that everybody else has got and you like rare things.”
His first pick is the Leonberger, a giant dog breed originally used as a guard dog but now loved for its “gentle and affectionate temperament”, according to the Kennel Club.
Talking about the breed, Will said: “An incredibly gentle, placid, relaxed dog that has beautifully striking looks, yet fits really nicely in with a family, providing you have the skill and experience to be able to manage a larger breed that does require excellent levels of leadership, obedience, manners and socialisation.”
Will’s second rare pick is the Komondor, also known as the Hungarian sheepdog.
Sometimes referred to as ‘mop dogs’ due to their log, corded coat, Komondors are livestock guardian dogs known for being affectionate with their family and gentle with children and family friends.
“In terms of their temperaments and personalities, like the Leonberger, they are genuinely really sweet, nice dogs, and they are incredibly rare,” Will explained.
“I’ve only ever worked with one of them in the past and they are striking to look at, but you better have the commitment to grooming to keep all of that intact.
“And the last rare breed that I want to mention and it’s no secret that I love the Labrador Retriever and the Golden Retriever, and I think that they make the best family pets.
“However if you just can’t bring yourself to embrace a dog that a lot of other people have got, why not check out the Flat-Coated Retriever to get to get a lot of the benefits of the Labrador and the golden, but with a little bit of the rarity not many people have.”
Flat-Coated Retriever is a gun dog breed originating from England, capable of retrieving both on land and in the water.
They are about the same height as a Labrador Retriever, but tend to be leaner, with their flat-lying coat featuring feathering at the legs and tail.
