The 10 Most Quirky Dog Breeds That Will Steal Your Heart

Everyone knows about popular dogs like the bouncy golden retriever, the friendly pug, and the elegant standard poodle. But have you heard of some more unusual and rarer breeds like the basenji, Azawakh or the Telomian? These dogs have some truly quirky features such as unusual barks, distinctive fur formations, and other unique physical features.

Alpine yodeling has a long-standing tradition in Switzerland and other parts of Europe, but did you know that a hunting dog from central Africa is a yodeler, too? The basenji is sometimes called the "barkless dog" because they do not bark, and prefer to make an unusual yodel-like sound called a "barroo."

Have you ever wanted to have a floor mop as a pet? The puli is easily identified by its signature long coat of corded fur, giving it the appearance of the cords on a mop or even stylish dreadlocks, particularly in the common black-colored variation. The coat on this Hungarian herding dog isn't just for looks either; it helps to keep the pooch waterproof.

Like most herding breeds, pulis are extremely smart and can be a challenging dog to train for the novice owner. They need an active lifestyle and are a good choice for a dog sport enthusiast.

Most dogs have one reasonably uniform nose with a couple of nostrils. Then, there is a very small subset of double-nosed pointers that are sometimes called split-nose pointers because their noses are literally split in half. The catalburun of Turkey is one such example.

In fact, "catal" translates as "fork," and "burun" means "nose." This strange feature is said to provide the gundog with an enhanced sense of smell.

One of the strangest-looking pups you'll ever see is the Chinese crested dog. They're small and mostly hairless, and get their name from the unique crest of fur flowing on top of their head, in addition to the tufts of fur on their paws and tail.

To make this breed even stranger, the powder puff variant of the Chinese crested dog can have a full coat of fur. Despite their funny appearance, the Chinese Crested is a very loving, affectionate dog that can be seen excelling in many dog sports and therapy dog work.

The Chinese crested is hardly the only breed of hairless dog with a weird bit of fur on top of its head. The Peruvian Inca orchid is equally bare on the rest of its body, but it has a spiky mohawk between its ears.

In addition to its unique appearance, the Peruvian Inca orchid can supposedly alleviate stomach pain, asthma and other conditions by "hugging" you, according to the folklore of Peru. Their long history as a pet dates back even before the Incan Empire.

Only recently established as a standardized breed, the Thai ridgeback is one of only three dog breeds with a ridge of hairs running the opposite direction on its back. The other two breeds are the Rhodesian ridgeback and the Phu Quoc ridgeback.

The Thai ridgeback is mostly unknown outside of its native Thailand. The Thai ridgeback is a good family dog provided you socialize and train them fully to handle their protective instincts.

At first glance, the Norwegian lundehund looks like any other spitz breed from Scandinavia. Look a little closer and you'll realize that this cute little dog has six fully functional toes on each foot instead of the usual four.

The Norwegian lundehund is also remarkably flexible, being able to tilt their head straight backwards to touch their back. "Lundehund" literally translates as "puffin dog" in Norwegian, and these dogs were bred to hunt puffins on cliff faces. The lundehund is highly intelligent and sensitive and does best in a home with older children or adults.

You've got dogs and then you've got cats, and never the twain shall meet, right? The Azawakh from sub-Saharan Africa challenges that notion with its oddly elegant, cat-like gait.

Just like their feline counterparts, the Azawakh can be quite timid by nature, but don't expect them to be enticed by catnip or leap up on top of your kitchen cabinets. They are loving dogs who are very loyal but will need an experienced owner who can train and socialize them properly.

Also known colloquially as the bush dingo, the New Guinea singing dog is one of the rarest breeds in the world. They are widely considered a wild dog, with an extreme prey drive and the incessant desire to roam.

The New Guinea singing dog serenades anyone who will listen with a melodious howl that varies its pitch, hitting some very high notes. They'll even engage in synchronized "singing" in groups like a choir.

The Azawakh might have a gait like a feline, but the Telomian of Malaysia can climb circles around even the most agile of cats. These hunting dogs were bred by the indigenous people of Malaysia as a means of controlling vermin like rats and snakes.

Because the Orang Asli built their huts on stilts to avoid dangerous wild animals like scorpions and leopards, their pet dogs had to learn how to climb the ladders to get back home. Their dexterity is so good that certain Telomian dogs can even use their paws to open doors like a person.

We know, it's easy to fall in love with these out-there dog breeds. Just be sure you're prepared to meet their unique needs. Every dog needs love and attention, but these breeds may require you to go above and beyond. Most are best suited to experienced owners. If you fall in love, do your research and find out what your chosen breed needs to thrive.