20 Rare Small Dog Breeds (With Pictures)

Many dog lovers are familiar with popular small breeds like Chihuahuas, Pugs, and Shih Tzus. But did you know there‘s a whole world of fascinating rare small dog breeds out there? These unique pups may not be household names, but they have devoted followings among enthusiasts who appreciate their distinctive looks, personalities, and histories.

In this article, we‘ll introduce you to 25 rare small dog breeds that you may not have heard of before. For each one, we‘ll cover key traits like size, appearance, temperament, origin, and rarity. We‘ll also discuss some important things to keep in mind if you‘re considering bringing home one of these uncommon canine companions.

By the end, you‘ll have a new appreciation for the incredible diversity of small dogs and maybe even discover your new favorite breed! Let‘s meet some rare and remarkable small dogs.

Affenpinscher
Height: 9-11.5 inches
Weight: 7-10 pounds
Don‘t let the Affenpinscher‘s small size fool you – these spunky little dogs have big personalities! With a name that translates to "monkey terrier" in German, Affens are known for their playful, mischievous, yet loyal and affectionate nature. Their shaggy "mustached" faces and stocky bodies give them an adorably unique look.

Bred in Germany to hunt rats, Affenpinschers have been beloved companions in Europe since the 1600s. But they remain a rare breed today, ranking 148th out of 197 breeds in AKC registrations for 2023. Those lucky enough to own an Affen praise their confidence, cleverness and sense of humor. They can be a bit stubborn, but also endlessly entertaining and devoted to their humans.

Russian Toy
Height: 8-11 inches
Weight: up to 6.5 pounds
The tiny but mighty Russian Toy is one of the smallest breeds in the world, but they pack a lot of personality into their compact frames. This elegant, fine-boned breed comes in both longhaired and smooth-coated varieties, but both have a unique squared-off silky ears.

Developed in Russia from English-style toy terriers in the 18th century, Russian Toys nearly went extinct after the Russian Revolution but were brought back by dedicated breeders. Today they are still rare outside of Russia – the AKC just recognized the breed in 2022.

Brave, active, and cheerfully friendly, Russian Toys are great city dogs who love being the center of attention. They form very close bonds with their owners and can excel at tricks, agility, and obedience. Just watch that they don‘t develop "small dog syndrome" without proper training!

Nederlandse Kooikerhondje
Height: 14-16 inches
Weight: 20-30 pounds
The Nederlandse Kooikerhondje (try saying that five times fast!) or "Kooiker" for short is a lively, athletic small spaniel breed from the Netherlands. Pronounced "coy-ker-hond-tsje," the name comes from their original job: luring ducks into "kooien" (cages) for hunters.

Kooikers almost went extinct during WWII but were saved by Baroness von Hardenbroek, who gathered the last Kooikers and rebuilt the breed. Imports to the US began in the 1990s, but they are still quite rare, ranking 160th in AKC registrations.

With a white coat patched with red, black and tan markings, plumed tail, and black-tipped ears, Kooikers have a delightfully expressive look. They tend to be smart, friendly, and adaptable companions who love having a job to do with their humans, whether that‘s hunting, agility, obedience, or just playing for hours.

Cesky Terrier
Height: 10-13 inches
Weight: 13-30 pounds
Clever, adventurous, and a little less feisty than most terriers, the Cesky Terrier is truly a breed all its own. With a long, low-set silky body, short legs, and unique wavy grey coat and facial furnishings, Ceskys definitely stand out from the terrier crowd.

The Cesky (pronounced "chess-kee") was created in 1948 by a Czech breeder who crossed Scottish Terriers with Sealyham Terriers and set a breed standard to retain the best traits of both. Now the national dog of the Czech Republic, Ceskys have a loyal following there but remain rare in North America.

Known for being more trainable and easygoing than the average terrier, Ceskys can still be feisty and fearless. Their working drive makes them great at dog sports. But at the end of the day, they‘re content to curl up on the couch with their favorite people too.

Biewer Terrier
Height: 7-11 inches
Weight: 4-8 pounds
At first glance, you might mistake a Biewer Terrier for a Yorkie wearing a fancy coat. But take a closer look and you‘ll see distinct differences: Biewers have a longer, less rounded head, a more pronounced muzzle, and a striking tri-colored coat in white, black, and gold.

Originating in Germany in 1984 as the unexpected result of two Yorkies with recessive piebald genes, Biewers are now considered a separate breed. Rare and coveted, Biewers have been nicknamed the "angel dog" for the wing-shaped look of their long, silky back hair.

Happy, smart, and devoted, Biewers share many traits with Yorkies but tend to be a bit more even-tempered and athletic. They‘re playful, portable companions who love being the center of attention but are content to cuddle up in a lap too.

Lowchen
Height: 12-14 inches
Weight: 10-20 pounds
It doesn‘t get much more unique than the Lowchen or "Little Lion Dog," a cheerful small breed sporting a traditional lion clip: short, smooth coat on the hindquarters with a full mane and plumed tail. But don‘t worry, this little lion just wants to love you!

Possibly dating back to the pre-Renaissance era, Lowchen have a long European history as companions to royal ladies. By the 1970s, they were almost extinct, with only 70 known Lowchen left globally. Careful breeding brought them back, but they‘re still quite uncommon.

Lowchen are known for their outgoing, positive personalities. They‘re lively and inquisitive, yet gentle and sensitive too. Lowchen bond deeply with their families and can be a little wary of strangers without proper socialization. But with their loved ones, they‘re big dogs in small bodies – fearless, fun-loving, and endlessly devoted.

Kromfohrlander
Height: 15-18 inches
Weight: 20-35 pounds
With a sweet expression, scruffy beard, and tousled coat, the Kromfohrlander looks a bit like a terrier mixed with a teddy bear. And that adorable face matches an endearingly gentle, sensitive personality that makes this rare German breed a cherished companion.

The Kromfohrlander‘s story began with a stray dog adopted by American soldiers in WWII. Taken to Germany, the dog later had a litter mixed with Fox Terriers and local farm dogs. Through generations of selective breeding, the good-natured, highly trainable Kromfohrlander emerged and was declared its own breed in 1955.

Still uncommon outside Germany today, Kromfohrlanders come in wirehaired and smooth varieties. They‘re known for being exceptionally devoted, affectionate, and responsive to training. Kroms can be active, but they‘re not hyper or yappy. Mostly they just want to be adored by their special people.

Pyrenean Sheepdog
Height: 15-19 inches
Weight: 15-30 pounds
Agile, alert, and fearlessly faithful, the Pyrenean Sheepdog is a lively herding dog packed into a compact body built for traversing rugged mountain terrain. With keen intelligence and a strong work ethic, Pyr Sheps can go all day tending flocks, yet happily settle into the role of loving house dog too.

Bred for centuries in the Pyrenees mountains of France and Spain, Pyr Sheps traditionally helped shepherds manage and guard sheep on steep slopes and pastures. The breed is still uncommon outside of its native region, with only a few hundred in North America.

Pyr Sheps come two varieties – smooth-faced or rough-faced (with cute fuzzy moustaches and beards.) Both share the same hardy, rustic body and a thick coat in shades of fawn, grey and brindle. True working dogs, Pyr Sheps are happiest with a job to do in partnership with their person. At home, they‘re affectionate, playful, and surprisingly calm indoors for such an active breed.

Danish-Swedish Farmdog
Height: 12-15 inches
Weight: 15-25 pounds
Don‘t let the ordinary name fool you – the Danish-Swedish Farmdog is a delightful, uncommon companion dog with a long history as an all-around Scandinavian farmhand and rat hunter. With folded ears, a whiskery muzzle, and a short smooth coat in white with black, brown, or tricolor markings, Farmdogs have a fetching foxy look.

For centuries, these sturdy little dogs have earned their keep on farms by hunting rodents, herding livestock, guarding property, and being loyal family companions. Imports to North America began in the early 2000s, but Farmdogs are still a rare breed here.

Clever, curious, and energetic, Farmdogs are always up for an adventure or task to do. They have a strong prey drive but tend to be less yappy and easier to train than some comparable breeds. Devoted to their families yet a bit aloof with strangers, Farmdogs can adapt to various living situations as long as they get enough exercise and enrichment.

Finnish Lapphund
Height: 15-20 inches
Weight: 30-50 pounds
Hailing from the Arctic regions of Scandinavia, the Finnish Lapphund is a strong, agile spitz-type breed originally used for herding and guarding reindeer. With a lush coat, plumed tail, and expressive face, Lappies have a wolf-like appearance but a sweet teddy-bear demeanor.

For thousands of years, Lappies worked alongside the nomadic Sami people, helping manage their reindeer herds. As the Sami way of life declined in the 20th century, Lapphunds became less common. Breed enthusiasts are working to boost their numbers, but Lappies are still a rare sight outside Finland.

Lappies are known for being smart, friendly, and eager to please. Unlike some herding breeds, they lack a bossy streak and get along well with kids, strangers, and other pets. An active breed that loves having a job, Lappies excel at agility, obedience, herding trials, and being an adored member of the family. Just be ready to for lots of grooming with their thick double coats!

Conclusion:
From the tiny Russian Toy to the foxy Danish-Swedish Farmdog, rare small dog breeds come in all shapes, coats, and personalities. What they share is a unique history, a devoted following, and something a little special that sets them apart from more common breeds.

Of course, a rare breed isn‘t the right choice for everyone. Limited gene pools can mean potential health issues. Some rare breeds have strong working instincts that require knowledgeable handling. With small numbers of dogs, finding a breeder and researching lines carefully is a must. Most importantly, a dog‘s personality, energy level, and needs should match your lifestyle, whether they are rare or popular.

Still, for those seeking an out-of-the-ordinary canine companion and willing to go the extra mile, a rare small breed offers the thrill of owning something a little different, the satisfaction of preserving a piece of doggy history, and all the joys of small dog ownership wrapped in an eye-catching, less familiar package. No matter which rare breed steals your heart, one thing is certain – life with an uncommon canine will never be boring!