Dog breeds once so loved and popular quietly fade away over time, and today hardly anyone breeds them according to the American Kennel Club.
Harrier
Originally a breed meant to run with packs of other hunting dogs, Harriers still love being around other dogs and get pretty lonely when left by themselves for long periods of time. They need several hours of exercise per day and run best when they have a lot of room.
Many people these days don’t have the time for such vigorous activity with their dogs, opting instead for easier breeds.
Otterhound
The Otterhound has become one of the rarest dog breeds. They were originally bred to hunt otters, have an excellent sense of smell and webbed feet, and love water.
After otter hunting was banned and the river ecosystem changed, this breed lost its purpose. In addition, its massive size, prey drive dictated by smell, and severe grooming requirements are not ideal for families who live in apartments.
English Foxhound
English Foxhounds were bred to run with large packs of other foxhounds while tracking foxes for miles. They get along very well with other dogs but are not ideal for a sedentary lifestyle.
They need stimulation, exercise, and space or they can become ill-tempered.
American Foxhound
American Foxhounds are fast dogs with incredible stamina who love to hunt. These dogs are great with kids and other pets. But they can be strong-willed and stubborn, and some owners find them hard to train.
They also need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to burn off energy.
Norwegian Lundehund
Few people have even heard of this strange dog breed, with unique features such as six toes on each foot and super-flexible joints. They were great at climbing the rocky cliffs of northern Norway in search of puffins to hunt.
However, these traits have been linked to health problems, particularly related to digestion. This breed requires a fairly specific diet in order to help with this.
Sloughi
Sloughis are lean, athletic dogs known for their speed and elegance. These graceful dogs are great companions that develop strong bonds with their owners.
They can be wary of strangers and don’t always warm up to new people right away. Sloughis are independent dogs and require a firm but experienced hand when training.
Skye Terrier
Skye Terriers were the trendy thing to own among Scottish royalty back in the day. These dogs sport long hair that hangs down their backs and requires a lot of upkeep.
They can be loyal and loving, but some have difficult and strong-minded personalities that can be hard to train.
Cesky Terrier
Cesky Terrier is a small, cheerful dog that adapts very well to life with families. However, it is one of the least registered and known terrier breeds in the world.
While temperament and maintenance aren’t an issue, the Cesky Terrier is not popular.
Dandie Dinmont Terrier
The Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a unique-looking dog with an extremely loving personality. It has a long, thin body with an odd top knot of hair tuft at the top of the head.
Compared to other terriers, Dandie is a calm dog that loves being around you. They aren’t very energetic or trendy like other small, adorable dogs these days.
Glen of Imaal Terrier
Glen of Imaal Terriers are muscular dogs that were used to help farmers hunt vermin and farm. These dogs aren’t as noisy as other terriers but still possess that terrier stubbornness.
They need firm but patient handlers and aren’t recommended for first-time owners.
Finnish Spitz
The Finnish Spitz looks a lot like a fox and was used as a hunting companion. When the hunters got close to their prey, these dogs would let out a continuous scream. Alerting the hunter to where they were.
Nowadays, that scream can annoy the entire neighborhood you live in. They are great family dogs and extremely intelligent, but not for everyone.
Canaan Dog
Canaan Dogs were used as livestock guarding dogs and had to be watchful of predators. They apply that same attribute to humans they don’t know.
If not properly trained as a puppy to accept new people, Canaan Dogs can become very difficult dogs to control due to their vigilant nature.
Chinook
The Chinook is rare despite being friendly and loyal. It was originally bred as a sled dog, so it has high energy needs. But like any dog of that size, they need exercise to let off steam.
They are hard to find, and there are only a few breeders that have them.
American English Coonhound
They are excellent at hunting foxes and other small animals at night. They have loud voices that allow them to communicate with hunters from a distance.
Coonhounds need a lot of space to run around and be silly. They also love to howl, making them not ideal for neighborhoods.
Field Spaniel
Spaniels are known for being great family dogs and the Field Spaniel is no different. They are sweet dogs with kind tempers.
However, other Spaniels, like Cocker and Springer Spaniels, seem more popular and require the same amount of upkeep in terms of exercise and grooming.
Sources: Please see here for a complete listing of all sources that were consulted in the preparation of this article.
