Wednesday, February 10, 2010
9 of the Strangest Looking Dogs
Are you looking to turn some heads at the doggy park? Consider getting one of the following dog breeds. Don't forget, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder."
This little guy has quite the name. It is a Xoloitzcuntle, pronounced "show-low-its-queen-tlee". Sometimes known as "Xolo" for short, this mexican hairless is an interesting dog. The breed was considered sacred to the Aztecs because they were believed to guide individuals through the underworld after their death. Like other hairless breeds, Xolos required bathing, moisturizing, sunscreen, and coats to keep that bald skin healthy and happy.
The Bergamasco is a mopish looking breed. Their coat is "felted". They are from Persia and served as sheepdogs and livestock guardians. Even though they may look shabby, it is frowned upon by breeders to shave this coat because it will never be the same again.
The Komondor's coat is "corded", not "felted". These dogs are often said to look like a large mop. Actually, the coat really resembles a used mop because the cords often collect dust and dirt. Komondors were bred to guard livestock and their thick coats protected them from the elements as well as predators. As you probably guessed, the Komondor needs a great deal of grooming.
No one can confuse a Shar Pei with any other breed. This heavily wrinkled dog has an unusual "hippopotamus" shaped muzzle. Shar Peis also have solid bluish-black tongue. What a dog!
The Puli is one of the "dread lock" breeds. These cords begin to form naturally when the puppies are about 9 months old. Owners have to help this process by separating the cords as they can form very large matts if they are not maintained. Bathing one of these dogs can be a lengthy process as they take hours to dry!
The Neapolitan Mastiff looks something like a mini-Rhino! Look at all that loose skin. They have wrinkles all over their bodes, most prominently on the face and head. All those wrinkles need some extra TLC. Folds must be cleaned and kept dry as acne and infections are a concern if they are moist. The canine actor who played "Fang" in the movie Harry Potter was a Neapolitan Mastiff.
Chinese Crested dogs have fur on their paws (socks), tail (plume), and a long flowing mop on their heads (the crest). Their skins is soft and needs careful care. A Chinese Crested named "Sam" was voted world's ugliest dog three years in a row.
Even though the Bedlington Terrier could easily be confused for a lamb, in the early days this breed was often used for fighting. While the Bedlingtons of today have been bred to be sweet companions, they can still hold their own if challenged.
This little guy has quite the name. It is a Xoloitzcuntle, pronounced "show-low-its-queen-tlee". Sometimes known as "Xolo" for short, this mexican hairless is an interesting dog. The breed was considered sacred to the Aztecs because they were believed to guide individuals through the underworld after their death. Like other hairless breeds, Xolos required bathing, moisturizing, sunscreen, and coats to keep that bald skin healthy and happy.
The Bergamasco is a mopish looking breed. Their coat is "felted". They are from Persia and served as sheepdogs and livestock guardians. Even though they may look shabby, it is frowned upon by breeders to shave this coat because it will never be the same again.
The Komondor's coat is "corded", not "felted". These dogs are often said to look like a large mop. Actually, the coat really resembles a used mop because the cords often collect dust and dirt. Komondors were bred to guard livestock and their thick coats protected them from the elements as well as predators. As you probably guessed, the Komondor needs a great deal of grooming.
Peruvian Inca Orchid is anohter hairless breed. These little doggies appear in art dating back to 750 A.D. However, when Peru was conquered by the Spanish, it almost led to the loss of these unique dogs. While these dogs occasionally have a bit of hair on their feet, tails, and heads, breeders strive for a completely hairless dog. Peruvian Inca Orchids can be prone to acne and blackheads.
No one can confuse a Shar Pei with any other breed. This heavily wrinkled dog has an unusual "hippopotamus" shaped muzzle. Shar Peis also have solid bluish-black tongue. What a dog!
The Puli is one of the "dread lock" breeds. These cords begin to form naturally when the puppies are about 9 months old. Owners have to help this process by separating the cords as they can form very large matts if they are not maintained. Bathing one of these dogs can be a lengthy process as they take hours to dry!
The Neapolitan Mastiff looks something like a mini-Rhino! Look at all that loose skin. They have wrinkles all over their bodes, most prominently on the face and head. All those wrinkles need some extra TLC. Folds must be cleaned and kept dry as acne and infections are a concern if they are moist. The canine actor who played "Fang" in the movie Harry Potter was a Neapolitan Mastiff.
Chinese Crested dogs have fur on their paws (socks), tail (plume), and a long flowing mop on their heads (the crest). Their skins is soft and needs careful care. A Chinese Crested named "Sam" was voted world's ugliest dog three years in a row.
Even though the Bedlington Terrier could easily be confused for a lamb, in the early days this breed was often used for fighting. While the Bedlingtons of today have been bred to be sweet companions, they can still hold their own if challenged.
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