11 Rare Dog Breeds Even the Most Diehard Dog-Lovers Haven’t Heard Of

11. Caucasian Ovcharka

The Caucasian Ovcharka is a little-known breed whose roots trace back to the Caucasus mountains. Also known as the Caucasian shepherd dog, this pup was bred to work in rocky terrain, but is starting to gain popularity for its glamorous good looks.

While the Caucasian Ovcharka is beautiful to look at, it’s not an ideal pup for first-time doggy owners. Why? There are a couple of reasons. First, these dogs are huge. They could easily injure a small child by accident during play. Second, they are fiercely protective and make excellent guard dogs, but if not trained by a seasoned dog owner early on, their protective nature could turn into aggression. So make sure you’re ready to commit to lots of early training if you have your heart set on bringing one of these gorgeous pups into your home.