Dandie Dinmont Terrier
Hailing from Scotland, the Dandie Dinmont Terrier is a scruffy pup that closely resembles the more-popular West Highland Terrier. This breed is actually at risk of extinction, so if you like what you see, adopt one while you can. They’re low maintenance, although they do love decorating your yard with as many holes as they can get away with.
The Danish-Swedish Farmdogs are just as their name implies: farm dogs from Denmark and Sweden. These medium-sized pups can do just about everything from working on your farm to guarding your stuff, and their gentle demeanor makes them excellent pets.
The Denmark Feist is a small hunting dog whose origins date back to Virginia in the early 20th century. The first Denmark Feist was sold to the Slade family in exchange for three opossum hides, a large raccoon, and a wagon wheel — a price that seems totally fair, in our opinion. These dogs are known for being completely silent while hunting, and they are used to track down everything from bobcats to feral pigs.
Some people would argue that the Dingo is a separate species and therefore not deserving of a place on this list. We disagree because these feral mutts resemble other dogs in just about every way possible. They’re said to have a “commensalistic” relationship with indigenous Australians; this means they can live together but also function perfectly well when apart.
The ferocious-seeming Doberman Pinscher was developed in 1890 by a German tax collector. These dogs look like fuzzy rockets, and they’re often used as guard dogs or for military or police applications. However, many modern Dobermans (especially those bred in America) are actually quite gentle and trusting of strangers, making them wonderful companions.
The powerfully-built Dogo Argentino was bred to hunt wild boar and other big game in Argentina in the early part of the 20th century. It’s a mix of several other large breeds, notably the Cordoba Dog and the Great Dane. They can be loving and loyal to their families, but they need training and socialization as pups so they won’t view every single stranger as a threat to be dealt with.
The Dogo Guatemalteco is a Mastiff-type dog hailing from Guatemala (it’s actually their national dog). These dogs were used for bull-fighting when first bred, but they have since been put to work as guard dogs, farm dogs, and pets. They’re loving and affectionate toward their families but can be wary of outsiders, so it’s imperative that you train and socialize them as much as possible.
An Italian Molosser-type dog, the Dogo Sardesco was originally used to guard livestock, although it was often conscripted into the army to function as a dog of war. Despite being native to Sardinia, the breed is most popular in Norway, thanks to one particular breeder who took a shine to these animals.
Also known as the Brazilian Dogo, the Dogue Brasileiro is an offshoot of the Bull Terrier. The breed started in 1978 when a Brazilian breeder mixed his Bull Terrier with a neighbor’s Boxer; the resulting pups were both stronger than their parents and more loving and affectionate. Nevertheless, they make great guard dogs and have a long lifespan for bigger pups (around 13 years).
Danish Broholmer (a.k.a. Danish Mastiff, Broholmer)
Origins: Denmark Size: Giant Grooming: Average Training: Average Recognition: AKC (FSS), FCI (Group 2), UKC (Guardian)
Deutsche Kurzhaariger Vorstehhund (aka. German Shorthaired Pointer)
Origins: Germany Size: Large to Giant Grooming: Minimal Training: Average Recognition: FCI: Group 7, AKC: Sporting, ANKC: Gundog, CKC: Sporting, KC: Gundog, NZKC: Gundog, UKC: Gundog
Dog Breeds – List of 100 Most Popular Dog Breeds in the World
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