Nature
15 of the World’s Oddest Looking Dog Breeds
Wiry hair obscuring eyes, smooshed faces lacking symmetry, gangly legs that seem too long or short — these pooches will win no beauty pageants. Some dog breeds are considered downright ugly by most people’s standards. However, beauty is only fur-deep, and their owners have nothing but unconditional love for them. Here are the top contenders for the oddest-looking canines out there.
By CM Chaney · January 18, 2024
Chinese Crested Dog
With its mane of long, unruly hair crowning it’s otherwise mostly bare flesh, beady eyes peering out from beneath its tangled bangs, the Chinese Crested breed is a peculiar sight to behold. Nearly naked, its leathery, wrinkly skin devoid of any fur except for wispy tufts poofing like ankle warmers on its paws and tail, the Chinese Crested brings the description “skin and bones” to life. Its pointy ears perked amidst a frizzy mop of locks, this mostly hairless hound has resulted from a genetic mutation causing partial hairlessness—leaving an odd, patchwork coat and an alienesque appearance. Tommy Gildseth / Wikimedia
Xoloitzcuintle (Mexican Hairless Dog)
While we're looking at the hairless oddities, the Xoloitzcuintle is quite the startling sight with its sleek yet skeletal frame devoid of fur and hair, lidless eyes bulging from a long, narrow skull, and blue-black skin giving it an otherworldly hue. This nearly naked breed originating from Mexico resembles something like an emaciated black lab that has shed all its fur after baking too long under a cruel sun. Leathery skin pulled taut over a lithe, bony body and a whip-like tail completing its alienesque look, the Xoloitzcuintle’s alopecia—or hairlessness—makes it appear more reptilian than canine. Its dark skin and haunting gaze lend a somewhat foreboding air to this primitive breed. Micyaotl G.T. / Wikimedia
Komondor
From one extreme to the other, the Komondor, enveloped in corded white fur resembling matted locks of rope, is a hulking and shaggy beast that looks more mop than mutt. With eyes and mouth barely visible beneath its cascading coat of dense curls, this Hungarian herding dog appears like a giant dust bunny or hovering UFO when standing still. In motion, its long tassels of fur sway and swing nearly to the ground, comically concealing its actual legs and feet. Resembling a big ball of twine or a living mop head far more than a canine, the floor-length fur of the Komondor completely obscures the outline of the dog beneath. An endless expanse of cords and flossy fur, the Komondor cuts a truly bizarre silhouette. Margarita Marushevska / Unsplash
Brussels Griffons
Sporting a smushed, almost human-like face topped by a mop of unruly fur and an underbite that causes its tongue to perpetually stick out, the Brussels Griffon is quite the spectacle. Its wide-set, bulging eyes peering out from beneath a rough coat of coarse hair lend it a look of perpetual surprise. Built low and heavy-boned with an almost cropped appearance, this small breed resembles an odd Furby-dog hybrid. Between its humanoid yet distorted facial features, shaggy beard, and thick furrowed brow giving it a stern expression, the Brussels Griffon has an almost Ewok-esque look about it. With oversized eyes, undersized snout, and ceiling brush-like coat, this toy dog takes an owner's true love to see it as a cute and cuddly companion. Galawebdesign / Wikimedia
Bull Terrier
The bull terrier is a bizarre-looking breed, with its egg-shaped head, triangular eyes set far apart, and muscular, tank-like body. Its oval skull that tapers to a short, blocky snout lends a strangely humanoid aspect to its face. Adding to the odd aesthetic are its small, sunken eyes that slant downwards, and unnaturally and oversized front teeth that jut out from under its upper lip. Robust and stocky yet still agile, this terrier with an otherworldly silhouette resembles something out of a weird science experiment rather than a purebred dog. Its unique, egg-like profile gives the bull terrier an alien appearance unlike any other canine. Goldmull / Wikimedia
Borzoi
Its narrow, elongated head tapering to a long snout, skinny body, and tall, curved legs gives the Borzoi a stretched, angular look about it. Built for speed and endurance when hunting, this Russian sighthound is lean to the point of emaciation, with its ribcage visible beneath a short, sleek coat. When still, its wiry frame resembles a coat rack draped in fur more than a muscular athlete. Curving smoothly from its narrow muzzle to arched loins, graceful neck held high on a long stalk, the streamlined Borzoi moves with a regal air. But its skinny body and somber expression lend it an awkward presence rather than elegance, resembling a stiff runway model more than a playful pup. Sannse / Wikimedia
Neapolitan Mastiff
Some dogs have large heads, but the Neapolitan Mastiff's head is massive - added to the abundant wrinkles and folds, and its intimidating bulk, this breed is a startling sight to behold. Its gigantic body paired with loose, sagging skin gives it a melty appearance as though it were a giant Shar-Pei. Its pleats and drooping jowls falling from a short muzzle lend its face a perpetually gloomy, depressed aesthetic. With huge paws, skin-covered eyes peering from the deep crevices made by wrinkles, intimidating size belying a calm temperament, and sheer excess of folds and skin, the Neapolitan Mastiff resembles a sleepy mountain of furrows and ripples of flesh. gomagoti / Wikimedia
Hairless Khala
Subtlely wrinkled and completely devoid of fur, the Hairless Khala is an odd sight to witness. With skin covered in leathery wrinkles and creases, this hairless breed resembles a miniature pink rhinoceros more than a dog. Often greased down to accentuate muscular definition since it lacks a fur coat, the Hairless Khala's weird, naked appearance shows off its robust physique. Between its hairlessness showcasing rippling muscles and aging wrinkly skin, this dog has an utterly absurd and uncanine look about it. Monica S. Cassels / Wikimedia
Chinese Shar-Pei
The Chinese Shar-Pei, with its angular head covered in voluminous wrinkles and folds of excess skin, is truly a singular-looking breed. Its padded muzzle and scowling expression lent by droopy eyelids and ears give it a hippopotamus-like facade. Stubby legs supporting a barrel-shaped body cloaked in a thick, bristly coat only add to its unusual proportions. When still, its bountiful wrinkles unfurled in rippling waves and folds resemble melted asphalt—earning this pup names like “pavement special.” The Shar-Pei’s dark tongue poking out beneath a forest of skin flaps completes its odd aesthetic. Though once used as fierce fighters, today the Chinese Shar-Pei’s appearance is more humorous than hostile. Wrinkle / Wikimedia
Affenpinscher
Returning to the Ewok's ancestors, with its monkey-like facial features, messy coat, and perky attitude, the Affenpinscher certainly lives up to its "monkey terrier" name. Its round eyes, short snout, shaggy fur, and lively expression lend it more than a passing resemblance to our primate relatives. Though petite, its sturdy frame and upright gait give it an animated presence. Between its scruffy fur poking out in all directions like an unmade bed, underbite exposing teeth in seeming perpetual smile, and mischievous nature, the Affenpinscher appears both silly and self-assured. With family ties to terriers but looks that ally it visually with primates at the zoo, the Affenpinscher’s goofy look sets it in a class all its own. Dean Jarvey / Wikimedia
Caucasian Mountain Dog
Massive and muscular with a broad head and thick neck furrowed by deep wrinkles, the Caucasian Mountain Dog can be an intimidating sight. Its imposing bulk, bear-like coat, and bold yet gloomy expression, present a foreboding air. With its substantial size, dense double-layer coat, and mane ruff framing its face, this Russian guard dog resembles a small polar bear or lion more than a domesticated canine. When standing guard, its shaggy fur and glowering face give it a fierce presentation suited to its original purpose of protecting livestock from thieves and predators. Despite its giant size and hairy hunks of skin folding into furrowed waves, the Caucasian Mountain Dog is gentle with trusted humans. Ciccio9821 / Wikimedia
Bedlington Terrier
Like a cross between a sheep and a Star Wars battle droid, its narrow, arched build, tightly curled coat, and elongated head, give the Bedlington Terrier an unusual look all its own. Its rounded, subtly tucked muzzle capped by a topknot and paired with oval-shaped eyes lend it a mild but bewildered expression. When clipped to show, this terrier’s shaggy fur poofs out in all directions like a windblown poodle perm. With a lithe, nearly lamb-like build yet the peppy nature of other feisty terriers, the Bedlington seems not to have settled on one consistent look. Part poodle-style show dog with its clipped curls, part gentle lamb in build, the Bedlington Terrier’s contradictory appearance makes it a true oddball. Томасина / Wikimedia
Peruvian Inca Orchid
Bare of any coat and startlingly athletic in build, the hairless Peruvian Inca Orchid resembles a naked greyhound more than a fluffy canine companion. With leathery, elephant-like skin stretched smoothly over its slim yet sinewy frame, this nearly naked sighthound has an otherworldly appearance. Lacking fur and body fat, every muscle and bodily contour is visible beneath its dark skin marked by some light spots or stripes. Expressive almond eyes shine out from its long, narrow skull which slopes gracefully into an elongated snout. Alert and agile, the rare Peruvian Inca Orchid combines delicate fleetness with alienesque hairlessness for a truly unique aesthetic. PsamatheM / Wikimedia
Irish Wolfhound
The Irish Wolfhound cuts a unique silhouette for a canine, with its towering height, narrow chest, and lanky limbs. This sighthound’s skinny frame supports a large yet graceful head atop a long, muscular neck designed for wide reach and vision. Shaggy fur covers its bony constitution from its docile, doleful face down wiry legs ending in dainty feet incongruous to its great size. Despite its ominous name conjuring images of a vicious beast, the Irish Wolfhound is beloved as a gentle giant. Its tremendous stature reaching well over three feet coupled with a mild, soulful expression give this restricting hound an endearing disposition in spite of its formidable framework. Tirwhan / Wikimedia