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Quiz about Rare Breeds of Dog
Quiz about Rare Breeds of Dog

Rare Breeds of Dog Trivia Quiz


While some of these are quite common in the region where they originate, they are not widely seen around the rest of the world. Can you identify each of these breeds of dog from their description? Pictures may help!
This is a renovated/adopted version of an old quiz by author remobec

A photo quiz by looney_tunes. Estimated time: 6 mins.
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Author
looney_tunes
Time
6 mins
Type
Photo Quiz
Quiz #
82,267
Updated
Jan 14 24
# Qns
20
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
14 / 20
Plays
458
Awards
Top 5% quiz!
Last 3 plays: Guest 90 (16/20), Guest 69 (14/20), Guest 207 (10/20).
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Question 1 of 20
1. This breed of dog is about the size of a German Shepherd, with the black and tan markings of a Rottweiler or a Doberman Pinscher. It is recognizable by its double dewclaws. What is its name? Hint


photo quiz
Question 2 of 20
2. This black and white dog with a spitz-like appearance (pointed ears and curled tail) was developed in Finland for big game hunting. Which of these is being described? Hint


photo quiz
Question 3 of 20
3. There are four breeds of the Belgian Shepherd dogs. Three of them are common enough in America to be recognized by the AKC. These are the Belgian Sheepdog (Groenendael), the Belgian Tervuren, and the Belgian Malinois. The fourth, the Belgian _____, is still considered a rare breed in America. What is the missing word in its name? Hint


photo quiz
Question 4 of 20
4. This dog was created after the Second World War by using a mixture of breeds that included Rottweilers, Giant Schnauzers, Great Danes and Airedale Terriers. The goal was to create a rugged, all-purpose terrier who could survive harsh winters. Which of these breeds is in the picture? Hint


photo quiz
Question 5 of 20
5. This dog was developed in Mexico, before the time of the Aztecs, and is best known for his lack of hair. Unlike the Chinese Crested dog, which is also called hairless but has long tufts of hair on the head and legs, this dog only has small traces of hair on the top of his head. Which breed is it? Hint


photo quiz
Question 6 of 20
6. This large dog, usually of a grayish color, is characterized by its great masses of skin, especially around the head and the dewlap. It is speculated that he may be related to the ancient Roman breed, the 'Molossian', which was an aggressive dog used in wars. What breed has just been described? Hint


photo quiz
Question 7 of 20
7. This is a medium sized dog, but incredibly tough. Bred to be a sheepdog, these dogs can work for hours without tiring. They often have to work by themselves, relying on their own wits and brains to handle the stock. What is their name? Hint


photo quiz
Question 8 of 20
8. This amazing dog was originally created around the 1500s to hunt puffins in the tiny caves along the cliffs. Amazingly flexible, he can bend his head entirely backwards, touching the top of his head to his back. He also has at least six toes on each foot, and has the ability to close his ears to keep water out. Whose paw is in the picture? Hint


photo quiz
Question 9 of 20
9. There are four types of setters, three of which are the Irish setter, the English setter and the Gordon setter. What is the fourth setter? Hint


photo quiz
Question 10 of 20
10. This coonhound is descended mainly from English foxhounds and French dogs, such as the Grand Bleu de Gascogne. He is known for his 'cold nose', or the ability to follow old trails in the pursuit of raccoons. Which type of coonhound is this? Hint


photo quiz
Question 11 of 20
11. The ancestors of this breed came from the boar hunting dogs of Germany, when their owner moved to America. Settling in North Carolina, he used his dogs to hunt bears. What did he call them? Hint


photo quiz
Question 12 of 20
12. This medium sized dog had the unique job of prancing and playing on the shorelines, sometimes disappearing and then quickly reappearing into view. These actions roused the curiosity of the waterfowl, who came to investigate this strange sight. The dog's master shot them when they were in gun range, and the dog would retrieve them. Who is this playful puppy? Hint


photo quiz
Question 13 of 20
13. This large dog was developed from the Newfoundland, St. Bernard, Great Pyrenees and Greater Swiss mountain dog, among others. Mayor Heinrich Essig claimed that he created the dog in the 1840s to look like the lion that was on his city's crest. Which of these dogs is now a tawny lion color, sporting a mane? Hint


photo quiz
Question 14 of 20
14. This is a sighthound, resembling the greyhound in some respects. Bred in North Africa over many centuries, this ancient breed once hunted everything from desert hare to gazelle to hyena to ostrich. Which of these dogs is now known as a hunter and a protector of herds? Hint


photo quiz
Question 15 of 20
15. This "barkless" dog resembles the dingo. It can make a good pet, but it is still partly a wild dog. Whose most distinct feature is their melodious voice?
Hint


photo quiz
Question 16 of 20
16. This dog is one of the oldest American breeds, developed in the 1700s for hunting deer and 'herding' the wild and dangerous cattle and pigs. He is well known for his mottled coat, and often one or both eyes will be blue. Who is in the picture? Hint


photo quiz
Question 17 of 20
17. This dog is also known as the French mastiff. He is orange in color, and has the largest head of any dog. He is probably descended from the dogs that accompanied Roman and Macedonian armies throughout their marches. He was later used as a bullfighting dog for the amusement of people at circuses. What breed is this? Hint


photo quiz
Question 18 of 20
18. Similar to the Maltese and Bichon Frise, this dog is a small, white companion dog. This small dog was once a popular court dog in Italy. What is the name of this ball of fluff? Hint


photo quiz
Question 19 of 20
19. This Hungarian breed was descended from the puli, but lost its distinct corded coat when outbred to other dogs, including German Pomeranians, French briards, and several varieties of terriers. He was originally bred for herding cattle. What breed is pictured here? Hint


photo quiz
Question 20 of 20
20. This American terrier is descended from many imported terriers as well as whippets, Italian greyhounds and beagles. Sometimes known as feists, they were popularized by President Teddy Roosevelt. There is also a hairless variety that appeared in a litter in 1972. What type of terrier is this? Hint


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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. This breed of dog is about the size of a German Shepherd, with the black and tan markings of a Rottweiler or a Doberman Pinscher. It is recognizable by its double dewclaws. What is its name?

Answer: Beauceron

The Beauceron is a French herding dog. Originating in the central plains of France, they are also known as Berger de Beauce (sheepdog from Beauce) or Bas Rouge (red-stockings). The picture selected illustrates the characteristic red feet which lead to the latter name.

The Beauceron is believed to be one of the breeds used by Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann in the 1880s as he developed the dog named after him, called the Dobermann in most places, and the Doberman Pinscher in North America.
2. This black and white dog with a spitz-like appearance (pointed ears and curled tail) was developed in Finland for big game hunting. Which of these is being described?

Answer: Karelian Bear Dog

The Finns are very proud of their big-game hunting Karjalankarhukoira. Their ability to hunt brown bears led to their name, but they also come in handy for those who are in search of moose and wild boars. The breed was developed in the middle of the 20th century as a dog that would distract the quarry by barking loudly - they usually work in a pack, rather than individually - so that the hunter can move in. Because they are naturally aggressive towards other animals, they require careful socialization if they are to be around other dogs.

The Karelian bear dog is used today in America for "training" wild bears to stay away from campgrounds and other places where they could be a menace, and where the rangers may eventually be forced to shoot or capture them.
3. There are four breeds of the Belgian Shepherd dogs. Three of them are common enough in America to be recognized by the AKC. These are the Belgian Sheepdog (Groenendael), the Belgian Tervuren, and the Belgian Malinois. The fourth, the Belgian _____, is still considered a rare breed in America. What is the missing word in its name?

Answer: Laekenois

All four dogs are the same except for their coats. The Groenendael has a long, straight, black coat. The Tervuren has a long, straight coat with a brownish color darkening to black at the tips. The Malinois has a short coat with a tan coloring with black tips, sometimes mistaken for a German shepherd. And the Laekenois is a fawn color, with a wiry coat that makes it look curly, as can be seen in the image.

While the AKC considers them to be four separate breeds, most Europeans consider them to be variations within the same breed. Like the German shepherd, with whom they share a common ancestry, they are not only used as herding dogs, but also for a range of purposes including guard dogs, guide dogs, police dogs, search and rescue dogs, and (last but not least) companion dogs.
4. This dog was created after the Second World War by using a mixture of breeds that included Rottweilers, Giant Schnauzers, Great Danes and Airedale Terriers. The goal was to create a rugged, all-purpose terrier who could survive harsh winters. Which of these breeds is in the picture?

Answer: Black Russian Terrier

Also known as the Chornyi terrier (using the Russian word for black to describe them), they were developed for military purposes. Despite their name, they are not actually terriers, and the head is definitely reminiscent of their schnauzer ancestors. They are solid animals, measuring around 30 inches to the withers (the ridge at the base of the neck which is the highest body point), and weighing around 110 pounds - slightly less for females, slightly more for males.
5. This dog was developed in Mexico, before the time of the Aztecs, and is best known for his lack of hair. Unlike the Chinese Crested dog, which is also called hairless but has long tufts of hair on the head and legs, this dog only has small traces of hair on the top of his head. Which breed is it?

Answer: Xoloitzcuintli

The dog's name is pronounced Sho-lo-etz-queen-tlay - but most people just call it the Xolo or Mexican hairless. Actually, there is a coated variety, and often both types appear in the same litter. The original dog, as bred by the Aztecs, is thought to have been coated, with the hairless gene arising from a mutation that produced a dominant gene. Homozygous dominant genes are almost always fatal to the developing foetus, so the hairless dog is almost always heterozygous, carrying the recessive gene for a coat.

The puppies which get a recessive gene from each parent are born with coats.
6. This large dog, usually of a grayish color, is characterized by its great masses of skin, especially around the head and the dewlap. It is speculated that he may be related to the ancient Roman breed, the 'Molossian', which was an aggressive dog used in wars. What breed has just been described?

Answer: Neapolitan Mastiff

The Neapolitan mastiff worked primarily as a farm dog. The breed was developed by selective breeding from traditional Italian guard dogs in the 1940s by Piero Scanziani, who drew up the first guidelines of how the breed should appear and behave. While they are usually black or grey, they can also be registered and shown in various shades of brown and grey; the coat can be brindled, and some small white markings on the feet and chest are acceptable.
7. This is a medium sized dog, but incredibly tough. Bred to be a sheepdog, these dogs can work for hours without tiring. They often have to work by themselves, relying on their own wits and brains to handle the stock. What is their name?

Answer: Australian Kelpie

A true working dog, the kelpie is descended from the Scottish working collies, imported to Australia in the early 18th century, before the collie was recognized as a breed. They were selectively bred to produce a dog capable of independently working sheep, without direct supervision. They developed into sturdy dogs, known for their ability to run for hours. It is often stated that their breeding included dingoes (native Australian wild dogs), to account for their ear shape and the introduction of a range of red/brown colours into the breed, but genetic analysis has shown that this may not be the case.

The image shows a kelpie involved in one of their signature moves - running across the backs of the pack to reach the spot where the sheep need to be prodded into action.
8. This amazing dog was originally created around the 1500s to hunt puffins in the tiny caves along the cliffs. Amazingly flexible, he can bend his head entirely backwards, touching the top of his head to his back. He also has at least six toes on each foot, and has the ability to close his ears to keep water out. Whose paw is in the picture?

Answer: Norwegian Lundehund

The lundehund is a small spitz-type of dog whose name means puffin dog in Norwegian. They are nimble climbers, which helped them in their original purpose of catching puffins (and their eggs) in inaccessible cliffside caves for hundreds of years. That extra toe came in useful. During the twentieth century, when new hunting techniques were developed, interest in the breed diminished, and by the 1960s they were nearly extinct.

Efforts to restore the population have included some breeding with other species to reduce the prevalence of several serious disorders caused by extensive inbreeding, including lundehund syndrome, in which the dog loses the ability to absorb nutrients from its food.
9. There are four types of setters, three of which are the Irish setter, the English setter and the Gordon setter. What is the fourth setter?

Answer: Irish Red and White Setter

The Irish setter is red, the English setter can be orange, blue or yellow with white, and the Gordon setter is black and tan. These hunting dogs are called setters because they were bred to locate game birds by detecting their scent, then honing in on the location.

When the quarry has been located, they "set" - freeze into position with their nose pointing to the bird's location, while the hunter moves close enough to shoot it.
10. This coonhound is descended mainly from English foxhounds and French dogs, such as the Grand Bleu de Gascogne. He is known for his 'cold nose', or the ability to follow old trails in the pursuit of raccoons. Which type of coonhound is this?

Answer: Bluetick Coonhound

The bluetick was developed in the early 1900s. They get their name from the mixture of black ticking on a background of white hairs that creates an impression of a blue colour. This may cover most of the body, but black spots are also common, and the head and ears are predominantly black, with a blue blaze. They may also have some brown markings, as seen in the muzzle and eyes of the dog in the photo.

The second part of the breed's name is descriptive of its purpose - they were bred to hunt raccoons, and will chase any other small animals they encounter up the nearest tree.
11. The ancestors of this breed came from the boar hunting dogs of Germany, when their owner moved to America. Settling in North Carolina, he used his dogs to hunt bears. What did he call them?

Answer: Plott Hound

The breed founder, who brought the dogs from Germany, was Johannes Plott. The breed has been in the family for generations. In 1989 they were designated the official State Dog of North Carolina. Plott hounds are one of the few breeds whose coat is required to be brindle, meaning that it has streaks or stripes of a one colour and an overlying layer of another colour.
12. This medium sized dog had the unique job of prancing and playing on the shorelines, sometimes disappearing and then quickly reappearing into view. These actions roused the curiosity of the waterfowl, who came to investigate this strange sight. The dog's master shot them when they were in gun range, and the dog would retrieve them. Who is this playful puppy?

Answer: Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

The name says it all: this dog was developed in the early 1800s in the Nova Scotian municipality of Little River Harbour, so they were originally called the Little River duck dog. Tolling is the action of playing around to attract the quarry so that it comes closer (within gunshot range) to investigate; ducks are a typical quarry, and of course the dog's double coat makes it easier to brave the icy waters and retrieve the birds that have been shot. Tollers, as they are called, usually have a reddish-brown coat, possible with white markings, and a head that resembles that of a fox.
13. This large dog was developed from the Newfoundland, St. Bernard, Great Pyrenees and Greater Swiss mountain dog, among others. Mayor Heinrich Essig claimed that he created the dog in the 1840s to look like the lion that was on his city's crest. Which of these dogs is now a tawny lion color, sporting a mane?

Answer: Leonberger

The town name was Leonberg, Germany. The mayor's claim, while widely known as the origin of the breed, is not widely accepted; there had been lots of similar dogs in the region for over 300 years. But he named the breed and gave them away to all sorts of royalty and nobles, so got credit entrenched.

Essig's Leonbergers had flowing white coats along with their characteristic manes. Following World War II, there were only a handful of survivors from this line (pulling ammunition carts around was not good for their health), and it was restored with some crossbreeding from several of the breeds that were originally used by Essig, especially Newfoundlands. The modern Leonberger owes its usual coat colour (ranging from sandy through to red-brown, often with black around the head) to this new breeding phase.
14. This is a sighthound, resembling the greyhound in some respects. Bred in North Africa over many centuries, this ancient breed once hunted everything from desert hare to gazelle to hyena to ostrich. Which of these dogs is now known as a hunter and a protector of herds?

Answer: Sloughi

This North African breed is also called the Berber greyhound - it looks like a greyhound, and was bred by the Berbers in a region that includes the modern countries of Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, and Libya. Sloughi is thought to be a Berber pronunciation of the Arabic word Saluki, which is a similar breed with which the sloughi is thought to have a common ancestry. As well as being used for hunting, they are excellent guard dogs, as they are very territorial.
15. This "barkless" dog resembles the dingo. It can make a good pet, but it is still partly a wild dog. Whose most distinct feature is their melodious voice?

Answer: New Guinea Singing Dog

At one time the New Guinea singing dog was considered to be a domestic dog that had gone wild. However, genetic analysis has led to a revisal of that opinion, and they are considered to be a primitive dog, developing in isolation from other canines. Its taxonomy has been highly debated. At one time it was proposed that it should be classified as a separate species (Canis hallstromi); there has also been a suggestion that it and the dingo should be classed as a separate species from other dogs, as Canis lupus dingo instead of Canis lupus familiaris. They are found in the highlands of New Guinea, both in the wild and living within human settlements.

While they are called "barkless" dogs, this does not mean they are silent. Their vocalisation is a sort of yodeling sound, with a sharp change of pitch, that typically lasts for 3-5 seconds. The image for this question shows one in full song.
16. This dog is one of the oldest American breeds, developed in the 1700s for hunting deer and 'herding' the wild and dangerous cattle and pigs. He is well known for his mottled coat, and often one or both eyes will be blue. Who is in the picture?

Answer: Louisiana Catahoula Leopard Dog

This breed actually has a variety of names, such as the Catahoula hog dog. Most of its names are some mix of the words Louisiana, Catahoula, leopard and hog. It was bred in the Louisiana parish of Catahoula during the 18th century. It has been suggested that French settlers brought Beauceron dogs with them, and cross bred them with local wolfdogs that were adept at hunting in the swamps. They were initially used for hunting, especially feral pigs, but they also have a strong herding instinct. The leopard reference in their name is because they often have a mixture of dark coloured areas and areas where the merle gene produces a lighter colour. However, while merle coats are the most common, brindle and solid colours (usually with some white markings) are also seen.

In 1979 it was adopted as the state dog of Louisiana.
17. This dog is also known as the French mastiff. He is orange in color, and has the largest head of any dog. He is probably descended from the dogs that accompanied Roman and Macedonian armies throughout their marches. He was later used as a bullfighting dog for the amusement of people at circuses. What breed is this?

Answer: Dogue de Bordeaux

You may have recognised the image as resembling Beasley the Dog, who performed as Hooch in the movie "Turner and Hooch". The breed has been identified with the French region of Bordeaux since at least the 14th century. They are a powerful, stocky dog, with their large head a key feature - they have the largest head for their size of any recognized breed of dog.

The largest circumference on the head is supposed to be equal to the dog's height!
18. Similar to the Maltese and Bichon Frise, this dog is a small, white companion dog. This small dog was once a popular court dog in Italy. What is the name of this ball of fluff?

Answer: Bolognese

The bichon type (fluffy toy dogs, like the one in the picture) is thought to be descended from the barbet, a larger French water dog. Bichon is possibly a contraction of barbichon, meaning little barbet. They have been popular lap dogs since at least the 11th century.

Although originating in France, they spread throughout the royal courts of Europe. The Bolognese were developed in the Italian city of Bologna, and can be seen in a number of Italian paintings, being held by their aristocratic owners.
19. This Hungarian breed was descended from the puli, but lost its distinct corded coat when outbred to other dogs, including German Pomeranians, French briards, and several varieties of terriers. He was originally bred for herding cattle. What breed is pictured here?

Answer: Pumi

The pumi in the image is black, and apparently a winner in its show, but the coat is more commonly grey, with white and fawn also accepted. They have a curly double coat, which needs regular grooming to prevent matting. While they were known to develop during the 18th century, it was not until the 20th century that the puli, pumi and mudi (another Hungarian herding breed) were decreed to be separate breeds, not just regional variants of the one breed.

While the pumi originated as a sheep dog, and still serves that function, their intelligence and quickness mean they are also popular for obedience and agility competitions, as well as dog dancing.
20. This American terrier is descended from many imported terriers as well as whippets, Italian greyhounds and beagles. Sometimes known as feists, they were popularized by President Teddy Roosevelt. There is also a hairless variety that appeared in a litter in 1972. What type of terrier is this?

Answer: Rat Terrier

This is a mixed bag of a dog! They were initially bred to catch vermin, so they are slight and quick. There has been a lot of outcrossing (breeding with other types of dog) over the years, which has helped them avoid developing health problems that often occur in purebred lines.

It also means that it is very similar to other breeds of a similar background, and sometimes a line is allocated a new name. Hence the Teddy Roosevelt terrier is classified by the National Rat Terrier Association as a rat terrier type B.

The dogs that were bred from the hairless individual that appeared in 1972 are now considered rat terriers by some, and as a separate breed called the American hairless terrier by others.
Source: Author looney_tunes

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