Breeds can be ranked by population size using kennel club registration data. The top of the list is often the same for years, but it does occasionally change when a new breed is added or when a previously popular breed loses favor. This past year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) reported that the Norwegian Lundehund now ranks as the least common AKC-registered breed in America, ending a run of several other breeds holding that spot.
The fact that a breed is rare doesn’t necessarily mean it’s young or untested. Many of the breeds currently considered rare have been around for centuries; they simply exist today in extremely small numbers.
The Norwegian Lundehund
Bred to hunt puffins in narrow crevices along the high sea cliffs of the remote Norwegian island of Vaeroy, the Norwegian Lundehund’s unusual physical traits were shaped directly by that job: six fully functional toes on each foot, a neck flexible enough to bend back toward its spine, ears that fold shut to keep out water and debris, and shoulder joints flexible enough to let the front legs extend out to the sides. No other existing dog breed combines all of these traits.
Because interest in the breed dropped so sharply during the middle of the last century, estimates suggest as few as six purebred dogs existed at one low point. Thanks to dedicated breeding programs, the population has since rebuilt to an estimated 1,500 or so worldwide today. The AKC officially recognized the Lundehund in 2011, and it has recently overtaken other longtime contenders for the rarest-breed title.
Other Contenders for Rarest
The Sloughi, one of the oldest sighthounds from North Africa, developed to hunt in the desert, and the Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen, a scent hound from France, consistently rank among the rarest AKC breeds year after year, trading places near the top of the list depending on annual registration numbers. The English Foxhound, despite centuries of history in organized hunting, has also repeatedly ranked among the least-registered breeds in the US.
Breeds that don’t have AKC recognition at all, such as the Azawakh, an elegant West African sighthound, or various regional landrace breeds, are rarer still in a global sense, even though they aren’t part of AKC statistics specifically. True population rarity and AKC registration rarity aren’t always the same measurement.
Why Some Breeds Stay Rare
A few different things cause certain dog breeds to stay relatively uncommon. Some, like the Lundehund, come from a very small founding population and carry genetic health considerations that responsible breeders manage carefully rather than mass-produce. Others simply never became popular family pets because their working specialty, such as puffin hunting or specific big-game hunting styles, has little modern application.
Newly recognized breeds also start out rare almost by definition. The Basset Fauve de Bretagne, the Russian Tsvetnaya Bolonka, and the Teddy Roosevelt Terrier all received full AKC recognition at the start of 2026, and as their registration numbers build over the coming years, they’re likely to appear near the bottom of future rarity rankings.
Should You Get a Rare Breed?
Rare breeds come with their own set of tradeoffs that are worth understanding early in your search. Finding a reputable breeder often takes considerable time and travel, waitlists tend to run long, and veterinarians may be less familiar with health conditions specific to that breed. On the upside, owning a rare breed connects you to a tight-knit community of enthusiasts who share knowledge and support.
Working directly with national breed clubs is the best first step, since they can connect you with health-tested, responsible breeders and give you a realistic picture of the breed’s exercise needs, temperament, and any known genetic health concerns before you commit.
Where to Learn More Before Committing
The most effective resource for finding serious, health-tested breeders is usually a national breed club, like the Norwegian Lundehund Club of America for that particular breed. These clubs maintain lists of reputable breeders who do their due diligence on genetic testing, and can give you a realistic idea of what to expect regarding temperament, energy level, and breed-specific health issues, more than a general search engine will surface.
It’s also worth connecting with current owners through breed-specific online communities or regional meetups if any exist near you. Hearing firsthand from people living day-to-day with a rare breed offers a grounded picture of what ownership actually involves, beyond the novelty of owning something few other people have.
Rare Breeds and Genetic Health Screening
Because many rare breeds descend from small founding populations, responsible breeders in these communities often place extra emphasis on tracking genetic diversity and health screening, to avoid compounding inherited conditions over successive generations. Some breed clubs maintain detailed pedigree databases specifically to help breeders make informed pairing decisions.
Prospective owners of a rare breed should ask breeders directly about any genetic testing performed on the parent dogs and request documentation, since that transparency is one of the clearest signs of a responsible breeding program working to protect a small population’s long-term health.
Conclusion
The Norwegian Lundehund currently holds the title of rarest AKC-recognized breed, an interesting survivor of a near-extinction just decades ago, with the Sloughi and English Foxhound close behind. Rarity brings real tradeoffs in availability and veterinary familiarity, but also connects owners to small, passionate communities built around preserving something genuinely unique.
Whichever rare breed catches your interest, working directly with national breed clubs is the surest path to a healthy, well-matched dog.
Related Reading
low-shedding dog breeds, the friendliest dog breeds, breeds with the strongest bite
FAQs
Why did the Norwegian Lundehund become the rarest AKC breed?
It moved into the top spot as its registration numbers fell behind other traditionally rare breeds, like the Sloughi and English Foxhound, in recent AKC statistics.
Are rare breeds less healthy than popular ones?
Not necessarily, though small founding populations in some rare breeds require careful, health-conscious breeding to manage genetic diversity.
How many AKC-recognized breeds are there?
As of 2026, the AKC recognizes 205 breeds, following the addition of three newly recognized breeds at the start of the year.