Hairless to Sheep-like: 5 weirdest dog breeds in the world

Let us be honest. When we think of dogs, we usually picture soft fur, wagging tails and familiar faces. But the dog world is much bigger and far more surprising than that. There are some breeds that look so different that you actually pause for a second and look again.Some have almost no hair at all. Some look like they are covered in thick ropes. One even looks like a small sheep. These dogs are not common in everyday conversations, but they are real, recognised breeds with their own history and traits.Here is a look at five of the strangest and weirdest dog breeds in the world.The Chinese Crested is one of the most unusual looking dogs you will see. Most of its body has no hair. You will mainly see fur on the head, ears, feet and tail. The skin can be pink or dark in colour. The hair can be black, white, slate or blue. Hairless dogs may have first appeared in Africa or Mexico, but this breed was developed in China. One important point is that they do not shed.They are small in size. They usually grow between 11 to 13 inches tall and weigh around 8 to 12 pounds. They can live for 13 to 18 years. They are known to be playful, lively and affectionate.The Komondor is a large dog that stands out immediately. It comes from Hungary and was originally bred to guard livestock. What makes it different is its coat. The fur grows into long cords that look like thick ropes. The coat is usually white, though sometimes you may see light cream or buff shades.This is a big dog. It can grow up to 30 inches tall and weigh more than 100 pounds. Its lifespan is usually around 10 to 12 years. They need firm handling, but they are also known to be very loving with their family.The Xoloitzcuintli, also called the Mexican hairless or simply Xolo, is one of the oldest dog breeds. Its history goes back to the Aztec civilisation. Most of these dogs are hairless, though not all of them. They have a smooth body, large ears and a wrinkled forehead that gives them a serious look.They can grow up to 23 inches tall and weigh up to 50 pounds. Their lifespan is usually between 13 to 18 years.The Brussels Griffon is a very small breed. It was created by mixing Pug, English Toy Spaniel and Affenpinscher. It was recognised as a breed in the late 1800s. They are only about 7 to 8 inches tall and weigh between 7 to 12 pounds. Their coat can be brown, blue, black, tan or beige.Even though they are tiny, they have a strong personality. They like staying close to their humans and can be quite vocal when they want something. They usually live for 12 to 15 years.The Bedlington Terrier has a very different shape. It has a pear shaped head, an arched back and a curly coat. Because of this, many people say it looks like a sheep. This breed comes from Bedlington in England. It was first bred to hunt rodents in industrial areas. One good thing is that they do not shed.They are more intelligent and calmer than many other terriers, but they still have a stubborn side. They usually grow between 15 to 18 inches tall and weigh around 17 to 23 pounds. Their lifespan is between 11 to 16 years. They are active and vocal, so very small spaces may not suit them well.Disclaimer: The details in this article are based on online sources and ecological studies. Information may differ depending on species and region.Images: Canva (for representative purposes only)