How Many of These Rare Dog Breeds Do You Know?

In this article:

• What is the rarest dog breed in the United States?
• What are the 20 rarest dog breeds in the United States?

The American Kennel Club has announced its list of the rarest dog breeds in the United States. While the organization does not share precise registration numbers, this list names the breeds with the fewest registrations in the country as of 2025. 

The Norwegian lundehund: the rarest dog breed in the United States

Coming in at number one was the Norwegian lundehund. Originally bred to hunt puffins, as companions these dogs have a reputation for being affectionate and vocal. Of course, every dog is unique, so individual Norwegian lundehund personalities will vary.

Other rare breeds include the sloughi (a sighthound that hunted with nobles in ancient Egypt) and the Grand basset griffon Vendéen (a French scenthound suited to hunting in the dense, rocky terrain of the region for which it’s named).

The AKC’s full list of the rarest dog breeds of 2025

Here are the 20 rarest dog breeds in the United States, per the AKC:
1. Norwegian lundehund
2. Sloughi
3. Grand basset griffon Vendéen
4. Harrier
5. Chinook
6. Cesky terrier
7. Belgian laekenois
8. Azawakh
9. Finnish spitz
10. Canaan dog
11. Polish Lowland sheepdog
12. Pyrenean shepherd
13. Lancashire heeler
14. Otterhound
15. American foxhound
16. English foxhound
17. Dandie Dinmont terrier
18. Komondor
19. Cirneco dell’Etna
20. Bergamasco sheepdog

For more information about rare breeds, visit the American Kennel Club.