Rare Beauty

a true family dog, the Chinese Crested is a playful, elegant toy breed that loves human companionship. one litter can commonly produce two varieties: the hairless, which features soft, silky hair on the head, tail, and feet, and the Powderpuff, covered in a soft, straight coat. Because it sheds little to no hair, the Crested is recommended for allergy-prone owners. The breed is thought to have evolved from African hairless dogs and to have sailed the high seas aboard Chinese ships during the plague, chosen for its hairless status and ability to hunt vermin. Its status was elevated by the breed’s appearance by the mid-19th century in European art and in American dog shows in the late 1800s. By the early 1900s, the breed had acquired a considerable following in the us. The burlesque entertainer gypsy rose Lee acquired a Crested in the 1950s and became an ardent breeder and enthusiast, helping to further popularize the breed. It’s interesting to note that six of the last ten World’s ugliest dog contest winners were Chinese Cresteds. With its champions and detractors, this breed may truly exemplify the saying “beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

Revived after near-extinction in World War I, the gentle and sweet Leonberger has flourished as a family pet and multi-purpose working dog. Its lion-like looks speak to its feline grace while its imposing size is softened by an immense coat that requires daily care (be prepared for shedding). The breed’s origins lie in Leonberg, Germany as a family, farm, and draft dog. They also attracted the attention of popular German artists, becoming models, and have been featured on several European stamps, likely due to their intelligent expression and proud stance. Calm, reliable, and friendly, they make excellent family or therapy dogs.

The Alaskan Klee Kai is a northern
breed of spitz-type dog bred to be a
companion-sized version of the Siberian
husky. energetic and intelligent,
it reflects its Northern heritage in its
distinctive face mask, colouring, and
curled tail. The Klee Kai, its name
derived from the dene term for “small
dog,” is alert, loyal, and reserved
toward strangers, making it an excellent
watchdog despite its small size.
They are very curious, agile, good
hunters if trained from an early age,
and excel in obedience class due
to their keen intellect. despite their
thick coat, Klee Kais are extremely
clean and rarely require a bath. This
rare breed has been recognized by
the United Kennel Club but has yet to
be recognized by the AKC or CKC.

The sociable, docile, and highly
adaptable Spinone Italiano, also
known as the Italian Pointer, is
thought to be a cross between the
coarse-haired Italian setter and
dogs left behind by Greek traders
from the Adriatic coast, as well
as the White mastiff and even the
French griffon. The Spinone’s wiry,
dense coat, thick skin, ultra-soft
mouth and superb nose make him
the ultimate all-purpose hunting
dog able to navigate cold water and
underbrush where less-equipped
dogs fear to tread. deemed a “wash
and wear” breed by the AKC for its
ease of grooming (with the notable
exception of that messy, water-dripping
beard), the active, energetic,
and robust Spinone likes nothing
better than a romp through the fields
with its family.

Independent and reserved by nature, the Shiba Inu exemplifies loyalty and
affection to those who earn its respect. as the smallest of the Japanese
native breeds, the compact and muscular Shiba Inu is alert, agile, and has
the keen senses essential for a dog bred to hunt small wild game, boar,
and bear in Japan’s mountainous regions. The breed descended from the
primitive dogs of the ancient people of Japan and was named after its
hunting terrain or the colour of the brushwood leaves in the fall—Shiba
in Japanese means “brushwood” while Inu means “dog.” The breed was
almost wiped out after World War II from bombing raids and distemper,
but bloodlines have been combined since to produce the Shiba Inu as we
know it today.