Dog trainer lists three ‘rare’ breeds that ‘make amazing family pets’

These dog breeds could make you stand out from the crowd.

We’re a nation of dog lovers, but with so many dog breeds out there to choose from, it can sometimes be difficult to know which ones would be a good fit for your home. And, more importantly, which breeds you would be able to properly take care of with the resources and budget you have available.

For many people, a “family dog” is a must. If you have children, you want a pet that is great around kids and has a calm nature, which is why breeds like the Labrador Retriever and Golden Retriever are so popular.

But what if you want to stray away from the most common breeds? According to one dog trainer, there are some “rare” breeds out there that not many people own, but that still make great pets for a growing family.

Any dog breed requires proper training regardless of whether they’re branded a family breed or not, and as not all dogs are suitable for first-time owners, it’s vital that you research the pet you want to get before making any decisions.

Once you’re sure you’ve done the necessary research and can take care of your new pet, these are the three dog breeds that trainer Will Atherton would recommend to people wanting to stand out from the crowd.

Leonberger

Will first recommended the Leonberger, which he described as an “incredibly gentle, placid, relaxed dog”. He said the breed can “fit really well” into a family home, but noted that owners will need to have the “skill and experience to handle a larger breed”. Will explained that Leonbergers require training that provides an “excellent level of leadership, manners, and socialisation”.

Leonbergers are a giant dog breed that stands 25-32 inches tall and can weigh up to 170 pounds. Because of their stature, they also have a shorter life expectancy than the average dog—only seven years – which might be something to consider if you’re looking for a dog that will grow up with your children.

According to PetMD, Leonbergers can be “gentle giants”, but only if “appropriately socialised and trained”. They are “loyal to their family” as well as “gentle with children” – but thorough research into the breed is vital before committing.

Komondor

Sometimes referred to as the “mop dog” or the Hungarian sheepdog, Will said the Komondor is a “genuinely nice, sweet dog”. He also claimed the breed is “incredibly rare” in the UK, as in his line of work as a trainer, he’s only ever worked with one Komondor before.

However, those looking to add a Komondor into their family dynamic must be able to keep up with their grooming requirements, as the Kennel Club claims they need grooming more than once a week to keep their coats under control. The Kennel Club also states that Komondor owners should have a large home with a large garden to keep their dog happy, and the breed is often more suited to living in the countryside than in a town.

Komondors are described as “excellent guards” who are “faithful and devoted”, but they are “wary of strangers” and “strongly territorial”. This means they may not be suitable in homes with other pets, and they will need proper training.

Flat-Coated Retriever

Will explained he is a fan of Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers and believes they make the “best family pets”. But if you’re looking for something similar that isn’t quite as popular, he recommended checking out the Flat-Coated Retriever. Will claimed this breed has “a lot of the benefits” of the other Retriever breeds, but has a “little bit of the rarity that not many people have”.

According to Hill’s Pet Nutrition, the Flat-Coated Retriever is a “wonderful family dog” that is “loving toward children” and extremely sociable. However, they noted the breed is “quite slow to mature” and can seem puppy-like for more than three years, meaning they may not suit a home that cannot keep up with their energy levels or give them appropriate training.

No matter what dog breed you’re thinking of getting, extensive research should be done to make sure that the breed is right for you – and that you’re the right owner for the dog. Proper training is vital for any breed, and many dogs are not suitable for first-time owners. You may also want to consider adopting a dog instead of shopping for one.