Dog Breeds That Aren't What You Think: Shepherds, Rotties, Huskies and More
Tough-looking teddy bears, a 45 mph couch potato and a dog that yodels instead of barking: six breeds that flip their reputations upside down.
Some dogs are judged by their cover. The scary-looking ones turn out to be marshmallows, the fastest one would rather nap, and one breed doesn't bark at all. Here are six dogs that are not what you think.
Tough on the outside: Rottweiler and English Bulldog
Few breeds are as misjudged as the Rottweiler. Rotties descend from Roman drover dogs that herded cattle across the Alps, then settled in the German town of Rottweil, pulling butchers' carts and guarding the day's earnings. That earned them the nickname "butcher's dog." They're one of the oldest working breeds and among the most trainable. A well-raised Rottie is calm, confident and deeply devoted, a natural protector, not a natural aggressor. This is a powerful, strong-willed dog, though, so early socialization, consistent training and real exercise aren't optional. In the right hands you get a 9 to 10 year companion who'd walk through fire for you.
The English Bulldog's permanent frown hides a marshmallow in a tank's body. The breed goes back to 13th-century England and the cruel sport of bull-baiting. When that was banned in 1835, breeders reshaped it into the calm, affectionate companion we know. Bulldogs are patient, brave and devoted, and a couple of short walks plus plenty of couch time suit them perfectly, which makes them great apartment dogs and gentle playmates for kids. Their flat faces make breathing and staying cool hard, so they overheat easily and shouldn't over-exercise. Clean their skin folds regularly and keep a good vet close: few dogs love you harder.
Born to work: German Shepherd and Siberian Husky
German Shepherds are the gold standard of working dogs, trusted by police, military and search-and-rescue teams worldwide. Developed in Germany in the late 1800s by Captain Max von Stephanitz, they rank 3rd in canine intelligence according to Dr. Stanley Coren, learning a new command in under 5 repetitions and obeying it 95% of the time. They're aloof with strangers but fiercely devoted to family. Watch for hip and elbow dysplasia, and know they're not ideal for first-time owners: they need structure, exercise and brain work every single day.
The Siberian Husky looks wild and often acts the part. It was developed thousands of years ago by the Chukchi people of northeastern Siberia to pull light loads across frozen distances, which made it a tireless endurance athlete. Its almond eyes can be blue, brown or one of each. Huskies are friendly, goofy and pack-minded, but they were bred to run, not to obey, so they're independent escape artists who dig, climb and bolt the second a gate opens. Expect serious daily exercise, secure fencing, heavy seasonal shedding and dramatic "talking" howls. A bored Husky gets destructive fast.
Full of surprises: Greyhound and Basenji
The Greyhound can hit 45 mph (72 km/h), second only to the cheetah among land animals, thanks to a deep chest, a huge heart and a flexible spine that lets all four feet leave the ground at once. But sprinting is short and explosive, and after a burst a Greyhound's instinct is to sleep, often 18-plus hours a day. Indoors they're calm, gentle and famously cat-like. Give them a securely fenced space to run, since prey drive can beat recall. Their thin coats and low body fat also make them sensitive to cold.
The Basenji, one of the oldest breeds on Earth, comes from Central Africa, where it helped hunt game into nets. Its flatter, more angular larynx means it doesn't bark. Instead it makes a yodel-like "baroo," which earned it the nickname "barkless dog." Basenjis are catlike too: they groom themselves meticulously, have almost no doggy odor and are independent, clever and notoriously hard to train. Quiet doesn't mean low-energy, though. They're curious escape artists who need stimulation and a secure yard.
Did you know? In 1925, a relay of sled dogs led by Huskies raced life-saving diphtheria serum 674 miles to Nome, Alaska. The Iditarod race honors that run every year.
Look past the reputation and you might just find your perfect match. 🐾