8 of the Most Underrated Dog Breeds, Voted by Their Owners

Everyone’s got their take on dog breeds and which ones truly are man’s best friend, but finding the right match for your home is less about appearance or breed labels and more about the dog’s personality. Sure, you’ve got your popular ones like golden retrievers and poodles, but there’s a whole world of amazing and underrated dog breeds out there, according to real dog owners. Think Havaneses, American Eskimo dogs, Portuguese water dogs…just a handful of unique picks that might just be the perfect fit!

Photo credit: Abhishek Raviya/Shutterstock.

Portuguese Water Dogs

For Portuguese Water Dog parents, these breeds are highly underrated. They have the look and temperament of doodle breeds, but many argue they’re even better family dogs.

Whippets

Despite their thin and athletic appearance, Whippets can be great lazy companions. As one dog parent puts it, Whippets are “King of the dog park; king of the couch.” These dogs make great apartment dogs.

Greyhounds

Greyhounds are sighthounds, just like Whippets, so many of their temperaments are similar. These dogs know how to play and know how to chill. Greyhound owners also say their pups are super low maintenance and easy to please, even though they are of a larger size than many other dogs.

Eurasiers

Eurasiers are puffy, fluffy, and absolutely sweet. These dogs are the Husky breed for people who don’t want all the drama and maintenance of the Husky. They have similar coat textures but different coloration, with Eurasiers having brown and black coats. They are mellow and great with families, and they have great temperaments. 

American Eskimo Dogs

For folks who love the look of Samoyeds but without the larger size and the higher maintenance, there are American Eskimo Dogs. These hidden gem dogs are fluffy, white clouds who are super smart. Buyer beware, though, the puppy stage of the American Eskimo is rumored to be a little rough. Terrible 2’s, anyone?

Coonhounds

Coonhounds were bred to be hunting companions, but they’re great companions for any activity you like to do. They like to hike, run, jog, and play. However, they’re also down to chill with you and your family and can be very relaxed. These dogs are fun and goofy, if a little yappy, but they chill out after the puppy stage.

Collies

Collies—both the Rough Collie and Smooth Collie varieties—are generally underrated breeds, if you ask dog owners and lovers. These are herding dogs and are often regarded as great family dogs. The only thing a prospective Rough Collie owner should think about is the amount of shedding they produce. These are fluffy, long haired dogs and their shedding matches their look.

Havaneses

The Havanese is a toy dog with long hair, but is a bit more unique than a traditional Poodle, Shih Tzu, or Yorkie. Havanese dogs are Bichon-type dogs and are total “Velcro” dogs. They love to sit on your lap and receive plenty of attention and pets. If you’re a dog owner looking for a toy sized dog who is a little off the beaten path, you can’t go wrong with a Havanese.

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The article was inspired by Reddit and doesn’t reflect the views of xoxoBella.