When we talk about the 10 popular dog breeds, it’s easy to overlook the fact that many of them exist because humans deliberately shaped them for very specific tasks. Some were forged for hard‑working roles, others for sport, and a few even for culinary purposes. Today, most of these canines have swapped their original jobs for a life of companionship, but their origins remain as colorful as ever.

10 popular dog Breeds Explained

10 Pomeranian

Anyone who has spent time with a Pomeranian quickly notices that the little fluffball behaves as though it were a much larger dog. That oversized attitude isn’t a modern quirk—early Pomeranians were considerably bigger.

The breed’s ancestors served as sled dogs back in the 16th century, tipping the scales at roughly 14 kilograms (30 lb). By contrast, today’s Pomeranian typically weighs between 1.4 and 3.2 kilograms (3–7 lb).

While the exact mix that produced the original Pomeranian remains a mystery, most historians agree that the Deutscher Spitz played a pivotal role. The Pomeranian belongs to the broader Spitz family, the forebears of many modern sled‑type dogs.

In the 19th century, the breed’s purpose shifted dramatically toward companionship. Breeders in the Pomerania region deliberately miniaturized the dogs, giving them the lap‑dog status we recognize today. They even performed occasional sheep‑herding duties before the size‑reduction trend took full hold.

9 German Shepherd

The German Shepherd was originally crafted to protect flocks of sheep. The earliest examples emerged in the 1850s when German shepherds began crossing several local dogs to forge a guardian capable of strength, intelligence, speed, and an acute sense of smell.

During this period, a group of enthusiasts formed the Phylax Society in 1891 to standardize German breeds. However, internal disagreements about whether to prioritize function over appearance led to the society’s dissolution just three years later.

In 1899, Max von Stephanitz, a member of the former group, purchased one of the working dogs on the market. He championed the idea that breeding should serve utility above aesthetics, selecting a dog renowned for its intellect and naming it Deutscher Schaferhund (German Shepherd Dog).

Stephanitz later established the Verein für Deutsche Schaferhunde (Society for the German Shepherd Dog) to promote the breed. He continued refining the lineage by crossing it with various shepherd dogs, even some closely related to wolves, ultimately shaping the modern German Shepherd we know today.

8 Doberman Pinscher

The Doberman Pinscher traces its roots to Karl Friedrich Louis Dobermann, a German tax collector, night watchman, and dog‑catcher. His dangerous occupations exposed him to frequent criminal threats, spurring him to create a personal protector.

Dobermann sought a canine that combined intelligence, alertness, confidence, bravery, and fierce loyalty. He turned to the local dog pound, cross‑breeding several unknown canines. While the precise breeds remain uncertain, his son recounted that a male named Schnupp and a female named Bismark (later renamed Bisart) were involved.

Later, breeder Otto Goeller claimed Schnupp was a mongrel and that Dobermann’s offspring were further crossed with a Great Dane, a German Shepherd, and a German Pinscher, ultimately producing the Doberman Pinscher we recognize today.

7 Turnspit Dog

The Turnspit Dog, now extinct, earned its name by turning spits for roasting meat. Known also as the Vernepator Cur—“the dog that turns the wheel”—its scientific moniker, Canis vertigus, translates to “dizzy dog,” a nod to the dizzying sight of it sprinting.

Before the 16th century, young boys performed the arduous task of manually turning spits, often ending with blistered hands. To alleviate this, breeders developed a small, sturdy dog to assume the role. The turnspit was harnessed to a wheel; as it ran, the wheel rotated, turning the spit. Cooks would even toss hot coals onto the wheel to incite faster running.

These dogs became fixtures in every kitchen, working daily except Sundays. Even on Sundays, owners would sometimes bring them to church to keep their feet warm. Their appearance—short legs, compact heads, and muscular bodies—was deemed unattractive, and possessing a Turnspit signaled an inability to afford a mechanical roasting jack.

By the mid‑19th century, the invention of the roasting jack rendered the breed obsolete. Numbers dwindled between 1750 and 1850, and by 1900 the Turnspit Dog was extinct. Their legacy lives on, however, as they inspired Henry Bergh to found the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) after witnessing their harsh working conditions in a Manhattan hotel.

6 Chihuahua

The Chihuahua’s origins are somewhat murky, but records show the breed appeared in the Mexican state of Chihuahua during the 1800s. It is widely believed to descend from the larger Techichi, a native Mexican dog.

Some theories suggest the Chihuahua resulted from a cross between the Techichi and either the Chinese Crested Dog or the Mexican Hairless Dog. Alternative folklore claims the breed’s ancestors were Italian—specifically the Maltese Pocket Dog—imported to Mexico from Italy.

Ancient Mesoamerican civilizations—the Aztecs, Maya, and Toltecs—bred the Techichi primarily for food. While a few served as companions, most were sacrificed, mummified, and interred with their owners, as these cultures believed dogs guided humans in the afterlife.

The first Chihuahuas reached the United States in the 1880s, purchased by American tourists traveling through Mexico. Their unfamiliarity led to the breed being named after the region of discovery, earning monikers such as the Arizona Dog, Texas Dog, and Mexico Dog.

5 Pug

The Pug’s story begins in China around 400 BC, where it was reserved for the elite—wealthy nobles and royal families. It served as a status symbol, and emperors appointed dedicated guards and servants to ensure the breed’s comfort and safety.

Breeders aimed to produce a dog small enough to sit comfortably on a person’s lap, fostering a close, affectionate bond. This intimate relationship likely explains the breed’s exuberant, people‑oriented nature and eagerness to perform tricks.

From China, the Pug spread to Japan, Russia, and throughout Europe, where it continued to be favored by royalty. Notable admirers included Queen Victoria of England and Prince William the Silent of Holland.

4 Akita

The Akita possesses a reputation for aggression, largely due to its genetic predisposition. Historically, the breed was cultivated for hunting, guarding, and even dog‑fighting.

Originating in Akita, Japan, the breed was originally called matagi, meaning “esteemed hunter.” For centuries, Japanese hunters employed Akitas to pursue dangerous game such as deer, boar, and black bear. They also served as retrievers for downed waterfowl.

Between the 17th and 19th centuries, the Akita was modified for dog‑fighting, but after the practice was banned, the breed returned to its traditional roles of hunting and guarding.

3 Bull Terrier

The Bull Terrier traces its lineage back to the Bull and Terrier, a breed originally forged for dog‑fighting and bull‑baiting. This ancestry explains why some modern Bull Terriers can display aggressive tendencies.

The Bull and Terrier itself emerged in the 18th century as a cross between the Old English Terrier and the Bulldog. Over time, breeders introduced additional breeds such as the Spanish Pointer to refine the Bull Terrier’s characteristics.

Although the Bull Terrier initially served as a fighting dog, it later gained popularity as a show breed. As the sport of dog‑fighting waned, breeders shifted focus toward appearance, emphasizing the breed’s distinctive look over its historical bite force.

2 Great Dane

The Great Dane earned its reputation as a formidable boar hunter. In Europe, wild boars were among the most ferocious game, and only a dog of immense strength could bring them down. The modern Great Dane was specifically bred in Germany for this purpose, later also serving as a guard dog.

Evidence suggests ancestors resembling Great Danes existed thousands of years ago in ancient Egypt and China. Those early breeders prioritized performance over appearance, resulting in dogs that differed markedly from today’s sleek, towering Great Danes.

While the exact lineage remains unconfirmed, many historians believe the contemporary Great Dane descends from a cross between the English Mastiff and the Irish Wolfhound. German emperors adored the breed, often employing hundreds of Great Danes for massive boar hunts. Over time, the breed has been refined to be gentler, less aggressive, and more tolerant, though its raw power endures.

1 Pit Bull

No list of dogs would be complete without mentioning the controversial pit bull. Unlike the other entries, “pit bull” isn’t a single, standardized breed; it’s a collective term for several dogs historically bred for dog‑fighting and bull‑baiting.

These dogs resulted from crossing English bulldogs with various terriers, producing a sturdy, muscular canine with a broad head. The primary breeds commonly grouped under the pit bull umbrella include the Bull Terrier, American Bulldog, Boxer, American Pit Bull Terrier, and American Staffordshire Terrier, though many other mixes also fall into this category.

Because pit bulls were never formally standardized, they lack official breed recognition. Their creators were keen on cross‑breeding to craft the ultimate fighting dog, blending strength, tenacity, and agility.

Dogs have been by our side for millennia, and the top 10 popular breeds that have vanished tell a tale of changing human needs, shifting fashions, and sometimes sheer bad luck. Below we explore each once‑renowned canine, why they were adored, and the reasons they slipped into obscurity.

Why These Top 10 Popular Breeds Vanished

10 Talbot

The Talbot was a celebrated hunting hound that roamed the English countryside throughout the Middle Ages. Some historians suspect William the Conqueror may have introduced the breed to England in 1066, though solid proof is lacking. The Talbot even graced the crest of the Earls of Shrewsbury, whose family name mirrors the dog’s. Notably, only the Talbot and the Greyhound appear in English heraldry as hounds.

These hounds were modest‑sized, predominantly white, with short legs, long floppy ears, and a curled tail. Contemporary records praise their keen sense of smell, though the exact quarry—whether deer, boar, fox, rabbit, or otherwise—remains uncertain.

Evidence places the Talbot in the 15th century, with its popularity soaring in the 17th century as hunters prized its tracking precision. It became a staple of English field sports during that era.

By the close of the 18th century, the Talbot began to fade. The Northern and Southern Hounds eclipsed it, and breeders favored certain traits over others, effectively breeding the Talbot out of existence. Nonetheless, its genetic legacy lives on in the Beagle, Bloodhound, and Coonhound.

9 St. John’s Water Dog

St. John’s Water Dog emerged in Newfoundland, likely forming in the late‑16th century. These diligent, good‑natured dogs were treasured by fishermen for their swimming prowess and retrieving abilities, making them indispensable in coastal communities.

The breed’s exact lineage is murky, but it’s believed to be a natural blend of various working dogs that sailors and settlers brought to Labrador. Throughout the 16th and early 17th centuries, they enjoyed high demand and were even exported to England.

Two major setbacks led to their decline. First, Canadian authorities limited dog breeding to promote sheep farming, curbing their numbers. Second, England instituted a quarantine to prevent rabies, halting imports and further reducing breeding opportunities.

By the mid‑20th century, the St. John’s Water Dog was a rarity, and by the 1980s it had vanished completely. However, its genetic contribution endures as a foundational ancestor of modern retrievers, including the Labrador and Golden Retriever.

8 Grand Fauve De Bretagne

The Grand Fauve de Bretagne was a robust scenthound employed to chase wolves and wild boars across the Breton landscape. Its coat was a dense, pale golden‑brown, and the dog possessed a notoriously difficult temperament, suited to the perils of dangerous game hunting.

Temperamentally, the breed could be erratic and hard to restrain. While tracking, Grand Fauves sometimes killed goats and sheep, creating challenges for shepherds. Historical records trace the breed back to the 1520s, when it earned a reputation for exceptional hunting skill.

The breed remained a hunting companion well into the 19th century. However, when wolves were largely eradicated from France, the Grand Fauve de Bretagne lost its primary purpose, leading to a rapid decline in breeding interest.

By the early 20th century, the Grand Fauve was considered extinct. Prior to its disappearance, it was crossed with the Briquet Griffon Vendéen, giving rise to the Griffon Fauve de Bretagne, a breed that still thrives in France today.

7 Russian Tracker

For centuries, the Russian Tracker shepherded flocks across the rugged Caucasus Mountains. These large, swift dogs excelled at repelling wolves, protecting their charges, and were celebrated for their intelligence and ability to manage a herd with minimal human oversight.

Weighing roughly 100 lb (45 kg) and cloaked in a thick winter coat, the Russian Tracker was built to withstand the region’s harsh cold and fend off predators that threatened its flock.

Despite their utility and regional popularity, the breed faded in the late 19th century. New canine imports supplanted them, and there was little effort to preserve the native stock.

Rather than conserving the pure line, breeders mixed the Russian Tracker with bloodhounds and other working breeds, aiming to create a replacement. Over time, the original breed vanished, though it is thought to have contributed to the ancestry of the Golden Retriever among other modern dogs.

6 Blue Paul Terrier

The Blue Paul Terrier was a Scottish breed notorious for its aggressive temperament. Though its precise origins remain hazy, it likely arose in the late 18th century from a cross between an Irish Blue Terrier and an extinct White Bull and Terrier.

Visually, the Blue Paul displayed a striking dark‑blue, smooth coat, reminiscent of certain Greyhounds. Its head was large with a flat forehead, and its ears were small and often cropped.

Throughout the 19th century, the breed flourished in Scotland, prized for its strength and courage—qualities that made it a formidable contender in dogfighting rings. Owners admired its cunning and tenacity in combat.

Because of its violent nature, the Blue Paul proved unsuitable as a household companion. As dogfighting became illegal in Scotland, the breed’s numbers dwindled, and by the early 20th century it was extinct, likely absorbed into other lines through cross‑breeding.

5 Rastreador Brasileiro

The Rastreador Brasileiro was a relatively recent Brazilian breed, first officially recognized in 1967, making it one of the newest extinct breeds. Its coat varied from bluish to black, often speckled, and it resembled the American Coonhound in appearance.

Developed in the 1950s to hunt peccaries—medium‑sized wild pigs native to Central and South America—the breed combined genetics from both American and European hunting dogs to achieve the desired traits.

Tragically, the Rastreador Brasileiro’s existence was cut short by a double catastrophe: an outbreak of disease coupled with an overdose of insecticide decimated the entire breeding population. By 1973, the breed was delisted as extinct.

Recent efforts aim to resurrect the breed by identifying suitable mixed‑breed dogs and cross‑breeding them to recreate the original type. While a full revival has yet to occur, the Brazilian Kennel Club re‑acknowledged the breed in 2019, keeping hope alive.

4 Turnspit Dog

Unlike most medieval dogs bred for hunting, the Turnspit Dog served a singular culinary purpose: powering kitchen spits. First documented in the 16th century, these dogs earned nicknames such as Kitchen Dogs or Cooking Dogs.

Their job involved running on a treadmill‑like wheel, which turned a spit to roast meat. Larger households often employed two Turnspit Dogs, rotating them in shifts to keep the fire continuously turning.

The breed’s fate was sealed by 19th‑century automation. The invention of the spinning jenny—a multi‑spindle spinning frame—rendered the dogs’ labor obsolete. Over time, they fell out of favor and became associated with poverty.

Without a functional role, Turnspit Dogs vanished around the turn of the 20th century. Today, only a single taxidermied specimen, named Whiskey, survives on display at the Abergavenny Museum in Wales.

3 Argentine Polar Dog

The Argentine Polar Dog, though obscure to many, played a vital role for the Argentine Army in the 1950s. Bred specifically as a sled dog for Antarctic bases, it combined the traits of several northern breeds.

Its lineage mixed the Siberian Husky, Greenland Dog, Alaskan Malamute, and a Manchurian Spitz, producing a powerful dog weighing up to 132 lb (60 kg) with a triple‑layer coat ideal for extreme cold.

Eleven Argentine Polar Dogs could haul a 1.1‑ton sled, achieving speeds of up to 22 mph (35 km/h) on flat terrain—perfect for the army’s logistical needs.

By 1994, the breed was extinct. International environmental protocols forced the removal of all Argentine Polar Dogs from Antarctica to protect native wildlife. Isolated from disease‑resistant populations, the dogs eventually perished.

2 English White Terrier

In the 1860s, a group of ambitious breeders christened a new breed the English White Terrier, hoping to create a show‑ring sensation. This pricked‑ear variant of the era’s white terriers aimed to outshine its peers in the exhibition arena.

For roughly thirty years, the breed circulated throughout Britain, likely derived from a cross between a Fox Terrier and a White Italian Greyhound. Official recognition arrived in 1874.

The English White Terrier possessed little utility for hunting or work; its primary value lay in companionship, requiring ample affection and care from its owners.

After three decades, the breed faded into extinction. Its genetic legacy persisted, however, as it was crossed with the Old English Bulldog, contributing to the development of the Bull and Boston Terriers.

1 Molossus

The Molossus was an ancient mastiff‑type dog revered by the Greek tribe of the Molossians, from whom its name derives. Bred for sheer size and ferocity, these dogs excelled in hunting, fighting, and herding.

Historical poets and scholars—including Aristotle, Horace, and Virgil—wrote admiringly of the Molossus, underscoring its impressive stature and reputation.

Legend offers two origins: some claim Alexander the Great returned them from Asia, while others argue Roman soldiers first cultivated them as guard dogs. Neither story is definitively proven, yet both illustrate the breed’s legendary status.

The exact cause of the Molossus’s disappearance remains unclear. It likely vanished through extensive cross‑breeding, a common fate for many ancient breeds.

Despite its extinction, the Molossus lives on through its descendants, influencing modern giants such as the American Bulldog, Rottweiler, Great Dane, and numerous mastiff‑type breeds.

The American Kennel Club recognizes 195 dog breeds. The French equivalent, the Federation Cynologique Internationale, recognizes 360. So it’s safe to say, no matter whose guidelines you follow, there are a lot of dogs in the world. And that’s just dogs. There are anywhere from 40 to 70 breeds of cats, depending on who you ask. There are more than 3,000 species of snakes, and 14,000 kinds of ants. And while the vast majority of these different breeds and species are kind of mundane, there are always a few standouts, a few extremely unusual ones that we never see even when their more common cousins are hanging out around us all the time. Let’s take a look at 10 of the most unusual breeds of fairly common creatures.

10. The Manx Loaghtan Sheep Have Multiple Horns

If you’re not up to speed on the wool or lamb industries, it’s forgivable to not be all that well versed in sheep variants. Most of us know sheep and maybe longhorn sheep. But it turns out there are actually over 200 breeds of sheep in the world. 

Of all the breeds out there, few make as much of a visual impact as the Manx Loaghtan sheep. You can find these little guys on the Isle of Man. The breed nearly went extinct in the 1950s but breeders have managed to build those numbers back up somewhat. 

Full grown ewes weigh around 40 kilograms, or about 88 pounds, while rams get up to 55 kilograms (121 pounds). That’s about half the size of some of the larger sheep breeds.

The most significant feature of a Manx Loaghtan is, of course, the horns. Unlike most sheep where the females may have no horns at all and the rams might have a pair of curled horns, the Loaghtan breed typically all have four horns. Some may only have two, but some may have as many as six, and they stick out fairly dramatically like a crown from their heads. 

9. Kharai Camels Thrive in the Water

Most people are aware that there are a couple of kinds of camels, the most famous being dromedary and bactrian. But those are species of camels and there are still breeds among them. There are nine breeds of dromedary camels recognized in India, and one of those is the Kharai camel. 

While we typically associate camels with dry deserts, there’s nothing about the animal specifically that demands arid climates, they just adapt well to them. The Kharai is the exact opposite of those desert-dwellers as it’s chiefly known for being highly aquatic. They’ll swim as far as three kilometers, or about 1.9 miles, to find suitable mangroves for grazing.

They feed on mangrove and other plants that grow near the saltwater in which they swim, and their numbers are fairly small. In 2010 it’s estimated there were 10,000 of the camels. That was down to 4,500 by 2020 thanks to habitat loss. 

8. Danish Protest Pigs Were Bred to Protest Prussian Rule

Americans eat over 66 pounds of pork per capita per year. If you don’t eat 70 pounds of pork per year, trust that someone else is taking up the slack for you. It’s the most widely consumed meat in the world and we produce tens of millions of tons of it globally, every year. Though few breeds are used for meat, there are apparently as many as 500 different breeds out there.

Undoubtedly many of those breeds are quirky and unique but only the Danish protest pig exists as a political statement. These little white-banded pigs were bred specifically to resemble the Danish flag as a snub against the Prussians during a border dispute. 

After two wars, the Prussians took over the disputed lands and were quick to squash anything remotely Danish. That included the Danish flag. But the land they took over was full of Danish people, so to protest this new rule banning their own identity they bred their own walking, snorting little flags in the form of the Danish protest pig whose markings feature a clearing white band on an orange background. 

Admittedly, the pigs don’t look a whole lot like the Danish flag which is red with a white cross set towards the left side, but hey, it’s a living pig, it’s close enough. 

7. Ayam Cemani Chickens are Black Inside and Out 

Estimates suggest that there are 25.9 billion chickens in the world right now. That’s a heck of a lot of clucking. Over 600 breeds of chickens are recognized worldwide with some of them looking remarkably exotic and even beautiful. But the Ayam Cemani chicken may take the prize for being the most truly unusual chicken and, if we’re being honest, just one of the strangest creatures in the world, period.

Thanks to a very unusual mutation, the Ayam Cemani breed is black through and through. Black eyes, black claws, black skin and black feathers. Even its tongue is black. But if that’s not dramatic enough for you, you can go deeper. The bones of this chicken are also black, as is the meat. 

The chickens come from Indonesia and demonstrate something called dermal hyperpigmentation as a result of fibromelanosis. Along with three other breeds of chickens that also have pigmented flesh, the mutation that links them seems to come from one single chicken that probably lived thousands of years ago; their common, dusky ancestor.

6. The Blue Calamintha Bee Is an Extremely Rare Blue Bee

Along with the buzzing sound, the most easily recognizable feature of any bee is the black and yellow striping. The blue calamintha really marches to the beat of its own buzzing drum though and is actually blue in color instead of the traditional yellow and black. While that sounds a little surprising, it’s worth noting that there are over 20,000 species of bees in the world and 4,000 of them can be found in the United States alone. Seems like at least one should have evolved to have a more fun color scheme. 

The little cerulean insects were only discovered in 2011 and were thought to have actually vanished by 2016. They only feed on a rare plant found in Florida so their habitat was not particularly widespread. But in 2021 a new nest of them was discovered raising hopes that there was a chance for the species to still thrive. They discovered that the bees also have a secondary food source, slightly improving their chances for survival. 

5. Bigfin Squid Were First Recorded on Camera in 2020

If you’re a fan of seafood, you’ve probably given calamari a try at least once. While it’s nowhere near as popular as tuna or lobster, it’s still featured in a lot of Asian cuisine and also holds its own as a deep-fried bar food alongside things like popcorn shrimp. And it’s also the fifth largest fishery industry by weight in the US, though most of it gets exported. 

A number of squid are caught for food like the Japanese flying squid or the Argentine shortfin. But when it comes down to unusual squid, you can count on the ocean to hold some remarkable secrets. For instance, the Bigfin squid is actually very small in the body. One description likens them to hot dog buns. But those buns have fins that make them look twice as wide as they are long. And, more noticeable, is that they can drag filaments behind them that grow to as much as seven meters, or 22.9 feet in length. That’s a heck of a trail for any hot dog bun. 

The living squid were recorded for the first time in 2020. Only three sightings in the southern hemisphere had even been reported before that. 

4. Lion-Tailed Macaques Really Look Like Lions

There are 160 species of Old World monkeys and 174 New World monkeys in the world, alongside the apes and other primates which are also often mistaken for monkeys. Only a handful of species are really widely known. One that is often overlooked is the lion-tailed macaque, a monkey that doesn’t just look like a lion from the back but from the front as well. 

They have non-prehensile tails with a tuft on the end, hence their name. But they also sport impressive manes around their heads like male lions as well. Their numbers in the wild are very low but they do seem to take well to captive breeding. The result is that there’s about 500 of them in the world now thanks to breeding programs in zoos.

3. Konik Horses Were Bred by Nazis

Like most other animals, there is an absolute plethora of horse breeds in the world. Based on one study that number is up around 784. Horses were not the first animal we domesticated, but they were clearly one of the most important thanks to their use or things like farming, travel and war. And as we’ve bred horses across the generations to serve those purposes, one of the most unusual horse breeds ever came to be – the Konik horse.

Konik horses don’t necessarily look weird, but their history is. A descendant of the Tarpan, a wild ancestor of the modern horse that died out in Neolithic times, the Konik was bred by Nazis in an effort to recreate a sort of prehistoric paradise. How many animals can say that?

The Nazis wanted to reintroduce extinct species, like the Tarpan and the Aurochs, as a strange parallel to their own beliefs about racial purity. They stole many of them from Poland and tried to start their own breeding program. The war squashed those plans, but the breed did manage to survive in Poland.

2. Tentacled Snakes Have Snout Tentacles 

For all the species of snakes that exist in the world, from the smallest little garden snakes to the massive pythons and anacondas that could swallow a human, their basic features are all pretty much the same and the species is pretty easy to recognize. They’re basically heads with tails, so it’s not like a snake has a lot of room for variation beyond size, color and pattern.But that doesn’t mean there’s no room and there is one kind of snake that noticeably stands out from the pack. The tentacled snake has two, finger-like projections that extend from its snout.

The snakes live almost exclusively in the water and are actually somewhat helpless on land. In their natural habitat they can remain perfectly stiff and still which, thanks to their shape and coloration, makes them look like branches in the water.

The tentacles on its face can be manipulated like an octopus or other creature might use them to feel around, but they are also full of dense nerve clusters. That allows the snake to use them to essentially see even in the murkiest of water, using signals gleaned from the tentacles to map out the area around them and find prey. 

Speaking of, the tentacled snake is highly adept at catching fish thanks to the fact it’s evolved to understand fish instincts. The snake is able to position its tail in a way that makes it seem like a threat, twisting its body into a question mark such that, when its tail startles a fish, the creature will flee in a predictable direction which is where the snake’s mouth is already waiting. It makes its prey run because it’s already waiting along its escape path. 

1. The Double-Nosed Andean Tiger Hound

We mentioned at the start that there are up to 360 recognized dog breeds in the world, depending on whose breed list you refer to. But, by any accounts, one of the most unusual dogs in the world is the Double-Nosed Andean Tiger Hound. It’s a dog with two noses. 

There are actually a couple of breeds in the world that have this unusual nose or something similar, like the Tarsus fork-nose dog, for instance. The Andean Tiger Hound, native to regions in South America like Bolivia, is arguably the most famous of these curiously snouted beasts though they aren’t generally recognized as a breed by the AKC, for instance.

If the dogs breed with single-snouted dogs, then the pups can turn out either way. It’s thought that maybe they’ve evolved from hunting dogs brought over with Conquistadors that also had double noses.