10 Dog Breeds That Were Nearly Extinct — And How They Made a Comeback

Some dog breeds were dangerously close to disappearing for good, whether it was due to changing times, loss of purpose, or just plain bad luck. But thanks to dedicated breeders, random twists of fate, and, in some cases, Disney movies, these breeds made an epic comeback. From nearly extinct to thriving, these dogs have stories as interesting as their looks.

Irish Wolfhound with a child.Photo byShutterstock.

St. Bernard

The St. Bernard’s numbers plummeted after avalanches and harsh winters devastated their population in the 1800s. Monks at a Swiss hospice began crossbreeding them with Newfoundlands to revive the breed, ensuring their survival and their legendary role as rescue dogs.

Irish Wolfhound

Once used to hunt wolves and protect livestock, Irish Wolfhounds nearly disappeared in the 19th century when wolves were hunted to extinction. The breed was brought back by careful breeding with other large dogs like Great Danes, reviving their majestic stature.

Tibetan Mastiff

Tibet’s isolation and changing times almost wiped out the Tibetan Mastiff. Thanks to Western travelers who fell in love with the breed’s unique traits, Tibetan Mastiffs were brought to other countries and carefully bred, helping them thrive outside of their native Tibet.

Dalmatian

After the invention of motor vehicles, Dalmatians were no longer needed as carriage dogs, and their population dwindled. However, their resurgence came when they were featured in the Disney movie 101 Dalmatians, reigniting public interest in the breed and boosting their numbers.

Norwegian Lundehund.Photo byShutterstock.

Lundehund

Norway’s Lundehund, bred to hunt puffins, faced extinction when puffin hunting was banned and a distemper outbreak decimated the population. Dedicated breeders saved the breed by maintaining a small but steady breeding program, bringing this agile dog back from the brink.

Xoloitzcuintli

The Xoloitzcuintli, or Mexican Hairless Dog, was nearly extinct due to colonization and the rise of European breeds. Thanks to dedicated preservation efforts by breeders in Mexico, this ancient breed was revived, eventually earning recognition by major kennel clubs worldwide.

Otterhound

The Otterhound’s job of hunting otters became obsolete when otter hunting was banned, nearly causing the breed’s extinction. Thanks to passionate breeders, the Otterhound was kept alive, though it remains one of the rarest breeds today.

Leonberger.Photo byShutterstock.

Greyhound

Greyhound racing once boosted the breed’s numbers, but as the sport declined, so did their population. Rescue and adoption efforts have played a major role in saving retired racing Greyhounds, turning them into beloved family pets and bringing the breed back into homes worldwide.

Leonberger

The Leonberger breed was nearly wiped out after both World Wars due to food shortages and lack of demand for large working dogs. A few dedicated breeders in Germany worked tirelessly to bring them back, re-establishing their lineage and saving the breed from extinction.

Shih Tzu

After the fall of China’s imperial dynasty, the Shih Tzu nearly vanished, as they were primarily palace dogs. A few surviving dogs were smuggled to England and bred carefully, leading to the re-establishment of the breed and its rise as a beloved companion dog around the world.