Only around 1,500 Norwegian Lundehunds existed in the world in 2022. Credit: Deposit Photos Get the Popular Science daily newsletter💡 Breakthroughs, discoveries, and DIY tips sent six days a week. Golden retrievers, poodles, and German shepherds are all instantly recognizable dog breeds . But these are only a fraction of the 202 pooch types officially recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). While the French bulldog retained its status as the most popular breed in the United States for the fourth year in a row, there was a bit of a shakeup this year when it comes to the rarest dog in the country. According to the AKC’s tally, you should consider yourself lucky if you spotted a Norwegian lundehund in 2025—the diminutive breed nudged out the English foxhound for the least common canine companion in the country.…