There are some adult dog breeds that look completely different as puppies. From the Bergamasco to the Tibetian Terrier, these pups have appearances that change significantly as they grow up.
The team at the Kennel Club have provided a backstory to each pup, explaining the reason behind their changing features. Take a look at the full list below and see how many you can recognize…
1. Briard
“Briards are herd and guard dogs which originate from Brie in France. They are very active and intelligent dogs which were used in both World Wars by the French army as pack dogs to search for wounded soldiers. They share ancestry with short-coated Beauceron, but the Briard's coat grows significantly as they get older,” the team at the Kennel Club tells Country Living.
“They are known for a dry, wavy coat of either grey, tawny, or black, and an impressive head topped by a peek-a-boo hairdo parted naturally in the middle. A luxurious beard and eyebrows accentuate an expression described as ‘frank and questioning'.
“The coat in the adult dog is long, about 7cms (2¾ ins) on the body. A fine dense undercoat required all over body. Head carries hair forming a moustache, beard and eyebrows, lightly veiling the eyes. In baby puppies, the distinctive coat will not have had time to get to its full length, so they sometimes get mistaken for similar breeds such as the Bearded Collie or Old English Sheepdog.”
2. Bergamasco
“The Bergamasco is a sheepdog originally bred in the Italian Alps, easily recognizable by their heavy coat with mats, which protects them from the extreme climate typical of the Alpine pastures where they originally worked as herding dogs,” the team tells CL.
“The Bergamasco has hair of three different textures that form naturally occurring loose mats, or ‘flocks' (strands of hair woven together, creating flat layers of felted hair), covering the body and legs. The flocks provide protection from the fierce cold and wild predators of the Italian Alps, the breed’s ancestral homeland.
“The coat in the adult dog is abundant and long. Harsh texture on front of body, softer on head and limbs. Short, dense undercoat obscures skin. Tends to form into strands or loose mats from the backline (not cords). The coat should be greasy to the touch. In baby puppies, the distinctive coat will not have had time to get to develop into the characteristic flocks, so they sometimes get mistaken for other breeds which work with livestock.”
3. A Tibetan terrier
“The Tibetian Terrier, closely related to Lhasa Apso, belongs to the Utility group, despite its name. It was brought to the UK by a surgeon working on the Indian/Tibetan border in the early 1920s and was recognized by the Kennel Club in 1937,” the team explain.
“A breed hallmark is the beautiful and profuse double coat—woolly underneath, with a long, fine topcoat. The adult dog has a double coat. Undercoat fine and woolly. Top coat profuse, fine but neither silky nor woolly; long; either straight or waved but not curly. In baby puppies, the distinctive coat will not have had time to get to its full glamorous length, so they sometimes get mistaken for other Tibetan breeds.”
4. A bearded collie
“Bearded Collies are herding dogs which originate from the Borders and Highlands of Scotland. They are intelligent dogs and make a great family pet.
“The adult Bearded Collie has a double coat comprised of a soft, furry and close undercoat, and an outer coat which is flat, harsh, strong and shaggy, free from woolliness and curl, though slight wave is not unusual. Length and density of hair sufficient to provide a protective coat.
“Bridge of nose sparsely covered with hair slightly longer on side just to cover lips. From cheeks, lower lips and under chin, coat increases in length towards chest, forming typical beard. The lavish facial hair shouldn't obscure the characteristic expression, which is a dreamy, faraway gaze. In baby puppies, the distinctive coat will not have had time to get to its full ‘hippy' length, so they sometimes get mistaken for other pastoral breeds,” they continue.
5. Afghan Hound
“Since ancient times, Afghan Hounds have been famous for their elegant beauty. But the thick, silky, flowing coat that is the breed's crowning glory isn't just for show — it served as protection from the harsh climate in mountainous regions where the breed originally earned its keep.
“The coat in the adult dog is long and very fine textured on the ribs and limbs. In mature dogs, from the shoulder backwards and along the ‘saddle', the hair is short and close. Hair long from the forehead backwards, with a distinct silky ‘topknot'.
“On the foreface hair short, ears and legs well coated. The pasterns can have a lot less hair in some cases. In baby puppies, the distinct coat pattern will not have had time to develop, which often results in these ring-tailed bundles of mischief being mistaken for monkeys!”
6. Hungarian Puli
“As the name suggests, the Puli was originally a Hungarian herding dog which accompanied tribes as they travelled from East to West. Although their thick and distinctive coat can make them look big, underneath the locks the dog is lightly built and their agility makes them an excellent and active herding breed.
“The adult Hungarian Puli coat is comprised of cords, or ‘dreadlocks', which are the instantly recognizable feature of the breed. The coat's naturally occurring cords are woolly, dense, and weatherproof. Either corded or brushed out, Puli coats require lots of attention. Correct proportion of top and undercoat creates, naturally, the desired cords. Matting and felting to be avoided, and a combed coat is as undesirable as a neglected one. Coat generally longest on hindquarters, shortest on head and feet.
“Some adult dogs will grow a floor-length coat. In baby puppies, the distinct coat pattern will not have had time to develop, so they can sometimes be mistaken for other breeds such as the Lhasa Apso or Tibetan Terrier.”
Deputy Daily Editor, Country Living and House Beautiful
 Lisa Joyner is the Deputy Daily Editor at House Beautiful UK and Country Living UK, where she's busy writing about home and interiors, gardening, dog breeds, pets, health and wellbeing, countryside news, small space inspiration, and the hottest properties on the market. Previously, she has written for Conde Nast Traveller, House & Garden and Marie Claire magazine. Lisa studied at University For The Creative Arts, where she completed a BA in Fashion Journalism. Â
