While French bulldogs are as common in NYC as yellow cabs, chances are you won’t be tripping over the leash of a pharaoh hound on the way to grab your morning latte anytime soon.
The obscure breed, one of the rarest among the 192 that will take to the ring to compete at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show opening in New York on Monday at Pier 92, is virtually unheard of in the Big Apple.
But there is at least one of the exotic hounds living within the five boroughs — as well as three other uncommon pups tied for last place as the city’s least popular breeds. The Post tracked them down.
Cece, pharaoh hound
Diane Conyers of Richmond Hill, Queens, counts two of Westminster’s rarest breeds among her four-dog household — but it’s 7-year-old pharaoh hound Cece who turns heads when the family heads out for a stroll.
“She’s just stunning, and she’s unusual. People think she’s a deer,” says Conyers of the athletic pooch, whom she fell in love with after spotting her at a sighthound competition in 2010.
“[Pharaohs] are beautiful, they’re fun and the girls are feisty and independent. I ended up going home with her.”
But despite Cece’s svelte build, Conyers claims the pup is simply a couch potato with a sweet tooth for fruit — though she can still clear a 5-foot fence if her hound instinct to chase kicks in.
Tali, Icelandic sheepdog
Shoshi Roberts’ neighbors in Park Slope frequently mistake her 8-month-old puppy for a mutt rather than a Scandinavian purebred, but they can’t be blamed.
Nationally, the Icelandic sheepdog ranks 142 out of 177 registered AKC breeds, and just nine will appear at Westminster.
Roberts, a web developer, and husband Max met many dogs while volunteering for local animal rescues.
They settled on the “Icie,” as the dogs are called, due to the breed’s intelligence, athleticism and suitability for city living.
Tali is a “happy-go-lucky goofball” who is most energetic in her native element: “Anytime there’s deep snow, she’s just the happiest camper,” Roberts boasts.
Spinner, Portugese Podengo Pequeno
Five-year-old Spinner, a Podengo who joined Conyers’ household last March, loves to show off his speed by chasing big sis Cece across the yard.
But he’ll happily sit still for a tummy rub.
“Podengos have got some spunk and they’re cute,” adds Conyers.
She began researching the breed after they started showing up at sighthound competitions.
It was only last year that the Podengo, bred for chasing rabbits, gained admittance to the Westminster competition.
There will be three at this year’s show, along with 13 pharaohs.
Winston, Dandie Dinmont terrier
Nicholas Sarta and girlfriend Mandee McGovern have a dog so rare, even veterinarians have asked, “What kind of dog is that?”
The pair flew from Dyker Heights, Brooklyn, to Palm Springs, Calif., in January to scoop up the 7-month-old Dandie Dinmont terrier after an online survey suggested the breed would be a good fit for the couple.
“We researched Dandies, and it seemed like the dog for us,” says Sarta.
While only two will show at Westminster, the Dandie’s rareness is hardly the breed’s best quality. “Winston’s playful, but also obedient,” brags his proud papa.