Do you love cuddling up to a furry little toy dog? Then you'll love these teddy bear dog breeds. From the fuzzy, furry Pomeranian to the fierce, lion-like Chow Chow, there are plenty of dogs that look just like teddy bears.
These furry teddies are often much smaller than standard-sized dogs and include a wide range of mixed-breed dogs and purebreds with different temperaments, histories, and characters. The one defining feature that these breeds have is their likeness to teddy bears!
Teddy bear dogs are furry, cuddly, and miniature, and they are the best companion dogs you could wish for. Keep reading, and discover the best teddy bear dogs!
What is a teddy bear dog?
Teddy bear dogs are dogs that look like bears (miniature teddy bears, that is!). This isn't one specific breed (there's no actual breed of dog called the 'teddy bear'), but a wide-ranging array of different breeds with teddy bear characteristics.
A Teddy Bear dog breed is generally small in size, as they are companion or lap dogs. They will be miniature or toy dogs, although they can also be larger. A teddy bear puppy, then, can be absolutely tiny, and you'll need a bed ramp for dogs if you want them to get around the house easily!
Teddy bear dogs are particularly fluffy, with thick fur coats, but they can be any color, from black and white to brown and tan. Some of these dogs have a bear-like face, while others might better resemble a lion rather than a bear dog.
Let's take a look at the best teddy bear dog breeds in more detail!
#1 Pomeranian
The Pomeranian is one of the fluffiest dog breeds in the world, and they are also one of the smallest. This tiny teddy bear dog breed stands just 7 inches tall on average and weighs just a few pounds!
Much of that weight must be from their fur coats, too, because their golden manes are thick and super, super furry. They'll need lots of grooming to be kept in pristine condition, and you'll constantly be cleaning out the twigs when they dash off into the bushes, chasing after other dogs!
Pomeranians are fun-filled teddy bears, and they'll bring a lot of life and love into your home.
#2 Chow Chow
The chow chow is one of the largest teddy bear dog breeds because these teddy bear puppies can grow up to 20 inches tall and weigh up to 70 pounds!
The chow chow is of Chinese origin, and it's one of the oldest known breeds of dogs in the world. They were originally bred thousands of years ago to be war dogs and hunting dogs and have changed little in appearance since.
Their thick coats made them well suited for cold weather and life outdoors, and their fearsome bear-like faces give them a formidable look. However, their coats are a golden brown, which means the chow chow looks part lion, as well as bear-like.
Beneath their lion-bear exterior, though, chow chows are full of affection!
#3 Cairnoodle
The cairnoodle is a mid-sized dog that's a cross between a poodle and a Cairn terrier. This unusual mix of breeds makes this an unusual dog, but it provides this crossbreed with many teddy bear features!
The cairnoodle stands between 10 and 15 inches in height and can weigh up to 20 pounds. Its super fluffy coat is the result of the cross between two super fluffy breeds, and it's one of the cuddliest, fluffiest dogs you could ever ask for.
Cairnoodles are highly intelligent and wonderfully playful. For families, one of their biggest positives is that they are hypoallergenic - despite all that fur, they rarely shed, which is great for anyone with allergies!
#4 Schnoodle
The schnoodle is another poodle cross; except this time, a miniature poodle is crossed with schnauzers to form this unique breed.
The result is a gruff-looking dog that's hypoallergenic, very fluffy, and full of energy. Schnoodles are generally mid-sized to small, but they can also be much larger if crossed with a full-sized poodle.
They are wonderful family dogs, and their fluffiness makes them perfect for showering with affection!
#5 Zuchon
The zuchon is one of the cuddliest, cutest, most adorable teddy bear dogs you can find anywhere because this wonderful crossbreed is a mixture of two of the fluffiest dogs known to man.
The zuchon is a unique cross between the Shih Tzu and the Bichon Frise, and it's small in stature but big on the fur. Zuchons are more than just their teddy bear appearance, though.
These family-friendly companion dogs are fiercely loyal and exceptionally proud animals. They are smart, easy to train, yet retain an independent streak that gives them a real sense of personality and character.
#6 Lhasa Apso
The Lhasa Apso is one of the fluffiest little creatures you'll ever lay eyes on, and although they stand just 10 inches tall and are often overly groomed to perfection, these dogs are fierce little animals when they need to be.
The Lhasa Apso originated in Tibet's high mountains, where that fluffy, thick coat helped keep the cold out. They were bred to keep watch over royal palaces, as their intuition and territorial nature more than suits them to the job of guard dog (even if their small size doesn't).
The Lhasa Apso retains its independent, territorial nature, but their intelligence makes them easy to train, and they'll fit in well to the family life when shown love and affection.
#7 Samoyed
The samoyed is a working dog that originated in Siberia and traditionally was bred to pull sleds and hunt game in the arctic. Siberia's cold climes ensure that they have a super thick, white coat that can be groomed endlessly if you desire.
These are larger dogs, growing to 20 inches in height and weighing up to 60 pounds, and they are highly regarded for their pure white, fluffy coats. The samoyed has a teddy-bear face that seems to be constantly smiling, but don't be fooled by the 'Sammie Smile' because these dogs can be fierce when they need to be!
Although bred to hunt and work, the samoyed has become a prized companion dog in recent years.
#8 Newfoundland
The Newfoundland is more bear than teddy bear, but if you're looking for a lovable, large bear dog, then this is the breed for you!
Newfoundlands need a lot of space to be happy, as these dogs are behemoths. The Newfoundland can stand up to 30 inches tall and weigh up to 150 pounds! Their thick coats are designed to keep the cold out, and their large size means they have traditionally been employed as working dogs.
Despite looking like a bear, the Newfoundland is notoriously affectionate. They don't have a bad bone in them, and they are happiest when cuddling up with the family. Given their large frames, the Newfoundland can often run into health issues when they get older. And given their size, they may not be suitable for first-time dog owners!
Teddy bear dog breeds: the final say
Teddy bear dog breeds are adorably cute and fluffy, but just because they might be small in size and stature doesn't mean they aren't fiercely independent!
Teddy bear dogs can be as bear-like in character, and they'll certainly bring a lot of personality into your home. These dogs are wonderful for families, though, as they are full of love, and they are perfect for small homes and apartments, where space is limited.
They'll need grooming, but they'll be well worth the effort. If you're looking for a fluffy pet dog, then why not raise a teddy bear dog?
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