Hepper is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

15 Cute & Small Teddy Bear Dog Breeds – These Pups Look Like Cuddly Toys!

Nicole Cosgrove Profile Picture

By Nicole Cosgrove

teddy bear dog

Whether they’re fluffy puppies or gentle giants, some dogs look less like canines and more like bears. From cute teddy bear-looking lapdogs to big dogs that can pass as black bears, there’s no denying the exotic factor of these beautiful dogs. Some designer dogs also have a teddy bear appearance.

Before going into our list, it’s essential to acknowledge that each breed has pros and cons. Buying a dog strictly for looks is a recipe for disaster, especially if the breed has several daily requirements that need to be met. Therefore, planning for your new dog and researching as much as possible before it arrives is crucial.

Without further ado, here are 15 dog breeds that look like teddy bears:

hepper-dog-paw-divider2

The 15 Cute & Small Teddy Bear Dog Breeds

1. Chow-Chow

chow chow
Image Credit: otsphoto, Shutterstock

Although they are known for their cat-like personalities and strong aloofness towards strangers, Chow-Chows are about as bear-like in appearance as it gets for purebreds. These large, fluffy dogs are also famous for their blue tongues, which is a breed standard requirement.

Size Info
  • Chow-chows weigh around 45 to 75 pounds and stand between 18 to 22 inches

2. Pomeranian

 

pomeranian dog with tongue out
Image Credit: funeyes, Pixabay

Pomeranians have a striking resemblance to bears, especially the aptly named teddy bear variety. These Spitz-type dogs are great companions and watchdogs with spunky personalities that entertain everyone around them.

Size Info
  • Pomeranians weigh around 3 to 7 pounds and stand around 7 to 10 inches

3. Tibetan Mastiff

Tibetan Mastiff
Image Credit: Tatyana Kuznetsova, Shutterstock

As one of the most expensive purebred breeds to date, Tibetan Mastiffs look more like hybrids crossed with bears. These massive guarding dogs need jobs to stay busy, so they’re great for families that have larger properties in need of a watchdog.

Size Info
  • Tibetan Mastiffs weigh around 75 to 160 pounds and stand around 24 to 30 inches

4. Newfoundland

Newfoundland
Image Credit: 4598242, Pixabay

Though available in white, piebald, and tan, many people recognize Newfoundlands as the black fluffy bears they resemble. “Newfies,” as diehard Newfoundland owners call them, are natural-born swimmers with excellent temperaments.

Size Info
  • Newfoundlands weigh anywhere from 95 to 150 pounds and stand around 25 to 29 inches

5. Alaskan Malamute

Alaskan Malamute in the snow
Image Credit: Malachi Jacobs, Shutterstock

Alaskan Malamute puppies can easily be mistaken for adorable teddy bears, though they grow into more of a wolfish appearance as they age. These arctic dogs excel in many athletic and working duties, so they’re best for active dog owners who can meet their high exercise needs.

Size Info
  • Alaskan Malamutes weigh around 70 to 95 pounds and stand between 22-26 inches

6. Keeshond

Keeshond
Image Credit: Peggy_Marco, Pixabay

It’s hard to imagine a list of dogs that look like bears without mentioning Keeshonds, with their rounded ears and fluffy coats. Keeshonds are true watchdogs and enjoy alerting the household of any intruders, especially with new people.

Size Info
  • Keeshonds weigh approximately 31 to 40 pounds and stand between 17 to 18 inches

7. Caucasian Shepherd

Caucasian Shepherd
Image Credit: Aleksandra Saveljeva, Shutterstock

One look at Caucasian Shepherds, and it’s no surprise that this rare breed has made this list. These big mountain dogs are large in size and weight, but their faces have many similarities to bears. Caucasian Shepherds are also called Caucasian Orvcharkas and Caucasian Sheepdogs.

Size Info
  • Caucasian Shepherds weigh between 100 to 120 pounds and stand around 26 to 29 inches

8. Maremma Sheepdog

maremma sheepdog
Image Credit: Anastasiia Cherniavskaia, Shutterstock

Maremma Sheepdogs look like smaller versions of the polar bear due to their white or light cream-colored coats. These working dogs do best with farm living or homes in rural settings, provided they can run the property at will.

Size Info
  • Maremma Sheepdogs weigh between 75 to 99 pounds and stand around 26 to 29 inches

9. Eurasier

Eurasier
Image Credit: JACLOU-DL, Pixabay

Eurasier puppies might as well be bear cubs with fluffy puppy coats and rounded, bear-shaped faces. Eurasiers are part of the Spitz family of dogs, often mistaken for Chow-chows due to similar coat types.

Size Info
  • Eurasiers weigh between 40 to 70 pounds and stand around 19 to 24 inches

10. Samoyed

white Samoyed dog in a beautiful forest
Image Credit: Evgeniia Shikhaleeva, Shuttestock

Samoyed dogs have thick, fluffy white coats and bear-like features that other Spitz-type breeds have. Samoyed puppies can resemble teddy bears, but those puppies quickly grow out of their teddy appearance and look more like polar bears as adults.

Size Info
  • Samoyed dogs weigh approximately 40 to 65 pounds and stand around 19 to 24 inches

11. Great Pyrenees Mountain Dogs

Great Pyrenees Mountain Dog
Image Credit: Trong Nguyen, Shutterstock

Like Maremma Sheepdogs, Great Pyrenees Mountain Dogs are confident, affectionate dogs that are often compared to polar bears. They have incredibly thick double-layered white coats that must be maintained properly to prevent matting.

Size Info
  • Great Pyrenees Mountain Dogs weigh approximately 80 to 120 pounds and stand between 26 to 32 inches

12. Akita

akita
Image Credit: uadrienn, Pixabay

Akitas have rounded ears and mouths that give them their bearish look, especially when they’re tiny puppies. These Japanese dogs are quite serious and dignified but have a playful side that makes them popular as family dogs.

Size Info
  • Akitas weigh around 24 to 28 inches and stand at around 50 to 86 pounds

13. Cavoodle

Cavoodles are hybrid dogs that are the result of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel being crossed with a Miniature Poodle, creating fluffy, curly-haired teddy bear-like dogs. Cavoodles are one of many designer dog breeds that have grown in popularity due to the rising demand for unique hybrids.

Size Info
  • Cavoodles weigh between 9 to 20 pounds and stand at around 12 to 15 inches.

14. Bouvier des Flandres

Bouvier des Flandres
Image Credit: volofin, Shutterstock

From far away, it’s easy to mistake a few Bouvier des Flandres dogs for small bears. These herding dogs from Belgium have thick, woolly coats that are usually in black or dark colors, which gives them their bear-like look.


15. Poodle

Poodle
Image Credit: Lim Tiaw Leong, Shutterstock

Poodles, whether toy, miniature, or standard sizes, have fluffy, curly coats that give them that classic teddy bear appearance. Poodles are often bred with other dogs to make designer dog breeds, such as the Labradoodle.

Size Info
  • Toy
  • Miniature
  • Standard

Final Thoughts

Although bears aren’t ideal or legal pets, we provide our children with stuffed versions of the mighty beasts. However, some families are lucky enough to have furry canines that resemble teddy bears, and many breeds are excellent companions for children. If you’re interested in one of the teddy-bear-like dogs we’ve discussed, it’s best to research the breed thoroughly to ensure they’re a perfect fit for your family.

See also:


Featured Image Credit: WilleeCole Photography, Shutterstock

Related Articles

Further Reading

Vet Articles

Latest Vet Answers

The latest veterinarians' answers to questions from our database