29+ Dogs That Look Like Teddy Bears

Many dogs are great for cuddling. The following dogs even look like teddy bears:

Small dog breeds:

#1 Toy Poodle
#2 Coton de Tulear
#3 Pomeranian
#4 Yorkshire Terriers
#5 German top
#6 Maltese
#7 Pekingese
#8 Shih Tzu
#9 Lhasa Apso
#10 Bichon Frize

Medium dog breeds:

#11 Portuguese Water Dog
#12 American Eskimo Dog
#13 Shiba Inu
#14 Icelandic Dog
#15 Wolfspitz
#16 Akita
#17 Finnish Lapphund
#18 Volpino Italiano
#19 Barbet
#20 Finnish Spitz

Large dog breeds:

#21 Chow Chow
#22 Bouvier des Flandres
#23 Caucasian Ovcharka
#24 Eurasier
#25 Samoyed
#26 Bobtail
#27 Newfoundland
#28 Do Khyi
#29 Pyrenean Mountain Dog

In addition, several crosses are listed at the end that also have a teddy-like appearance.

Then let's take a closer look at the individual breeds:

Small dog breeds

#1 Toy Poodle

Poodles basically come in four different sizes. Toy and miniature poodles are the two smallest species. And these also have great similarities to a teddy bear. [1]

In addition to their size, they owe their teddy bear-like appearance to their curly fur. Otherwise, the dogs are considered very active, alert and intelligent.

Fun fact: Poodles are one of the few dog breeds whose fur never stops growing. Without a regular haircut, the animals look like sheep within a few weeks. [2]

>> Our top recommendations

#2 Coton de Tulear

Coton de Tuléar pass as a teddy bear both when young and when fully grown. This is thanks to their size and their teddy-like fur.

In addition, the dogs are very playful, loyal and follow their owner at every step. They are also considered self-confident and easy to care for. [3]

Fun fact: Translated, its name means “cotton from Tuléar” – a port in Madagascar. Because of a genetic mutation, their fur is particularly soft. [4]

#3 Pomeranian

Of all the dogs, the Pomeranian looks by far the most similar to a teddy bear. Especially if the fur on the head is shortened to a round shape.

In addition, the animals behave very appropriately. They are very loving, trusting, calm and playful. This is why they are sometimes used as therapy dogs. [5]

Fun fact: In many Pomeranians, the mouth is slightly arched upwards at the back. This often gives the impression that the dogs are constantly laughing.

#4 Yorkshire Terriers

Yorkshire Terriers have their origins in England. There are also dogs with different hair lengths. In some cases their fur can be up to 60 cm long.

With the right haircut, they can also look a lot like a teddy bear. Otherwise, the dogs are considered self-confident, independent, courageous and intelligent. [6]

Fun facts: Yorkshire Terriers are more likely to sneeze backwards. Instead of blowing air out, they draw a lot of air in through the nose at once. It sounds like a duck. [7]

#5 German top

This German breed is mostly used as a guard and family dog. Because of their woolly and soft fur, they also look like a teddy bear. [8]

Here too, the teddy-like appearance can be enhanced with the right haircut. Otherwise, the German Spitz is considered devoted, good-natured and easy to care for.

Fun fact: The German Spitz is also popularly known as “Kläffer”. Because the dogs never miss a chance to loudly point out possible dangers. [9]

#6 Maltese

Maltese are naturally white and have teddy bear-like fur. In addition, like teddy bears, the animals also have longer hair on their muzzles.

The dogs should also be very calm, trusting and gentle. The dogs also generally get along well with children and other pets. [10]

Fun fact: Maltese are very confident when it comes to their own jumping abilities. It often happens that they underestimate the distance when jumping.

#7 Pekingese

Pekingese also look like a teddy bear both as puppies and when they are fully grown. This is due to their bear-like fur and their round, googly eyes.

Because of their loving and playful nature, they make ideal lap dogs. However, they can only be trained mediocrely well. Because they can sometimes be very stubborn. [11]

Fun fact: Some Pekingese grow very long fur. With a gray coat color, they often resemble a mop. [12]

#8 Shih Tzu

Shih Tzus have probably the sweetest look among all dog breeds. Combined with their fluffy fur, it makes them look like living teddy bears.

Otherwise, the dogs are considered very active, happy and loyal. Due to their size and ease of care, they are also ideal for apartments. [13]

Fun fact: Shih Tzus sometimes have very long hair on their heads. The dogs are therefore often abused as guinea pigs by amateur hairdressers.

#9 Lhasa Apso

Lhasa Apso naturally have hair between 10-20 cm long. However, with the appropriate haircut, the dogs look like cuddly teddy bears.

In addition, they are very friendly, obedient, active and playful. They also get along very well with children, which is why they are often chosen as family dogs. [14]

Fun fact: Many Buddhists believe that Dalai Lama was reincarnated in Lhasa Apsos. These dogs are therefore more often given away than sold. [15]

#10 Bichon Frize

Bichon Frize have such cozy fur that it almost feels fake. If the hair is cut round, the dogs look like teddy bears.

They also have the behavior appropriate for teddy bears. Because they are considered loving, gentle, calm and particularly pure. [16]

Fun fact: Bichon Frisé got their name because of their friendly nature. Because her name comes from French and means “to pamper”. [17]

Medium-sized dog breeds

#11 Portuguese Water Dog

Portuguese Water Dogs have both the build and fur of a teddy bear. That may explain why Obama had several of these dogs in the White House.

Otherwise, the dogs are considered gentle, obedient and courageous. They also shed relatively little and rarely absorb odors. [18]

Fun fact: This water dog is also colloquially known as the “lion dog”. Because if the fur is cut very short at the back, the dog has a kind of lion's mane.

#12 American Eskimo Dog

The American Eskimo Dog looks very similar to a teddy bear, especially as a puppy. The reason for this is its long and soft fur and its fox-like ears.

Otherwise, the dogs are considered very friendly, alert and reserved. Among other things, they are also used as hunting, shepherd and guard dogs. [19]

Fun fact: The American Eskimo Dog becomes hyperactive more often when playing. Gently stroking the dog's forehead helps to calm them down.

#13 Shiba Inu

Shiba Inus not only have great similarities to foxes, but also to large plush teddy bears. The dogs also have very thick and thin hair.

In addition, Shiba Inus are very good-natured, friendly and excellent hunting dogs. They are also considered to be among the cleanest dogs in the world. [20]

Fun fact: Shiba Inus can be real “drama queens” before bathing. Dogs often start whining at the first thought of water.

#14 Icelandic Dog

Especially when young, the Icelandic Dog looks very similar to a teddy bear. The reason for this is his hairy ears and his playful look.

In his homeland, the animals were primarily used as sheepdogs and guard dogs. However, their friendly and good-natured nature also makes them ideal family dogs. [21]

Fun fact: Icelandic dogs have a strong instinct for herding animals. In some cases, however, this instinct is so strong that they even want to prevent vehicles from driving away.

#15 Wolfspitz

Wolfspitz have very long fur compared to their thin frame. Because their muzzle is very short, they also often look like a teddy bear.

The dogs originally come from Holland. There they are known for their obedience, kindness and sociability. They also get relatively old. [22]

Fun fact: Wolfheads are enthusiastic diggers. They also like to roll around in the cold dirt afterwards.

#16 Akita

Akitas are one of the few dogs whose looks are deceptive. Although they look like teddy bears, their behavior is quite the opposite.

The dogs rarely get along with other animals and were sometimes used for dog fights in the past. This also makes them excellent watchdogs. [23]

Fun fact: Although Akitas have webbed toes, they are generally considered to be afraid of water. [24]

#17 Finnish Lapphund

When young, Finnish Lapphunds not only resemble wolves, but also teddy bears. The dogs are also considered very friendly, calm and trusting.

This breed most often serves as a guard dog, hunting dog and shepherd dog. Their thick fur means they can easily withstand the Nordic cold. [25]

Fun fact: Finnish Lapphunds were once used, among other things, for herding reindeer. It is therefore rumored that they are servants of Santa Claus.

#18 Volpino Italiano

The Volpino Italiano usually has white fur by nature. And yet the dogs look like medium-sized teddy bears because of their eyes and ears.

This breed is said to be relatively rare. They most often serve as lap and family dogs. They are also considered alert, active, playful and lively. [26]

Fun fact: It seems as if the Volpino Italiano has adopted some Italian characteristics. Because the dogs love to share their food with others.

#19 Barbet

The Barbet not only looks like a teddy bear, but also has a neutral smell. Because their shaggy hair rarely absorbs odors.

Otherwise, the dogs are considered very obedient, intelligent and playful. They also only need a moderate amount of exercise and shed little – ideal for living in apartments. [27]

Fun facts: The barbet is also known as the “mud dog”. The dogs seem to have a sixth sense when it comes to finding mud holes.

#20 Finnish Spitz

The Finnish Spitz originally comes from Finland and was primarily used as a hunting dog. Its appearance not only resembles teddy bears, but also foxes.

These dogs are also considered very happy, playful and independent. Because of their loyal nature, they are also very popular family dogs. [28]

Fun fact: Finnish Spitz can bark extremely quickly. The record is currently 160 barks per minute. [29]

>> Our top recommendations

Large dog breeds

#21 Chow Chow

Chow Chows have the coat and build of Pomeranians. This also explains their teddy bear-like appearance. The dogs are…