Haircuts Can Make All The Difference
Some breeds just need a little grooming to give them the authentic teddy bear dog look – in fact, it’s the most popular request at my grooming shop (especially among non-shedding breeds).
We call it the Teddy Bear Cut, and it’s exactly what it sounds like. We round out the face, trim around the ears, and carve out a mane, making your pup look like an adorable little bear cub.
So next time you visit your groomer ask if a teddy bear cut will work with your dog.
Funnily enough, these are the smallest breed on our list, and they can still weigh upwards of 75 pounds. This isn’t your average shaggy sheepdog—though they do give off a distinctly happy-go-lucky vibe. Belgian Sheepdogs are intelligent canines who enjoy learning and performing tasks. In fact, the Belgian Sheepdog Club of America says their diligence has gotten them work with European police forces, border patrol and even the Red Cross over the years. They’re sweet animals whose feelings will be hurt if left alone too long.
Another giant ball of fluff bred to protect its pack. Alaskan Malamutes are energetic sled dogs who thrive living and working alongside family members. The American Kennel Club recommends establishing pack hierarchy early—aka, you’re the boss. Instill commands and reinforce them regularly. A Malamute’s waterproof double coat is thick, comes in shades of grey, black and red, and ideally gets a daily brushing.
Dobermans could brag about their intelligence, bravery, obedience and athleticism if they wanted, but they much prefer loving and protecting their family members drama-free. Easy to train and willing to go the extra mile, Dobermans are loyal yet playful dogs. Though they shed, their sleek black coats require very little grooming. Get ready for an energetic, devoted family member if you adopt a Doberman.
Never had a big dog but always wanted one? Go for a Leonberger. These dogs are great for first-time dog owners because of their outgoing and obedient personalities. Leonbergers love to meet new people and play with the humans in their own homes. Their luxurious coats can be reddish brown or yellow with black fur around their noses and eyes.
In addition to a shedding factor, Saint Bernards have a drooling factor. These big, cuddly oafs drool a lot, but make up for it with their incredibly sweet, calm presence. Saint Bernards are easily recognizable by their white, tan and black coats. Tall and thick, they love people-pleasing and are especially great pets for kids. After working as rescue dogs in the Alps for decades, it’s no wonder they have steady watchdog tendencies.
According to Animal Planet, the Keeshond is also known as the “Smiling Dutchman,” which is a clue to its origins—the Netherlands. Just don’t call it a “quiche-hond.” It’s pronounced “caze-hawnd.” Super cute and a little chunky, these pups will eventually reach 35 to 45 pounds. Their warm, sensitive, and congenial nature makes them ideally suited to be a comfort dog. In fact, this breed provided comfort at Ground Zero after 9/11. Their gorgeous coat keeps them warm in cold weather (which they thrive in) and needs to be brushed a few times a week to prevent mats. That’s a small price to pay for a cherished teddy bear-like dogs, though, don’t you think? No matter what type of dog you have, all pet groomers wish you knew these secrets.
This affectionate teddy bear come-to-life has been a treasured lapdog for hundreds of years, gracing royal laps and royal portraits as far back as the 1500s. Yet the Bichon is also a comedian and loves the spotlight; it feeds off laughter and smiles when it is being silly and goofy. Even when a Bichon is all business, like in the show ring, its charming and sweet fluffy face still pulls at our heartstrings. Flynn, a Bichon, wooed the crowd and the judges at Westminster in 2018 and took home the coveted Best in Show honors. Trust us when we say that you won’t want to miss these unforgettable s from the Westminster Dog Show.
It’s hard to resist the fluffy chonk of a Newfie puppy. Some dogs have a lot of fluff, yet not much body weight. That isn’t the case with a Newfie. They are solid masses of cuteness, with cheeks so snuggly you’ll be looking for ways to work from home so you can spend more time burying your face in all that sweetness. And they may look like cubs when they’re pups, but as adults, they’ll be about the size of a bear! (Well, maybe not quite that big, but you get our drift.) According to the AKC, adult males grow to be around 150 pounds. The neighbors might think you have a real bear in the yard, but these giant dogs won’t mistake you as food. They are some of the sweetest and most docile breeds around. Here are a dozen more of the biggest (and most lovable) dog breeds in the world.
The Coton de Tulear—pronounced “coe-TAWN day TULE-ee-r”—is a happy-go-lucky, life-of-the-party pup wrapped up in a fluffy, white cotton ball. Coton is French for cotton, and Tulear is a port city in Madagasgar, where these dogs originated. According to Purina, the Coton de Tulear is the royal dog of Madagascar and is held in such high regard there that its adorable mug was put on a postage stamp. Their irresistibly soft coats and cute faces make them hard to put down. But when you do, they might stand on their hind legs to get your attention again. They love to do tricks, play inside, and snuggle. Need to come up with a name for your puppy? Start with the most popular dog names for the most popular dog breeds in America.
Where is your port of call? Wherever it is, the Portuguese Water Dog will get you there. These pups are natural-born swimmers of the elite status—we’re talking Michael Phelps kind of talent here. They have webbed paws and tails that act as rudders to glide through the water with ease; plus, they have waterproof coats. They’ll relish being active whether on land or sea, but it’s not all about the rush of an adventure for them. The AKC says that Porties are hopelessly in love with their humans and aren’t keen on being alone. Bo and Sunny are two Porties who were never alone when they lived at the White House with the Obamas. Speaking of which, can you match the U.S. president with his dog?
10 DOGS That Look Like TEDDY BEARS
Are you hunting for a snuggly, fluffy, adorable, teddy-bear-like companion to add to your home? I don’t blame you. In the world of designer dogs, many breeds have been specially bred for their friendly, outgoing nature and soft, fuzzy coats that make them the perfect snuggle companion.
If you’re not sure which teddy-bear dog breed will be the best for you, we’ve compiled a list of 15 dogs, both pure and mixed breeds, that are all cute as a button. Let’s dive in!
The Toy Poodle is often the key ingredient to many mixed-breed teddy-bear dogs, but purebreds are equally as cute and friendly. Bred from the Standard Poodle and sized down over time, these pups are just a smaller version of everyone’s favorite show dog.
They are known for being extremely intelligent, easy to train, and friendly with other dogs and people.
The Toy Poodle is the perfect choice if you are looking for a dog that does not shed. They are tiny companions, usually no bigger than 10 inches tall and weighing 6-9 pounds. So cute! Their curly hair is hypoallergenic, making them ideal for people with allergies.
The Yorkshire Terrier, commonly known as a “Yorkie,” is one of the most affectionate purebred teddy-bear dogs. They form an emotional bond with their owner that is like no other, wanting constant love and affection. You can choose specific haircuts to give them even more of the “teddy bear” look.
These tiny dogs average around 8 inches tall and ideally weigh no more than 7 pounds. Proper training and socialization as puppies are vital, and with such, they can be great family dogs. However, these pups are easy to spoil, making them prone to obesity, health issues, and separation anxiety.
One of the fluffiest dogs around, Pomeranians are a dog of royal stature and have a history of being loyal, hard-working pets. They are often more fur than other dogs, requiring regular brushing and grooming to keep their coats soft and untangled.
These adorable puffballs can be between 8-14 inches tall and weigh 4-7 pounds. Their long coats often make them appear larger than they are. Pomeranians are very easy to train and loyal to a fault. Socialization at a young age is critical to ensure these dogs don’t get wound up around strangers later in life.
These loveable pups make it into a sub-category of teddy bear dogs; polar bears! Their pure white coats are hypoallergenic and non-shedding and, with the proper haircut, definitely fit the mold for your ideal teddy bear puppy.
Show dogs often keep their coats long, but most owners find it easier to maintain a short haircut.
These little snowballs only grow to be 7-9 inches tall and 2-7 pounds. Small as they are, the Maltese is a hardy and elegant dog, full of energy and excitement. They can be stubborn, but with some positive reinforcement, these dogs are easy to train and socialize.
Keeping them correctly groomed adds to their charm, and watch out for those yucky eye boogers that can stain their pretty white coat.
The Bichon Frise is famous for its fantastic personality and is often mistaken for the Maltese since their appearance is similar.
However, the Bichon is a bit bigger, sitting at 9-11 inches tall and weighing 11-22 pounds. Their coats are also different, being wavy or curly compared to the straight hair of a Maltese.
The Bichon Frise sometimes has trouble with potty training but is otherwise a bright and obedient pup. They can suffer from separation anxiety and destructive tendencies, which can be handled with proper training and activities.
They need regular grooming to avoid matting and tangles, and brushing them daily is best. When properly cared for, these dogs are very loving and friendly, preferring to be where people are.
A bit bigger than your average teddy bear dogs, the Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier should not be underestimated. They may be less popular than other Terriers, but don’t ask me why.
The dog is the perfect household pet, being medium-sized and lightweight, great with kids, and a good guard dog.
Standing at 16-20 inches tall and weighing 30-40 pounds, their light brown low-shed coat can be trimmed to give you that charming teddy bear look or left long for a more regal appearance. They are very loyal and protective of their owners, including the children in the home.
They will alert you to any unwanted guests on the premise. Training is a breeze with these intelligent pups. They are high-energy but also love snuggling up with you on the couch.
A Chow Chow could be a great option if you’re looking for a lap dog’s charming, sweet demeanor with the robust, muscular build of a grizzly bear.
This loyal yet stubborn dog is better trained with positive reinforcement than harsh methods. Lots of socialization will help them better adjust to people and other dogs.
These compact pups weigh 45-70 pounds and stand 17-21 inches tall. Their thick coats require lots of brushing to avoid matting and should be checked often for fleas and other parasites.
They don’t do well in hot weather, and only moderate exercise is required. They are protective of their owners, but due to their size, they should be watched carefully when around young children.
A mix between a Toy Poodle and a Yorkshire Terrier, the Yorkiepoo is the best of both worlds regarding these charming breeds.
They are a reasonably new designer breed, only coming on the scene over the last decade. They combine the gentle, sweet demeanor of the Poodle with the somewhat sassy, excitable traits of the Yorkie.
Mixing the Poodle’s intellect with the Yorkie’s need to please, these dogs are generally easy to train. They are a great family dog, good with kids, and easy to transport due to their small size.
They can be anywhere from 7 to 15 inches tall and weigh 3 to 15 pounds. Like their parent breeds, they will need consistent upkeep to keep their coats healthy.
The Maltipoo is a cross between a Maltese and a Toy Poodle. Fully grown, these charming pups get to be around 10-15 inches tall and 5-10 pounds. They more commonly take on the coloring of the Poodle, but it’s not uncommon for them to end up with the white coat of the Maltese.
Both breeds are hypoallergenic, keeping shedding to a minimum. The Maltipoo takes on both parent breeds’ intellect and friendly demeanor, making it an excellent household pet.
The Cockapoo is a mix between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle, a medium-sized designer breed with an adorable face and a great personality.
They are known for being goofy, excitable dogs ready for fun and adventure. Where the Cocker Spaniel is not a hypoallergenic dog, this mix may shed a bit more than other Doodle mixes but is still on the low to moderate level.
Cockapoos with a Toy Poodle parent can be as small as 13-20 pounds, or if bred from a Standard Poodle can average 25-40 pounds. Where both parent breeds have a history as hunting dogs, a good game of fetch is a great way to burn off any excess energy.
The Pomapoo is truly the ideal teddy bear dog breed. Whether they take on the straight, fluffy coat of the Pomeranian or the soft, curly waves of the Toy Poodle, you end up with an adorable little lap lover who could fit in your purse.
Their obedient nature and love of praise make them easy to train and even easier to spoil.
Fully grown, the Pomapoo weighs around 5-14 pounds and stands 7-14 inches tall. They shed less than Pomeranians but still require frequent grooming and brushing. Loving and empathetic, this pup is a great addition to any family including those with kids and other pets.
A cross between a Pomeranian and a Yorkie, the Porkie, also known as Yorkiepom, is a bubbly, energetic little love bug. Their color varies dramatically, with over 18 possible variations recorded so far.
They stand 6-12 inches tall and weigh 3-7 pounds. Porkies are very playful, but it doesn’t take much to tire them out. Grooming every 6-8 weeks and daily brushing is necessary to maintain their long, fluffy coats.
A Shihpoo is a cross between a Shih Tzu and Toy Poodle, and though the results can be unpredictable, they are all adorable.
These sweet, petite pups make excellent travel companions and household pets. They’re good with kids and other dogs, are fairly easy to train, and require minimal exercise.
Labradoodles, one of the most famous designer breeds of teddy bear dogs, have taken the breeding community by storm over the last several years.
One of the few mixed breeds to be recognized by the AKC, they are one of the most friendly and loyal breeds we’ve ever known.
Combining the energetic and playful nature of the Labrador with the big brain and hypoallergenic coat of the Poodle, this giant teddy bear will be your best friend for many years to come.
Similar to the Labradoodle, the Goldendoodle is another medium-large-sized designer breed with a heart of gold. They exhibit all of the best traits of their parent breeds, the Golden Retriever and Standard Poodle.
Playful and energetic, these intelligent dogs have been trained over the last couple of decades as therapy dogs, rescue dogs, and more. Their low-shed coat is great for owners with allergies, and with a bit of maintenance, their coats can stay fluffy and soft.
Now that you’ve seen all the adorable teddy bear dogs that you can choose from, I hope that you have a better idea of which breed is best for you.