Dogs are close cousins, or you may say descendants of wolves. However, some breeds of dogs exist that look like bears. Dog lovers adore dogs that look like bears.
Bears can be lovely creatures with plump and cuddly bodies and soft hairs, but you shouldn’t try to hug a bear during camping. Despite all that, most bears are difficult to tame, and as such, some people have to look for closer alternatives.
There are several breeds of dogs, and among them are those who look like actual bears in body structure, hair, look and feel. In this article, we will explore the best ten cuddliest dog breeds out there so you can narrow your options to what teddy bear dog you want.
Top 10 Breeds Of Dogs That Look Like A Bear
#1. Akita Dog Breeds
The Hachi: A Dog’s tale movie made this great breed more famous than it was. In that movie, a true-life story, by the way, an Akita pup waited for its owner for nine years at the train station. Akitas are fiercely loyal breeds. They also possess cute rounded ears.
In Japanese culture, the teddy bear-looking Akita symbolizes happiness and joy.
This was why it was limited to the nobles; back in the ages, breeding and owning Akitas were something only nobles could do. Now, it’s bred and owned everywhere across the world.
Akitas weigh 130 pounds, and when they’re standing, they measure up to 28 inches tall. They’re very independent, and as primitive dogs, they require early training and socialization.
Akitas have thick bear-like coats and are good hunting dogs. They’re ideal for vigorous exercises and as guard dogs.
#2. Samoyed
The Samoyed is yet another fascinating and cuddly teddy bear dog. Samoyeds are ancient breeds of dogs that hail from Frigid, north of Russia.
They are an intelligent breed and sociable. Like bears, Samoyeds have dense double coats that run down their bodies’ length to their tails.
The Samoyed is a majestic dog, and it serves herders for reindeers in Arctic regions. Today, they’re more domesticated and can show affection.
With their thick hairs, they look like small bears. Another fun fact is that they serve as much larger sled dogs along the arctic ice.
#3. Chow Chows
When you speak of ancient breeds of dogs, Chow Chow is the first breed that comes to mind; because they are the most ancient of all mutt species. Legend has it that they existed earlier as companions to nobles of the Tang and Han dynasties. This breed has a nice double coat.
The regular people used them to guard, farm, and hunt. Its height ranges from 17 to 20 inches at shoulder level when standing tall and measures 45 – 70 pounds of weight. They are originally bred as guard dogs.
Chow-Chows belong to the category of dignified dogs and have thick furry hairs. They have a muscular chest and are known to have distinctively clean canines.
#4. Newfoundland Dog Breeds
This mutt belongs to the breed of large dogs, and it has thick hair. Newfoundland dogs are popular among Canadian fishers. The working dogs for Canadian fishermen.
People call them nanny dogs because they can watch over children like nannies. With their huge heads and webbed feet, the Newfoundland dog is an excellent swimmer and assists fishers in hauling nets.
These guys are gentle giants. They weigh up to 150 pounds and measure as tall as 28 inches at shoulder level.
#5. The Great Pyrenees
This dog breed shares its name with the Pyrenees mountains between France and Spain. The Great Pyrenees breed can often be mistaken for a polar bear because it has the same size and fluffy white hair as polar bears. The Great Pyrenees possess a dense double coat.
Breeders primarily bred this pup to guard livestock against wolves, bears, and other predators. They are intelligent, loyal, and brave.
The Great Pyrenees have a muscular physique and white lush waterproof hair; they measure from 25 to 32 inches and weigh 100 pounds.
#6. Leonbergers
Leonbergers make excellent watchdogs and guard dogs. The people of Germany named this breed after the town of Leonberg in the state of Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
People used them as farm dogs and working dogs. With their remarkable strength, farmers used them for pulling heavy wagons.
Leonbergers weigh up to 170 pounds and are as tall as 32 inches at shoulder level. Ancient peo[le originally bred these dogs to serve as royal companions.
They have black faces, bushy tails, and muscular legs.
#7. Eurasier
This is an ancient bear-like dog whose origin is of both Europe and Asian descent hence its name. Eurasiers are intelligent breeds that love to be around families all the time.
Although it’s not by chance among the giant breeds of dogs, it is a distinctively muscular canine and makes excellent guard dogs.
It has thick fur and can come in various colors, and some can have dark face marks or light reverse marks.
Eurasiers weigh from 40 to 70 pounds and can measure up to 24 inches at shoulder level. Eurasiers are interestingly clever and make excellent pet dogs.
#8. Pomeranian
These small breeds of dogs share the name with Pomerania, which is now part of Poland and West Germany.
Pomeranians are relatively small and weigh up to three pounds with a height of 7 inches at shoulder level. It’s a very known fact that Pomeranians look much like teddy bears because they’re adorable and covered in fur.
They’re known for their energetic and active nature. Pomeranians are confident and highly curious and make great companion dogs.
This breed has shaggy coats and comes in various colors with different patterns
#9. Caucasian Shepherd
Caucasian Shepherd dog breeds like the Tibetian Mastiff are known for their massive size than other dogs and can intimidate a small bear.
This breed of bear-like dogs comes from the Kavkaz (Caucasus) mountains of East Europe. They’re fearless and protectors, used as guardians for livestock and homes.
With their intimidating sizes, these breeds of big dogs still make lovely pets. They have irregularly patterned hairs from short to long.
Caucasian Shepherd dog breeds have an astounding height of 30 inches at shoulder level and a weight of about 170 pounds, these lovely creatures have muscular physiques.
#10. Keeshond
This is one of the dogs you can easily train. Keeshonds are informally known as People’s dogs. They’re intelligent and smart.
Keeshonds are remarkable for some lines by their eyes that look like spectacles. They look more like teddy bears than dogs.
They weigh up to 45 pounds and have a height of 18 inches at shoulder level. They’re much closer to bears with their abundant coats and plump tail than you know.
Dogs That Look Like Polar Bears
Have you ever seen a pup and thought it was a polar bear? Let’s have a short review of them below;
#1. Chow-Chow
These are of Chinese origin and have a distinctive purplish tongue. It’s almost impossible to tell their difference.
They have a fluffy coat and can come in several colors, including cinnamon, red and black. Like polar bears, Chow-Chow also has a round face.
#2. Maremma Sheepdog
This breed gets its name from a region in Italy and makes an excellent herd against predators. It’s strong and courageous to fight packs of wolves from sheep. Breeders don’t recommend them as pets because they’re working mutts and, as such, constantly need work to do.
#3. American Eskimo Dog
Informally known as Eskies and formally known as German Spitz, this breed of dog has remarkable athletic agility.
For this reason, Entertainers used Eskies for circus and performances in the first half of the 20th century. With its double-coated fur, it looks just as much as a polar bear from a distance.
#4. Hokkaido dog
With its ancestry in Japan, they’re scarce to find outside the country. They’re one of the ancient Japanese dogs which people cherished for their hunting ability, courage, and strength. With early training, Hokkaido dogs are well-behaved. Without training, they’re aggressive and vile.
#5. Slovensky Cuvac
This breed has its ancestry from one of the mountains of Europe. It makes an excellent herding dog because they’re known to be fearless and move in packs—a truly fantastic breed.
Japanese Dogs Breeds That Look Like A Bear
#1. Akita
Akita is of German origin, with its body covered in hairs with rounded ears. They can be challenging to train, so early training is essential. They have thick furs, and these are similar to that of bears.
#2. Shikoku
This is an excellent hunting dog. It’s of Japanese origin and is a highly effective tracker. This breed looks so bear-like when observed from a distance.
#3. Hokkaido Inu
This is one of the most ancient Japanese breeds. It is a great hunting partner for hunters with its remarkable strength, intelligence, and activeness. They pride themselves on having a great deal of stamina. Hokkaido Inu, with its coat color and size, looks like a bear.
#4. Ryukyu Inu
This breed looks fierce and aggressive. It’s one of the rarest breeds of dogs of Japanese ancestry. They’re sporadic; some organizations do not recognize them because many doubt they exist. It has full thick fur and almost the same appearance as a bear.
Conclusion
Different breeds of dogs exist, but among them are those who steal resemblances from another closely related animal. Deciding on what breed of dog looks like a teddy bear or with a bear-like appearance to buy is your personal choice.
*photo by Wirestock – depositphotos