18 Adorable Teddy Bear-Looking Dogs
When you were a kid, how often did you wish your teddy bear could really come to life and hug you right back? How amazing would that have been? Whilst that's not 100% possible outside your imagination, adopting a teddy bear-looking dog is the next best thing.
In this blog, we're going to list our favorite, adorable grizzly pups so you can decide which teddy bear would be best for your family.
What is a teddy bear dog breed?
The first thing to realize is that there isn't just one breed that's a teddy bear dog. In fact, we're going to list 18 breeds that really could pass for adorable stuffed toys.
But there are a couple of things these bear and teddy bear dogs have in common. Most of them have adorable fluffy (often curly) coats, big eyes, and a cute button nose. It's also worth mentioning that how a dog is groomed can contribute a lot to whether they look like a teddy bear or not.
So, whether you're after a baby cub, a big grizzly, or even a polar bear – one of these teddy bear dog breeds will be perfect for you!
18 beautiful teddy bear dogs
Bichon Frise
Bichon Frise dogs are the perfect little polar bear cubs. Adorable, round black eyes, a perfectly groomed face, and a leathery nose all add to their teddy-bear look.
They are smart, silly, and loving dogs. They adore spending time with their families, playing games, and learning new tricks. They get along well with other dogs and enjoy the company of kids – especially if they're willing to play!
These dogs are adaptable and can live in apartments or houses. A good walk a day or run around the dog park will keep them entertained, just as long as they have enough time to play too!
Pomeranian
Pomeranians are the ultimate little teddy bear dogs. Their tiny little ears, adorably bright eyes, and happy-go-lucky attitude make them wonderful grizzly pets too.
These little dogs (they grow to be 7 inches) have big dog personalities. They're confident, aloof around people they don't know, and can be pretty independent – which makes them good little guard dogs. That being said, they're incredibly lovey-dovey with their special humans!
Teddy bear Pomeranians are intelligent dogs and are relatively easy to train. They like lots of short training sessions to keep them entertained and it's a good way to exercise their little legs. That, plus a short walk is enough for these teddy bears.
Cockapoo
A Cockapoo is a mix between a Cocker Spaniel and a miniature Poodle. Actually, mixed Poodle breeds often look like teddy bears because of their adorable curly coats. You can expect to find a couple more Poodle mixes on this list…
These pups are a popular family choice because of their happy temperaments, intelligence, and sweet nature. They also get on really well with children and are very patient with them.
Because of both parent breeds, Cockapoos are very active pups and need a good amount of exercise each day. Think of long walks in the woods, time in the park, and plenty of games of fetch.
Cockapoos can come in a number of different colors depending on the color of their parents. The brown tones definitely look the most like teddy bears, though!
Shih Tzu
A Shih Tzu is definitely a royal dog, especially when their coats are left to grow long. But, if you're wanting a teddy bear, a Shih Tzu with a puppy trim is perfect. It's also much easier to care for their coat!
Shih Tzus have a really sweet nature and make wonderful family pets for those who want to cuddle! Having spent most of their lives living in royal palaces, Shih Tzus are more than happy to spend a day hopping from lap to lap whilst you watch the TV.
They will, however, benefit from a daily walk and time to socialize with other people and pets. These dogs can also be many different colors – gold is an especially teddy bear-like color!
Maltese
The Maltese is another dog breed that can have long, luxurious hair like the Shih Tzu. However, as is the case with the Shih Tzu, when cut, they look a lot like polar bear cubs (with a slightly curlier coat and smaller paws)!
This ancient breed looks more suited to palaces but Maltese are actually athletic and agile little dogs that make good guard dogs. They're charming yet also confident, which many pup parents love.
This teddy bear-looking dog is also fairly adaptable. They need regular training and respond well to positive reinforcement.
Malshi
Of course, if you mix 2 teddy bear dog breeds together, you'll get a very teddy bear-looking pup. This is the case for this Shih Tzu and Maltese mix!
The appearance and temperament of your Malshi can differ somewhat depending on whether they take more after a Shih Tzu or a Maltese. It's possible that a Malshi puppy may be a little timid, so plenty of socialization with new people, sounds, and experiences is a must.
These pooches are charming little dogs that are very smart and curious. They'll enjoy games and regular training sessions to stop them from barking too much!
Lhasa Apso
There's a bit of a theme here of teddy bear dogs being primarily bred to guard. And the Lhasa Apso is no different! These little dogs were originally bred to guard monasteries in Tibet and they can still be a little aloof with strangers.
With their families, however, these adorable pups are very caring and a bit silly! As is the case with most teddy bear dogs, how a Lhasa Apso is groomed can contribute a lot to how much they look like a bear. Pups with shorter coats look much more bear-like.
Despite their size, this breed is not made to be a lap dog. They'll be happy going for a walk or entertaining themselves in a fenced-in yard.
Morkie
Morkies are really adorable little dogs. Just look at that face! This breed is a cross between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Maltese.
These pooches are very sociable little dogs and enjoy playing with both humans and other dogs. Although they'll enjoy a trip to the park or a walk with their owner, Morkies don't need a huge amount of exercise and make a good option for senior owners or those who don't like to go out as much.
Although they may not growl like a bear, Morkies can be barkers. So make sure you train this behavior out of them from a young age.
Mini Goldendoodle
Mini Goldendoodles are one of the most teddy bear-looking dogs out there. They're also a great choice of family pet! Combining the best parts of both parent breeds, a Mini Goldendoodle has the fun personality of a Golden Retriever and the hypoallergenic coat of a Miniature Poodle.
These dogs love being with their families and going on adventures. They need a good amount of exercise and will benefit from long walks, playing with friends, and lots of positive training.
This cuddly teddy bear can be in many different colors including gold, brown, gray, and black.
Shih-Poo
This is another mixed breed and has two teddy bear parents – the Shih Tzu and Toy Poodle. These pups are quite active and will love to play with you in the yard. They have lots of energy and need a good run around to stay happy. The rest of the time they'll enjoy being curled up at your feet or snuggling on the couch.
They're intelligent and will love learning new tricks and pleasing you. They might be sensitive, so lots of positive reinforcement is crucial with these dogs. They get on well with children but care should be taken when introducing them. Shih-Poos can sometimes be a bit boisterous which might be too much for some small kids.
Cavapoo
The Cavapoo is an adorable mix between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle. These active, cute, little dogs are very sociable and are perfect family pups for those wanting a teddy bear-looking dog.
Cavapoos are also very intelligent and are easy to train – although lots of rewards and positive reinforcement are necessary. They need regular physical and mental exercise to make sure they're happy and healthy.
These doggos can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long, so they're not a good choice if you leave home often.
Pekingese
These sophisticated dogs originated in China and are another classy bear pup. Like others on this list, they can have a specific teddy bear cut, rather than keeping their coat very long.
Like bears, these dogs come in an array of red/brown colors. They can go from a light golden brown to a deeper brown. Pekingese make great family pets and are very sweet-natured. They do tend to attach themselves to one person more than others but usually get on well with all the ones they love. They can be aloof around strangers, though.
Pekingese can also be a bit stubborn. Training isn't the easiest with these little pups and potty training can take longer than usual.
Cairnoodle
This may well be the teddy bear dog breed with the best name! The Cairnoodle is the beautiful mix of a Cairn Terrier and a Poodle. These are happy little dogs that are inquisitive about their surroundings and like to learn new things.
These dogs can have an independent nature and don't need constant human attention, although they do love to be petted too! Cairnoodles need early socialization so that they grow up to be well-rounded dogs. They make good pets for active families that love to cuddle and don't mind a pup that can sometimes be aloof.
Toy Poodle
This is the parent breed of many of the mixed breeds on this list of teddy bear-looking dogs. These adorable little pups are teddy bears in their own right too!
Poodles are considered to be one of the most intelligent dog breeds. They excel in dog classes and specific training such as agility and obedience. Although Toy Poodles were first bred to be cute lap dogs for royalty, they're still energetic and need lots of fun play sessions and exercise. They also need to be kept mentally stimulated so they don't get bored.
A reason these wonderful dogs are often bred to create mixed breeds is for their hypoallergenic coats. Poodles barely shed and so are a good choice for any owner who suffers from allergies.
Chow Chow
Chow Chows are the ultimate medium-sized teddy bear dogs. They're just so cuddly! In actual fact, however, Chows are not the most cuddly pups there are – they're known to be dignified and a little independent.
These fluffy dogs are aloof around strangers and don't always get on with other dogs, so lots of early socialization is needed if they're not to become too withdrawn. They do, however, make great guard dogs! Chow Chows are easy to house break but need regular training (and they may not always be that willing) so they're best suited to more experienced dog lovers.
Although medium-sized, these pooches don't have particular exercise needs and a good walk will be enough for them. They adapt well to living in a city too.
Shiba Inu
The Shiba Inu is an ancient Japanese breed that has a totally unique personality. They're silly, affectionate, and sweet-natured. These feisty pups are also known for being independent and stubborn – so training isn't always the easiest. These doggos like to work to their own schedule.
According to many pet parents, early socialization is really important for these pups. They can be quite vocal and tend to have a high prey drive that needs to be managed from a young age.
These teddy dogs can have red, cream, red sesame, black and tan coats and they shed a lot. They have a double coat so need regular brushing to keep most of it under control.
Akita Inu
Are you looking for a big, grizzly bear as a pet? Then an Akita Inu is the ideal breed. These muscular dogs are sworn protectors and are incredibly loyal to their families. Akitas are very alert pups and can be very vocal – so they're not a good choice for those that live in apartments.
Although proud, this breed can also be very silly and playful with its owners. They don't, however, get on well with other animals and dogs. They can be quite standoffish and like to let others know that they're in charge. They need a confident owner who can manage their sometimes difficult temperament.
Akitas are generally very clean dogs and tend not to have a typical doggy smell. Their thick, double coats will need occasional brushing and you can expect more shedding twice per year when the seasons change.
Schnoodle
This is another great Poodle mixed breed that looks a little like a favorite cuddly toy! As well as a Poodle, these little pups also have a Miniature Schnauzer as a parent breed – so, as you can imagine they're wonderful dogs!
Depending on whether a Standard, Miniature, or Toy Poodle is used, these doggos can grow to be between 12 and 24 inches tall. The texture of their coat may be curly or wavy and it will need a good amount of grooming to keep it looking neat.
These pooches love to be the heart of any family and enjoy time playing with their favorite humans. They're loyal dogs that are affectionate and very social.
FAQs
How much do teddy bear-looking dogs cost?
This really depends on which of these adorable bear dogs you go for. You can expect to pay anywhere between $500 and $4000! Of course, you can also check in your local shelter as these beautiful dogs may end up there and you'll pay a lot less!
Are these dogs hypoallergenic?
Many of the dogs on this list can be considered hypoallergenic. Most of the Poodle mixed breeds shed much less than their purebred parents. If you suffer from allergies, stay away from the likes of the Shiba Inu!
Do teddy bear puppies bark a lot?
Again, this really depends on which teddy bear-looking dog you go for. Some breeds bark more than others. Good amounts of training and plenty of socialization from a young age can help to reduce the likelihood of your pup barking constantly. It's better to reward your dog when they don't bark and use positive reinforcement techniques.
Conclusion: which teddy bear dog is for you?
Any of these amazing bear dogs would be a great addition to the right family. Some need more exercise than others, some are hypoallergenic, and some make the perfect apartment companion.
A few of the breeds on this list need to be groomed to look even more like a teddy bear – so don't be surprised if you get a dog with a long flowing coat that doesn't look anything like a bear!
Which of these adorable breeds is your favorite? Which others would you add to the list?
I’m Charlotte, a content and copywriter from the North of England and currently living in Berlin. Animals have always been a huge part of my life, so writing about dogs is a total pleasure! I love all kinds of dogs and their cheeky personalities, but I’d have to say Weimaraners are my favourite!
