While bears are not necessarily everyone’s go-to dream pet, a dog breed that looks like a bear will surely do the trick. You may be searching for your next pet or simply feeling curious about what’s out there.
Some doggos have a teddy bear appearance, while others are downright grizzly. Whether it’s their extra-long fur coat or fluffy ears, these 27 dog breeds certainly look like bears.
In this post, you’ll learn a little bit more about their personality traits, physical appearance, and so much more. Keep reading to figure out which breed may suit you best.
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1. Bichon Frise
This little beauty is more like a polar bear cub but a bear nonetheless. With a black nose and beady black eyes, the Bichon Frise, whether teacup or standard, is easily one of the cutest bear-like dogs you’ve ever seen.
This pup is curious, playful, and less likely to drool all over you (which is usually a good thing). You can expect lots of cuddles, a ton of playtime, and dogs that don’t shed as much as most despite their thick coats. This tiny bear is perfect for active apartment dwellers, weighing in at only around 12-18 pounds.
2. Whoodle
The Whoodle appears to be half bear, half-human. It’s their wide eyes that make them seem as though they’re always looking for treats, but which pup isn’t? The Wheaten terrier and poodle cross is an active and playful breed; their friendly nature makes them a hit with just about anyone.
You can expect a soft fluffy coat and smart little doggos. They tend to develop quite a bit of hair, adding to their bear-like faces. So, when they’re not looking for treats, they may appear to be scowling at you, but this is just their face. The Whoodle’s all-knowing appearance is just a front for their enduring affection.
3. Border Terrier
Another small breed for the collection of dogs that look like bears is the British-bred Border Terrier. Their scruffy-bearded appearance makes them look like a disheveled bear that just got out of a fight — still adorable, though.
You can expect a happy, affectionate, and plucky little guy with a rough coat. Their all-knowing eyes seem to calm younger children but may incite a war with other animals if they’re left unsupervised.
4. Bernese Mountain Dog
If you’re looking for a calm, good-natured, and strong working dog, the Bernese Mountain dog is for you. The Poodle mix could be an even better fit if you’re seriously after the hunky bear breeds.
These gentle giants usually live for around seven to ten years and are great with young kids and other animals. These big dogs are a relatively good choice for a starter pet. They are pretty protective (they can make good guard dogs) and also relatively easy to train.
This large dog does tend to drool quite a bit and shed even more than one would prefer, thanks to their long double coats — but they make up for it with their absolute cuteness.
5. Cockapoo
No, this is not a bird or a profanity. The Cockapoo is a mix of a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. You can expect a non-shedding dog with short curly and wavy hair.
They’re sweet, loving, intelligent, and quite an active breed. You could say that they’re the best of both breeds. You will need quite a bit of time and attention to give these marvels as they require lots of interaction and stimulation.
The Cockapoo’s ears create a more teddy bear appearance than a grizzly bear, and their sweet nature makes grooming just that much more manageable.
6. Maltese Shih Tzu Poodle
This fluffy poodle mix is an undiscovered designer gem; the Maltese Shih Tzu Poodle serves pure bear-face thanks to three different dog breeds and generational breeding.
You can expect a hypo-allergenic pup that loves attention, cuddles, and playtime. These small dogs can be an excellent companion. The adored look of your Maltese Shih Tzu Poodle comes down to grooming, and unfortunately, you may have to do quite a bit of it.
Overall, these dogs are adaptable and can do well in any environment. They’re as ‘talkative’ as doggos get, so you won’t be left in the dark trying to figure out precisely what your new family member may need.
7. Lhasa Apso
The Lhasa Apso is a non-sporting breed hailing from Tibet. She gives off more sloth vibes than anything else, but as with the Maltese Shih Tzu Poodle, the desired look comes down to grooming.
These teddy bear dogs are considered intelligent and confident, which makes sense considering they were royal lapdogs in ancient China. They don’t shed as much and drool even less, but their grooming takes up a standard amount of time.
The Lhasa Apso is quite adaptable to new environments and is vigilant, too; this comes in handy when you’re living in an apartment or on your own. They’re especially great companions and will mimic your level of energy.
8. Bear Coat Shar-Pei
Shar-Peis are pretty well known for their scrunched-up faces and being adorable balls of fluff. The Bear Coat Shar-Pei is a mixture between —you guessed it— a Bear Coat and a Shar-Pei. It takes its coat from the Bear Coat, but thanks to genetics, they are quite a rare and unique breed.
Their loose skin and puffy fur make them look like a tiny dog in a teddy bear costume that’s a little bit too big. Nonetheless, these adorable munchkins are intelligent, protective and will enjoy a good run outside.
9. Pekingese
The Pekingese is very much a Sloth Bear turned dog. Their broad faces rimmed with lots of fur and long ears resemble that of the Sloth Bear, and while the significant difference is in their nose, they’re pretty much just as adorable.
The Pekingese is a toy dog and was a favorite of the Chinese Imperial Court. This may be due to their sleek fur or the fact that they’re exceptionally well-behaved. Weighing in at around 14 pounds, and usually about 6-9 inches tall, if they fits, they sits — in your lap, that is.
10. Pomeranian
The Pomeranian, while exceptionally tiny, has a heart as big as a Brown Bear with the face to prove it. These tiny dogs are extremely affectionate and a whole lot furrier than a bear, though, which in turn takes away any potential to look somewhat grizzly.
They need regular grooming to maintain their sheen and their fur’s shiny, beautiful strands. Pomeranians are pretty protective and will vocalize everything. So, while they are not guarding dogs by nature, they are fantastic to have around when your doorbell isn’t working.
11. Zuchon
The Zuchon is a well-mannered, affectionate, and friendly breed — which may already be evident from its squishy teddy bear face. This bear-like dog does well with kids and other dogs. It is also known as a Bichon Frise Shih Tzu mix and takes on both of these traits really well.
While they’re usually calm and non-aggressive, they also make for really good watchdogs. All of which doesn’t bode too well for the fact that they are quite fragile little pups. They are prone to quite a few health ailments and if they’re treated fairly roughly, they may develop things like patellar luxation.
12. Shih Tzu
This Asian dog breed is best-loved for its floppy ears and adorable hairstyles. If a bear were a barbie and reborn as a dog, this is exactly what it would look like. This breed loves being outside and interacting with people.
They’re somewhat hypo-allergenic as they don’t shed much at all. Although, they do tend to take up quite a bit of time as most Shih Tzu pups need ample stimulation, lots of exercise, and a regular grooming regimen to keep them as happy and healthy as can be.
This solid breed needs a ton of space, time, and attention, so be sure to follow up on all its requirements before finding your next Shih Tzu companion.
13. Toy Poodle
The Toy Poodle needs little to no introduction in this list — it’s a poodle and it’s tiny. But, they tend to resemble bears in other ways.
The Toy Poodle temperament shows that this breed is protective over their loved ones, acknowledges themselves as a member of the pack, and will become rather passive-aggressive when someone messes with them. Despite their small size, the old adage still stands: don’t poke the bear.
14. Yorkshire Terrier
This larger-than-life breed is usually full of energy and extremely loving. You can expect your Yorkshire Terrier to reach around seven pounds in weight and around seven to eight inches long.
The size of the Yorkshire Terrier as well as its temperament makes this a great dog for apartments and small houses or older couples looking for a companion for 11-15 years.
These friendly dogs are really good with families and does even better with kids. In order to keep its bear-like fur intact, you’ll have to ensure that your baby is groomed regularly and kept on a strict regimen in order to maintain health and happiness.
15. Chow Chow
This blue-tongued baby is as bear-like as bear dogs can get. You can expect this fluffy rascal to make a home almost anywhere. This floof is dignified and relatively serious as far as dogs go.
The Chow Chow is a little protector and will do great with just about anyone, thanks to its playful nature. Another bear-like breed is the Chow Chow Husky. This dog is quite strong-willed and may struggle to be trained if you do not keep a consistent regimen.
They need tons of exercise, lots of love and strict rules in order to become the best versions of themselves.
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Amanda created and owns The Discerning Cat. A lifelong cat lover she is the proud parent of two Siberian cats, Alexei and Vladimir. She is passionate about understanding cats and different cat breeds.