Which animal is the dog most similar to? Many people – without hesitation – would, of course, respond to the wolf, because it is the ancestor of modern dogs.
Yes, but among the several hundred dog breeds that live today, very different from each other, there are those that resemble … bears! Their little faces are undeniably cute, but what are the characteristics of the bear-like dogs?
The top 5 bear-like dog breeds
Here are the 5 dog breeds similar to bears! They are more adorable than the other!
Chow Chow
Thinking of dogs that look like teddy bears, the first breed that comes to mind is undoubtedly the Chow Chow.
Belonging to the group of Spitz and primitive breeds, it is an ancient breed of dog originating from Mongolia, known and appreciated for over 2000 years!
Originally the Chow was the guardian of the temples, because it was believed that he had the power to scare away evil spirits. Subsequently, this big dog was used, among other things, to hunt wolves. One of the most famous owners of Chow Chow was Sigmund Freudthe founder of psychoanalysis.
The Chow Chow is an extremely fluffy quadruped with one thick double-layered coat which makes the dog look much bigger and bigger than it actually is. It reaches a height at the withers of about 48-56 cm for males and from 46 to 51 cm for females.
A well-known characteristic of the Chow Chow is its blue-black tongue, gums and palate.
This “dog-bear” looks extremely cute, but his looks shouldn’t fool anyone. It’s a dog very independent and stubborncourageous, tenacious and characterized by a very strong hunting instinct, due to its origins.
Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan Mastiff is a molosser of the mountain type known in antiquity. Dogs corresponding to the appearance and character of the Lion of Tibet were mentioned by, among others Aristotle.
The Do-Khyl race was founded in remote and mysterious Tibet and has been used for animal guarding and herding from the very beginning. And this representative of the “bear-dogs” was considered one magical creature who constantly watches over loved ones. The Tibetan Mastiff is considered to be one of the most expensive dog breeds in the world.
This mastiff usually reaches a height at the withers of 60 to 66 cm and can weigh up to 70 kg. Its coat is long and straight, creating a feature ruff around the neck. The curled tail is very fluffy.
Although the Do-Khyi looks like a teddy bear, it is by nature a dog independent and detached who don’t like displays of affection so much. Sure, he gets attached to his loved ones and is loyal, but he’s not too outgoing!
Caucasian Shepherd Dog
The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is another representative of the molosser type of “bear-dogs”. It was bred in the area of the former Soviet Union, in the Caucasus.
It is an excellent shepherd dog, formerly also used in in the army and in the police. Currently it is mainly used as a protection and guard dog.
The quadruped reaches a height of about 64-78 cm at the withers. The breed, due to its origin, is suitable for working in difficult climatic conditions, tolerates cold very well. This dog feels best outdoors, he should be given an adequate dose of exercise and mental activity.
Properly raised as a puppy, he is calm and balanced, however he is characterized by a large dose of independence. IS territorial and suspicious towards strangers, so he needs to be properly socialized so that he doesn’t react aggressively.
While it is a very good quadruped, it is definitely not a good candidate as a first dog for inexperienced people.
Terranova
This “dog-bear” could not be missing from our list. The Newfoundland, also known as the Newie, New Earth Dog or Newfoundland Dog, is a mountain-type Molosser.
As the name of the breed already suggests, it comes from Newfoundland, a Canadian island in the Atlantic Ocean. It is probably at least 1,000 years old, although obviously the current model developed much later.
Features of the Newfoundland include a waterproof cloak it’s a membrane between the fingers.
The Newfoundland is a powerful dog reaching around 71cm in height at the withers for males and 66cm in height for females. The weight of a male specimen varies between 60 and 70 kg while that of a female varies from 45 to 55 kg.
This dog, although its appearance definitely evokes respect, is considered one of the kindest and friendliest breeds. The dog Nana from the famous novel Peter Pan is only a representative of the Newfoundland breed.
Cavapoo
This mysterious sounding name hides a quadruped, which was created by combining the breeds of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle.
The Cavapoo crossing it is not recognized by the FCI (International Cynological Federation). Its origins date back to the 90s and cavapoo’s homeland is Australia.
This designer dog is a small dog. Its dimensions range from 22 to 35 cm in height at the withers and it weighs an average of 3 to 11 kg.
But why was it included in the “bear dog” list? Because it looks a bit like a Teddy bear! Her coat is soft to the touch, wavy or curly.
The Cavapoo is a typical companion dog. It is extremely cheerful, energetic, intelligent and curious of the world around him.
This quadruped is very attached to his loved ones, which can be a problem if he is sentenced to long hours of solitude. as he may suffer from separation anxiety.
Other dog breeds that look like teddy bears
These we have just seen are just a few of the many bear-like dog breeds. Other breeds that can bring to mind cute teddy bears are for example:
Whichever breed you choose, remember one thing: they are not teddy bears and therefore mere objects, but living creatures that have specific needs and requirements!