Are you dreaming of a teddy bear dog? In my mind, it’s fluffy, with a round face, button nose, and big loving eyes. Also, it loves cuddling. Ah, I need one.
Luckily, these sweet loving creatures already exist. And they come in all shapes and sizes. If you’re wondering about the best teddy bear dog breed, you’ve come to the right place.
Read on to find out which of the 20 teddy bear dogs will fit right in your life.
What Is a Teddy Bear Dog?
Any dog that looks like a teddy bear can fit this category. So there’s no single teddy bear breed, and that’s a good thing. You can choose from small to large dogs in all colors and still get the fluffy cute teddy you want.
A Little Bit of History
The teddy bear dog is a relatively new dog category from the early 2000s. These dogs were initially bred as therapy dogs for children with disabilities. But their small size and intelligence quickly made them famous worldwide.
Most of them are designer dogs, but we’ll look at a few purebreds, too. In the beginning, many considered the Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise mix or the Bichon Poodle mix as THE teddy bear dogs, but the list has expanded a lot since then.
Traits of the Teddy Bear Dog
Like their appearance, these dogs also have fantastic personalities. Here are the essential traits of a teddy bear looking dog:
- Loyal and friendly
- Smart and easy to train
- Affectionate
- Most get along with other animals and kids
- Hypoallergenic
Still, every dog comes with a distinct character.
Without further ado, let’s check the list of the most popular teddy bear dogs.
The Best 20 Teddy Bear Dogs You Can Choose From
Since personal preferences differ significantly, we’ve selected teddy bear dogs in all sizes and temperaments. From lap dogs to yard pals, these are the best ones you can find.
Small Dog Breeds That Look Like Teddy Bears
The first teddy bear dogs were small in size, with the ultimate goal to be service and therapy dogs. But their looks and intelligence made them famous, and they’re now among the most wanted puppies worldwide.
Shichon
Shichons are most commonly associated with the teddy bear look. They also go by the name Zuchon teddy bear dog. The breed is a hybrid between Shih Tzu and Bichon Frise. The dogs are gentle, playful, and intelligent, making them a fantastic choice for first-time pet owners.
Shichons are somewhat active, but their barking level is infrequent, so they’re suitable for an apartment, too. Also, they don’t shed, but we still recommend daily brushing to keep their fur in top shape.
Pomeranian
Pomeranians are small and fluffy, but they can be bossy, too. If not trained as puppies, they might act as if they own the place. Still, they’re easy to train and awesome companions for older kids. They can be stubborn sometimes, but hey, who isn’t?
If you truly want a teddy bear dog, you should be ready to handle daily brushing and frequent grooming. The fur needs maintenance to stay silky and luxurious.
Generally, Poms are alert, intelligent, and make good watchdogs. They’re active, but you can tire them out with indoor activities just as easily.
Bichpoo
Their name might sound awkward, but once you see the Bichpoo dog, you’ll instantly fall in love. They also go by the names Poochoon and Bichon Poodle teddy bear mix.
These dogs are brilliant and eager to please. Also, they’re quite adaptable, meaning they’re great with kids and other pets. That said, keep in mind that this mix is active and needs both outdoor and indoor activities. Plus, they’re barkers, so you should start training them as soon as you get them.
Even though they shed very little, the Bitchpoo’s soft, beautiful fur needs daily brushing and a visit to a groomer every 6–8 weeks.
Maltipoo
Affectionate and gentle, Maltipoos are a mix between the Maltese and Toy or Miniature Poodle. They’re very adaptable, brilliant, and easy to train. Such traits make this cute teddy bear dog an excellent choice for a first-time pet owner or an elderly person.
Maltipoos are hypoallergenic and great therapy dogs. They shed little but still need daily brushing and a monthly bath. To keep their curls shiny and healthy, find out more about the benefits of coconut oil for dogs.
These dogs are energetic, so they need daily walks and indoor playtime. Also, they’re barkers, making them adequate watchdogs, too.
Cavapoo
Cavapoo puppies are among the cutest dogs in the world. Their looks are all thanks to their parents — Poodle and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
Genes have a lot to do with personality, too. No wonder this teddy bear dog is so loyal, affectionate, and intelligent. Besides, they’re sensitive to their owner’s mood, making them awesome therapy dogs.
They have quite a lot of energy, so they need regular daily walks and indoor playtime. As for grooming, many consider Cavapoos hypoallergenic, but their soft and curly fur still needs daily brushing to stay shiny.
Cockapoo
A Cockapoo is another dog that looks like a teddy bear. It’s a mix between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. These are happy and lovable pooches that get along well with all kinds of families and pets, including cats.
The Cockapoo energy level is moderate. Sometimes they act just like bears in winter — they can sit for hours on the couch. But at other times, they’ll love to run and play fetch. We recommend managing that energy with at least a 15 minutes daily walk outside.
Mini bear dogs like the Cockapoo don’t shed much, but they still need frequent brushing to prevent their fur matting. Also, it’s a good idea to visit a professional groomer once every three months.
Coton de Tulear
Here’s a teddy bear-like dog with a unique name. Known as “the royal dog of Madagascar”, Coton de Tulear is cuddly, playful, and intelligent, so you can rest assured you’ll never get bored around it. These dogs love to please their owners and engage with them whenever possible.
They’re among the best companion dogs, so don’t be surprised if they constantly follow you around. Also, these cotton balls are fairly active, requiring daily slow walks in the park or around the neighborhood. As for their snowy fur, if you’re not up to regular short puppy clips, we highly recommend daily brushing.
Teddy Bear Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus were bred as companions and family dogs, so they’re friendly, trustworthy, and tolerant pets. Also, they were once considered holy animals. These lapdogs are very playful and would love to be around you at all times.
Shih Tzus still need daily walks to stay healthy, but they can be fine with indoor activities. If you prefer to leave their coat long, you’ll have to brush it daily. Otherwise, you can brush them three times per week. Don’t forget to also take care of the teeth with dental chews for dogs.
Toy Poodle
Poodles are among the smartest dogs in the world. When you add their gorgeous and elegant look, you get a fluffy, brilliant dog that looks like a dreamy teddy bear Poodle.
Toy Poodles are also watchdogs. They bark when they sense or notice anything out of the ordinary. Even though these dogs are active, they need no more than an hour of physical and mental stimulation. If you want to keep their teddy bear look, you’ll have to commit to daily brushing and frequent grooming sessions.
Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is the breed parent of many dogs on this list. The AKC classifies it as the world’s greatest personality dog.
The teddy bear Bichons Frise is an easy-to-train dog that would love to please its owners. Their cotton fur needs daily brushing to keep it from matting, but it sheds little.
These puppies are always happy and in the mood for play, so they need outdoor and indoor activities. As they’re moderately active, a run in the park or walk around the neighborhood would be enough.
Medium Size Teddy Bear Dogs
If you’re looking for a larger dog with a cute teddy bear look, here are the best breeds to consider.
Shiba Inu
Shiba Inu is among the six authentic Japanese dogs that enjoy immense popularity worldwide. They’re alert, very active, and make loyal hiking buddies. The Shiba Inu is also famous for its appearance like a smiling teddy bear dog.
Unlike the breeds above, Shiba Inus are independent, making them somewhat hard to train. So they’re not a good fit for a first-time owner. They also need minimal grooming and tend to shed much twice a year.
Chow Chow
The lovely Chow Chow from China is a medium-sized teddy bear-faced dog. Like the Shiba Inu, Chow Chows are independent and with cat-like characteristics, so if you’re looking for a cuddler, this might not be the breed for you.
They’re very loyal pals. Due to their stubbornness, they’re not very easy to train. Still, with consistency and positive reinforcement, they learn to be obedient.
Their coat needs brushing three times per week. Also, they’re heavy seasonal shedders, so if you’re not ready to handle all that, consider another breed.
Samoyed
If you want a white teddy bear dog, the Samoyed is a top choice. They’re friendly, easy to look after, and will need your attention as much as possible. Bred as hunters, Samoyeds need early training to become obedient dogs.
These active and brilliant dogs need physical activities up to an hour per day. Also, you should stimulate them mentally to keep them busy. When bored, Samoyeds can start to bark or howl loudly.
Their snowy shine coat needs frequent rigorous grooming. In winter, their fur is dense, and they’re also heavy seasonal shedders.
Eurasier
These family dogs are even-tempered and brilliant. Despite so much fur, it’s surprisingly easy to groom this adult teddy bear dog. But be prepared for the shedding.
Temper-wise, they’re obedient and eager to please. Plus, the Eurasier is a fast learner. They’re moderately energetic, so they won’t need much activity. They’ll enjoy being part of your everyday activities the most, as they don’t like being left alone.
Eurasiers are family-oriented and loyal dogs that are great with children and other pets.
Miniature Golden Retriever
A mix between a Golden Retriever and a Poodle or Cocker Spaniel, these dogs are cute puppies that look like stuffed animals. They’re calm and tolerant pets that love to please their owners. Miniature Retrievers make awesome pets for first-time owners and families with children.
Since their parent breeds are among the most brilliant, they’re super smart, too. Overall, they’re easy to train and look after. But Miniature Retrievers are also high maintenance dogs that need daily brushing and regular grooming.
Large Teddy Bear Dogs
Not all of us are into a teacup teddy bear dog, and many prefer large dog breeds instead. But before checking the ones that are most teddy bear-like in appearance, you should know that feeding a big dog requires extra attention. A bad diet might result in health issues, so it’s essential to pick the best food for your puppy.
Newfoundland Dog
If you want a dog that can babysit your children, this one is the best fit. Newfoundland dogs love kids and are very protective of them. They’re quick learners. So, despite their size, you’ll have no trouble training a fluffy bear dog like this.
Newfoundland dogs are high-maintenance dogs. Due to their long hair, they get themselves muddy all the time. So aside from brushing, you’ll also have to bathe them regularly.
Bouvier des Flandres
Bred to work on farms, representatives of the breed are excellent service dogs. That said, their playful side, intelligence, and loving character also make them awesome family pets.
While you can keep Bouviers outdoors, they’ll prefer to stay with you inside. They’re not high in energy, so daily walks around the neighborhood are enough to keep them in shape.
Bouviers don’t shed much, but their coats still need daily brushing, and such teddy bear dog grooming isn’t for everyone. Also, they love playing in the mud, so frequent baths are a must.
Bernese Mountain Dog
Despite its giant size, the Bernese is the biggest sweetheart. They’re calm, easy to train, and affectionate pets. Bernese dogs make awesome companions that will fit into any family. That said, they’re heavy shedders and need frequent and diligent grooming to have silky and gorgeous fur.
As they were bred to be working dogs, they have quite a lot of energy. Set aside at least 30 minutes for daily playtime. Many advise not to keep them in an apartment and say they’re better for families with backyards.
Old English Sheepdog
It’s a giant fluff ball! Nope, it’s an Old English Sheepdog.
They’re easygoing, protective, and intelligent giants that, oddly enough, don’t shed as much as you’d think. Also, if exercised properly, they can fit in an apartment as they are highly adaptable.
To keep that fluffy bear dog coat in shape, you should brush it three times per week and visit the groomer monthly. Activity-wise, the Old English Sheepdog needs an hour or two of daily physical and mental activities.
St. Bernard
When we talk about a big teddy bear dog, we can’t skip Beethoven St. Bernard. These giant, real-size bear dogs are affectionate, gentle, and friendly.
They can be very quiet indoors, but they still need walks in the park and enough time to run in the yard. Despite their size, St. Bernards can fit in an apartment, but they’ll need daily activities outside.
The most significant disadvantage of these giants is that they drool and shed a lot. But if you’re ready to handle that kind of a mess, get yourself this giant and kind teddy bear.
How Much Does A Teddy Bear Dog Cost?
The teddy bear dog cost depends a lot on the breed. On average, it can be anywhere from $450 to $1,500. But if you choose a popular breed and a reputable breeder, it can go even higher.
Since most of these dogs are a mix, you should pay special attention to the teddy bear dog breeders. The more reputable they are, the more likely you’ll get a healthy dog.
Conclusion
So how do you choose the right teddy bear breed for you? Before you decide, consider the following:
- Level of maintenance
- Yours and the dog’s activity level
- How long can you leave the dog at home
- How good is the dog with kids, if you have any
No matter your preferences, you can find an awesome teddy bear dog in the list above. Whatever you choose, keep in mind that you’ll have to keep that haircut in good shape.
