16 Dogs That Look Like Bears And Why They're So Cuddly
Dogs that look like bears tend to have thick coats and bulky builds. They can look like cuddly teddy bears or woolly, wild bears. Many of these dogs are notably large, although several smaller breeds also share the bear-like appearance. They range in personality types, coloring, markings, and activity levels.
Here are 16 dogs that look like bears.
01 of 16
Chow Chow
The chow chow is a breed hailing from ancient China. A thick mane (or ruff) makes these dogs appear particularly cute and cuddly (and bear-like), and they are also muscular and deep-chested with an overall furry coat. These dignified dogs can be both serious and aloof and are known to be particularly clean canines.
Breed Overview
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02 of 16
Akita
Often referred to as a "silent hunter," the Akita is a quiet yet temperamental dog that can often be difficult to train. They are the largest Japanese spitz breed and have a subtle bear-like quality with their thick coat and rounded ears. As a high-energy breed that also tends to be fiercely loyal, Akitas have long served as guard and hunting dogs and require vigorous daily exercise.
Breed Overview
03 of 16
Great Pyrenees
Named for the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain, the Great Pyrenees can be mistaken for a polar bear at first glance due to their lush white coat and huge build. Bred as herding dogs, their job was to defend flocks from predators, such as wolves and actual bears. These dogs are gentle giants and make for intelligent, family-friendly pets that serve as loyal and protective guardians.
Breed Overview
04 of 16
Samoyed
The Samoyed is a spitz breed that originated in the Siberian area of Russia. Strong and intelligent, these dogs were bred to pull sleds on polar expeditions. Today, they make affectionate and playful family pets that look a bit like small polar bears with their thick, fluffy white coats and equally fluffy tails.
Breed Overview
05 of 16
Newfoundland
Newfoundlands get their distinct bear-like appearance from their huge heads, relatively short snout, and thick fur. They are very large dogs, but they are also gentle, patient, and trainable. Bred as working dogs for Canadian fishermen, Newfoundlands are often referred to as “nanny dogs” because of the way they watch over and protect children.
Breed Overview
06 of 16
Keeshond
Affectionately dubbed the “people’s dog,” the Keeshond became the symbol of the Dutch Patriots Party in the 18th century as they fulfilled the role of both guard and companion on early Dutch vessels. The Keeshond resembles a teddy bear, with an extremely furry face and small, upright, slightly rounded ears. They're known to be an energetic, intelligent breed that's personable and easy to train.
Breed Overview
07 of 16
Caucasian Shepherd
Named after the Kavkaz (Caucasus) mountains of Eastern Europe, the Caucasian shepherd's massive size almost rivals that of a small bear. Their thick coats and muscular build give these dogs a bear-like look. These fearless dogs were tasked as guardians of herds and homes in harsh conditions, and they remain loyal protectors today. While they're large and strong dogs, they're also loving and affectionate toward their families.
Breed Overview
08 of 16
Leonberger
Hailing from Germany, Leonbergers were originally bred as majestic companions fit for royalty. Given their impressive size and strength, Leonbergers were famously adept at pulling carts. But despite their huge stature and thick fur that gives them a bear-like appearance, these dogs are gentle and serene by nature. Still, they do make excellent watchdogs.
Breed Overview
09 of 16
Eurasier
A dog that's considered to be of both European and Asian descent (hence their name), the Eurasier is a confident and well-balanced dog that loves nothing more than being around their families. Although this dog is not the largest of the bear-like breeds, the Eurasier is yet another muscular canine with thick fur, especially around the head. They can make an excellent guard dog.
Breed Overview
10 of 16
Tibetan Mastiff
The Tibetan mastiff is a very large dog that resembles a bear through their size, head shape, and long, flowing coat. They served as guardians of estates in the Himalayas for thousands of years, and they still serve as guardians over their families today.
Breed Overview
11 of 16
Bouvier des Flandres
The Bouvier des Flandres resembles a bear with their wiry fur, bearded face, and overall fluffy appearance. In fact, their bearded appearance is their most recognizable feature, and they even have a nickname because of it, which means "dirty beard."
Breed Overview
12 of 16
Bernese Mountain Dog
The Bernese mountain dog, or berner, is another large, fluffy breed that could be mistaken for a bear due to their sheer size and long coat. They are a working breed originally from Switzerland and can make loving companions for adults and children alike.
Breed Overview
13 of 16
Karelian Bear Dog
The Karelian bear dog got their name not actually from their resemblance to bears but from their job of keeping bears away from human-inhabited areas of state parks. However, their thick, dense coat is a little bear-like. They are not a breed that shows up often as a pet in American households
Breed Overview
14 of 16
Alaskan Malamute
While many people often think of Alaskan malamutes as resembling wolves, their small pointy ears, large size, and extra fluffy coat can also be described as bear-like. They even participated in polar bear hunts in their native Alaska.
Breed Overview
15 of 16
Pomeranian
While they don't quite resemble actual bears, Pomeranians are pint-size pooches that have a definite teddy bear-like quality thanks to their rounded ears and puffy fur. They are confident, curious dogs and consistently one of the most popular toy breeds, even though their ancestors were bred from much larger sled dogs.
Breed Overview
16 of 16
Maremma Sheepdog
The Maremma sheepdog is an Italian breed that has been used to guard sheep against wolves. With their white coat and dark eyes and nose, these large and muscular dogs resemble polar bears. They’re also independent and protective of their home and family.
