You’ll often catch a dog hugging a stuffed animal because it makes them feel safe and calm. Just like your kid might be attached to their blanket, companion dogs love stuffed toys in stressful situations like separation or loud noises.
Besides the comfort and love these fluffy dogs get from toys, it’s also about their stimulated hunting and carrying instincts. A plush toy mimics a prey in size and texture, so chewing and cuddling it helps dogs safely act out ancestral hunting behaviors. And sometimes they simply do it out of boredom or parental instincts.
But whatever the reason, seeing your living plush toy, i.e., the dog, loving another stuffed toy always amazes pet owners.
Today, we’ll look at dog breeds that have so much love in them that they hug their fluffy friend!
Dog Breeds That Hug Stuffed Toys Like Real Friends
1. Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a little bundle of love who lives for cuddles, soft laps, and staying close to your heart. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is one of the most popular dog breeds because of its royal history and affectionate nature.
The Cavalier we see today was bred in the 1900s from the English Spaniel (which originated in the 1600s from a mix of small Spaniels with toy breeds), according to Britannica.
These dogs had a toy-like appearance, and their job was to sit close, stay sweet, and shower humans with affection. Because of these little dogs’ loving and loyal nature, you’ll often see a Cavalier carrying their favorite stuffed toy around the house.
They might sleep with the toy tucked under their chin or gently mouthing it without tearing it apart. Since these incredibly affectionate dogs love comfort and closeness, a toy becomes their source of comfort when their favorite person isn’t around.
2. Newfoundland
The Newfoundland breed has dogs that look like classic teddy bears, and are also called ‘nannies’ because of their love for children. These water dogs were originally working in Canada with the fishermen, where they pulled nets and rescued people from the water.
They have always been strong and attentive towards humans. Today, these nannies are called ideal therapy dogs because of their gentle personality and fluffy coat that you’ll love to bury your head in, according to Purina.
These dogs are affectionate from a young age, and if they find a plush toy, it quickly becomes ‘theirs’. The Newfie will likely carry it around and hold it gently (it won’t chew it) and keep it close during nap time.
3. Golden Retriever
Golden Retrievers are sunshine in dog form; gentle, loyal, and always ready with a wagging tail and a heart full of love. According to Pawlicy Advisor, Golden Retrievers were first bred in Scotland in the 1800s to fetch game birds for hunters. These dogs were expected to bring them back without damaging them, and that’s where their famous soft mouth comes from.
These gentle dogs carry the same fetching nature and hug stuffed toys without tearing them apart. These pups hold toys gently, and their expressive eyes show so much love for the toys; it’s cuteness overload for real.
Goldens love having something in their mouth because it gives them purpose. So when these great companions find a stuffed toy, they hug it tight and love showing it off to other pets and kids. Notably, these dogs love water, so don’t be surprised if they take the plushie along for a dip.
4. Pug
Pugs are charming little clowns with big hearts, squishy faces, and a knack for making every moment feel a bit more joyful. They were bred to be lap dogs over 2,000 years ago in Imperial China, as per the AKC. These charmers lounged beside emperors and soaked up palace praise; you sense that past from their gentle demeanor and an unbothered attitude.
These small dogs were later brought to the European region, where they became a must-have for Victorian ladies and Dutch royalty.
Since Pugs’ entire resume is ‘professional companions,’ clinging onto comfort objects is baked into the breed. These velcro dogs crave closeness and hate feeling left out. That’s why a stuffed toy that smells like home gives these pups instant security when the humans are busy.
Pugs are playful goofs who read the roof fast and dish out affection even faster, so no day feels dull with them around. If this dog gets proper training, it’s ideal for apartment living because of its friendly nature.
5. Pomeranian
Today’s Pom is a pocket-sized descendant of Arctic sledge dogs that were once sturdy workers. The breed was later miniaturized in the Pomerania region and gained immense fame when Queen Victoria showed up with this dog on her arm.
Pomeranians are the cutest small white dogs whose round eyes, plush coats, and expressive faces can melt anyone.
This dog’s gig has always been to be a tiny companion with a giant personality. Talking about hugging stuffed toys, Poms are natural collectors and stash prized objects for comfort. This breed’s alert and curious mind also leans into that instinct, and they keep soft toys close.
Also, this dog’s size makes a toy feel like a littermate. At around 3-7 pounds, this pup can wrap its tiny paws around a plushie and get a perfect body-sized cuddle. Who doesn’t want that?
6. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are tiny royals wrapped in fur; sweet, affectionate, and happiest when they’re curled up beside you, soaking in all the love. They are one of the teddy bear dog breeds, and have a cuddly look. These lap dogs’ history goes back at least 1,000 years, and they have been beloved dogs in East Asia for a long time.
This dog is believed to have been bred in Tibetan monasteries and was later gifted to Chinese royalty, where it was spoiled rotten. That centuries-old companion gene drives their modern crush on stuffed toys.
Shih Tzus are the typical velcro dogs. They are the happiest when something soft and ideally scented, like their favorite human, is within their reach. So when you’re away, a plush toy fills this breed’s loneliness and gets endless cuddles that you could have gotten if you didn’t have to do that sad 9-5.
7. Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise has been earning endless love and cuddles for centuries. Although it started off as a sailor’s dog on Mediterranean ships, it made its way to royal courts in Spain and France (talk about career growth).
It also did some gigs as a circus dog (life was tough), so it can be properly trained to follow your way. A Bichon Frise can easily get attached to stuffed toys because it has separation anxiety when you go to work or leave it alone for long periods.
When this dog is alone, a plush toy feels like home and helps them calm down. Also, these dogs make excellent companions for apartment dwellers because you can train them to be on their own (happily) when you’re away.
Personality-wise, Bichons are sweet, fun, and full of energy. They don’t like being alone for too long and make friends to keep them company.
Conclusion
Dogs have been human companions for centuries, so when a pet dog is left alone, it craves company. It seeks the familiar comfort that you provide it, and that’s how it lands on stuffed toys you might have around the house.
Since these plush things hold scents, dogs relate them to you and hug them just like real friends. Some situations can be an exception, but these dogs don’t damage the softies either. They treat them as real friends and love them to feel comfortable.
