Foxes are beautiful wild animals we can’t help but find captivating. Often portrayed as cunning and sarcastic characters in animations, Foxes have a reputation for being smart. While they’re sometimes kept as pets, some of us would rather stick to the more common pets from the Canidae family: dogs.
Luckily, the dog world has so much variety when it comes to appearance and traits, it’s impossible to get bored. Since they’re distant relatives, you’ll find many dogs that look like foxes.
In this guide, we’ll review nine such amazing dog breeds that steal the spotlight with their fox-like looks.
Dog Breeds That Look Like Foxes
1. Icelandic Sheepdog
Icelandic Sheepdog is a lesser-known, fox-like breed, originally brought to Iceland by Vikings (as some experts believe). According to the American Kennel Club, they’re Iceland’s only native breed. These medium dogs are from the herding family and have an alert and energetic air about them.
These spitz-type dogs have a gorgeous, dense coat, curled-up tail, pointed ears, and a fox-like face that always carries a friendly expression. They might look like they belong in the wild, but they are very gentle and devoted as family dogs.
They’re charming with children and other dogs and even the well-behaved cats in the home. Train them to socialize early, and you’ll have a delightful and sweet pet for life.
2. Pembroke Welsh Corgi
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are adorable small dogs with low-slung bodies, pointy ears, and gorgeous red fur. This dog breed looks like a fox in a miniature body. These clever dogs look small, but they are known to be amazing at herding sheep and other livestock.
One of the most popular dog breeds, Corgis even have a Welsh myth about them. AKC mentions that according to the Welsh myth, Pembrokes were used by the faeries and elves to pull their coaches and herd fairy cattle. Magical, right?
Their sweet nature and beautiful fox-like look have even captivated royalty. Queen Elizabeth II was one of the famous owners of a Corgi (named Susan) that was her birthday gift from King George.
3. Shiba Inu
Shiba Inu is a Spitz breed from Japan known for an appearance that gets them mistaken for foxes. Shiba dogs make affectionate and loyal companions to their favorite humans. Strangers? No thanks!
Their intelligent nature is a huge responsibility to their pet parents; mental stimulation is a must to keep them happy. This spitz breed loves its daily walks and exercise; they won’t give you a tough time if you skip a day, though.
Shibas are healthy and sturdy dogs with a thick double coat and bushy tails that make them look very hug-worthy. Their small but erect ears add to their clever and alert facial expression.
4. Korean Jindo
Kind of rare compared to other spitz breeds, Korean Jindo hail from… well, you guessed it; “South Korea”. To be more precise, from the Jindo islands. They look a bit distinct from other spitz dogs with their pointed muzzle and triangular ears.
Korean Jindo dogs are medium-sized canines with a resemblance to foxes, especially when they have red fawn coats. Their other common coat colours are white, black, and tan.
Can these canines make good pets? Absolutely! If you want a devoted pup with an independent and protective nature, go for the Jindo. They’re smart and energetic dogs; physical activity and interaction help them thrive.
They will need early socialization training to be able to put up with other dogs. If not properly trained, they might get into barking competitions and aggressive encounters with other canines, especially those of the same sex.
5. Schipperke
Schipperkes are Belgian dogs that resemble foxes with their pointy muzzle and upright ears. They have a coarse but thick, straight coat that comes in a variety of colours, like black, wheaten, white, and cream.
One of the smallest members of the AKC, Schipperkes stand no taller than 10-13 inches, with a weight ranging between 10-16 pounds. These pocket-sized foxy dogs are faithful pets but come with an independent nature.
Schipperke is the Flemish for “little captain”, which fits well considering this breed’s history as working dogs on boats. They’re still boat-friendly and can make good companions if you want to take them fishing.
6. Japanese Spitz
Japanese Spitz look like snowy angels with the faces of foxes. This breed is easy to spot with its fluffy, dense white coat and a smiley face that makes your heart melt. They were originally bred in Japan through the crossbreeding of spitz dogs.
With an appearance that stands out among all the dogs with a fox-like appearance, Japanese spitz make gentle and friendly family pets. They’re calm and sweet dogs that adjust well to the apartment lifestyle. If you have other pets at home, they will get along just fine with them.
These Japanese dogs are heavy shedders and have a non-hypoallergenic coat, making them not so suitable for allergic people.
7. Pomeranian
With their comical and alert-looking faces, Pomeranians have more than just their fox-like looks that help them catch our attention. Their small, perky ears look too adorable above their inquisitive, dark eyes, as per Britannica.
With a long and very fluffy coat, Pomeranians are a joy to cuddle with. There won’t be a dull moment with this dog as they love to communicate with body cues. They tend to use their fluffy tail to express their emotions; high and wagging if they’re excited, and tucked in or low when they’re feeling blue.
They can get quite vocal, too. Expect some joyful barking when they’re in a good mood, and repeated barking if they notice something unusual.
8. Finnish Spitz
Finnish spitz are high-energy canines known for their fox-like appearance. They’re non-sporting dogs but prefer the company of active humans; a lack of activity drives them into barking due to boredom.
They’re small to medium dogs with a gorgeous red or gold double coat. They’re brave hunting dogs with a history of tracking quarry; they’ve been called “barking bird dogs”.
Their barking tendencies are undisputed; sign your Finish Spitz up for a local dog barking competition, and it might end up winning.
9. Akita
Akita, also called the “silent hunter,” is one of the largest Japanese spitz breeds with a foxlike appearance. They’re headstrong dogs and can be challenging to train, but they are fiercely loyal once they’ve bonded with their families.
Akitas are hardy dogs with herding instincts and love to follow their owners around from room to room. They don’t warm up to new pets and strangers so easily. In Japan, Akitas are seen as a symbol of protection; parents of newborns get a small statue of Akitas as a gesture.
Their thick coats make them perfect pets for cold weather, but don’t sweat (or do) if you live in a warm climate. Their coats tend to shed during the warm months, helping them cope better with the changing season.
Conclusion
If you have found your dream dog that happens to look like a fox, it’s always a good idea to find a reputable rescue center or breeders known for ethical practices.
