We all had that childhood teddy bear we used to drag everywhere around us. Yeah, the one we pretended to feed, talk, and dress up (nostalgic).
Honestly, we never really outgrow that need for comfort, and maybe some of you have already just figured out a brilliant loophole. Yeah, we are talking about teddy bears that actually talk (the dream most of us had as children that somehow our teddy could talk).
However, this time these teddies are actually little dogs with fluffy fur, cute ears, and soulful eyes. They listen to you, act as a plushie during cuddles, and are just beautiful. Jo Myers, DVM, at online veterinary service Pawp says:
“The term teddy bear breed means these dogs are cute and fuzzy.”
So they got that beautiful name for their coats and beautiful features. We have shared nine such plushie dog breeds in this guide that just resemble your childhood (maybe now if you have any) teddy bear.
We will discuss what makes them look like teddies, their temperament, coat types, and grooming routine in detail. You will also learn if they are easy to train or how much exercise they usually require.
Sweet Dog Breeds Resembling Your Favorite Teddy Bear
1. Bichon Frise
Bichon Frises are often called walking clouds, marshmallows, or cotton candies. And that’s all because of their white, soft, dense, and velvety coat. Their coat actually bounces back like stuffed animals.
These fluffy dogs are total social butterflies. They are super loving, playful, happy, and love meeting everyone around them. These white dogs are highly trainable and learn rules very fast, which makes them perfect for first-time owners.
That being said, they only require a couple of walks for mental stimulation instead of a 5-mile marathon. In addition, the Bichon Frise has a soft undercoat and curly outer coat that barely sheds but requires regular brushing to prevent mats and tangling.
2. Shih Tzu
Shih Tzus are also called chrysanthemum-faced dogs according to the AKC because their hair grows in all directions. These little lions have big, round, dark eyes and sweet expressions. However, they were bred by royals, and only emperors in China kept them.
They have a long, flowing double coat that feels like soft plush and barely sheds. But you may have to brush them almost daily if you keep a long coat to prevent tangles. Shih Tzus with puppy cuts usually require brushing a few times a week.
Their eager-to-please nature makes training them much easier, but they still have that independent and stubborn streak. So, be patient and take them for daily short strolls around the block for mental stimulation. Shih Tzus enjoy cuddling, some indoor playtime, and neighborhood walks.
3. Pomeranian
You may probably think you have got a beautiful teddy bear after getting a Pomeranian until their big personality takes over. These puffballs are lively, bold, and incredibly smart with a soft and thick double coat.
Their pointed ears, bright eyes, foxy face, and coat that melts after touching are actually super fascinating. Poms shed moderately throughout the year and require brushing 3 to 4 times a week to keep them in perfect shape and prevent mats.
That being said, these pups are smart but also a bit sassy, so you need to be gentle and firm when training them. Apart from this, they require a moderate amount of exercise for mental stimulation. Pomeranians enjoy walks and games like fetching or chasing.
4. Cockapoo
Cockapoos are one of the dogs that are instantly resembled with teddy bears, and honestly, you can see why. Their coat looks like a stuffed animal or cuddly toy, and their droopy ears frame their face like plushies.
These little dogs are pure sunshine due to their sweet, loving, and goofy personalities. They have the gentle nature of Cocker Spaniels and the fun-loving spirit of Poodles. However, these Cockapoos are quite easy to train and learn commands quite easily.
“From an energy standpoint, they can be quite active and will need social enrichment”. Hunter Fin, owner of Pet Method Animal Hospita said as per PetMD.
Cockapoos enjoy hide-and-seek, trick learning, agility training, fetching, and swimming for mental stimulation. That said, their coats do not shed much but require frequent brushing and grooming every 4-6 weeks.
5. Cavachon
Cavachons are gentle souls wrapped in a fluffy package, and it’s almost hard to believe that they are real. They have a round face with floppy, big ears and expressive eyes that give them an innocent look. They are often described with adjectives like happy, charming, and friendly, Hill’s Pet shared.
These tiny dogs love human praise, which makes training them a lot easier, but they are quite sensitive, so be gentle. Plus, they require almost 30-40 minutes of exercise for mental stimulation, including walks, puzzles, and hide-and-seek.
That being said, Cavachons with wavy coats shed very little, and that’s why they are considered hypoallergenic. They require brushing almost 3-4 times every week, depending upon their coat type, to maintain their cloud-like texture
6. Maltipoo
Maltipoos are social butterflies and have an affectionate, gentle, and playful nature. They are happy-go-lucky dogs and form strong bonds with their owners. These little dogs have round dark eyes, floppy ears, and a soft curly or wavy coat that makes them appear like teddies.
These small dogs learn quickly as they inherit the Poodle’s high intelligence and respond well to positive reinforcement. However, they can be sensitive or shy, so be patient and consistent when training them.
That being said, Malitpoos are active dogs for active families and require moderate exercise for mental stimulation. They don’t shed much but require frequent brushing to prevent mats; otherwise, it will hurt them while brushing out, says Rene Faust, certified Groomer with NDGAA.
7. Morkie
Morkies are well-mannered designer breeds with a bit of a feisty attitude (Yorkie is one of their parents). They are also playful, lively, and enjoy nothing more than cuddling with their favorite person after a long day.
These teddy bear pups have soft, round faces with expressive dark eyes and fluffy, silky hair that gives them a huggable look. They look exactly like plush toys when they tilt their heads or play with their favorite toys.
That being said, Morkies are intelligent but can also be a little stubborn (of course, that terrier trait), so keep training sessions short and fun. They require moderate daily exercise and almost daily brushing to prevent mats and tangles, with professional grooming every 6-8 weeks.
8. Shorkie
Shorkies are social, loving, and deeply attached to their owners. They are also called Velcro dogs for their love of following you all around the home, though they have that cheeky side (yeah, terrier roots). These lap-sized companions have a scruffy teddy bear look.
They have a rounded face, button eyes, and floppy or slightly upright ears (depending on genetics). These little pups are smart but also strong-willed, so use positive reinforcement and consistent training methods. They will blindly follow orders, so keep sessions short and fun.
That being said, Shorkies do not need a huge yard, but only a few short walks, food puzzles, and fetching games are enough for their mental stimulation. Although they barely shed, their coat is a magnet for knots, so make sure to brush them daily.
9. Coton De Tulear
These are the clownish dogs because of their playful nature. Coton De Tulears were bred in Madagascar, and that’s why they are also called “Royal Dogs of Madagascar”. They have a unique cotton-like coat texture that explains the reason behind their name “Coton”.
Their soft coat, sturdy build, and sweet expressions make them more like teddy toys that you just wanna hug. However, these small dogs are very easy to train due to their eager-to-please nature and respond well to fun and short training sessions.
That being said, these fluff balls require moderate exercise for mental stimulation but are actually high-maintenance dogs in terms of grooming. Their signature cotton coat requires brushing 3-4 times per week to prevent mats, though they don’t shed.
Conclusion
There are a few breeds that resemble teddy bears, either for their looks, movement, or simply because they exist. Yeah, it’s kind of overwhelming to have a teddy bear that walks, eats, follows you everywhere, and even argues (cutely sometimes).
We have shared these toy dog breeds that resemble teddy bears for their plush coats, button eyes, sweet expressions, or huggable looks.
They are all cute, affectionate, and intelligent, but differ in their training needs. Some of them have an independent streak, but it’s actually manageable (don’t panic). Cherry on top, most of them have low-shedding coats, so a moment of relief for allergic sufferers.
