A teddy bear dog is a pup that looks just like a super-cute cuddly toy! This guide introduces you to 20 of our favorite teddy bear dog breeds to help you choose the perfect pet for your family.
First of all, let’s bust a myth. People often ask, “What breed is a teddy bear dog?” A teddy bear dog is not just one breed. There are many dog breeds that look like teddy bears. These adorable pups get their name from their cute teddy bear features, such as soft, fluffy fur, bright button eyes, and sweet little noses.
Some teddy bear dogs are purebred, whereas others are crossbred, designer dogs. Each teddy bear dog breed varies in size, although most of these dogs are small. All are cute and cuddly, reminding us of those lovable, reliable stuffed animals.
Our Favorite Teddy Bear Dog Breeds
These breeds all resemble teddy bears, but it is important to remember they are dogs. Just like dogs that look like wolves or coyotes and those that look like bears, each breed has unique health, temperament, history, and care requirements.
Before you commit to buying a teddy bear dog, it’s important that you have a good idea of how big the dog will be when he’s fully grown. You’ll also need to know what kind of temperament the pup will have and whether he will fit in well with your family and home circumstances. Remember that teddy bear dogs are all different breeds, not one breed. While some may share physical resemblances, these are all very different breeds and have unique care needs. Several of these breeds are what are called designer dogs, meaning they are bred together intentionally to create a blend of certain characteristics of each parent.
Bichpoo or Poochon
A Poochon is an unusual crossbreed between a Bichon Frise and a Poodle. These little teddy bear dogs are very intelligent, making them easy to train, and they love to exercise.
The Poochon doesn’t shed much, thanks to his Poodle parentage, although you will still need to groom your pet regularly.
Poochons are highly sociable and are a great pet choice for families with older children. Unfortunately, that trait can mean these pups suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for long periods.
Health issues that can affect this breed include PRA, patella luxation, and hip dysplasia. However, these problems are less likely to occur if you buy a first-generation hybrid dog. These lovely dogs can have a life expectancy of up to 15 years.
Cairnoodle
The Cairnoodle is a hybrid that’s created by crossing a Poodle with a Cairn Terrier. These little dogs have a happy-go-lucky independent nature, although they are also friendly and sociable.
Provided you train and socialize your Cairnoodle early, these pups make great pets, good with other animals and people, and naturally eager to please.
However, like many of these toy breed crosses, Cairnoodles can be prone to suffering from separation anxiety if left alone for too long. Potential health issues to be aware of include hypothyroidism, eye problems, hip dysplasia, and patellar luxation.
Cavachon
The Cavachon is a hybrid that’s created by mating a Cavalier King Charles spaniel and a Bichon Frise. The combo of these small, lively, friendly dogs is a surefire winner for families who want a low-maintenance pet that will get on well with kids of all ages and other pets too.
Perhaps not as easy to train as a Cavapoo, what Cavachons lack in that department, they make up for with bucketloads of fun and loyalty to their human family.
Unfortunately, a few health problems sometimes affect the Cavachon, and you must be sure to check that the breeder has had both the puppy’s parents screened for heart abnormalities.
Cavapoo
The Cavapoo is a small crossbreed that’s a mix between a Poodle and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel as parents. These cute little pups are extremely intelligent and highly trainable, although housebreaking can be an issue for some. Unlike some Poodle mixes, the Cavapoo’s coat needs lots of regular grooming.
Despite their tiny size, Cavapoos need plenty of exercise every day, and they can suffer from separation anxiety when left alone for long periods. These little dogs are very social, making them a brilliant choice for a family pet.
With a life expectancy of up to 15 years, Cavapoos are quite long-lived, although they can be susceptible to a few health conditions, including hip dysplasia, PRA, diabetes, and syringomyelia. Before buying a Cavapoo, check that his Cavalier parent has been tested as clear from syringomyelia, a serious brain condition common in the breed.
Chow-Chow
The Chow-Chow is a large dog that looks like a big, cuddly teddy bear! These dogs are noted for having a super-thick, fluffy double coat and a blue tongue! You’ll need to have plenty of time to set aside for grooming your dog if you take on one of these pups.
The Chow-Chow needs at least 30 minutes of exercise every day. They can also resist training, so they are best suited to a home with plenty of dog-owning experience.
Experience is certainly required when it comes to training one of these dogs, as they can be aloof and suspicious to the point of aggression when meeting strangers or other dogs for the first time.
Always buy your dog from a reputable breeder or adopt from a safe, responsible shelter. Check that the pup has been screened for specific common health problems. If you adopt from a shelter or rescue, we recommend getting a health-based DNA test to determine any potential health problems.
Cockapoo
Cockapoos are created by crossbreeding a Miniature Poodle and a Cocker Spaniel. Cockapoos are massively popular dogs with families because of their loving, friendly temperament. These teddy bear dogs are great with other pets and kids, making them ideal family pets.
One characteristic of the Cockapoo that’s especially appealing is that they are all unique, coming in various sizes and colors. Cockapoos are livewires, needing plenty of daily exercise, some of which should include a training session, as these pups love to learn.
A healthy Cockapoo can live for up to 18 years. However, the breed can be prone to a few health issues, including luxating patellar, PRA, and hip and elbow dysplasia.
Lhasa Apso
The super-cute Lhasa Apso is often mistaken for a Shih Tzu. They are not crossbreeds but purebred pups that were once used as guard dogs in the mountains of Tibet.
These little dogs are independent, brave, and loyal to their owners. However, with independence comes stubbornness, and these pups can be tricky to train, so are recommended for experienced homes.
You will need to be prepared to spend time training your Lhasa Apso, as well as grooming his long coat. and giving him plenty of exercise every day.
Malshi
The Malshi is a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Maltese. It’s important that you socialize these little dogs as puppies, as they can be timid in new situations, which can lead to continual barking. However, these are clever little dogs with such charming characters, and they are hard to resist!
Although Malshis can live for up to 14 years, they can suffer from a few health problems, including hypothyroidism, elbow dysplasia, and hip and patellar luxation. You’ll need to exercise your Malshi daily and groom him to keep his silky coat free from tangles and knots.
Maltipoo
The Maltipoo is a hybrid of a Poodle and a Maltese. People often mistake the Maltipoo for the Maltese. These are little dogs, standing up to around 14 inches at the shoulder, making them ideal for apartment life.
The Maltipoo is a cute breed that’s also extremely intelligent and loving, making them trainable and fun to have around in a family setting. One downside of being such a loving pup is that the Maltipoo can suffer from separation anxiety if left alone for too long.
These little dogs love to be groomed and enjoy a modest amount of daily exercise. Although they can live for up to 13 years, Maltipoos can be vulnerable to skin problems, PRA, epilepsy, and patellar luxation.
Mini Goldendoodle
The Miniature Goldendoodle is a large version of the teddy bear dog and is a cross between a Miniature Poodle and a Golden Retriever. Goldendoodles make a fabulous family pet.
These dogs are full of fun and energy while being loyal, loving, extremely intelligent, and trainable. You’ll need to commit to giving your puppy plenty of exercise, as these dogs are not couch potatoes!
These teddy bear dogs come in lots of colors, including grey, black, golden, red, cream, and chocolate. The amount of grooming you’ll need to do for your dog will depend on which parent he most takes after.
When it comes to health, Goldendoodles can live for between ten and 15 years, but they do have a few health problems to be aware of, including elbow and hip dysplasia, ear infections, patella luxation, and allergies. Also, it’s vital that you check that your puppy’s parents have no history of cancer, as Golden Retrievers can be very prone to it.
Morkie
The Morkie mix is a cross between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Maltese and makes a wonderful choice if you want a tiny teddy bear dog. Morkies are super-affectionate and sociable, loving nothing more than a good game with their human family. Morkies and very young kids don’t mix well, largely because these tiny pups can easily be injured.
These tiny dogs don’t need much exercise compared to other teddy bear dog breeds, making them perfect for apartment life or perhaps as comforting company for seniors who don’t like to walk too far. One drawback to these little pups is that they are barkers, especially when left alone.
A few health issues to be aware of can affect Morkies, including patellar luxation, hypoglycemia, and problems with their ears and eyes. Also, like many toy breeds, these dogs can have dental overcrowding, which can cause gum disease problems. A healthy Morkie can live for up to 13 years.
Peekapoo
The Peekapoo is a delightful cross between the smart, lively Poodle and the doting Pekingese lapdog. These small designer dogs have a pleasant, friendly personality and don’t require huge amounts of exercise or grooming. The lapdog side of their personality means these are very social dogs that don’t enjoy being alone for long periods.
Unfortunately, because the Pekingese has a flat face, the crossbreed can develop breathing problems that are associated with brachycephalic breeds. They can also be prone to dental problems due to the overcrowding of teeth that are often associated with tiny breeds.
Pomapoo
The Pomapoo has to be one of the most adorable teddy bear dogs that you can find! This Pomeranian designer dog is a cross between the bundle of fluff that is a Pomeranian and the curly Poodle. These pups grow to be between six and ten inches tall, weighing from six to nine pounds, depending on the size of the Poodle parent.
These are small dogs with big personalities! The Pomapoo is a friendly dog that’s a good pick for an active family.
Pomapoos are usually quite healthy dogs, but they are at risk of a few health conditions, including PRA and Addison’s disease.
Pomchi
The Pomchi is a combination of a Chihuahua and a Pomeranian. As you’d expect, the Pomchi is one of the tiniest teddy bear dogs that you can find. That said, these little guys have one of the biggest personalities of any mixed-breed pup.
Chihuahuas have an amazingly long lifespan, and it’s possible that your teddy bear could live to be 18 years old or even more. Pomchis are quite delicate and need careful handling, meaning that the breed might not be the best choice for households with small children or other larger pets.
The Pomchi tends to have a long, fluffy double coat that needs regular grooming to keep it looking good and tidy. These little dogs come in a wide range of colors, from white through every shade of brown, red, and gold to pure white.
Pomeranian
The Pomeranian is a gorgeous little dog that really does have that teddy bear look with a thick, fluffy coat, tiny ears, curled tails, and sweet teddy bear faces. These confident, playful, and intelligent dogs can be nervous around other dogs and strangers unless they’re socialized as puppies.
These tiny dogs require lots of daily exercise, and you’ll need to groom your dog at least twice a week, more frequently when he’s shedding. The Pom is one the most famous little puffballs that people think of when looking at a teddy bear dog breed. They can be quite expensive, so make sure you’ve taken that into consideration before buying or adopting one.
Schnoodle
A Schnoodle is a cross between a Poodle and a Miniature Schnauzer. Depending on the variety of Poodle used, Schnoodles can measure between 12 and 24 inches tall at the shoulder.
Your puppy’s coat color, length, and curl will depend on what he inherits from his parents, but Schnoodles generally need plenty of grooming.
This Schnauzer mixed breed is a sociable dog that loves being at the center of the family and is affectionate and loyal. That said, you should be sure to socialize your Schnoodle from a young age so that he’s comfortable around new animals and people.
A healthy Schnoodle can live for up to 15 years, although they can suffer from a few health issues, including PRA, elbow and hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and epilepsy.
Shih-Poo
This Poodle mix is a cross between a miniature or Toy Poodle and a Shih Tzu. Like most Poodle hybrid dogs, Shih-Poos are easy-to-train and highly intelligent creatures that enjoy people’s company and don’t like being left alone for long periods.
These little dogs can be boisterous bundles of energy, so care should be taken when introducing them to small kids and other animals. These are quite lively dogs that do require plenty of daily exercise. Shih-Poos need grooming too, but to what extent depends on which parent’s coat they inherit. These super-sweet teddy bear dogs can come in many colors, including brown, cream, black, sable, white, and red.
You’ll need to begin socializing and training a Shih-Poo when he’s a puppy to ensure that your dog grows up to be a confident, happy adult.
Health problems that can be experienced by Shih-Poos include PRA, epilepsy, and respiratory conditions. Like most small teddy bear dogs, these pups can live for up to 15 years.
Westiepoo
The adorable Westiepoo is a cross between a Poodle and a West Highland White Terrier. Although these plucky little dogs come in various colors, if the Poodle parent was white, there’s a good chance that the pups will be too. These are slightly larger than most teddy bear dogs weighing up to 30 pounds and standing as tall as 17 inches, depending on the size of the Poodle parent.
These dogs are active, requiring at least one good walk per day. If you and your family are interested in taking part in dog agility competitions with your pet, the Westiepoo could be a good choice of pet for you.
Yorkipoo
This Yorkie mix is a cross between a Poodle and a Yorkshire terrier. As you’d expect, these teddy bear dogs are tiny, weighing between just four and fifteen pounds, depending on what type of Poodle the parent is.
These little dogs are affectionate and friendly but may be intolerant of small children. Also, because the dogs are so tiny, they are at risk of injury, so require careful handling.
Yorkipoos enjoy a walk and some playtime each day, and you may need to groom your pet a couple of times each week, especially if he inherits the long silky coat of the Yorkie parent.
Health problems that could be inherited by Yorkipoos include joint issues, eye conditions, and some blood disorders.
Zuchon
The Zuchon is a mix between the Shih Tzu and the Bichon Frise. Coincidentally Teddy Bear is another nickname for this particular mix. These little dogs grow to be around 12 inches tall, weighing from 12 t o14 pounds. You can expect your Zuchon to live for up to 15 years.
When it comes to personality, the Zuchon is an active little dog that’s always looking for fun. Once well-trained and properly socialized, these teddy bear dogs make great family pets, especially in homes where someone is around during the day.
Hybrid dogs can be susceptible to the health problems of their parent breeds. In the case of the Zuchon, watch out for hip dysplasia, liver problems, and epilepsy. So, if you take on one of these pups, check that the breeder has had the necessary veterinary health checks carried out.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do dogs that look like teddy bears cost?
The price of a teddy bear puppy varies depending on the breed. You could pay from $500 right up to $4,000.
What makes a dog a teddy bear dog?
These dogs have cute button noses, fluffy coats, and eyes that gaze at you in adoration. They all have a similar fluffy, stuffed animal resemblance.
Are teddy bear dog breeds all hypoallergenic?
Not all teddy bear dogs are hypoallergenic, but some are. Keep in mind that there’s really no such thing as a completely hypoallergenic dog breed, but you can find breeds that don’t shed much.
Final Thoughts
So, as you can see, there are plenty of teddy bear dog breeds to choose from. You can use the information contained in our guide to find the best dog breed to suit your family, home, and lifestyle.
No matter the breed or size, owning a pup is a fantastic, rewarding experience but also a lot of responsibility. Additionally, dog ownership carries a significant financial commitment. Remember that most of these dogs have a life expectancy of at least 13 years, during which time you will be responsible for training, exercising, and grooming your pet every day. Think carefully about that commitment before you take ownership of a cute, loving teddy bear dog breed.