16 Dogs That Look Like Bears And Why They're So Cuddly These bear-like dogs range from some of the largest breeds to the smallest. By Jennifer Lesser Jennifer Lesser Jennifer Lesser is a pet health and wellness expert and writer with over a decade of experience covering pet behavior, health, and news. Her work can also be found in Whole Dog Journal, Health, Dogster, Catster, and Animal Sheltering. Learn more about The Spruce Pets' Editorial Process Updated on 10/09/25 Reviewed by Nancy Turner Credit: Paul Sezonov / Getty Images 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. Tip Many bear-like dogs with thick, shaggy coats require brushing on a nearly daily basis to prevent knots and remove loose fur. It also can be helpful to use a detangling shampoo to keep them looking their best. 01 of 16 Chow Chow Credit: Manoj Krishna C / Getty Images 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 Group: Non-sportingHeight: 17 to 20 inches at the shoulderWeight: 40 to 70 poundsPersonality/Temperament: Aloof, independent, loyal, quiet, calmEnergy Level: MediumCoat and Color: Rough or smooth, double coat in black, blue, cinnamon, cream, or redLife Span: 8 to 12 years 53 Unique Chinese Dog Names for Your Furry Companion 02 of 16 Akita Credit: Sandra Schmid / Getty Images 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 Group: WorkingHeight: 26 to 28 inches (males); 24 to 26 inches (females)Weight: 100 to 130 pounds (males); 70 to 100 pounds (females)Personality/Temperament: Affectionate, loyal, independent, protectiveEnergy Level: HighCoat and Color: Thick double coat in colors including black, fawn, and redLife Span: 10 to 13 years 03 of 16 Great Pyrenees Credit: Paolo Seimandi / Getty Images 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 Group: WorkingHeight: 25 to 32 inchesWeight: 100 to 150 pounds (males); 85 to 110 pounds (females)Personality/Temperament: Gentle, affectionate, patient, confident, strong-willed, fearlessEnergy Level: MediumCoat and Color: Thick double coat in white but may have markings of gray, tan, badger, or reddish-brownLife Span: 10 to 12 years 04 of 16 Samoyed Credit: zhao hui / Getty Images 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 Group: WorkingHeight: 21 to 23.5 inches (males); 19 to 21 inches (females)Weight: 45 to 60 pounds (males); 35 to 50 pounds (females)Personality/Temperament: Playful, friendly, loyal, energetic, alertEnergy Level: HighCoat and Color: Double coat with thick undercoat and straight outercoat; primarily bright white, sometimes cream or biscuit (very light brown)Life Span: 12 to 14 years Continue to 5 of 16 below 05 of 16 Newfoundland Credit: Bread and Butter Productions / Getty Images 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 Group: WorkingHeight: 28 inches (males); 26 inches (females)Weight: 130 to 150 pounds (males); 100 to 120 pounds (females)Personality/Temperament: Loyal, sweet-tempered, gentleEnergy Level: MediumCoat and Color: Medium-length double coat in black, brown, gray, white and blackLife Span: 9 to 10 years 06 of 16 Keeshond Credit: Daniela Duncan / Getty Images 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 Group: Non-sportingHeight: 18 inches (males); 17 inches (females)Weight: 35 to 45 poundsPersonality/Temperament: Alert, bright, playful, loyal, lively, intelligentEnergy Level: MediumCoat and Color: Very thick with a double topcoat, wooly undercoat, and long outer coat in cream, black, and gray color combinations; black markings around the eyesLife Span: 12 to 15 years 07 of 16 Caucasian Shepherd Credit: Spike Summers / Flickr / CC BY 2.0 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 Group: WorkingHeight: 23 to 30 inchesWeight: 99 to 170 poundsPersonality/Temperament: Loyal, courageous, protectiveEnergy Level: MediumCoat and Color: Medium-length double coat in agouti and white, black and gray, cream, fawn, gray, grizzle, red, rust, sable, or white with/without white markings, piebald, or brindle markingsLife Span: 10 to 12 years 08 of 16 Leonberger Credit: onetouchspark / Getty Images 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 Group: WorkingHeight: 28 to 31.5 inches (males); 25.5 to 29.5 inches (females)Weight: 110 to 170 pounds (males); 90 to 140 pounds (females)Personality/Temperament: Fearless, loyal, loving, obedient, adaptable, companionableEnergy Level: MediumCoat and Color: Medium to long double coat; thick, straight, and water-resistant; the head has a black mask; overcoat colors include lion-yellow, golden, red, reddish-brown, sandy, or yellow-brownLife Span: 8 to 9 years Continue to 9 of 16 below 09 of 16 Eurasier Credit: Daniela Duncan / Getty Images 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 Group: Non-sportingHeight: 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulderWeight: 40 to 70 poundsPersonality/Temperament: Reserved, alert, calm, watchful, even-tempered, intelligentEnergy Level: MediumCoat and Color: Medium-long, straight, loosely lying outer coat and a thick undercoat in any color or combination of colors except pure white and piebaldLife Span: 14 years 10 of 16 Tibetan Mastiff Credit: Getty Images/~User7565abab_575 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 Group: WorkingHeight: Minimum 24 to 26 inches tall at the shoulderWeight: 70 to 150 poundsPersonality/Temperament: Intelligent, protective, strong-willed, tenacious, aloofEnergy Level: LowCoat and Color: Double outer coat with soft undercoat in black, brown/chocolate/liver, blue, gray, or gold/yellowLife Span: 10 to 12 years 11 of 16 Bouvier des Flandres Credit: Natasha Sioss / Getty Images 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 Group: HerdingHeight: 23.5 to 27.5 inches at the shoulderWeight: 70 to 100 poundsPersonality/Temperament: Intelligent, friendly, loyal, protective, activeEnergy Level: HighCoat and Color: Long, shaggy, rough double coat in salt and pepper, gray, fawn, brindle, or gray and brindleLife Span: 10 to 12 years 12 of 16 Bernese Mountain Dog Credit: The Spruce / Kevin Norris 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 Group: WorkingHeight: 25 to 27.5 inches (males); 23 to 26 inches (females)Weight: 80 to 115 pounds (males); 70 to 95 pounds (females)Personality/Temperament: Gentle, even-tempered, loyalEnergy Level: MediumCoat and Color: Thick, medium-length double coat in black, rust, and white or black, tan, and whiteLife Span: 7 to 10 years Continue to 13 of 16 below 13 of 16 Karelian Bear Dog Credit: slowmotiongli / Getty Images 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 Group: WorkingHeight: 19 to 23.5 inchesWeight: 44 to 49 poundsPersonality/Temperament: Cautious, independent, loyal, territorial, brave, tenaciousEnergy Level: HighCoat and Color: Dense and short in black with white markingsLife Span: 11 to 13 years 14 of 16 Alaskan Malamute Credit: LiuMeiLi/iStock/Getty Images 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 Group: WorkingHeight: 24 to 27 inches (males); 22 to 24 inches (females)Weight: 85 pounds (males); 75 pounds (females) Personality/Temperament: Friendly, loyal, playful, affectionate, bright, courageousEnergy Level: HighCoat and Color: Thick double coat in solid white or combinations of white and gray, seal, red, black, or silverLife Span: 10 to 12 years 15 of 16 Pomeranian Credit: Andrew Fladeboe / Getty Images 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 Group: ToyHeight: 6 to 7 inchesWeight: 3 to 7 poundsPersonality/Temperament: Bold, alert, lively, affectionateEnergy Level: MediumCoat and Color: Long double coat in many colors and combinations, though the most common are red, orange, cream, sable, black, brown, and blueLife Span: 12 to 16 years 16 of 16 Maremma Sheepdog Credit: Ken Griffiths / Getty Images 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. Breed Overview GROUP: Guardian (UKC) HEIGHT: 24 to 29 inches WEIGHT: 65 to 100 pounds PERSONALITY/TEMPERAMENT: Calm, courageous, loyal, intelligent ENERGY LEVEL: Medium COAT AND COLOR: Long, thick, rough coat; mane around the neck; solid white LIFE SPAN: 10 to 12 years FAQ What are the grooming needs of large, bear-like dogs? Many bear-like dogs with thick, shaggy coats require brushing on a nearly daily basis to prevent knots and remove loose fur. It also can be helpful to use a detangling shampoo to keep them looking their best. Do these bear-like dog breeds require special diets because of their size? Due to their size, many large, bear-like breeds may benefit from diets formulated for large breeds, focusing on joint health and weight management. It's best to consult a vet for personalized advice. Explore more: Dogs Dog Breeds