Like many other posh trends, Teddy Bear dogs also had their first appearance in the 2000s. These cutie pies weren’t only intended for bedtime comfort – they were originally raised as therapy companions for sick children.
But, their roles extended, and after some time, these loving pooches became favorite family dogs all over the world. I mean who can resist their loving eyes and fluffiness?
But, why do we call them Teddy Bear dogs?
The reason is obvious. Some of them literally look like Teddy Bears, others look a bit less, but still, they are comfy and fluffy – the same as the favorite bedtime companion.
And, they mainly have sweet and warm brown eyes that look like buttons, and also cute button noses.
1. Yorkie
It is actually a Yorkshire Terrier that we have here, but such a cute Teddy-bear-like dog deserves an equally cute name, so we will call him by his nickname, Yorkie.
The first thing you will notice about this dog breed is its long hair. And, what does long hair require? A lot of hair care, of course.
If you are in a dilemma as to how often you should bathe a Yorkie, or which brush is best for this dog, check these out because this stunner won’t stand neglect of any kind.
That also applies to leaving him alone. If you leave him alone for good, a Yorkie will suffer from separation anxiety, while you will suffer because you will know your dog is suffering.
2. Lhasa Apso
Did you know that Teddy bears live in the Himalayas? Yeah, for a thousand years already. This cute Teddy bear pup is best known for its fluffy coat that flutters through the corridors of Buddhist monasteries.
I must say that even the Lhasa Apso mixes are completely like Teddy bears.
This little dog has all the traits of the Teddy bear dog. It has a small size, a lot of fur, a button nose, and warm, dark eyes.
It is like a fancy version with aristocratic behavior…… a very proud dog that looks completely exotic.
3. Chow Chow
Have you ever checked a Chow Chow weight chart? If you have, then you must have an idea of how big this pooch can get.
And, now you might wonder how he fits in the picture of the Teddy Bear dog. Well, he certainly looks more like a bear cub than a Teddy Bear.
He will need regular grooming for sure because Chow Chows shed a lot. But, it is BEARable when you have such a cute dog.
4. Toy Poodle
If you are looking for a dog without a lot of health issues, and that is also very smart and utterly adorable, then here is the mighty Poodle that is also shrunk to a cuddleable size.
This family dog is one of the favorite pics of many, so there are many reputable Toy Poodle breeders out there.
You can choose between many Poodle colors, like the black Toy Poodle, red, white, blue, merle, and so on.
The miniature Poodle is a little bigger of an alternative choice but with an equal amount of adorableness.
Pick the best dog for you and enjoy endless playtime with your pooch.
5. Pekingese
I have mentioned before how my friend had a Pekingese dog named Flippy. I will always remember that dog for having such a big attitude in such a small package.
I don’t remember that dog having many health problems, and as far as I know, he is still alive. We were in primary school when she got him, and the lifespan of this dog is really admirable since we finished our education long ago.
He is an amazing dog, really, and I must say very cute, though he wasn’t that friendly. He always had that protective attitude of a watchdog.
This Chinese dog breed also comes in a smaller version – the irresistible Teacup Pekingese.
Our Peke is the perkiest Teddy Bear you wish you had.
6. Chihuahua
There are the rest of the dog breeds, and then there is the Chihuahua. This tiny explosive breed will warn you immediately if you have stepped out of the line of proper behavior. It doesn’t matter how noble your intentions are.
We can’t say that it is a therapy dog, but it is certainly the perfect lap dog that likes only the laps they choose.
The Teacup Chihuahua is an even more shrunk version of a small standard, and then you have an apple head Teacup Chihuahua for an even higher dose of sweetness.
I bet that these small doggos were sort of comforting Teddy Bears for people in ancient Mexico, where they come from. Did you know that they were the escort for souls that were transpassing to the underworld?
7. Pomeranian
Oh, Pomeranian… do I even have to say anything about this charming dog breed? The popularity of this charmer rose because of Bo – a small Pom that went viral at one moment. And, after that, every girl wanted a Pom for her purse.
But, the popularity of the Pomeranian isn’t recent. This dog was beloved way before, and you could first find him on courts, and then among the “commoners”. It is every “Cinderella” dream dog.
But, the Pomeranian mixes are not lagging behind. It is probably a prototype of the true Teddy Bear pup whose colors resemble those of our little sleeping buddy.
The best thing is that your dog will remain sweet and small. You can check out the Pomeranian growth chart no matter how much you feed him, but be sure to feed him rationally and with the best Pomeranian food.
8. Papillon
Did you know that the Papillon is one of those Spaniel dog breeds? And, did you know that his name is what they call a butterfly in French? Well, yes… and that is because of his beautiful ears.
But, when you look at him, you will realize that he looks like one of the white Teddy Bear dogs with big, fluffy ears.
Maybe the Phalene version of this breed has more resemblance to a Teddy Bear because his ears are not erect.
9. Bichon Frise
When someone mentions a Bichon Frise, I immediately remember my friend from the student exchange program in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
I will remember those student times for the amazing fun I had there, and for a little white Bichon Frise called Bowie.
It was the first time I realized what a Teddy bear puppy should look like and what he should cuddle like. It was one irresistible cuddly creature.
With his fluffy white coat, this lap dog made me fall in love with all the small dogs out there.
10. Maltese
Recently, I took a trip to Croatia, a small country in Europe, on the Balkan peninsula, across Italy. It is a country with many islands, and one of them is called Mljet or Melita.
Why am I mentioning this? Well, this white breed that can be classified as one of the Teddy Bear dogs is known to originate from Malta.
But, on this island of Mljet, in Croatia, where I have spent my vacation, local people and legends claim that this hypoallergenic breed originates from there.
And, they have some pretty reasonable arguments for that claim.
In any case, it is a place I recommend visiting because it is full of legends and stories about nymphs, about an Odyssey whose ship crashed there, and even a Saint Paul who also had a shipwreck there.
Who knows… maybe an Odyssey took one of the Teacup Malteses and brought it to Greece.
11. Shih Tzu
Is this a lion dog or a teddy bear-like dog? Probably both because he is as cuddly as a Teddy Bear, but as fierce as a lion.
Some future dog owners have a huge dilemma as to whether they should get a Maltese or a Shih Tzu. Both of them are similar in size, they need more or less the same amount of socialization, and they are both very sweet and fluffy.
The Shih Tzu is definitely a good choice if you have kids and you live in an apartment.
I promise you that this is the right choice that you won’t regret. I mean it is an official Buddha dog… his protector and a cuddly pet. Is there a better recommendation for a dog?
12. Zuchon
Zuchon, Shichon, Malshi… no, I am not trying to summon something. Those are the names of the same crossbreed. So, let’s meet their parent breeds. Can you guess which dog we are talking about?
I won’t keep you waiting any longer – you can find this breed among Shih Tzu mixes and Bichon Frise mixes. Is it clear now? It is a mixed breed that is a combination of a cute Shih Tzu and an adorable Bichon Frise. What a Combo!
All in all, it sounds like this mix has some real potential to be one of the ultimate Teddy Bear dogs. Just look how cute he is!
13. Morkie
Let’s continue this guessing game. Can you guess what is in a Morkie combo? Any clue?
I’ll give you a hint… it is a dog from Malta (or Mljet, as we have stated before) and Yorkshire. Well, look at that… I have said too much now.
Yes, you are right – it is a product of love between a Maltese and a Yorkshire Terrier. And, did you know that there is a possibility to add another smart breed into the mix – a Poodle!
And, what would you call that mix? It would be called a Morkie Poo – oh, how cute is that name! This is the rightfully cute name for a sweet dog, such as the Morkie or Morkie Poo.
The perfect combination for creating a Teddy Bear puppy.
14. Pomsky
Yes, yes… if your first thought was: ‘Ohh, is this what I think it is?’ you are probably right. It is a combination of a Pomeranian and a Husky. A Pomsky is really a special designer dog breed.
It really sounds like a strange and almost impossible idea to mix a Husky with a Pom, but it seems like it isn’t really that impossible.
When someone wants to find a way to do something, then usually, he finds it. And, here, we have one tenacious breeder who was willing to try artificial insemination, and he succeeded.
So, we got another Teddy Bear dog breed that is a little more of a bear in itself because the owners of this dog often claim that this doggo can be unbearable.
So, heads up before you decide to get it. It would be best if you have tested your dog-raising skills on some other, more timid dog breed.
Oh, and if you thought that the Pomsky itself is a strange variation of a mixed breed, then here is a surprise for you – meet the Teacup Pomsky – an even smaller version of a small, cute dog.
15. Shorkie
Here, we have another Shih Tzu mix. He is one of the mixed dog breeds that you didn’t even know existed.
I believe that you are aware that the other part of the mix is a Yorkshire Terrier. This little mix is a combination of loyalty, intelligence, bravery, and charm.
You can also call him a Shorkie Tzu, or a Yorkie Tzu. They sound so cool.
You won’t find this dog on the lists of the American Kennel Club… that is for sure, but this dog knows how to find a way to our hearts.
But, there is an official place where you will find this splendid dog – the American Canine Hybrid Club.
Even though you can not register him with the AKC, you can still register him with the International Designer Canine Registry. Well, this sounds like he is going to wear some couture at a fashion show in Paris.
16. Pomchi
I mean, imagine this – a mix between a Pomeranian and a Chihuahua. Can there be anything more adorable than this?
There was a lot of hype around Chihuahuas at the beginning of the millennium, while the hype around the Pomeranian started some ten years ago. So, here is their posh mix.
His other names are equally posh, so call him a Pomahuahua, a Chi-Pom, a Pom-Chi, or a Chimeranian.
You will experience nothing but fun with this loving pet. Well, maybe a few bites, too. It is a descendant of the Chihuahua and the Pomeranian in the end.
But, there will be some endless cuddles and lots of love to share with each other.
17. Cavapoo
Bow your head because here comes a royal pooch – well, at least a pooch whose parents have some royal titles. We are talking about the descendant of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Poodle, and he is a royal cuddler, too.
‘Cavapoo’ is just one of his nicknames, but there is also a ‘Cavadoodle’ and a ‘Cavoodle’. But, you don’t have to call him by his full name because there are plenty of ideas on how to name your cute Cavapoo.
I must say that with his three “buttons” that lurk from his brown coat, this small dog looks just like a Teddy Bear. But, this Teddy Bear barks.
I wish I had one. Luckily, there are many breeders who are raising high-quality Cavapoos.
And, you don’t have to pick out only brown. There are many more Cavapoo colors to choose from, which require equally fine Cavapoo haircuts.
I think that after such treatment, there is no possibility to resist this cutie pie.
18. Cockapoo
Since we are talking about colors and haircuts, we can’t pass up the Cockapoo colors and Cockapoo haircuts.
Oh, I almost forgot to say a little bit more information about the Cockapoo. So… what is it?
The Cockapoo is an adorable mix of a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle. Well, as you can notice, Poodles are an almost inevitable ingredient in many designer dog mixes.
It is a pioneer among designer dogs and one of the first Teddy Bear dogs to be recognized.
The Cockapoo is such a treasure, and he is also known as a Cock-a-Poo, and a Cockapoodle, but you can choose another Cockapoo name that will suit him better.
So, what else can you do now? The only thing that remains is to find a Cockapoo breeder that suits you best.
19. Maltipoo
Let’s continue our talk about haircuts and colors. If you aren’t familiar with the Maltipoo haircuts and Maltipoo colors, you should definitely check them out because they are a big part of the Maltipoos’ charm… besides his vivid personality, of course.
This designer dog is one truly popular choice for dog owners. In fact, Maltipoos are such good dogs that there are many clubs that could testify to that claim, like the North American Maltipoo/Maltepoo Club.
I believe that you can guess that this dog is a cross of a Maltese dog and a small variation of a Poodle.
There are so many Poo variations that it seems like it is almost impossible to make a decision. They all look very similar, but there are differences between these designer breeds. For example, you can check out these differences between a Maltipoo and a Cavapoo in order to understand what I am talking about.
20. Peekapoo
Peek-a-boo, where is our cute Peekapoo?! I see you there, Peekapoo, hiding behind that fluffy coat. Oh, you are quite a lovely sight to see!
This unbelievably charming cross is a product of an equally charming Poodle and Pekingese. And, someone thought of this mix way back in the 50s.
There are many advantages to having a Peekapoo, and one of them is having a dog with a hypoallergenic coat. And, since he is the descendant of the famous temple watchdog, he will protect your home just as well as his Himalayan parents.
21. Yorkipoo
The Yorkiepoo is definitely one of the best doodle breeds, especially for first-time owners or any kind of owner, to be honest.
This loving dog is everything you imagine a small teddy bear-like dog should be. Fun loving, cuddleable, joyful… you get it all – delightful.
It is Yorkiepoo, or Yorkiepoo, Yorkie Poo, Yoodle, Yorkepoo, or Yorkiedoodle for friends.
I guess that name reveals the truth that a dog version of the “Westside Story” happened between a Miniature Poodle and a Yorkshire Terrier. And, we are so glad that it happened because today, our dog community is enriched with such an adorable member.
22. Westiepoo
Westies are cute in their original version, but this Poodle mix is beyond all expectations. This West Highland White Terrier-mixed descendant is also known as the Wee-Poo and the Westiedoodle.
Expect explosions of energy from this dog. He is so active that he seems to be everywhere at the same moment.
He could be just as cuddly and cute at the same time, so he makes a proper substitute for a quality Teddy Bear. But, this one is alive, so this makes him even better.
23. Sheepadoodle
It seems like there is no end to Doodles, and it is almost the truth. The Poodle is really a versatile dog in every way, and the combinations are almost endless, especially because we find Poodles in many sizes.
Here, we have a curly cross of a Poodle and an Old English Sheepdog. We present you with the cute Sheepadoodle.
As we mentioned before, the same as with the Poodle, there are three size variants of a Sheepadoodle. You can choose a Mini, a Medium, a Standard, or a Micro Sheepadoodle.
So, before you choose your Sheepadoodle breeder, you can try to answer the question of which of these size variants most resembles a Teddy Bear dog. For me, it is the Micro version, and for you?
24. Schnoodle
Next on our list of designer dogs among the Teddy Bear dogs is a Poodle mix. And, what is the other half of this love affair? Well, I think we can conclude that from the name itself – it is a Schnauzer, of course.
So, choppity chop… check out the best Schnoodle breeders in the United States!
It is a combination of the Schnauzer’s stubbornness and the Poodle’s smartness. While both breeds are active and playful, it is the perfect combination for a lot of fun and good times.
25. Miniature Goldendoodle
Let’s find out more about our golden boy here. Our miniature Goldendoodle is a charming mix of the smart Poodle, and the all-time favorite… the Golden Retriever.
If the miniature version is too miniature for you, then there is a Medium Goldendoodle to hang out with.
But, let’s get back to the Miniature Goldendoodle. This sweet Teddy Bear look-alike is not a dog that will give you allergies, he won’t take up much space, and he will give you the best and funnest time and a lot of sweet cuddles.
Don’t hesitate to use his other nickname – ‘Groodle’. I promise that this ’90s dog will get under your skin and you won’t even notice.
26. Bernedoodle
Doodles here, Doodles there, Doodles everywhere! Here is a Bernedoodle – a loveable product of love at high altitudes – an offspring of the Poodle and the Bernese Mountain Dog.
His bigger parent, the Bernese Mountain Dog, truly looks like a big bear, so it is no wonder why our Bernedoodle is classified as one of the Teddy Bear Dogs.
But, we should probably emphasize that the Miniature Bernedoodle looks more like a Teddy Bear than the Standard Bernedoodle.
Goofy, but intelligent, this designer breed is both charming and loyal. And, if you decide to go for this dog breed, your biggest problem will be choosing between sable, merle, black, brown, white, or some other color in the various spectrum.
The Sweet Conclusion On Teddy Bear Dogs
These over-the-top, cute Teddy Bear dogs are true heartmelters! I don’t believe that anyone can stay sad or lonely with one of these cuddly miracles.
The most distinctive traits of the Teddy Bear dogs are their loving and warm eyes, their small size, their soft and fluffy coat, and the personality of a true therapist.
But, don’t let yourself be deceived by their lovely looks. These pooches also need a lot of training, a lot of hair care, and a lot of attention because they are not very happy to be lonely or experience separation anxiety.
One thing is sure… you will learn to give a lot of love and you will learn to receive a lot of love, too.