10 Teddy Bear Dog Breeds

The term “Teddy Bear” refers to dog breeds who are typically small in size and have fluffy coats and facial features reminiscent of — you guessed it! — squishy stuffed teddy bears. Below are some dog breeds who have that ultimate teddy bear sweetness.

Key traits of teddy bear dogs

While teddy bear dogs come in all shapes and sizes, they typically have a few key features, including:

• Coat: All teddy bear-like dogs have a curly or fluffy coat that can be trimmed to boost their bear-like appearance. Some of these pups, especially poodle mixes, might have semi-hypoallergenic or low-shedding coats. To truly enhance the teddy bear-like appearance, they are usually solid or sable in brown.

• Size: Teddy bear dogs are known for their adorable looks. While many teddy bear dogs are toy breeds — small and portable — larger pups shouldn’t be overlooked.

• Temperament: The ideal teddy bear dogs have gentle temperaments and make for great companions or lap dogs.

Some dogs with a teddy bear look are purebreds, such as the Pomeranian and the Chow, while others are the result of crossbreeding two different pure breeds to combine specific traits, such as the Cockapoo. And of course, there are many mixed-breed dogs in shelters and rescues across the country whose sweet appearances can get them mistaken for stuffed animals. Adopting a dog rather than buying one from a pet store or puppy mill is not only less expensive but also helps a dog in need.

Adorable teddy bear dog breeds

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1. Cockapoo

The Cockapoo is a mix between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle and can sometimes be semi-hypoallergenic. Cockapoos can be different colors but are most commonly beige or rusty brown (like a teddy bear). Cockapoos also usually have cute whiskers growing around their mouths and floppy ears.

Both Poodles and Spaniels are super smart, and Cockapoos take after their parents. They’re also very affectionate, social, and pretty vocal. They take well to training, so you may achieve slightly less barking with some work.

Traits

• Height: 14 to 24 inches

• Weight: 15 to 69 pounds

• Coat: The Cockapoos coat tends to be curly and require regular brushing and trims to keep from matting.

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2. Pomeranian

Pomeranians are tiny puffballs on legs. They always look like cute puppies with little teddy bear ears, dark round eyes, and a mouth often open in a smile. They’re related to the larger German Spitz but only weigh around eight pounds. Pomeranians are feisty and playful and can be quite vocal.

Under all that fluff, they’re actually quite delicate and should be handled carefully, no matter how squeezable they appear.

Traits

• Height: 7 to 12 inches

• Weight: 3 to 10 pounds

• Coat: Pomeranians have a double coat that sheds all year round, so be prepared to work that brush (but be gentle!).

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3. Morkie

Morkies are a crossbreed between a Yorkshire Terrier and a Maltese. The Morkie has a scraggly low-shed coat and ears high on their tiny heads that seem to move along with their thoughts. They’re super expressive (meaning vocal) and have a lot of energy. They are very devoted pets and make great companions for single-person households (especially for seniors), but can also be quite social.

To help them stay as chill as possible, provide them with exercise and consistent training — especially when it comes to being housebroken. That can be a challenge for them.

Traits

• Height: 7 to 9 inches

• Weight: 4 to 8 pounds

• Coat: Morkies have high-maintenance coats that need regular brushing to prevent tangles and keep that scraggly fluff from turning into a full-blown matting.

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4. Cavapoo

Cavapoos, which are a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Mini Poodle, are loved for their adorable teddy bear-like appearances and friendly natures. Cavapoos are known for getting along well with people of all ages, including children.

Daily walks, playtime, and interactive toys engage their sharp little minds. They even enjoy participating in training sessions as a challenge to their intelligence.

Traits

• Height: 9 to 14 inches

• Weight: 8 to 18 pounds

• Coat: Cavapoos have soft, curly, low-shedding coats, but still need regular grooming to prevent matting.

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5. Sheepadoodle

The Sheepadoodle is a cross between an Old English Sheepdog and a Poodle. They can be bigger, like a Sheepdog, and often have the build of a long-legged Poodle with the color markings of a Sheepdog. Sheepadoodles are known for their potential hypoallergenic coats, which are typically soft, wavy, and often curly. Sheepadoodles are friendly, affectionate, loyal, gentle, and good with kids. They form strong bonds with their people and want to be included in everything.

They are quick learners, respond well to positive reinforcement training methods, and love agility activities. They’re often trained for therapy work. Make sure they get plenty of exercise and mental engagement.

Traits

• Height: 15 to 24 inches

• Weight: 30 to 80 pounds

• Coat: Like their Poodle parent, Sheepadoodles will require daily brushing to prevent mats along with regular grooming every few weeks.

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6. Maltipoo

Maltipoos are a mix of a Maltese and a Poodle, and the more Poodle-y they are — meaning, the less dander and curlier, lower-shed coats they have — the less likely they’ll be to set off allergies. Maltipoos are on the small side, so they make great apartment dogs. They love people and kids but need to be handled carefully, so make sure they’re supervised around small children and larger dogs. They’re also very smart and playful, making them great companions.

Traits

• Height: 11 to 15 inches

• Weight: 4 to 12 pounds

• Coat: The Maltipoo is a rare hypoallergenic dog breed that naturally produces less dander rather than simply being low-shed like most hypoallergenic breeds.

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7. Chow Chow

The Chow Chow may look more like a teddy bear than an actual bear. They have tiny pointed ears and a tail that curves up over their back. As cute as they are, Chow Chows are not great for an inexperienced dog person. They can be very independent and need consistent early training and socialization, or their stubbornness can turn into aggression or destructive behavior. Be sure you have the time and know-how to take one of these pups, and you’ll have a loving companion.

Traits

• Height: 18 to 22 inches

• Weight: 42 to 69 pounds

• Coat: The Chow Chow has a thick double coat that sheds a lot, so they need a fair amount of brushing and grooming.

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8. Cavachon

The Cavachon is a small and lovable cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Bichon Frise. Cavachons look like puppies throughout their lives. These dogs have friendly natures, adorable appearances, and affectionate personalities. Cavachons are known for being affectionate, gentle, and great with people of all ages, including children. Cavachons form strong bonds with their people and thrive on human companionship. They’re very intelligent and enjoy training because they want to please you. Give them regular exercise, play, and fun toys so they stay mentally and physically well.

Traits

• Height: 9 to 11 inches

• Weight: 10 to 20 pounds

• Coat: Some Cavachons have low-shedding coats, which is an excellent bonus.

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9. Shih-Poo

The Shih-Poo is a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Poodle and is another teddy bear dog who can boast a fluffy coat. The size of a Shih-Poo can vary depending on the size of the Poodle parent, but they’re typically small to medium. Shih-Poos are playful, outgoing, and sociable — they generally get along well with people of all ages. They love feeling like part of the family and want to go everywhere with you.

Shih-Poos can excel in obedience training and love learning new things. They’re adaptable to different environments, even smaller apartments, but they need regular exercise to stay well-adjusted.

Traits

• Height: 8 to 18 inches

• Weight: 10 to 20 pounds

• Coat: The Shih-Poos coat can be wavy or curly, depending on which parent they resemble.

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10. Lhasa Apso

Lhasa Apsos can grow flowing, silky coats that brush the ground, though many pet parents keep them shorn to make grooming a bit easier. This small breed is originally from Tibet and was initially bred as a guard dog. They can still guard but will likely just alert their pet parents to intruders; they’re quite small, so you’ll need a second larger dog for defense.

What they lack in size, however, Lhasas make up for in volume. They are a bit stubborn and need consistent training to learn the finer points of household behavior.

Traits

• Height: 10 to 11 inches

• Weight: 9 to 19 pounds

• Coat: If you have the time to maintain a long coat, however, you’ll be rewarded with a dog who looks like a wig on legs.

Commonly asked questions

What breed of dog is the teddy bear dog?

Many mixed-breed and purebred dogs have been called “teddy bear dogs” because of their adorable facial features and fluffy coats. There is no single teddy bear breed.

How big do teddy bear dogs get?

Teddy bear-like dog breeds vary in size from teeny tiny to super size, depending on the breed. Some breeds such as the Pomeranian, weigh as little as three pounds, while a Sheepadoodle might weigh as much as 85 pounds.

Are teddy bear dogs hypoallergenic?

Not all teddy bear dog breeds are hypoallergenic, but low-shedding breeds and Poodle mixes may cause fewer symptoms for mild allergy sufferers.

Do teddy bear dogs shed?

Some teddy bear dog breeds, such as the Lhasa Apso, Shih-Poo, Maltipoo, Morkie, Cockapoo, Cavachon, and Shichon, are considered low-shedding dogs.

How much do teddy bear dogs cost?

Adopting a teddy bear-like dog from a shelter costs around $300, which covers the expenses of caring for the dog before adoption. In contrast, buying a teddy bear dog from reputable breeders can be very expensive — upwards of $5,000, depending on their breeding.