14 puppies that look like teddy bears

No, you’re not seeing things. These are living, breathing, ridiculously adorable puppies that look a lot like the teddy bears we cherished and toted around when we were kids. We can still tell these cuties our secrets, snuggle close to them during a storm, and tuck them in under our blankets at night – but now we’ll get a nuzzle and a lick in return! Like teddy bears, these pups are all different. Some have a scruffy face while others are super fluffy. Some are big and others are small. But they all have incredibly expressive eyes and cute button noses, and we just can’t resist.

Can you guess the two purebred dog breeds that make up this adorable little nugget? The Cavoodle is a delightful designer mix of a Miniature or Toy Poodle and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. Both parent dog breeds are ideal for families. Poodles are smart and athletic, and Cavaliers are lap-loving cuddle bugs. Just keep in mind that with a mixed breed, the characteristics of the puppy are unpredictable. Both parent breeds are on the smaller size. The Cavalier weighs between six and nine kilograms and is around 30cm high. Miniature Poodles weigh about the same, but they’re slightly taller. The Toy Poodle is smaller yet, at just three kilos.

Back in the ’50s, Poodles and Cocker Spaniels were favourite breeds. And when you bring two great things together, you get a Spoodle. Both parent breeds are known for having happy and lively dispositions, as well as being easy to train and affectionate. And they’re not only great family dogs; they also get along with other dogs and new people. As adults, they’ll grow to be about 11kg, still light enough for your lap or at least a side snuggle with their face near your hand. That’s the Spoodle’s way of making it easier for you to massage their scruffy-fluffy head and ears.

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Always smiling, these oh-so-fluffy little snowballs are one of 14 ancient breeds most similar to the wolf. Yet, the smiling Samoyed is anything but a wild loner howling at the moon. Samoyeds love to be with their people and thrive on activity and socialisation. They excel at lure-coursing and need a lot of exercise to be happy. Although they shed a lot, their coat has an amazing non-stick feature, so when mud gets on that glistening white coat, it’s actually quite easy to rinse off.

Is it OK to be a grown-up who still totes a teddy bear everywhere? It is when you have a real-life cutie like the Miniature Poodle puppy. Truly, though, the Standard Poodle and Toy Poodle are just as cute! It’s their soft curls, soulful yet playful eyes, button nose, and wavy hair that make them look like the cuddliest teddy bears ever. Speaking of hair, Poodles have hair, not fur, which grows like human hair and is influenced by hormones. A mama Poodle may experience hair thinning or loss after giving birth to pups, but in general, Poodles don’t shed much, so they are a good breed for allergy sufferers.

It’s hard to resist the fluffy chops of a Newfie puppy. Some dogs have a lot of fluff, yet not much body weight. That isn’t the case with a Newfie. They are solid masses of cuteness, with cheeks so snuggly you’ll be looking for ways to work from home so you can spend more time burying your face in all that sweetness. And they may look like cubs when they’re pups, but as adults, they’ll be about the size of a bear! (Well, maybe not quite that big, but you get our drift.) Adult males grow to around 75kg! The neighbours might think you have a real bear in the yard, but these giant dogs won’t mistake you as food. They are some of the sweetest and most docile breeds around.

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Hailing from France, the Barbet is a beloved water dog noted for its savoir-faire in bird hunting and swimming. According to the Barbet Club of America, its name comes from the word barbet, meaning beard. You won’t see any beards on young Barbets, but in time, they will grow a full shaggy beard and have a Muppet-like coat on a 15- to 30-kg frame. These dogs are loving and goofy companions that love to hike, do agility courses, and travel with their humans. Thinking about adding a Barbet to the family? The AKC says there are only about 500 in the world.

The Coton de Tulear – pronounced “coe-Tohn der TULE-ee-ah” – is a happy-go-lucky, life-of-the-party pup wrapped up in a fluffy, white cotton ball. Coton is French for cotton, and Tulear is a port city in Madagasgar, where these dogs originated. According to dog food company Purina, the Coton de Tulear is the royal dog of Madagascar and is held in such high regard there that its adorable mug was put on a postage stamp. Their irresistibly soft coats and cute faces make them hard to put down. But when you do, they might stand on their hind legs to get your attention again. They love to do tricks, play inside, and snuggle.

As a herding breed, this pup will be interested in anything lively and active. The Old English Sheepdog is an even-tempered house dog that loves to be with its humans, especially if it is exercising with them or engaging in long play sessions. As they grow, they become increasingly devoted to their family and want to protect them, especially younger kids. They have a tendency to clown around like kids, making them great family dogs. As an adult, they will tip the scales at a robust 35-45kg and have a distinctive bark. A sheepdog will be happy living just about anywhere, but it will need ample room to play and live where neighbours won’t mind its frequent barking.

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According to Animal Planet, the Keeshond is also known as the ‘Smiling Dutchman’ which is a clue to its origins, the Netherlands. Pronounced ‘caze-hawnd’, they are super cute and a little chunky, and will eventually reach 18-23kg. Their warm, sensitive and congenial nature makes them ideal as a comfort dog. In fact, this breed provided comfort at Ground Zero after 9/11. Their gorgeous coat keeps them warm in cold weather (which they thrive in) and needs to be brushed a few times a week to prevent matting. That’s a small price to pay for a cherished teddy bear-like dog, don’t you think?