I know you’ve seen the adorable pictures online. You’ve, no doubt, given a heart or two on Instagram. They are super adorable and we all want one. Let’s learn all about the teddy bear dog breed.
Or should we say breeds? Or should we even say breed at all?
IN THIS ARTICLE
What Are Teddy Bear Dogs?
Teddy Bear Dog Traits
1. Yorkipoo
2. Miniature Goldendoodle
3. Morkie
4. Schnoodle
5. Maltipoo
6. Pomapoo
7. Pomchi
8. Cavapoo
9. Pomeranian
10. Cockapoo
11. Shichon
Frequently Asked Questions
Final Thought
What Is A Teddy Bear Dog?
A teddy bear dog is exactly what it sounds like. It is a, generally, mixed breed canine that has the physical traits of a stuffed teddy bear toy. Their eye and nose look like sewn on buttons and their fur is extra soft.
They first gained mainstream popularity in the early 2000s. But they were reportedly originally bred as therapy dogs for handicapped children. Presumably, because of their toy like appearance.
Teddy Bear Dog Traits
The only pure breed of dog that is considered a teddy bear dog is the Pomeranian (#9 on this list). All of the rest are an assortment of mixed breeds. Since there is no single breed or standard, their traits depend on which breeds were mixed together.
While there may be some outliers not mentioned, most teddy bear dogs (and all of the ones on this list) are a mix of one or two of the following breeds:
- Maltese
- Pomeranian
- Poodle (toy or miniature)
- Shih Tzu
- Yorkshire Terrier
Let’s briefly cover some of their traits to give you an idea of what a teddy bear dog may be like.
Personality
Obviously, we all want a dog that is going to have a good personality. Fortunately, all of the breeds that make up a teddy bear dog are friendly. Some are more friendly than others.
We have categorized them as Friendly, Very Friendly, and Super Friendly.
| Maltese | Pomeranian | Poodle | Shih Tzu | Yorkie | |
| Personality | Very Friendly | Friendly | Super Friendly | Super Friendly | Friendly |
Intelligence & Training
Training measures how much difficulty you will experience training them. Intelligence reflects how easily they will understand things and whether or not they will become bored if not properly exercised or engaged.
Remember, the smarter the dog, the more stimulation they need.
| Maltese | Pomeranian | Poodle | Shih Tzu | Yorkie | |
| Training | Medium Difficulty | Medium Difficulty | Easy To Train | Medium Difficulty | Medium Difficulty |
| Intelligence | Smart | Smart | Very Smart | Smart | Smart |
Grooming Needs
Grooming needs will cover how high maintenance their coat will be. Unfortunately, all of these breeds require a fair amount of attention and work. For High and Very High they need brushing between every day and at least 3 times a week.
| Maltese | Pomeranian | Poodle | Shih Tzu | Yorkie | |
| Grooming | High | High | Very High | High | High |
Size
For size will measure their height and their weight so you can have a good idea of how big your teddy bear dog will be.
| Maltese | Pomeranian | Shih Tzu | Yorkie | |
| Height | 8″ to 10″ | 7″ to 12″ | 9″ to 10″ | 8″ to 9″ |
| Weight | up to 7 lbs | 3 lbs to 7 lbs | 9 lbs to 16 lbs | 4 lbs to 6 lbs |
You will notice Poodles are missing from the above chart. That is because Poodles come in three different AKC recognized sizes. Now, for the most part, teddy bear dogs will be bred with either toy or miniature poodles. But, we will give you the stats for standard, as well.
| Toy | Miniature | Standard | |
| Height | under 10 inches | 10 – 15 inches | over 15 inches |
| Weight | 5 – 10 lbs | 12 – 20 lbs | 45 – 70 lbs |
1. Yorkipoo
What Is A Yorkipoo?
You get a Yorkipoo when you cross a Poodle and a Yorkshire Terrier.
Size: The average Yorkie is usually in the 8″ to 9″ tall range and can weigh between 4 lbs and 6 lbs. Occasionally, you may find some that are a bit bigger, but they are not usually bred for as teddy bear dogs.
Life Span? A healthy Yorkipoos can live between 10 and 15 years.
Pet/Kid/Family Friendly? Yorkipoos are pretty friendly and get along well with multiple person and multiple pet homes. They do tend to pick out their “person” and claim them as their own.
Hypoallergenic? Yes. They do not shed much at all since they have hair and not fur. They were specifically bred to be hypoallergenic.
Easy To Train? Yes. They can get a little stubborn at times and have short attention spans. But, just work with them consistently and in short sessions.
They are quick to learn and love to please their “person”.
How Much Exercise? They need daily exercise since they have so much energy. A short daily walk or a few minutes of fetch should be fine.
Coat/Care? Since they have hair and not fur, their coat tends to knot and tangle pretty easily. They really benefit from daily brushings. Start them out at an early age and make it a part of their attention time. They will grow to, not only tolerate it, but enjoy the time with you.
2. Miniature Goldendoodle
What Is A Miniature Goldendoodle?
A Mini Goldendoodle is a cross between a Miniature Poodle and a Golden Retriever.
Size: Mini Goldendoodles are some of the largest dogs on this list. While they do have mini in their name, they can weigh between 40 and 50 lbs. They can also grow to a height of around 13″ to 20″ at the shoulders.
Life Span? Miniature Goldendoodles should live between 10 to 15 years.
Pet/Kid/Family Friendly? Golden Retrievers and Poodles are both two of the most friendly and loving dog breeds around. When you combine them you get a teddy bear dog that is just as sweet as their parent breed. They love nothing more than to run, play, and snuggle with their family.
Hypoallergenic? If this dog has a flaw, it is that they are not hypoallergenic. They are light shedders and blow their undercoat.
Easy To Train? Mini Goldendoodles are super smart and love to be worked with. The learn easily and quickly. They also respond very well to positive reinforcement.
How Much Exercise? Give them a yard to run in, play the occasional round of fetch and fit in a few walks per week and you will be…golden (I’ll show myself out).
Coat/Care? For this list, they are on the lower end of maintenance. You should still try and brush them a few times a week. Just make sure to work out any knots, tangles, or mats before they become a problem.
3. Morkie
What Is A Morkie?
A Morkie is a cross between a Maltese and a Yorkshire Terrier.
Size: Morkies are a small sized dog with their weight in the 7 to 13 lb range.
They can also grow to a height of 4 to 8 inches.
Life Span? Morkies tend to live between 10 and 14 years.
Pet/Kid/Family Friendly? Morkies tend to pick out their favorite family member and stick with them. They are still friendly with other people, kids, and strangers, but they really prefer their “person”.
If socialized from an early age, they can be friendly with other pets but, they tend to thrive as solo pets.
Hypoallergenic? Morkies are considered hypoallergenic.
Easy To Train? Morkies are a pretty smart breed of dog. However, they do take a bit of time and effort to train. Many small breed dogs are like that, though. They often have short attention spans and stubborn streaks.
Be patient, use short sessions, and give lots of praise and positive reinforcement.
How Much Exercise? Morkies have a good amount of energy and need daily exercise. It does not need to be a super intense workout. A walk around the block is perfect for them.
Coat/Care? The Morkie coat does need a bit of attention. Both Yorkies and Maltese have hair like coats that need daily brushing. Make sure they do not get knotted and matted.
4. Schnoodle
What Is A Schnoodle?
A Schnoodle is a cross between a Schnauzer and a Poodle.
Size: The Schnoodle has the potential to be the biggest dog on this list. It’s more like the oversized carnival prize of teddy bear dogs. Their weight can start at 20 lbs and get all the way up to 75 lbs!
They can also be pretty tall; standing between 10″ and 26″ tall. Both their height and weight are largely dependent on the size of their parents.
Life Span? Schnoodles can live between 10 and 15 years.
Pet/Kid/Family Friendly? This breed does tend to pick out their favorite family member, like other breeds on this list. They, however, are not as territorial. They still enjoy the company of others.
Hypoallergenic? Schnoodles are known to be low or non shedders and are thus considered to be hypoallergenic.
Easy To Train? These dogs are very intelligent. It is highly recommended that you train them from an early age. Smart dogs get bored easily and, if untrained and unengaged, they will find ways to entertain themselves.
Often times, this comes at the expense of your furniture, shoes, remote controls. They are easy to train so these situations are entirely avoidable.
How Much Exercise? They will need a good amount of daily exercise. They are in their best health with 30 to 60 minutes of exercise per day. If they are on the smaller side you can just throw a toy for them for a while. A larger Schnoodle will need a yard or frequent visits to a dog park.
Coat/Care? You should set aside a time or two a week to give them a thorough brushing. It is also recommended that they take occasional trips to the groomer to have their fur clipped. This will help their coat and skin stay healthy.
5. Maltipoo
What Is A Maltipoo?
A Maltipoo is a cross between a Maltese and a Poodle.
Size: Maltipoos are generally a smaller dog. They can be as small as 5 lbs. However, depending on the size of their parents, they can grow a bit larger; sometimes weighing in at 20 lbs.
Again, depending on their parents, they can get to heights between 8 ” and 14″ tall.
Life Span? Maltipoos can live between 10 and 13 years.
Pet/Kid/Family Friendly? Maltipoos are very often associated with the elderly and retirees. That is because they make excellent companion animals. They can get separation anxiety and do not do well with prolonged isolation.
They are also a more delicate breed and are not great matches for households with small children.
Hypoallergenic? Maltipoos considered hypoallergenic. They are bred to be non shedding dogs.
Easy To Train? Maltipoos are smart and quick to learn. They are relatively easy to train for those that take the time to work with them.
How Much Exercise? Another reason they work so well with seniors is because, while they do have A LOT of energy, you can wear them out with about 10 to 15 minutes of exercise a day.
Sit on the couch and toss a toy for them and they will be in puppy heaven.
Coat/Care? Maltipoos need daily brushing. Their hair is prone to tangle easily and, without care, can eventually mat. If you start working with them as a puppy, grooming can be part of your nightly routine as you watch your favorite show together.
6. Pomapoo
What Is A Pomapoo?
A Pomapoo is a cross between a Pomeranian and a Poodle.
Size: Pomapoos size is dependent on the size of their parents. They can weigh in the 5 lbs to 15 lbs range. They can also stand between 8″ and 10″ tall.
Life Span? Pomapoos can live between 12 and 15 years.
Pet/Kid/Family Friendly? Pomapoos can be injured pretty easily by smaller children who may not understand how to play gently. This breed tends to do better with adults and older children.
Aside from that, they do great with families and other pets.
Hypoallergenic? It, again, depends on their parents. Pomeranians tend to shed and are not hypoallergenic. Poodles, on the other hand, do not shed and ARE hypoallergenic.
With Pomapoos it really is the luck of the draw.
Easy To Train? They do well when trained in short sessions on a consistent schedule. The Poodle in them is very intelligent and picks up on training quickly and easily.
How Much Exercise? A daily 10 to 15 walk around the block is more than enough for them.
Coat/Care? Like their status as hypoallergenic, this again depends on which parent they get their coat genes. Either way, they will need to be brushed at least 2 to 3 times a week, if not daily.
7. Pomchi
What Is A Pomchi?
A Pomchi is a cross between a Pomeranian and a Chihuahua.
Size: Pomchis are pretty small dogs and usually weigh somewhere between 4 and 12 lbs with a height of 6″ to 10″.
Life Span? Generally the live between 12 and 18 years.
Pet/Kid/Family Friendly? They are a friendly breed, however, they are not overly friendly. Pomchis do enjoy their family, particularly their one “person”. They do well around kids, strangers, and other pets, as well.
Hypoallergenic? Pomeranians shed quite a bit and pass that trait down to the Pomchi. They are not hypoallergenic, because of this.
Easy To Train? They are pretty smart but, like other small dogs, stubborn. Training them takes time and patience. However, they are smart enough learn anything you want to teach them.
How Much Exercise? They are an active breed. Between walks, games, and just normal playtime, they should get around 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day.
Coat/Care? Their coat and, most notably, their undercoat need a good amount of attention. You will want to make sure they are brushed out a few times a week. Make sure their undercoat is not matting with their top coat too.
8. Cavapoo
What Is A Cavapoo?
A Cavapoo is a cross between a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle.
Size: Cavapoos weights can range from 9 to 25 lbs while their height can be between 9″ and 14″.
Life Span? Cavapoos can live between 12 and 15 years.
Pet/Kid/Family Friendly? Cavapoos are fragile and do not like rough play. Because of this, they are not always a good match with young children.
They are very affectionate and do well with families that have older children.
Hypoallergenic? Yes. Cavapoos are considered hypoallergenic because they are low level shedders.
Easy To Train? Yes. They are very smart and pickup on training pretty easily.
How Much Exercise? Cavapoos are prone to obesity and, thus, need a good amount of daily exercise. If you have a yard in which they can run, they will love it.
Try to make sure they get at least 30 minutes of vigorous exercise every day. This can be through walks, fetch, or any other physical activity.
Coat/Care? Due to the curly nature of their coat, it is relatively low maintenance. They do not mat or tangle as easily as some other teddy bear dogs do. Give them a good brushing once a week or so and they should be fine.
9. Pomeranian
What Is A Pomeranian?
The Pomeranian is the only pure breed dog on this list. They just so happen to look just like teddy bears on their own without mixing with another breed.
Size: Pomeranians can range in size between 3 lbs and 7 lbs with a height of 7″ up to 12″.
Life Span? Pomeranians can live between 12 and 16 years.
Pet/Kid/Family Friendly? The difference in preference between a Pomeranian’s family and other people or pets is a wide gap. They are not at all mean or unfriendly, they just really love their family.
Pomeranians are a more fragile breed of dog so they are not a great choice for small children. If properly socialized and introduced slowly, they can get along with other dogs. But they usually do better as solo pets.
Hypoallergenic? Their great big, beautiful, fluffy coats are, unfortunately, not at all hypoallergenic.
Easy To Train? They are pretty smart and relatively easy to train. They can be stubborn and get bored easily. Like other small dogs, keep the training sessions short with lots of positive reinforcement. You will see good results in no time.
How Much Exercise? Like the Pomchis mentioned above, they do need a fair amount of exercise; around 30 to 60 minutes a day. This can be split between walks and playtime, however.
Coat/Care? Those poofy coats need a good amount of care. Make time to brush them a few times a week. This attention will keep the undercoat from matting into the top coat.
10. Cockapoo
What Is A Cockapoo?
A Cockapoo is a cross between a Cocker Spaniel and a Poodle.
Size: Cockapoos range in size. They are split into four separate categories; Teacup Toy, Toy, Miniature, and Standard/Maxi.
| Breed | Weight | Height |
| Teacup Toy | > 6 lbs | > 10 inches |
| Toy | ~ 12 lbs | ~ 10 inches |
| Miniature | 13 – 18 lbs | 11 – 14 inches |
| Standard | 19+ lbs | 15+ inches |
Life Span? Cockapoos can live between 12 and 15 years.
Pet/Kid/Family Friendly? Cockapoos are an all-around great breed no matter the person. They do great with any size family, any number of pets, just about any location. They are so sweet and loving. You can’t go wrong with a Cockapoo.
Hypoallergenic? Cockapoos don’t shed and are therefore considered hypoallergenic.
Easy To Train? Cocker Spaniels and Poodles are both really smart which is a trait passed along to the Cockapoo. They are very easy to train and pickup on commands quickly.
How Much Exercise? They are really low maintenance. Give them a brisk 15 minute walk or backyard playtime and they are set.
Coat/Care? Their only drawback, if you even consider this one, is that their coat needs daily care. But, with all of their other positives, you probably won’t mind spending the extra time with them.
11. Shichon
What Is A Shichon?
A Shichon (or Zuchon) is a cross between a Shih Tzu and a Bichon Frise.
Size: Shichons range in size between 9 lbs and 15 lbs with a height of 9″ up to 12″.
Life Span? Shichons can live between 12 and 18 years.
Pet/Kid/Family Friendly? These sweet pups are some of the most loving and affectionate dogs on this list. They love just about everyone and have never met a stranger.
They are great with kids as well as with other pets in the house.
Hypoallergenic? Despite having long hair, they are very low shedders and are thus hypoallergenic.
Easy To Train? They are smart but, due to their stubborn independence, they are not the easiest to train. But, with time, patience, and effort, they can learn anything you throw at them.
How Much Exercise? Shichons are prone to obesity and therefore need regular exercise. A good 30 minute walk a day will be great. You can also let them loose in the backyard and get similar results.
Coat/Care? Their coat is one of the longer coats on this list. You will want to make sure to keep them brushed a couple times a week and make grooming appointments if/when necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are teddy bear dogs good family pets?
It will depend on the breeds mixed together but, generally speaking, yes. They are full of love and energy.
However, please note that smaller breed dogs tend to do better with single individuals or couples since they become very attached. They are also fragile and can be injured by young children.
How much is a teddy bear dog?
This will depend on where you live, which breeds are mixed, the puppy’s age, etc. You may be able to find one as low as $200 with a range all the way up to $5,000 or more.
Can Teddy Bear dogs be left alone?
It is best to not leave small dogs alone for long periods of time. They become very attached to their “person” and can experience separation anxiety. Leaving them for periods longer than a few hours can cause a lot of stress for them.
Are teddy bear dogs aggressive?
Not really, no. Some of them, generally intact males, can become territorial and aggressive (how they earn the nickname “ankle biters”). However, this is not the usual case. For the most part, they are very gentle and sweet.
Do teddy bear dogs bark a lot?
With basic obedience training it is possible to keep their barking to a minimum. However, small dogs do tend to be yappy.
Are teddy bear dogs easy to potty train?
Potty training any dog is a time consuming and patience-requiring task. Small dogs tend to be even harder due to short attention spans and smaller bladders. But, don’t fret, they can be trained, it just takes time and patience.
Do teddy bear dogs have health problems?
Not more than any other small dog. Look into breed specific issues for your specific teddy bear dog mix. As a general rule, however, small dogs are prone to hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and need to eat specially blended small dog food on a regular schedule.
They can also fall victim to injury since they are so small and seem to have no fear of heights when jumping from furniture to the floor.
Do teddy bear dogs stay small?
Most of the time, yes. If their parent breeds are both small, they will also stay small.
How often do teddy bear dogs need to be groomed?
Depending on their parent breeds and their type of air/fur, their grooming schedule can range from daily to once or twice a week. You just want to make sure they are not getting excessive tangles or mats.
Final Thoughts
That’s everything you need to know about teddy bear dog breeds! You have a wide variety of different styles to choose from. Each of them have their own distinct look and set of behaviors.
Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!
