Fluffy and cuddly –these are the words that best describe teddy bear dogs. With their cuteness and charm, anyone would love to be with these dogs any time of the day.The term “teddy bear” does not only apply to a specific breed. In fact, this term is being associated to a number of pureand mixed breeds.
What Are Teddy Bear Dogs?
Simply put, a teddy bear dog is one that has the features of a teddy bear. As we all know, a teddy is a soft toy bear usually covered in mohair fur.
The modern-day bears are made of commercially available fabrics like cotton and canvas. It gives them the soft and fluffy feel that makes them one of the most-loved toysbykids and even kids at heart.
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While many dogs sport a natural teddy bear look even without getting their coat trimmed, some breeds can have this kind of look simply by grooming. There’s thistype of cut called the “Teddy Bear cut,” which gives pups a nice trim around the ears, along with a carved out hair to give the pooch a cute cub’s appearance.
The Teddy Bear cut has been around for a long time but it is believed that it only made waves around 2011 because of Boo, the Pomeranian namedthe“world’s cutest dog.” According to his owners, he got into dirtresulting inhis coat being difficult to brush out. To save his coat, the professional groomer recommended the Teddy Bear trim.
The idea of thishaircut is to give a dog a neat look because it is a full-body cut. The hair is cut close to the body. In addition to trimming your pet’s body and legs, it also involves tidying the face and feet. Because it gives our furry little friends a dapper look, this kind of haircut is among the most popular cuts for dogs.
How to Do a Teddy Bear Trim
Giving your dog his teddy bear trim is easy with the right tools. This cutcan be difficult to achieve especially if you never tried grooming your pet before but it can be achieved by following the necessary steps. If you want to give your pooch an adorable teddy bear look, here are the steps you will need to follow:
- Brush your pet’s coat first to keep it free from mats and tangles.
- Give your pooch a full bath and keep him dry using a dog towel and hair drier.
- Comb your pet’s body once it is fully dry. Use a fine-toothed comb to straighten out the dog’s curls.
- Start by clipping at the base of the skull, working your way on the back and the sides of the neck. Use the blade #10 which is the right type to use if you want to leave 2-mm length of coat. This blade number is ideal for working around the anal area and the hind leg.
- Work your way all the way to the body but make sure to follow the direction in which the hair grows.
- Trim the excess hair on the legs and on the feet. Make sure to keep the length consistent.
- Use the #10 blade to tidy up the genitals, underarms, and abdominal area.
- Tidy up any scruffy areas with the help of thinning shears.
- Shape the head by keeping it full and round. If you want to blend the transition areas, use styling scissors with a straight edge for easy trimming.
- Finally, use a slicker brush to give the entire coat a fluffy look.
As you can see, prep work is important before the actual grooming session. Without prep work like brushing, bathing, and drying your pet’s coat, it will be difficult to clip your pet’s hair. This is especially true if you are working on a dog that is prone to mats and tangles like breeds with a wool-like coat texture. Make sure the coatis flattened or straightened out first so you can easily work on it. If you cannot do it yourself, simply bring your pooch to a professional groomer.
Purebred Teddy Bears
Poodle – topping the list is the Poodle, which is famous for its dense and curly fur. Because their loose hair only gets trapped in their curls, they are considered as hypoallergenic breeds. Thisis the main reason why they are often crossed with other breeds. Among the things to love about the Poodles are their fun-loving nature and a sense of ridiculousness.
Shih Tzu – the “teddy bear” cut is actually a signature style of Shih Tzus. This breedhas two layers of coat, with the outer coat being a bit coarse. Thesedogsaremade up of hair instead of fur. They are among the hypoallergenic breeds as they only shed at a minimum level. They may seem arrogant in the beginningbut once close to their humans, these dogs will be among the sweetest and the happiest dogs you could ever find.
Bichon Frise – like the Poodles and the Shih Tzus, these dogs are hypoallergenic. However, they have two layers of coat, with the undercoat consisting of soft hair and the outer layer made of coarse strands of hair. This breedis among the recommended onesifyou are looking for a family pet because these dogsare friendly and gentle, even with younger children.
Newfoundland – these gentle giants can be intimidating when fully grown but they can be very charming as pups, you will mistake them for little bear cubs. They are known for theirthick double coat and webbed feet. Their coat is water-resistant which makes them perfect for water rescue or lifesaving activities. They are also perfect as guard dogs because of their alertness and intelligence.
Pomeranian – they have a thick double coat that requires regular grooming to avoid tangles. While the majority of Poms exhibit a lion cut, there are those that are trimmed in a neat way. When given a teddy bear trim, Poms are often mistaken for Japanese Spitz and Finnish Lapphund. They tend to have a big personality, and will even step out of their comfort zone to show their love and loyalty towards their owners.
Maltese – this breed boasts a noble look because of its glamorous white coat. Without a nice trim, this dog’s hair can be solong that it reaches all the way to the ground. Like the Shih Tzus, they are made up of hair but they do not come with two layers of coat as other teddy bear breeds.
Schipperke – this Belgian breed is also called LBD which stands for “little black devil.” They have double layers of coats. The top coat is a bit coarse and longer than the inner coat. The layer underneath is soft and fluffy.These dogsare best known for their natural curiosity to their environment. These active dogs can be quite dependent or clingy with their humans.
Samoyed – sporting a white fluffy coat, it’s easy to compare this dog with a stuffed toy. It has a thick coat that should be brushed on a daily basis to prevent the development of knots and tangles. Samoyeds are among the most intelligent breeds of dogs although they can be a bit clingy and will thrive on human companionship. Samoyed dogs may not be suitable for new pet parents because they are extremely active, which is not surprising since they were originally bred to hunt and haul sledges.
Lhasa Apso – this breed has long and double layers of coat, but this dog is still considered to be hypoallergenic. When given a teddy bear haircut, this breed almost resembles the Shih Tzu. Both are small breeds known for their long and silky coats. They are sometimes called the “easy keepers” because of their affectionate nature and their ability to become great companions. However, they have the tendency to be aloof and a bit stubborn which is just natural for guard dogs. They are smart but you need to be extra creative and patient in training them because they have the tendency to be stubborn.
Pekingese – the coat of a Pekingese is long and straight. Although they have a soft undercoat, it can be a bit challenging to maintain because their top coat has a harsh texture. This breedneeds to be supplemented as it is quite prone to skin problems. These dogs are notorious for their barking, despite the fact that they can be well-behaved when trained early on. If you cannot be at home most of the time, think twice about getting a Pekingese.
Mixed breed Teddy Bears
Purebreeds are not the only ones sporting the teddy bear look. There are mixed breeds that also have the same cuteness of the teddies. Here are some of the mixed breeds that sport this look:
Shih Poo – a cross between a Shih Tzu and the Poodle, this dog shows off a long and beautiful coat. It has different hair textures, like the parents. Itscoat can go from straight to wool-like and requires professional grooming every eight weeks. Shih-Poos are playful dogs full of energy andenjoy spending time with their owners.
Goldendoodle – it combines the Golden Retriever and the Poodle. The Goldendoodles are known for their variety of colors and textures. Like the Shih Poos, these dogs may have smooth, fleece, or wool-like coats. As always, their grooming needs will depend on the kind of coat texture they have. Many people prefer those with wool-like coats because, despite the fact that they are challenging to groom, they are hypoallergenic.
Pomapoo – a cross between the Pomeranian and the Toy Poodle, the Pomapoo is best known for its small built but it will impress you with its big personality because the Pomapoo is such an intelligent buddy. This designer dog has a soft coat that comes in many show-stopping colors.
Pomchi – those who are torn between two cute breeds, the Pomeranian and the Chihuahua should definitely consider the Pomchi. They are among the best choices if you want a buddy you can carry around everywhere. They are minimal shedders, so if you are allergic to pet hair the Pomchis are still a good choice.
Bichapoo – if you are looking for a dog with the least shedding level, you should consider the Bichapoo. It is the cross between the Bichon Frise and the Poodle. It may be a bit difficult to identify, though, because its parents almost look the same. The Bichon Frise looks a lot like the Standard Poodle when they are given the teddy bear haircut.
Teddy Bear Dog Price
Since teddy bear pups pertain to several purebreds and mixed breeds, they don’t come with an exact price. If you are interested in purebred dogs, you may need to shell out around $500-$1,500 on average. Apparently, prices can go higher if you are after dogs with superior pedigree. Some purebreeds can even go as high as $10,000 especially if you are looking for one with a unique or rare coloring.
For mixed breeds or designer breeds, expect to pay around $2,000 for each teddy bear pup. The price can go higher depending on breeder. If the parents were from top breed lines, you will eventually need to spend a bit more. Be careful because not all those you see truly came from top breed lines. Some puppy mills are just after the money.
Conclusion
“Teddy bear” is thenickname often given to dog breeds with fluffy coat and dark, round eyes. This term is associated not just with a specific breed but to a variety of breeds, from pure to mixed varieties. Many teddy bear breeds do not only have a charming look, they also have an endearing personality you cannot resist.
