Dogs and foxes belong to the ‘Canidae’ family, which also includes wolves, jackals, coyotes, and other animals. Some dog breeds look very similar to foxes, a few of which are listed here.
Wild Relatives of Your Dog!
Apart from foxes, dogs look like wolves, jackals, raccoon dogs, dholes, coyotes, and dingoes!
Dogs and foxes may appear similar in looks, but they are very different animals. Dogs are domesticated, and foxes are still wild. Just because there is a physical resemblance doesn’t mean they are the same. But here are some cute dog breeds that look like foxes!
~ Origin: Japan
~ Other Names: Shiba, Doge
~ Type of Breed: Non-sporting
~ Height: 14.5 – 16.5 inches
~ Weight: 17 – 23 pounds
~ Colors: Black and tan, Red and white
~ Shedding: Moderate/Constant
~ Litter size: 3 puppies
~ Lifespan: 12 – 15 years
Shiba Inu was bred for hunting in ancient times in Japan. In Japanese, ‘Shiba’ means brushwood and ‘inu’ means dog. These are the smallest dogs belonging to the ‘Spitz’ breed. Shiba’s have an independent nature, you want to make sure you start your positive training early on. Socializing at a younger age can help as well. Make sure your children have a good understanding of how to treat dogs. Shibas do like chasing things so make sure you are aware of this if you have small children or cats. Apart from this, they can make lovely companions. They might be aloof with strangers, but early socializing helps.
~ Origin: Japan
~ Other Names: Great Japanese Dog, Japanese Akita, American Akita
~ Type of Breed: Working
~ Height: 24 – 28 inches
~ Weight: 75 – 119 pounds
~ Colors: Red and white
~ Shedding: Moderate
~ Litter size: 3 – 12 puppies
~ Lifespan: 9 – 11 years
Originally called, “snow country dogs”, the Akita is also now called the ‘silent hunter’. They were originally bred to hunt wild boar, elk and bears. Since they are bred for hunting they have a pretty strong predatory behavior so be careful with your cats or chickens. The breed has been declared a national treasure in Japan. It doesn’t bark much, but some make unusual verbalizing which sounds like they are “talking” to you! Daily, strenuous exercise is recommended.
Japanese and American Akita are said to be two varieties of the same breed. They aren’t very different. The American Akita is available in many colors, usually with a black mask and pinto markings, but the Japanese Akita comes in only a few colors.
~ Origin: Russia/Siberia
~ Other Names: Smiley, Bjelkier, Samoiedskaya Sobaka, Nenetskaya Laika
~ Type of Breed: Working
~ Height: 21 – 24 inches
~ Weight: 44 – 71 pounds
~ Colors: White
~ Shedding: Seasonal (Heavy, 1-2 times in a year)
~ Litter size: 4 – 6 puppies
~ Lifespan: 12 – 13 years
Samoyeds are one of the 14 most ancient breeds. They look like big white fluffy foxes! They have wonderful temperaments and can make perfect family dogs if trained and socialized correctly at a young age. This breed was bred for pulling sledges, so it might want to pull you by the leash! You’ll want to make sure to teach it some good loose leash walking manners.
~ Origin: Finland
~ Other Names: Barking bird dog
~ Type of Breed: Sporting
~ Height: 16 – 19 inches
~ Weight: 27 – 33 pounds
~ Colors: Black, brown, gray, red
~ Shedding: Moderate/Seasonal (Heavy, 1 – 2 times a year)
~ Litter size: 4 puppies
~ Lifespan: 12 – 15 years
As its name suggests, it barks a lot, so you may want to teach it a “quiet” cue early on. It does really well with positive reinforcement training and tends to be very intelligent. They are an active breed, so daily exercise is a must.
~ Origin: Germany
~ Other Names: Pompom
~ Type of Breed: Toy
~ Height: 5 – 11 inches
~ Weight: 4.2 – 10 pounds
~ Colors: Black, black and tan, blue, brown, gray, red, white
~ Shedding: Constant
~ Litter size: 1 – 5 puppies
~ Lifespan: 12 – 16 years
The Pomeranian, also called Zwergspitz, Dwarf Spitz, Loulou, or, affectionately Pom is a cute small ball of fur that really does look like a little fox! It is the smallest member of the Spitz family. It is very intelligent and can learn easily. They are sometimes prone to excessive barking so you’ll want to work on that.
~ Origin: Mexico
~ Type of Breed: Toy
~ Height: 6 – 10 inches
~ Weight: 3.3 – 6 pounds
~ Colors: Black, blue, brown, red, silver, white
~ Shedding: Moderate
~ Litter size: 3 – 5 puppies
~ Lifespan: 14 – 20 years
The chihuahua is one of the oldest breeds in the Americas. Their ancestors are the Techichi, which were depicted in cave paintings as far back as 300 BC. It is also the smallest dog out there. Due to it’s popularity, they are, unfortunately, bred by many backyard breeders and puppy mills. Please make sure to get your Long Haired Chihuahua from a reputable breeder. Do your research! Their size makes them the perfect lap dog. Also-be careful. They are so small, you want to make sure you don’t step on them! Its tiny size doesn’t stop them. They are often big dogs in a little dog’s body. Or at least they think they are. they are funny and really bring a lot of enjoyment to your life. Always ensure you are doing positive reinforcement training and socializing them from a young age. If not socialized well at a young age, it may not be very social with others. The actual name for some chihuahuas is the fox head chi. Avoid overfeeding it, as it may lead to health problems.
~ Origin: UK
~ Other Names: Cardigan, CWC, Cardi, Pem, PWC
~ Type of Breed: Herding
~ Height: 10.5 – 12.5 inches
~ Weight: 25 – 40 pounds
~ Colors: Black and tan, black, red, blue, white (Pembroke)
~ Shedding: Moderate/Constant
~ Litter size: 5 – 7 puppies
~ Lifespan: 12 – 15 years
There are 2 types of Corgi: Cardigan Welsh and Pembroke Welsh. This dog belongs to the herding breed. They are very intelligent and can be trained easily. They need regular exercise and often, a job too. They are great for competing in herding events and agility trials.
~ Origin: Norway
~ Other Names: Norsk Elghund, Small Grey Elk Dog, Norwegian Moose Dog, Harmaa norjanhirvikoira
~ Type of Breed: Hound
~ Height: 18 – 21 inches
~ Weight: 40 – 55 pounds
~ Colors: Black, gray, silver, white
~ Shedding: Minimal
~ Litter size: 7 – 14 puppies
~ Lifespan: 10 – 12 years
The Norwegian Elkhound is among Europe’s oldest dogs. Originally from Normay, they are said to have sailed with the Vikings and go back as far as 4000BC. They were used to hunt bear, elk and other large animals. They are short and squarely built. NH’s can bewonderful pets. As always, you want to make sure you are socializing from a young age and training it well.
~ Origin: France
~ Other Names: Butterfly Dog, Squirrel Dog
~ Type of Breed: Toy
~ Height: 8 – 11 inches
~ Weight: 8 – 10 pounds
~ Colors: Black, black and tan, brown, red, silver, white
~ Shedding: Minimal
~ Litter size: 2 – 4 puppies
~ Lifespan: 13 – 16 years
Papillons get their name from their ears. The word Papillon means butterfly. These dogs were bred to be lapdogs for noble-women. They are in the top ten most intelligent dogs. Often, you will see them in agility or other dog sports. Their a lot of fun and can make great pets. This breed is a winner in many competitions. The dog is very fragile and so it is advisable for families having small children to make sure your children are well trained on how to be with them. Early socializing is recommended, as always.
~ Origin: Germany
~ Other Names: Eskimo Spitz, American Spitz, German Spitz, Eskie
~ Type of Breed: Non-sporting
~ Height: 15 – 19 inches
~ Weight: 20 – 40 pounds
~ Colors: Gray and white
~ Shedding: Constant
~ Litter size: 5 puppies
~ Lifespan: 12 – 14 years
The American Eskimo Dog comes in three sizes—standard, miniature, and toy. Though it is named as such, it doesn’t have anything to do with American Eskimos, the people. Originally from German descent, and named the German Spitz, the name was changed to American Eskimo Dog in 1917 due to it’s former association with the word German and the sentiments at the time due to the war . It can be affectionate, friendly, and a playful breed as long as you help them along the way with early socialization and positive training. Its intelligence makes them learn easily. They were used in circuses and travelling vaudeville shoes!
~ Origin: Germany/ Netherlands
~ Other Names: Kees, Dutch Barge Dog, Smiling Dutchman, German Spitz, Wolfspitz
~ Type of Breed: Non-sporting
~ Height: 17 – 18 inches
~ Weight: 35 – 45 pounds
~ Colors: Black, white, gray
~ Shedding: Moderate/Constant
~ Litter Size: 3 – 8 puppies
~ Lifespan: 12 – 14 years
Keeshond, (pronounced KAYZ-hawnd) comes from the Netherlands and come from the same stock as Pomeranians and Samoyeds. They were used as companions and to guard Dutch barges. They have distinctive markings around their eyes that look like eyeglasses. They need moderate exercise and are intelligent. They like their people and are very people oriented.
~ Origin: Belgium
~ Other Names: Little Captain
~ Type of Breed: Non-sporting
~ Height: 11 – 13 inches
~ Weight: 7 – 20 pounds
~ Colors: Black, black and tan, blue, brown
~ Shedding: Moderate
~ Litter size: 3 – 7 puppies
~ Lifespan: 13 – 15 years
The Schipperke, sometimes referred to “Little captain” or nicknamed LBD, for little black devil, looks like a fluffy black fox. They were used in Belgium for companionship, to hunt rats and to guard the barges. They do not come from the Spitz or Pomeranian family, but from a small version of the black sheepdog called a Leauvenaar. They are really active and used to work. They do well with lots of force free training and early socialization.
