The lion is considered to be the king of the jungle. Yet while they may appear regal, lions are at the same time powerful and fearsome predators. Having a lion at home isn’t an option however there are many lion-like dogs that make fantastic pets. Therefore, lion fans will want to make sure to check out the following dogs that look like lions when considering their next canine.
Lowchen
You may know the Lowchen by its other name the Little Lion Dog. This small breed usually has the majority of its hindquarters and tail clipped close to the skin which gives it a mane and plumed tail. The Lowchen is also often compared to having the heart and bravery of a lion as well despite being a little pooch.
Chow Chow
The Chow Chow is an ancient Chinese dog breed that looks like a lion. There are actually two coat types: the rough coat and the smooth coat. It is the rough-coated variety that looks more lion-like. That’s because it has thicker hair around its head and neck which looks similar to a lion’s mane. Because of its stubborn nature, the Chow Chow is not a dog for an inexperienced owner.
Pekingese
The Pekingese is another Chinese dog that looks like a lion. And these little lap dogs were actually once considered sacred in their homeland. With a profuse mane that reaches past their shoulders, it’s no wonder they were referred to as “lion dogs”.
There are several legends that describe how this unique-looking breed originated. One includes a love story between a lion and a marmoset, while another references a romance between a lion and a butterfly.
Keeshond
The lively and intelligent Keeshond is typically an easy-to-train canine. This breed originated in Holland where it was used as both a guard and companion primarily on riverboats and barges. The Keeshond has a fluffy coat that stands out from its body.
And while it may have a fox-like face it has thick hair on its neck shoulders and chest which look similar to a lion’s mane. This ruff of hair is more profuse on male dogs than on females.
American Eskimo Dog
The American Eskimo Dog is a hardy and generally long-lived breed. Because its original function was that of a watchdog the American Eskimo dog is an alert canine that is always ready to announce the arrival of a stranger with its bark. This is a smart and affectionate dog that has a high energy level.
Leonberger
The Leonberger is a big dog that looks like a lion and has an impressive mane. This large canine actually has webbed paws which make it a powerful swimmer and an excellent water-rescue dog despite being considered a companion breed. It is a German dog that as legend has it, was created to represent the lion on the coat of arms for the city of Leonberger, for which this breed is named.
Tibetan Mastiff
This is a mastiff that looks like a lion not just because of its massive size but also its heavy mane. And it doesn’t just look the part, the Tibetan Mastiff is also a fierce guardian that won’t hesitate to protect its property, flock, owners, or home, from man or beast. It is believed that this ancient Tibetan dog was used to create the modern mastiff breeds of Europe and the Middle East.
Samoyed
A herding and sled dog from Siberia, the Samoyed’s abundant coat helps to make it appear quite lion-like (although a pure white lion). This large breed is also commonly described as looking like a polar bear as well for obvious reasons. Like the Keeshond, it has a substantial ruff of hair around its neck giving the impression of a mane, with males having a more substantial ruff than females.
Pomeranian
Also sometimes called the Dwarf Spitz, the Pomeranian is an intelligent and playful little breed that is highly popular around the world. Many people don’t know that the Pomeranian actually comes in the widest array of coat colors of any dog breed. They are small dogs that look like lions on a miniature scale, especially when their coat is clipped in what’s known as a “lion cut”.
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