Are Bears Related to Dogs? Science Answers the Ultimate Question
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Everyone knows that dogs and wolves are closely related, but have you ever wondered about dogs and bears? After all, many breeds actually resemble bears, so does that mean there’s genetic overlap there?
Are bears related to dogs? As it turns out, the answer is no. They’re from completely different biological families, and despite the occasional vague resemblance, they have no direct relationship.
However, they do have a few fascinating connections, each of which we’ll explore in detail below. Are bears and dogs related? Get ready to find out!
Are Bears and Dogs Related? Evolutionary Facts
At some point in history — probably the Middle Eocene epoch, some 47 million years ago — a great evolutionary split occurred. The animals in the order Carnivora (that is, the carnivores) branched off into two suborders: the Feliformia and the Caniformia.
The animals in the Feliformia group have shorter snouts, retractable or semi-retractable claws, and walk on their toes. In short, these animals are cat-like, and their ranks include tigers, lions, and the savage housecat.
Meanwhile, the Caniformia group includes animals with non-retractable claws, long jaws, and less-specialized teeth. This group is a bit more diverse, but they’re all considered “dog-like.” In it, you’ll find wolves, foxes, raccoons, and yes, dogs and bears.
Why did this split occur? It was likely due to the fact that the animals in both groups found themselves in different “feeding niches,” which means that they had different food available to them in their respective environments.
This may seem like a simple thing, but it made all the difference in the world as far as creating dissimilarities between the two groups.
Meat: Is It All That’s for Dinner?
There’s one key difference between the two groups that caused them to look and act in contrasting manners. Members of Feliformia are usually “obligate carnivores,” meaning they only eat meat, whereas animals in Caniformia are “facultative carnivores,” which means their diets are a little more diverse.
As a result, both dogs and bears will eat more than just meat. They’ll scavenge for food or even eat fruits and other plants in a pinch.
Don’t get us wrong, though: Meat is still by far their preference. Unlike cats, though, they’re fully capable of processing plant matter and can derive important nutrients from it.
That’s why their noses are longer and their claws don’t retract. They need to sniff out food that’s buried underground, and they may need to dig up dirt to get to it.
Given the few characteristics that the two animals have in common, it seems likely that they have at least one ancestor in common. However, the animal that scientists believe to be their forebear may just surprise you.
As it turns out, their common ancestor is basically a land otter. Known as Miacids, these were small animals with long bodies and tails that preyed on anything smaller than they were.
Miacids went extinct nearly 28 million years ago, but they’re considered to be the basis for all modern carnivores. Scientists tested a Miacid fossil for DNA and discovered that its genes could be found in both modern dogs and bears.
Ironically enough, there was another ancient animal called the bear dog that’s not considered a direct ancestor of either bears or dogs. These animals came in a range of sizes, from tiny little Chihuahuas to giant, 1,000-pound monsters.
Could You Mate a Dog and a Bear?
The answer is no, you can’t breed the two animals. They’re completely different creatures and don’t even have the same number of chromosomes. Bears have 74 chromosomes, whereas dogs have a mere 39 (but they’re all adorable).
If you tried to make a bear-dog, you’d likely end up with a fat bear and a dog skeleton, so please don’t try it at home.
Which Dog Breeds Look Like Bears?
Now that we know about the two animals’ shared history, it’s time to get down to the important stuff: talking about the dogs that look like big, cuddly teddy bears.
The breeds on the list below can all give your average Yogi a run for its money, but they’re much easier to cuddle with. (You may still want to hang your food from a tree when they’re around, however.)
1. Chow Chow
Chow Chows have big, thick coats that give them a bear-like appearance. You might even mistake them for a golden bear cub, if you were unfamiliar with the breed.
While these dogs are definitely not bears, they can make excellent watchdogs. They also tend to be aloof and independent, so they’re not ideal for the first-time dog owner.
2. Samoyed
Samoyeds look like skinny little polar bears, and they’re just as at home in the frozen tundra. Their fur is incredibly soft and luxurious, so you’ll be forgiven if you bury your nose in it. You’ll spend quite a bit of time grooming it if you bring one home, though.
They’re often used as sled dogs, which is something that’s rarely said about bears.
- If you think the Samoyed looks like a polar bear, check out our list of 20 dog breeds that also look like them!
3. Newfoundland
Newfoundland puppies look more like bears than bears do. These dogs have extremely thick, fluffy coats, and when they’re young, they have the rounded shape that most bears favor.
They’re almost as strong as bears too, so don’t be surprised if they drag you all through the forest once you put a leash on them.
4. Bush Dog
This South American wild dog is nearly extinct and for good reason: They’re often killed because people mistake them for bears.
While they’re not nearly as large as bears, the facial resemblance is uncanny, so we can’t fault someone for panicking if they see one of these pups coming. They’re usually not dangerous, though, as they prefer to run away at the first sign of hostility.
5. Leonbergers
These giant pups have the same markings as many bears, and at 170 pounds, a Leonberger doesn’t give up much weight to their larger cousins. These dogs were bred to pull carts, which tells you how powerful they are.
They make great watchdogs, even though they tend to be incredibly gentle and loving. We suppose evildoers don’t want to take the chance when staring at a 170-pound pooch.
6. Akitas
This Japanese breed can be fairly massive as well, sometimes tipping the scales at 130 pounds or more. Akitas have a bear-like face, but the rest of their body tends to be sleek and lithe.
They’re also an extremely loyal breed, but they can be prone to aggression if not properly socialized — much like bears.
7. Great Pyrenees
Another breed that looks like polar bears, Great Pyrenees are much friendlier than their Arctic counterparts. However, they were bred to protect flocks of sheep from predators like wolves, badgers, and yes, bears, so they could likely hold their own if a fight broke out.
These pups are lovers instead of fighters, though, and they can make fantastic family pets.
8. Caucasian Shepherd Dogs
This is a relatively rare breed, but Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are truly bear-like in many ways —including their size, as they often weigh nearly 200 pounds. They’re completely fearless too, which makes sense given how massive they are.
All that bulk can be hard to control, though, so it’s not a good idea to bring one home unless you’re confident in your training skills.
9. Tibetan Mastiffs
Tibetan Mastiffs are possibly the biggest dogs on this list, regularly weighing close to 200 pounds or more. They also have thick manes around their neck and face, which gives them a distinctly bear-like appearance.
Fortunately, their dispositions are more like hibernating bears than rampaging ones.
10. Pomeranians
So, Pomeranians look like really small bears — but these little fluffballs could easily be mistaken for teddy bears.
No one will ever fear a savage Pomeranian the way that they would a grizzly, but don’t tell them that: These dogs believe that they’re as big and ferocious as any other land mammal.
Final Thoughts
Are bears dogs? No. Are dogs related to bears? Also no. While bears and dogs may share a few superficial commonalities, these two animals are quite different indeed. They’re distantly related, but let’s just say that they’re not likely to get along at the family reunion.
Featured Image Credit: critterbiz, Shutterstock
