Cantonese bear dog

The Unexpected Hoax Of The Beautiful Cantonese Bear Dog

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The Cantonese Bear Dog is a beautiful fluffy dog with a magnificent red colored coat and a bear-like face. It is such a beautiful dog, that many dog lovers around the world are attempting to buy one for themselves.

But there is one problem with this. This dog breed does not actually exist. No evidence besides a few pictures and videos exist about this dog. In this article, we will try to prove if this dog exists once and for all.

Key Takeaways

  • Cantonese Bear Dogs are not an actual dog breed.
  • The hoax of this dog began in 2016 on social media sites.
  • Supposedly, these dogs originate from Guangzhou, China.
  • The dog is described to have a teddy bear-like appearance and a furry red coat.
  • None of the Kennel Clubs hold any information about this dog breed.
  • The pictures and videos are supposed to be from other breeds or photoshopped.
  • Some breeds that look like this dog are Pomeranians, Chow Chows, and Shiba Inus.
  • Scamming breeders offer these dogs for prices of around $1000-$2500.

What Is A Cantonese Bear Dog 

There isn’t too much info on this breed on the internet. No official sources, like the Kennel Clubs, offer any information about Cantonese Bear Dogs. However, there is some information on social media and some pet-related blogs.

This breed is speculated to originate from Guangzhou, China. The Cantonese language is spoken there, hence the name of the Cantonese Bear Dogs. Some people refer to them by other names like the Chinese Red Dog, Cantonese Mastiff, or the Hong Kong Mastiff.

What Are Its Traits?

Cantonese Bear Dogs are described as medium-sized dogs with a bear-like appearance. Usually, the adult dog is described to have a height of 30-32 inches, and a weight of 70-80 pounds.

They have a short or long straight coat, sometimes described as cotton-like, with a striking red color. Besides red, it can also come in black, or white. Their pointy ears are straight, and their tail is bushy and curled. Their life expectancy is 11-12 years.

The Cantonese Bear Dogs are described to have affectionate and playful personalities. They are however shy around new people and need socialization. They have high energy and need to exercise a lot. The Cantonese Bear Dog personality makes it a great guard dog. The red Cantonese Bear Dog requires the same care as any other breed. They need nutritious food, exercise, and training. These dogs will also need their nails cut, their fur brushed, and their ears cleaned.

Is The Cantonese Bear Dog Breed Real?

No, there is no such breed as a Cantonese Bear Dog. Even though there are some pictures and videos on the internet “proving” the existence of the red Cantonese Bear Dog, they are either fake or of some similar dog breed. 

None of the American Kennel Club (AKC), the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC), and the China Kennel Union (CKU) even mention this breed. The same is true for other Kennel Clubs.

There are instances where a Cantonese Bear Dog breeder will offer this breed with seemingly real documents, but don’t fall for their tricks. Some unethical breeders and puppy mills have tried to intentionally breed the red Cantonese Bear Dog through selective breeding, but none have been successful. They often end up producing a dog with health problems and a shorter life expectancy.

Why Are People So Interested?

The red Cantonese Bear Dog is advertised as some sort of a rare dog breed with amazing traits. The people who claim it is real, describe it as a teddy bear-looking dog with a beautiful red color. Some photos and videos online also show an adorable-looking dog.

The person who profits from this scam advertises this red bear dog to be very affectionate and friendly. So it’s no wonder why people are curious to adopt one for themselves.

Where Did The Rumors Come From?

The first instance of mention of this dog breed was in 2016. Then an image of this reddish-brown or reddish-orange dog appeared on social media sites like Twitter and Reddit. The image was accompanied by text explaining the red Cantonese Bear Dog and naming it. 

Because people like new and cute things, the post instantly went viral, and more and more posts were created about the dog. This created even more interest in any dog enthusiast wanting to own one, and thus false breeders started creating scam sites selling the red Cantonese Bear Dog.

How To Spot Fake Dog Breeds

There are ways to avoid falling for scams like this Cantonese dog scam. Here are a few things you can do if you are a dog lover.

Research In The Kennel Clubs

Kennel Clubs are amazing places to receive information about any dog. They’ve collected all the information needed about the accepted dog breeds. The American Kennel Club (AKC) is a great place to receive information on what dogs are officially accepted in America.

Use The Internet

There are other places on the Internet where you can check for information about dogs. Sites like our site Dogisa, are made to inform you about any dog breed you want to know about. Avoid believing all information on social media sites as they often have fake information on there.

Meet The Breeder And Dog Personally

To make sure a rare breed you find is real, make sure to find a reputable breeder. If you want to know how to find good dog breeders, you can ask a vet or a trusted dog owner friend. Ask to meet the breeder personally and see the parents of the dog you want.

Request Genetic Testing Results

To prove that the dog you are planning to buy is the real deal, you should request genetic testing results for the puppy. The genetic tests will also prove that the dog has not inherited any genetic mutations that will cause some serious health issues in the future.

Dogs That Look Like The Cantonese Bear Dog

Some people claim to have seen the red Cantonese Bear Dog, but they might have just seen a similar breed to the description. The pictures and videos of the alleged dog might be of these similar breeds.

Chow Chow

Due to its teddy bear-like appearance, the Chow Chow is a possible suspect to be the dog from the fake pictures and videos. This dog also originates from China, just like the Cantonese one. Its big and fluffy coat can come in red color, as well as, black, blue, cinnamon, and cream. 

Chow Chows are medium to large sized dogs, but there is also the Mini Chow Chow that is small and looks exactly like a teddy bear. One thing that may differ the Cantonese Bear from the Chow Chow is that they don’t have the blue-colored tongues that Chow Chows do.

Pomeranian

Another very similar dog to the Cantonese is the Pomeranian. This dog is also known for its adorable teddy bear like appearance. They are very fluffy dogs with long double coats. Their coats can come in a beautiful red, but also in black, blue, chocolate, cream, orange, white, and more.

One distinction from the Cantonese dogs is their size because these are very small dogs. Otherwise, these dogs have the loving and friendly attitude of the supposed Cantonese dogs. It is no wonder why someone would fall in love with this dog breed and want one for themselves.

Finnish Spitz

This is one very interesting dog breed that many people might not be familiar with. It is a Finnish dog that was used to hunt birds in the past. It comes from the Spitz dog breed, hence why it has its typical fluffy coat. “There are a number of dogs known as spitz. Among these are the Finnish spitz, the Eskimo dog, the Greenland dog, and the Lapland spitz.”, according to Britannica.

These dogs have fluffy medium-length coat that comes in a red color making them similar to the red bear dog. They are medium-sized dogs with slim and athletic build. This differentiates them from the Cantonese dogs which are described and shown as a bit more chubby-like. Their face is also more fox-like compared to the square face of Cantonese dogs.

Shiba Inu

The Shiba Inu is another dog similar to Cantonese Bear Dogs. It is a dog that comes from Japan and was originally bred for hunting. The breed is known for its fluffy and short double coat. It can come in a beautiful red color, but also in cream, black and tan, and red sesame.

This dog has a very similar face to the Cantonese dogs seen in the fake pictures and videos. Shiba Inu puppies are almost identical to the dogs in the pictures. It is also a medium sized dog and is known to be loyal and affectionate with its owners.

Mixed breeds

There are some mixed dog breeds that look very similar to the Cantonese Bear Dog puppy. One, for example, is the Chowba, a mix of the Shiba Inu and the Chow Chow. Both breeds are very similar to the supposed Cantonese dogs and together make a very fluffy pup that can come in red color.

The Pom Chow is another mix made from dogs similar to the Cantonese dogs. It is a mix of the Pomeranian and the Chow Chow and makes for a very fluffy bear-like pup. One other mix is the Chusky, a mix of the Chow Chow and Siberian Husky. A Wooly coated Husky mix might make a poppy as fluffy as the supposed Cantonese dogs. Some mixes with the Tibetan Mastiff, Australian Shepherd, and Golden Retriever can also look like this dog.

What If You Wanted To Buy A Cantonese Bear Dog?

Getting a red Cantonese Bear Dog for yourself is impossible, due to the fact that it simply does not exist. However, you will come across some breeders on the internet claiming they sell the dog. The red Cantonese Bear Dog price is around $1000-$2500. These breeders are usually scamming other people by simply not selling any dog, or selling a dog that is similar to the Cantonese dogs. All animal rights activists are actively fighting against these practices. PETA has this to say about these practices:

Since puppy mills breed dogs for quantity, not quality, genetic defects are rampant. These can include physical problems that require costly veterinary treatment as well as personality disorders that often frustrate guardians into abandoning their dogs.

If you really want to own a teddy-bear dog like this fake one, your best option is to buy one of the similar breeds we listed above. Search for breeds like the Chow Chow, Shiba Inu, Pomeranian, Finnish Spitz, or mixed dog breeds.

Final Words About The Cantonese Bear Dog

Cantonese Bear Dogs appeared on the internet around 2016. They were spread all over social media networks like Twitter and Reddit claiming the existence of a rare and beautiful Chinese dog. They described a medium-sized fluffy teddy bear-like dog with a striking red color originating from China. 

Many people fell for this information and wanted to find one of these dogs for themselves. But this was just a hoax. If you search for this dog breed in any of the Kennel Clubs, you will see that no such dog has been listed. People suppose that the available pictures of the dog are of another breed or are photoshopped.

If you are someone who found the red Cantonese Bear Dog beautiful but learned that it doesn’t exist, you have the option of getting a similar-looking dog. The Chow Chow, Pomeranian, Shiba Inu, and Finnish Spitz are all great options.

FAQ

Where to find red Cantonese Bear Dogs for sale?

There are some sites claiming to sell Cantonese Bear Dogs, but they are not legitimate. This breed does not exist and those sellers are lying. But, you can find some similar breeds that have similar traits to this one.

Do Cantonese bear dogs shed?

People that claim the Cantonese Bear Dog exists, say that this dog sheds very little. It is obvious why many people would like a fluffy hypoallergenic dog, but sadly it is not a real breed.

Are there actual bear dogs?

There is one dog that works as a bear dog called the Karelian Bear Dog. This is a Finnish dog used for hunting, but it has an amazing ability to scare off bears.

More dog breed resources

Here are a few other resources that introduce other dog breeds you may be interested in or haven’t heard of yet.

You can find a lot more information on other dog breeds on our site Dogisa!

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