When it comes to canines, we have created a wide selection of breeds that have changed tremendously over time. Some of them don’t even seem to be part of the same species anymore. Some dogs look like foxes, bears, wolves and even movie-like creatures – such as Sasquatch or Chewbacca. They come in all long, medium, short and even hairless hairstyles. They have flat faces, long faces and all intermediate faces.
We have collected a solid selection of the 10 best dogs that look like lions. Each of these breeds shares a remarkable similarity, no matter how large or small. Let’s take a look.
Here are 10 breeds of dogs that look like lions:
1. Löwchen
Löwchen is a German word that literally translates as a little lion. They have been a popular breed in Europe for more than 500 years. They not only share his name with the ruler of the lands of pride, but also share his courage.
When brushing occurs, they do a hairstyle called lion tweezers. The handlers shave the hindquarters, leaving a feather of hair on the tail and a full mane.
They are not as demanding or fragile as other small breeds, which makes them an excellent option for many family lifestyles. Living on average 15 years, this cheeky race will rule the perch with loving kindness of a lion’s heart.
2. Chow Chow
The Chow Chows originate in China, where they have the name Songshi-Quan, translating into cute lion dogs. It is well known that these guys look like the Jungle King. They have an impressive ray of thick plush curling around their faces.
This race is dignified and serious, expects respect to the fullest and is willing to reciprocate. They are fiercely loving to family members, but not gregarious to strangers. They are overprotective and apprehensive of those outside their social circle.
They are serious and balanced like a lion, with their frowning eyebrows and jaw dropped. They have an average shelf life of 11-13 years.
3. Tibetan Mastiff
This beautiful specimen is a giant breed of dog that is powerful and stubborn. They have a thick layer of fluffy hair, making them very similar to lions, in fact.
Although you don’t want to be a strange face to face with one of these, being a family member is another story. They are exceptional with their own families, children and other dogs.
They may look like cuddly teddy bears, but this dog has a mind of its own. They have difficulty obeying, and who could blame them? They are bigger than most humans. They live up to 14 years, which is plenty of time for a dog of this size.
4. Pomeranian
These tiny dogs have a stubborn way. They are the favourites, compared to many faces in the wild kingdom, such as bears, foxes and – of course – lions. They are a toy breed, growing to about seven pounds.
They are bold and brave little dogs, not caring about their size. They have been the favourites of the population for years, occupying the 23rd position in the AKC Popularity List ranking. Playful and full of energy, these little guard dogs will melt your heart with their colourful personalities and vocal tendencies.
They won’t leave you alone for some time, because they have a long service life ranging from 12-16 years. They may be small, but they are big in the heart.
5. Newfoundland dog
This large fluff ball resembles a lion with its dense hair and dark facial expression. These fantastic animals are as sweet as they look. Although some others on this list are sensitive to strangers, they are an exception. They love all people and have affection for children.
They are insanely intelligent, perfect guard dogs and get along very well with other dogs and cats. Newborns lose a lot, so they need regular care. They also drool a lot. So, if you don’t mind, they’re close to perfection.
Newborns live from 10 to 12 years. Even though they are cute as a button, they are a giant race that can do some destructive chewing.
6. Leonberger
Here’s another dog on the list that originates in Germany, only this time it’s a giant breed. A nickname for this breed is Gentle Lion. They have a gentle and sweet disposition that neutralises their scary size. They have complete coats that require regular maintenance.
They are known to be very wise and solid in judgement, evaluating situations well. Although sophisticated and quiet, they are made to be guard dogs.
From personality to appearance, these dogs were once royal companions. Its charm can certainly correspond to the intended purpose. Living about 9 to 10 years, they dedicate their existence to safeguarding the happiness and well-being of their owners.
7. Caucasian pastor
This ferocious and colossal canine has an extremely thick coat. Their fur pouffes put them in the category of lions. They are not far away, since these dogs can weigh an incredible 100 kilos as adults. That’s an unbelievable size.
This dog may look like a cute and adorable baby who wants to snuggle up. They can be. The reality is that only knowledgable owners with a lot of space and a good amount of land should consider this breed. They are not only massive and difficult to discipline, but also notoriously indifferent and aggressive.
They live from 10 to 12 years, which is a recipe for disaster if you don’t know what you’re doing. They require adequate training. The jury has not yet decided whether this would tame this strong-willed beast.
8. Golden Retriever
This popular dog is like a lion, but with a look that screams sympathy. They are of a very similar colour, both with golden sun kisses. Although these dogs do not share the same bulging mane as others on the list, the visual similarities are still there.
Goldens are fantastic companion animals and fun lovers. They are one of the most popular races today, known for their emotional intuition and great trainability.
Their versatility and adaptability make them very sought after. Living between 10-12 years, these dogs illuminate the face and mind of everyone they meet.
9. Himalayan Sheepdog
A rare Himalayan race, this black beauty is often confused with the Tibetan Mastiff. Gaddi Kuttas has a black mane like a lion’s, but they are not as big as his Mastiff cousins; however, they share some physical and temperamental characteristics.
They are also not for the faint of heart, being highly territorial and aggressive. Even if they are not the friendliest with strangers, they are relatively loving to their masters. However, they don’t feel the need to pay much attention to their commandoes if they don’t agree.
They are great shepherds who do their job incredibly well. They live on average 10-12 years, so you wouldn’t have to worry about protecting your property if these brutes were around.
10. Chinese Shar Pei
These Chinese dogs have a lion appearance, but with many wrinkles. These dogs look cute like a button with rolls for days, especially when puppies. Don’t be fooled by your adorable looks. They can be quite difficult.
Shar-Peis are known to be bosses, dominant and even hostile. They are particularly bad with strangers and don’t play well with others. On the other hand, they are fast, intelligent and quick to understand.
Although they may not be aces in dealing with the unknown, they are very loving and loyal to their families. With proper socialisation, they can be fantastic family friends living from 9 to 11 years.
This summarises our list of lion hunting dogs for now. As you can see, they not only share many physical characteristics, but also most of their personalities are on the same level. This group of canines deserves recognition for combining the charm of these great cats, paw to paw.