Pandas are one of the cutest animals on the planet. Whenever you come across a video with a panda in it, don’t you just want to cuddle with it? Unfortunately, however, they are one of the most endangered species, so they can’t be kept in a home. But there is a way around it – panda dogs! Yes, you read that right. Certain breeds of dogs look like pandas and even feel like them.
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How Do These Dogs Look Like Pandas?
This trend of owning a panda dog first started in China. In addition to being cute and cuddly, panda dogs are beautiful and just might be the best animal you could ever see. To be clear, there is no exact breed called the panda dog. A panda dog is just a common type of dog that is bred to look like a panda. Not every dog can be bred to look like a panda. Only certain breeds with certain types of features can become panda dogs. Find the list these breeds below!
List of Panda Dogs
The Tibetan Mastiff
was the first dog to start off the phenomena of panda dogs on the Asian continent. Anyone who has ever seen a Mastiff must have thought that they resemble bears because of their shaggy hair, bulky body, and floppy ears. Many dog lovers also compare Mastiffs with lions. If you take a close look yourself, you’ll probably note their thick fur and massive bodies, and you’ll see it too.
Mastiffs are found all over Asia, especially in Tibet, India, Mongolia, China, and Nepal. These dogs are primarily found in red, black, and grey colors. Because of the massive demand for a “gold” color, breeders have started to produce these pups in a golden shade.
Some individual Tibetan Mastiffs have white markings on their body, which is considered one mark of a panda dog. Some Mastiff owners even paint their dogs with white and black color patterns to make them look like real giant pandas.
The Chow Chow
Breed is found in the northern region of China. One of the dogs in the panda dog category, this particular breed is available in several colors: black, brown, red, and sometimes blue.
Chow Chows are also available in multiple shades. However, patchy coats are considered the standard type. Like the Tibetan Mastiff, this ancient breed also looks like a teddy bear. Chow Chows have fury manes, squished eyes, and square faces, looking precisely like pandas. These panda-like qualities encourage their owners to groom, clip, and dye their dogs to make them look exactly like a panda bear.
The Maltese Poodle
The Maltese Poodle is a hybrid breed that resemble a panda as well. In Japan, a dog named “Columbo” became famous as for being a panda dog. The owners applied a non-toxic black dye on its fur, and the remaining parts of the dog were dyed white. Before long, the Maltese poodle looked like a panda dog.
The owners shared pictures of their dog all over social media, and soon it became a trend for other Maltese poodle dog owners.
The Bichon Frise
The Bichon Frise is a fluffy dog that has been made to look like a mini panda. These dogs are the most popular panda lookalikes. They only require a little bit of coloring and grooming to transform into a mini panda. For a Bichon Frise, it only takes two hours to create a panda look that will keep for nearly a week. After that, it will be time for another trip to the doggy salon to maintain its panda style.
Bichon Frises are expensive dogs. They can cost $2000, depending on where the dog is sold. Also, accredited dog breeders cost more than home breeders. Other factors, like the quality and age of the breed, also play a significant role in determining the price tag.
French Bulldogs
French Bulldogs are adorable dogs and one of the most popular breeds for transforming into mini pandas. They are also trendy in small villages in China and can be seen roaming around.
The nose of a French bulldog is very different from the nose of a real panda, but that can easily be overlooked if they are painted to look like pandas. In fact, French bulldogs with big ears look even more impressive when painted in black and white.
Labradors
Labradors are also popular for being made to look like mini pandas. While French bulldogs are primarily found in China, the craze for Labradors can be seen among Westerners.
Labradors usually come in brown and black, so Labrador owners need to color the areas around their dog’s eyes and ears white in order to make them look like a panda. Labradors are considered very loyal family dogs who are great with young kids.
Precautions to Take When Getting a Panda Dog
Yes, panda dogs are adorable, but their owners must use safe, non-toxic colors on their dog’s fur. Unfortunately, under social pressure, too many dog owners have used harsh, toxic chemicals on their dog’s fur. Owners should also always purchase dye from reputable pet shops that are transparent about their products.
Once you have transformed your dog into a panda dog, you will need to visit the doggy salon for clean-up or retouching. This is the most important step for maintaining your dog’s panda look.
Lastly, if you want your dog to become a panda dog, take them to a pet shop. Do not try it yourself if you aren’t an expert because you could injure your dog in the process.
How to Take Proper Care of Your Panda Dog
Once you’ve got your panda dog, you must take proper care of them to keep them healthy, happy, and nice-looking. Since your dog has been cosmetically altered, they will require high maintenance grooming, so you should be ready to spend some money.
To provide the best care for your panda dog, you must consider your dog’s sex, age, breed, and activity level. This information will help you identify the best food and exercise routine for them.
Conclusion
As evidenced by video clips and images on social media, the craze for panda dogs has increased worldwide. Transforming your dog into a panda is not a big deal, but taking proper care of them once the transformation is complete is essential to maintaining their panda dog style.
