It’s no surprise that many dogs look like foxes, as today’s dogs descended from wolves, a close fox relative. The dog breed most comparable to the fox is Spitz. Well, many breeds of Spitz, in fact. They tend to be intelligent and shed a lot. We’ve trained dogs to be our friends. However, foxes haven’t been domesticated enough yet. They still hunt to survive and are still aggressive to most humans. But if you love how these cute fluffy hunters look, you might want to adopt one of the dogs that look like foxes.
Are you interested in specific breeds of dogs that look like foxes? Then use the table of contents below to jump to the most relevant section. And you can always go back by clicking on the black arrow in the right bottom corner of the page. Also, please note that some of the links in this article may be affiliate links. For more details, check the Disclosure section at the bottom of the page.
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Dogs (Canis familiaris) are the descendants of wolves and are classified as a subspecies of the grey wolf (Canis lupus). Foxes are omnivorous mammals, part of the Canidae family. But even though they do not belong to the same family, they still have some genetic similarities and share many physical traits. But they are not related.
Are foxes like dogs in any other sense?
While foxes are not related to dogs, the canines weren’t always domesticated. And it took thousands of years to turn them into fluffy and loyal friends we are blessed to have today.
And surprisingly, foxes can actually be domesticated and more social too.
For many years (starting from 1959), a Russian scientist Dmitri Belyaev was experimenting with breeding the least fearful foxes with each other, so that future generations of foxes were more willing to foster a social connection with humans. And this experiment seems to be working.
Can a dog and fox breed?
There can’t be a fox and dog mix since they have very different chromosome numbers. The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is 34; the dog (Canis lupus familiaris) is 70. Gametes of each animal (sex cells) will have 17 chromosomes for foxes and 35 for dogs.
If they could even find out what each other needed to mate enough, there would be gametes with 17 and 35 chromosomes matching. And a zygote of 34 total chromosome pairs and 18 unpaired chromosomes hanging out in each cell. This is not life-compatible.
So you can call the dog fox hybrid “impossible” with confidence.
Dogs that look like foxes
Shiba Inu
Originally bred for hunting, the Shiba Inu is a Japanese spitz breed. These intelligent, confident dogs are considered a challenge to train and develop problems, including protectiveness and aggression. But they are also an affectionate, trustworthy race with their families, though they may be wary of outsiders.
Samoyed
Another fox-looking dog – Samoyed, is also a spitz breed, which emerged in Russia’s Siberian region. Historically, these strong and intelligent dogs were raised to pull sleds on polar expeditions. But nowadays, they are often kept as affectionate and playful family pets, even though their tendencies to hunt small animals remain. And behave like a fuzzy, well-fed Arctic fox.
Finnish Spitz
The Finnish Spitz is a medium-sized dog belonging to a non-sporting category originated in Finland. The Finnish Spitz is the national dog of Finland. They have been bred for hunting and are known as “bark pointers.” Barking is a big part of its hunting behavior, as it is a way of signaling to the hunter that the dog has found prey in the forest. The Spitz has a square shape, a red coat, and short, ascending ears that give it a fox-like look.
Finnish Spitz is an intelligent, involved, alert, and lively dog that likes to protect its owners and keeps them away from strangers.
Korean Jindo dog
Jindo dogs arose on Jingo Island, Korea. These medium-sized, athletic, and robust dogs are available in almost any color: white, yellow, red and white, brown, brown and white, black, black, and tan and brindle coats. Red and white with tan colored Jindos look like the Red Foxes of Asia.
Typically, a Jindo is a stubborn dog with a mind of its own, but they prefer to be with the family and the master. They are territorial dogs, and they don’t want any pets in their territory. Jindos need to walk or exercise daily. This dog requires a minimum of 30 minutes of brisk walking. If they are not being exercised enough, they can become stubborn.
Akita Inu
Akita Inu / Akita / Great Japanese dog is the largest of the Japanese Spitz breeds. The Akita was initially used as a personal guard and hunting dog, known as the “silent hunter.”
This fox dog will not bark a lot, but Akita Inu will still display a very powerful temperament. This is why this dog needs training and is not the right choice for first-time owners. Apart from these characteristics, Akita is also known for its strong sense of loyalty.
Pomeranian
The Pomeranian is amongst the small dogs that look like a fox. Even though they have a lot more fur than your average fox, their faces are incredibly identical. And since it’s quite common to groom those cutesters, you can easily imagine a pomeranian cut like a tiny fox. This breed, which has served as royal companions for decades, is at home in your lap or in the yard.
Daily and effective training is a must for every Pomeranian. Although the breed isn’t intentionally stubborn, it could take a bit of repetition to get an order to stick. Pomeranians may also be stand-off with strangers.
Volpino Italiano
The Volpino Italiano may be a not very popular dog breed. Still, it definitely deserves a spot in this list as another white fox looking dog. In fact, their name translates to “Italian Fox.”
These dogs, which have been common in Italy since the 15th century, are the Nordic Spitz type. The Volpino Italiano may be stunning, but they’re also enthusiastic barkers. If you want a peaceful home, this is definitely not a breed for you.
Schipperke
Because of their dark fur and small size, this pup is also called the little black devil. But this dog also earned the nickname because they could be feisty and have a big personality. Although they love their people, they can sometimes have a mind of their own, and you’re going to have to be a good pack leader. And the dog looks like a black fox.
Schipperke likes to be part of the family regularly. They are very cautious with small kinds and may not be the warmest pups of strangers entering the house. You don’t have to think about a lot of shedding, because this only happens once or twice a year. They’re active dogs, and they’re going to walk and play throughout the day. This will keep them relaxed at home and ensure the best attitude.
American Eskimo Dog
The American Eskimo dog is very similar to an Arctic fox. It’s certainly thanks to the fur. This breed is also a member of the Spitz family, and they enjoy being part of the family and having fun. The American Eskimo dog is a small pet with a weight of up to 30 pounds.
Training is a must from a very young age. They also love to chew, so it’s crucial to have the right dog toys. The American Eskimo dog likes to be busy, and it is preferable to be part of an active family. You should take them on walks and play sessions in the park. They’re going to cuddle up with you on the couch after a long day. They love their owners, so you’ll have to be prepared to deal with their fear of separation and all the related issues.
Dhole
You’ll find several other suitable names in the Dhole, including Red Dogs, Indian Wild Dogs, and Red Fox Dogs. They originate in the Northern, Southern, and South-East Asian regions of the world.
Vulpine features found in Dhole include upright ears and lean appearance.
Speedy enough to cover 36 mph, these fantastic creatures have a spot on the list of endangered species.
Alaskan Klee Kai
Alaskan Klee Kai is more lupine than a fox. However, certain foxes are going through during the summer months. They leave off a fuzzy coat and wear a lighter, darker one in the warm season. A coat that looks like the dark black or brownish fur of the Alaskan Klee Kai!
But apart from the coat, they have a short pointed snout and triangular ears that ensure the Alaskan Klee Kai looks really foxy.
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