Discover Dog Breeds That Look Strikingly Like Foxes

Quick Take

• One breed on this list was deliberately engineered to mimic fox behavior as a hunting strategy, and that mimicry extended beyond fox looks to fox behavior itself. Meet the fox-mimicking retriever →
• One dog's name literally translates to "little fox," and it's probably not the breed you're picturing. Discover the 'little fox' breed →
• Fox-like dogs aren't all red and bushy. In fact, one breed on this list looks like a fox but is jet black, with a nautical history that surprises most people. See the black fox of the seas →
• The AKC's official breed standard for one popular dog explicitly calls its face "foxy in shape and appearance," something most owners have no idea about. Read the AKC's foxy description →

Foxes are irresistible animals for many of us. Those pointed snouts, large ears, and bright eyes convey both sweetness and cunning. Although foxes are wild animals not meant for domestication, what if you could bring home a pup that looks like a fox but has the gentleness of a domesticated pooch? You’re in luck! There are many dog breeds that look similar to foxes, even some that were bred specifically for that purpose. Read on to learn more about the dog breeds that resemble foxes.

Belgian Tervuren

The Belgian Tervuren is a herding breed whose name is derived from the name of the original breeder’s village in Belgium. These muscular, medium-sized pups reach up to 26 inches at the shoulder and weigh up to 75 pounds. They have a long, thick, straight coat that is typically fawn or mahogany with black-tipped guard hairs. These dogs have black masks and their ears are mostly black. High intelligence, energy, and activity levels make them an excellent choice for fox-admirers. Adult Tervurens, especially those that are mahogany, resemble silver foxes with their dark fur and dark masks.

Icelandic Sheepdog

The Icelandic Sheepdog is a small-to-medium-sized Spitz-type breed. Descended from dogs brought to Iceland by Viking settlers over a thousand years ago, and closely related to the Norwegian Buhund and Swedish Vallhund, this breed is a highly active, fox-like dog that needs daily exercise and plenty of companionship. Typical coloration of reddish fur with white chests and undersides, upward-facing triangular ears, and the shapes of their faces make these fluffy dogs appear rather like the red fox. These dogs reach heights of 16 inches and typically weigh up to 30 pounds.

American Eskimo Dog

The American Eskimo Dog is an adorable member of the Spitz family. These fox-like pooches are known for their high intelligence, friendliness, alertness, and eagerness. They resemble an Arctic fox with their thick, white fur, dark noses, and straight, wedge-shaped ears. American Eskimo dogs come in three sizes. Toys weigh between 6 and 10 pounds and stand 9 to 12 inches at the shoulder. Minis are 12 to 15 inches and 10 to 20 pounds, and standards measure between 15 and 19 inches and weigh 25 to 35 pounds.

Volpino Italiano

The Volpino Italiano is another Spitz relative. Kept initially as a guard dog to alert the larger dogs to intruders, these small, energetic, lively, fluffy pooches are reminiscent of an Arctic fox. In fact, “volpino” means “little fox” in Italian. These dogs are 10.5 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder. Males weigh from 10 to 16 pounds, while females weigh from 8 to 12 pounds. Their coats are often white, but they can also be red.

Japanese Shiba Inu

The smallest of Japan’s native breeds, Japanese Shiba Inus were originally bred as hunting dogs. These alert, bold, confident, loving dogs are easy to train and fantastic with children. They look similar to red foxes with their plush coats and perky ears, as well as their black noses. They come in red, black and tan, cream, and sesame coloring. Females weigh up to 17 pounds and males weigh up to 23 pounds. Males stand between 14.5 and 16.5 inches at the shoulder, while females stand between 13.5 and 15.5 inches.

Alaskan Klee Kai

Ever dreamed of a Husky lapdog? Then you’ll adore the Alaskan Klee Kai, a breed developed as a companion-sized version of the Husky. These intelligent, playful, vocal dogs love their families and are generally friendly, though they may be aloof with strangers. The Alaskan Klee Kai comes in several colors, including red and white, all white, black and white, and gray and white, though the red-white combo is rare. This coloration looks particularly similar to the red fox, while the other color combos look more like the marble fox. Alaskan Klee Kais come in three size varieties: toy (up to 13 inches, under 9 pounds), miniature (13–15 inches, 10–15 pounds), and standard (15–17 inches, 16–22 pounds).

Indian Spitz

The Indian Spitz is an adaptable, intelligent, energetic, and alert dog breed. They appear similar to other Spitz breeds, and therefore resemble the Arctic fox, with bright eyes, thick coats, triangular ears, and dark noses. They love their families fiercely, including children. These dogs are generally white, but they can also be black or brown. The Indian Spitz comes in two varieties: the Smaller Indian Spitz, which measures 8 to 10 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 11 and 15 pounds, and the Greater Indian Spitz, which measures 16 to 18 inches at the shoulder and weighs between 33 and 44 pounds.

Schipperke

Looking like a small, fluffy black fox, the Belgian Schipperke was once exceptionally popular among ship crews due to their knack for catching rats. The name means “little captain” in Flemish. The Schipperke is fearless, bold, and friendly, with cat-like instincts. Standing up to 13 inches at the shoulder and weighing 10 to 16 pounds, these small, loyal dogs make excellent guard dogs. They have straight, black, slightly coarse coats, sometimes with white markings.

Pembroke Welsh Corgi

One of the most well-known fox-faced dogs is the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. The American Kennel Club (AKC) breed standards note that their heads “should be foxy in shape and appearance.” These little herding dogs have long bodies and short, powerful, muscular legs. They stand just 10 to 12 inches at the shoulder, but they can weigh up to 30 pounds. Pembroke Welsh Corgis are friendly, smart, and energetic dogs that make excellent family pets and vigilant guard dogs. They can be black and tan, fawn, red, and sable, with or without white markings.

Japanese Spitz

The Japanese Spitz is another popular Arctic fox lookalike with its thick, white coat and black nose. These little comedians love to go on adventures or just be wherever their families are. The friendly, quick-to-learn breed grows to about 15 inches at the shoulder and weighs as much as 25 pounds. With loyalty, intelligence, and cheerful spirits as their hallmarks, these dogs are excellent choices for families.

Finnish Spitz

For a loving companion with a fox-like face, consider the Finnish Spitz. This smart, playful breed thrives in family settings. They’re outgoing, friendly, and very talkative, with a wide range of vocalizations. They remain the most popular breed in Finland, particularly for bird hunting. These dogs weigh 20 to 33 pounds and stand up to 20 inches tall at the shoulder. They have a dense, golden red coat, reminiscent of a red fox.

Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever

With their red fur, white markings, and feather-like tails, Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers were carefully bred to mimic the color and behavior of foxes. Bred for bird hunting, their fox-like appearance was meant to fool birds into thinking they were just everyday forest creatures, not a human’s hunting companion. Nova Scotia duck tolling retrievers are the smallest AKC retriever breed, standing 17 to 21 inches at the shoulder and weighing up to 50 pounds. They are confident, affectionate, energetic, and enthusiastic.