Adopting a dog into your life and home is one of the greatest things a person can do, not just for the dog but for themselves as well. Made up of endless amounts of love, owning a dog is like having constant access to your best friend in the world. No matter what kind of day youโve had or whatโs on your mind, if youโve got a dog that loves you then you can rest assured that the weight of the world will suddenly drop from your shoulders the moment you walk in your house to be greeted by your four-legged bestie.
For a lot of first-time doggy adopters, there is a good deal of research that goes into picking out your best forever friend. What kind of dogs are good for families? Will my house and my daily life suit their needs? Are they costly to take care of? The list of questions when narrowing down your choices to the perfect furbaby can literally just go on an on.
Regardless of how much effort you pour into your search for answers, though, there are a plethora of other factors that can influence just exactly how your dog will turn out to be, especially regarding their growth. You might THINK that you adopted a medium-sized dog that prefers to run around and play more than he likes to snooze on the couch and cuddle but, sure enough, and all too often, it doesnโt turn out that way. Here are 25+ examples of times that people thought they were adopting a dog only to end up with a small house bear!
1. Colossal Shaggy Dog or Small Shaggy Bear?
At first glance itโs hard to tell just what we are looking at here. Has someone finally caught indisputable evidence of a Yeti on camera? No. As it turns out, this is just a massive dog taking a peaceful snow showerโฆand scaring the living daylights out of anyone who happens to walk by and see him shake that colossal head.
2. โwhen your dog thinks he is a lap dogโฆ..โ
You might notice that your dog had a hell of a growth spurt and now he is the size of a small horse, but donโt expect the dog to be as hyper-aware of this fact as you are. Even though a dog can grow to a gargantuan size, it doesnโt mean theyโve stopped needing all the loves and cuddles they can get. It looks like this dog-dad has resigned himself to the fact that he now has a high-maintenance couch-bear living with him, but he really doesnโt seem to mind too much.
Source:
Reddit/Sokkenwaap
3. โThis good boye did a heck of a grow this yearโ
We all know that dogs can grow quite a bit in a small amount of time. Especially when theyโre just puppies, dogs can grow at an almost exponential rate. Donโt believe us? Just ask this Reddit user who used to tote his best pupper friend along with him in his jacket.
While it was all cute and easy in the beginning, this pup is used to cuddling in Dadโs sweater when theyโre outside and doesnโt seem to think that his now-enormous size should make any difference one way or the other.
Source:
Reddit/gregarious_
4. โMy English teacherโs huge boi named Havocโ
Well, this guy sure hit the nail on the head when he named his pup. While the not-so-little bugger looks like he might just be one of the most gentle dogs to thump around on the planet, weโre guessing that when heโs excited Havoc is the perfect word to describe what ensues.
We canโt hold it against him, though, because big dogs need love too, Craig!
Source:
Reddit/Gooberwatch
5. Dances With Bears
Itโs easy to get caught up in our daily lives and forget to stop and enjoy the sunshine. Even though our excitable doggo friends are always trying to pull us out of our heads and work back into reality where we can laugh and play with them, it can be hard to break through our focus and demand our attention.
Unless, of course, your dog is the size of a small bear like this dog is. Then itโs simply a matter of standing up and demanding a dance with their hoomans!
Source:
Reddit/terrafarma
6. Enormous Plush Teddy Bear?
We still arenโt totally convinced that this woman has a dog sitting on her lap. Look at that sweet smooshed face and all of that gorgeous fluffy fur. Sheโs not fooling anyone, though. We can all clearly see that this woman has adopted a bear that sheโs trying to pass off as a dog. No worries though; her secretโs totally safe with us!
Source:
Reddit/JoThePro10
7. โYouโre Never Too Big For A Bear Hugโ
No matter how much space you might have in your house, full of comfy spots for your dog to plop down and make himself at home, there is no place so comfy as their hoomanโs lap. Thankfully, they can become the size of a mountain and this need to snuggle up on their best friend never seems to go away. So, just be prepared ahead of time to have dead legs anytime your pooch wants a snuggle because really, who needs to walk when you can cuddle your house bear all day?!
Source:
Reddit/commonvanilla
8. He Almost Blends Right In
You would think that if youโre walking around with a dog the size of a small bear, you would turn a lot of heads. This guy found out that past a certain point of growth, though, his intimidatingly massive dog actually blends right into the crowd. With a head the size of a horse and legs so long he has to sit in a chair like a human, he almost blends right into the crowd of unaware bus ridersโฆalmost.
Source:
Reddit/luton2468
9. โIf I am extra big, I get extra BIG loves, right?!โ
Just because your dog grows up to be the size of a monumental statue doesnโt mean they arenโt still a big olโ softy. In fact, the bigger they are the more love they need, and it kind of makes sense. Little dogs get all sorts of loves from every angle, but a lot of people are intimidated by large dogs, let alone gargantuan ones.
So, if youโve got a furry giant living with you make sure to lay the pets and snuggles on extra-thick, so they know that their massive bodies are nowhere near as big as the mountain of love you have for them.
Source:
Reddit/Fiszu77
10. โbig boye (270 lbs of love) with 5โ2 human for scaleโ
You definitely know youโve got a house bear on your hands when your dog outweighs you by over 100 pounds! Not only that, but we think this bear in a dogโs body might actually be taller than his hooman, too. Regardless, this doggo definitely fits the bill for qualifying as a canine giant!
Source:
Reddit/peachykitten
11. โBig pupper: โWhy u so smol?โ Little pupper: โAm sausage.'โ
Telling an enormous dog that youโre a sausage when youโre really just a small dog might not be the best idea. This colossal pup looks like he happens to love him some tasty sausage. We arenโt too worried about it, though. The smug look on the Weiner dogโs face says that heโs probably a little too spicy for the curious gentle giant in front of himโฆ
Source:
Reddit/mac_is_crack
12. โMy doodle was out cold for 20 min like this. Not a move.โ
Sometimes when youโre exhausted, it really doesnโt matter if your bed is big enough to hold you. This doodle dog must have had quite the day because when he got home he crashed on an ottoman that could barely hold his torso, let alone his legs. It looks like itโs time for this curly-cued pup to get a spot on one of his hoomanโs beds. Heโll be the perfect snuggler!
Source:
Reddit/cmerson
13. โFloofy pupper doin a heckin grow into a big olโ wooferโ
If your puppy once fit right into your arms for a photo-op without a problem, but now you can barely fit both of you in the frame at the same time, you might have accidentally gotten yourself a house bear. When buying a dog at a young age, especially if theyโre known for growing into a medium-to-full sized dog, youโd be surprised at how fast they can growโฆor the fact that they never seem to stop growing at all.
Source:
Reddit/JaxTheHobo
14. โHe looks like a puppy to meโ
People just need to know that if they are adopting a Great Dane into their lives, theyโre actually adopting a medium sized horse! Not just any horse, though. They are adopting a super cocky, playful, overly-adoring horse who just so happens to want to sit right on your lap at every opportunity, especially when it looks like they wonโt fit. What can we say? They just like a challenge.
Source:
Reddit/mayaxs
15. โThe Size of this Alaskan Malamuteโs Headโ
Sometimes you donโt realize how big a dog really is until you sit right next to them for comparison. Like this Alaskan Malamute who has a head nearly twice the size of his mammaโs! Thatโs okay though; his heart is even bigger and his mamma just canโt seem to get enough of it!
16. Danger; This Guard Dog WILL Cuddle You To Death
Word to the wise; if you are trying to guard something valuable that you donโt want messed with, maybe donโt use a huge, floofy, poofy house bear to do it. Sure, the dog is massive and could potentially cause harm to whoever comes his wayโฆbut by the look on his face we somehow seriously doubt that he will. Rather, itโs more likely he will distract them with demands for pets and cuddles.
Source:
Reddit/santanades
17. โReally Big Doggo cuddles. 180lbs and 165lbs respectively, but think theyโre smol puppersโ
You may be fully aware that your dog is actually just a bear in disguise, but your dog generally isnโt. Either that or they just donโt really care if theyโre too big to act like a pup. Why should they? Everyone knows that youโre never too big for a morning time cuddle puddle!
Source:
Reddit/pan124
18. โFrom pupper to woofer in just 1 year!โ
Sometimes people adopt a dog they know will grow to be the size of a small mountain. They are okay with it because they know theyโll get plenty of puppy time with them before they reach their full height. What they donโt always understand, though, is that sometimes dogs rocket toward maturity faster than the speed of light and in under a year you can go from devoted dog owner to devoted bear snuggler just like that.
Source:
Reddit/nemetskii
19. They Might As Well Give Upโฆ
Every dog owner knows that the classic treat-hiding place has always been the fridge. What every bear owner soon finds out, however, is that this sneaky trick wonโt work a bit once their furbaby sniffs out those tasty snacks. There is a simple workaround, though; dog treats=top of fridge and bear treats=cabinet on lockdown!
Source:
Reddit/Justadolphinperson
20. โRare 216 lb pupper! (not the hooman, the PUPPER!)โ
Just for clarification, the human is a 216-pound pooper. The enormous wrinkled bear trying to take over the bed is the pupper! Itโs totally clear to us whose bed this really is, but weโre not so sure the human has caught on yet. Thatโs okay. Heโll know once he hits the floor.
Source:
Reddit/mac_is_crack
21. The Friendliest Bear In The World
Sometimes bears get a bad rep for being a bit cranky towards people, but this bear isnโt one of them. Disguised as a gorgeous furry dog, this bear gets along with his hooman just fine and just loves it when she snuggles on him. That is, so long as he gets the couch and she takes the floor. It just makes more sense that way.
Source:
Reddit/DrunkOnSocks
22. Drogon The Great: Keeper of the Couch of Dreams
When your Great Dane outgrows your loveseat, you might have a house bear on your hands. If you canโt afford a larger couch at the moment, itโs no worries. They might take up all the space, but youโre more than welcome to come snuggle up on them. Just be sure to give them treats when they wake up for keeping the sofa so safe from any other hapless butts that might want to sit there.
Source:
Reddit/Super_Professor
23. โRidiculously massive doggo spotted on the undergroundโ
Weโre not sure whatโs more impressive; this dogโs huge, solid frame, or those enormous, round, human looking eyeballs. One thing is for certain; this woman has nothing to worry about on her journey through the underground. Her bear-dog is making plenty sure of that!
Source:
Reddit/shaigolan810
24. โThe elusive 180lb lap pupperโ
If you own a St. Bernard and they feel like sneaking in some snuggles you should just know that you will never really have a say in the matter. Thought you were going to get up and get ready for bed? Wrong! The Bernard says itโs time for floor snuggles and you can only get out of it if you can get him off of you. From the look on this Bernie-bearโs face, the dog won.
Source:
Reddit/forever_cat_lady
25. The Rare Bear Species Massive Mastiff
Mastiffs of all kinds are known for growing to be massive dogs. Some of them, though, even manage to outdo the other Mastiffs in terms of size. One thing that doesnโt change for any dog in this colossal-sized breed, though, is their love of cozying up next to their hoomans. Their love for that will always be gargantuan!
Source:
Reddit/flaskman
26. โAn absolute unit, 238 lbs.โ
If you try to lift your dog into a standing position for a photo and he completely eclipses your entire body, then you know you might have a house bear on your hands. Donโt be alarmed by this though. They make excellent blankets and fantastic dancing partnersโฆso long as you lead, of course.
Source:
Reddit/mitsushi
27. โthought I was dogsitting a pupper but instead ended up with this (very dirty) polar bearโ
Is your dog massive? Does he love to play and get all dirty in the snow whenever he sees it? Does he have white fur (most of the time) if he hasnโt been rolling around in the weather? Then itโs official, youโve accidentally adopted yourself a polar bear. Word to the wise; you should always inform your dog-sitter if they will be bear-sitting instead.
Source:
Reddit/PrudentMistake
28. โPupper just wants to playโ
If you wake up in the morning to a gigantic bear standing over you on top of your bed and he wants to play, you better play dammit! Just watch out where you move that hand under the blankets. If you donโt you just might end up losing your ability to produce human children!
29. The Goofy Newfie Bear
If youโve been told you adopted a Newfoundland pup, you should know that you actually just purchased a bear with a fancy name. Not to worry, though. Their goofy antics and love of trapping you beneath the weight of their humongous bear-body will have you feeling like youโre the most important person in the world. Unless youโre on the couch. If youโre on the couch youโre going to feel like chopped liver when they try to kick you off of it.
Source:
Reddit/Monty_Goofy_Newfie
30. โMilitary Grade Chonkโ
Even the military can sometimes end up with a bear rather than a dog. In these cases, though, it is generally seen as a very good thing. Particularly with Tibetan Mastiffs like this one. Not only are these dogs faithful, loyal, and loving to their hoomans, but they are also insanely strong adept fighters.
Bred throughout Tibet, China, and Mongolia, these beasties were bred to be able to fight off any bears, tigers, lions, and wolves that might be thinking of having some tasty sheep for dinner. Now, these countries frequently employ these house-sized dogs in military service, protecting bases from any unwanted intruders. From the looks of them, we can totally see why!
Source:
Reddit/llamaswanman
If the people in these photos have taught you anything, it should be that even though you might have wanted a dog and ended up with a house bear, it is always SO worth it! Please SHARE this with your friends and family, and let us know of any house bears you might be familiar with!
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