First of all, it is important to know that both dogs and foxes are members of the family Canidae, along with jackals and wolves, but they are members of a different genus, namely that dogs belong to the genus Canis, while foxes are members of the genus Vulpes.
However, most of the time, foxes are confused with certain dog breeds, but they are still very different when it comes to their personality traits, lifestyle and behavior. For example, foxes have long and thin legs, a pointed snout, upright triangular ears, and a bushy tail – but in this article, you will find out that there are actually a few dog breeds that look just like foxes. Hence, foxes can live for up to 5 years, unlike dogs that can reach up to 13 years.
Dogs are easy to train, but if you want to domesticate a fox, you have to work hard because they are difficult to train and socialize, especially because they are shy creatures. According to fox expert, Sarah Roche, “while foxes often become very attached and affectionate with their families, they remain impossibly shy around visitors and strangers.”
Thus, although it may be cool to have a fox as a pet, they are still difficult to maintain and train – not to mention that it’s illegal to own a pet fox in the United States. In other words, dogs have evolved over thousands of years and are able to live and communicate with humans, and this is a feature that can’t yet be found in foxes. Nevertheless, the best part is that you can adopt a dog breed that looks like a fox.
So, read on to find out more info!
Alaskan Klee Kai
The beautiful Alaskan Klee Kai is a relatively new breed that looks like a cute fox. And much like the fox, this pretty dog breed is shy around strangers, so expect them to bark a lot when you have guests. The breed was developed to be companion dogs, rather than working dogs.
Although they can develop weird – and sometimes dangerous – behavior when interacting with strangers, they are still very loving creatures that love to spend time with their families.
Of course, you won’t have to deal with this problem regarding strangers if you learn how to socialize them from an early age. In fact, this rule is important for every pet owner and for every type of dog breed. In other words, the socializing process is the key to having a friendly and civilized dog that can get along with other pets and people.
If you want to adopt such a dog, you should know that they will shed a lot, but they don’t actually need much grooming because they can take care of themselves.
Shiba Inu
The Shiba Inu was initially bred to scare the birds from people’s farms and to hunt wild boars. They are purebred dogs, but you can easily find them in various animal shelters if you are interested in adopting one.
Their beautiful upright ears make them look exactly like a fox. The Shiba Inu is one of the most intelligent dog breeds out there. But that’s not all!
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They are also friendly, affectionate, independent and energetic. Unfortunately, due to their independence, many people choose to abandon them because they don’t know how to train them properly.
The truth is that they are difficult to train and, if you are a novice pet owner, you definitely need to seek the help of a specialized trainer who can manage their independence. However, if you start the socializing process at an early age, then you won’t have such problems regarding their training.
Once you learn how to take care of this beautiful and interesting dog breed, you will have the best companion for life.
Akita
The Akita is a large dog breed with a strong body and personality. Most of the time, their presence can be intimidating for some people, but they are actually very affectionate, loving, respectful, loyal and smart dogs.
Just like any other dog breed, they need to be trained and socialized properly from an early age. Otherwise, they may develop problematic behavior.
Of course, if you choose to adopt one from an animal shelter, it’s important to understand that they can still be re-socialized and re-trained, whether they are adults or not – and yes, this rule can apply to any dog breed.
Many owners of Akita have told us that these furry creatures can be very attached to their families and that this bond and their loyalty will surely last a lifetime.
American Eskimo
The American Eskimo is considered one of the most beautiful dogs in the world, and they certainly deserve this status. In fact, their physical appearance makes them look like the Arctic fox. They are active dogs, which means that they constantly need family activities, exercises and different games to consume their energy.
That being said, just like any other dog breed, you have to provide them with enough exercise and to start their socialization process from an early age. Otherwise, they risk developing destructive behavior.
The American Eskimo is often considered a devoted family member that loves to spend time with everyone. They are affectionate, friendly, funny and clever animals. However, they are very curious and independent dogs, which can be a problem when you train them – but due to their intelligence, they can quickly learn new tricks and commands.
In addition, they are very talkative, so if you want to adopt one expect them to bark and talk to you all day. Before bringing home a new pet, it’s important to think about your future as well. It’s not enough to just ask yourself if you are ready to adopt a pet, because you will be too excited to do this and the answer will be yes, instead, you have to analyze all the factors that could arise in the short and long run.
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Schipperke
The Schipperke is often called LBD, for ‘little black devil’, due to their fur color, curiosity and intelligence. They are loyal to their families and very affectionate animals. Unfortunately, people who don’t know how to train them properly choose to abandon them, so if you want to adopt one, you will surely find one in animal shelters. Try to save a life, if you can!
Their cute ears make them look like a fox and that’s simply adorable. Being very curious and because of their strong personality, they tend to be quite difficult to train.
They are always alert and tend to protect their families, barking a lot and chasing other ‘intruders’, such as mice and squirrels that want to ‘attack’ their family.
The Schipperke is also energetic, so they need daily walks to consume their energy. Nevertheless, they should be kept in a fenced yard and always supervised, when you are outdoors, because their curiosity may determine them to explore new places. In addition, before adopting a dog, you need to educate yourself about the breed beforehand. You have to make sure that you can provide them with good food, regular vet check ups, grooming sessions, playtime and so on.
Finnish Spitz
The Finnish Spitz has a loving personality, is very playful and affectionate, but if you want to adopt one, you need to provide them a consistent training. They are curious and tend to bark and chase strangers and other animals if they are not socialized from a young age.
According to animal experts, the Finnish Spitz is the national dog of Finland, where they are known as the Suomenpystykorva – meaning Finnish Pricked Ear Dog. They were originally used as “bark pointers”, namely that they used to bark to attract the hunter’s attention.
Hence, their cute coat makes them physically similar to foxes. Also, they are very intelligent animals that can get along well with children. And speaking of that coat, if you end up getting a dog breed with a thick mane, be sure to brush your pooch daily to avoid knotting.
Which of these adorable dog breeds is your favorite? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below! And if you liked this article, you should also check out: 11 Quiet Dog Breeds That Rarely Bark
