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One of the most exciting aspects of adopting a puppy is watching them grow. Still, some dogs undergo such dramatic transformations that they look like an entirely different breed as adults. Whether it’s a shift in coat color, texture, size, or overall appearance, certain breeds surprise their owners with how much they change. While every puppy starts undeniably cute, some evolve into majestic, rugged, or even more adorable adults, leaving their owners in awe of the transformation as their furry companions mature.
Poodle
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Poodles, known for their curly, fluffy coats as adults, are born with soft, wavy hair that’s much finer. As puppies, they have a teddy bear-like appearance with fluffy fur that doesn’t yet have the tight curls associated with the breed. Their coat changes significantly as they grow, becoming denser, curlier, and more structured. What starts as an adorable puffball turns into an elegant, regal-looking dog, especially after their first professional grooming.
Bearded Collie
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Bearded Collies are known for their luxurious long coats as adults, but their appearance as puppies is quite different. As puppies, they have short, soft fur that lacks the dramatic length and texture of the adult version. Many Bearded Collie puppies appear almost like a different breed with their sleek, shiny fur. As they mature, their coats grow significantly longer, and their beards—true to the name—become a defining feature, giving them the shaggy, playful look they’re known for.
Old English Sheepdog
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Old English Sheepdogs are known for their distinctive shaggy appearance, but they look like small, fluffy fur balls as puppies. The adult version has a thick, coarse coat that makes them look like giant clouds with legs. However, as puppies, their fur is much softer and shorter. Their iconic gray-and-white coloring also tends to be more muted, and the dramatic transformation happens gradually as their coats grow into the long, luscious locks we associate with the breed.
Chow Chow
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Chow Chows are famous for their lion-like manes and thick, fluffy coats, but as puppies, they have a softer, rounder appearance that’s more bear cub than lion. Their coat as puppies is fluffy but not as dense or stiff as the adult version. Their faces also change significantly as they grow, with their signature wrinkled, stern expression developing later in life. While Chow Chow puppies are undeniably adorable, their adult transformation gives them a more regal, statuesque appearance.
Dalmatian
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The transformation of a Dalmatian from puppyhood to adulthood is a bit of a surprise for many first-time owners. Dalmatian puppies are born completely white with no spots at all! Their signature black or liver spots appear a few weeks after birth and continue to develop as they age. By reaching adulthood, their coat is covered in the distinctive spots we associate with the breed. It’s almost like watching a blank canvas gradually come to life with ink splotches.
Tibetan Mastiff
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Tibetan Mastiffs are known for their imposing size and thick, lion-like manes as adults, but their appearance as puppies couldn’t be more different. As puppies, they look like oversized, fluffy teddy bears with soft fur and round features. The adult Tibetan Mastiff, however, grows into a massive dog with a thick, coarse double coat and a mane of fur around the neck, giving them the appearance of a majestic lion. The transition from fluffy puppy to powerful adult is one of the most dramatic in the dog world.
Leonberger
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Leonbergers are another breed that goes through a significant transformation from puppyhood to adulthood. As puppies, Leonbergers are small and fuzzy and bear a strong resemblance to fluffy lion cubs. Their fur is soft, and their facial features are more rounded. However, as they grow into adulthood, they take on a more imposing, noble appearance with a thicker coat, particularly around the neck and chest, giving them their signature lion-like mane. They grow into a large, muscular breed with a much more rugged and stately appearance.
Saint Bernard
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Saint Bernard puppies are famously adorable, with large paws, droopy ears, and soft, fluffy coats. As adults, however, Saint Bernards grow into their iconic massive size, with their fur becoming longer, thicker, and more coarse. Their faces also change significantly, with the classic droopy eyes and jowls giving them a much more mature and regal appearance. The transformation from a clumsy puppy to a powerful, gentle giant is one of the most striking in the dog world.
Bedlington Terrier
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Bedlington Terriers are one of the most unusual-looking dog breeds as adults, with their unique lamb-like appearance. However, as puppies, they look quite different. Bedlington Terrier puppies have soft, curly coats that are much shorter and don’t have the distinctive shape of the adult version. Their faces are also more rounded as puppies, lacking the sleek, sculpted appearance that develops as they grow. By the time they’re fully grown, Bedlington Terriers have a distinctive topknot of fur and a narrow, arched head that gives them their signature lamb-like look.
Pomeranian
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Pomeranian puppies are often mistaken for tiny, fluffy balls of fur with their soft, rounded bodies and baby faces. As they grow, however, they develop their signature double coat, which gives them the voluminous, fluffy appearance Pomeranians are known for. Their faces also become fox-like, with sharper features and a more defined snout. The transition from a soft, cuddly puppy to a fluffy, regal adult surprises many Pomeranian owners as their puppies grow into miniature versions of a majestic lion.
The Transformation From Puppy to Adult
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The transformation from puppyhood to adulthood in many dog breeds is remarkable. Watching a fluffy, soft-furred puppy gradually morph into a stately, powerful adult is one of the joys of being a dog owner. While every dog is adorable as a puppy, some breeds take cuteness to a new level as they grow up and develop their unique adult features. Whether it’s the growing coat, changes in color, or the development of certain physical traits, the journey from puppy to adult is fascinating.