Chewbacca, who is affectionately called by his friends “Chewie”, is one of the most loved characters in the Star Wars movie. This Wookie male warrior is often described to have a distinct shaggy coat, but with a gentle personality.
He is loyal as well as companionable, making him an inspiration for most people to go out there and look for a certain dog that bears the same characteristics as he does.
The good news is, there are, indeed, at least 10 dog breeds you can check out as they look perfectly similar to Chewie.
1. Alaskan Malamute
First on the list is the Alaskan Malamute. I know, this dog breed looks nothing like Chewbacca! But, do you know that the Star Wars creator George Lucas was primarily inspired by an Alaskan Malamute to create the said Wookie?
George Lucas owned a fluffy and sizable Alaskan Malamute named Indiana. One day, while they were in the car, an idea flashed into Lucas’s mind which was to give Han Solo a companion and a co-pilot that is loyal and canine-like for his Millenium Falcon ship.
This idea was considered and has undergone several changes until the creators have finally created the official look of Chewbacca. This explains why Chewie bears no resemblance to the originator of his being.
2. Brussels Griffon
The Brussels Griffon that originates in Belgium is a true carbon copy of Chewbacca. From the coat color down to the facial features, this dog is the best pick for owners who look for a Chewbacca look-alike.
No doubt, the Brussels Griffon is smart and friendly— two personality traits the Wookie warrior, Chewie, exhibits in the movie. The only thing that puts a major difference between this precious dog breed and Chewie would be their size.
A Brussels Griffon typically weighs 10 pounds and reaches 10 inches in height while Chewie is one massive character that reaches 8 feet. The dog being small doesn’t sound bad to many dog lovers, though.
3. Briard
Chewbacca is the last to break someone’s trust in the Star Wars movie. Just like him, the Briard boasts of its faithfulness toward his beloved companions. This dog is naturally protective, he would even try to defend the kids when their parents discipline them!
The Briard breed has a long and somewhat wavy coat that is closely similar to what covers Chewie’s entire face and body. He can come in several coat colors like black, white, gray, and tawny.
What makes the Briard popular is his excellent work ethic. The high energy levels require the owner to always provide this dog with certain activities so he won’t have pent-up energy. Place him in the field to guard the cattle and you’ll be surprised as to how well he’ll do it.
Since Chewie is known as a brave warrior, we can’t ignore the fact that just like him, the Briard has had its fair share of fighting alongside the French army during both world wars.
4. Shih Tzu
A compact dog you can carry anywhere, even during your vacation travels would be the Shih Tzu. But, putting aside the convenience that comes along with having such a small pooch, what makes this breed deserving to be on the list is his striking similarity to Chewbacca.
This Asian dog comes in 14 amazing coat colors, so it is up to your liking which puppy exhibits the closest appearance and demeanor as the popular Chewbacca character.
This Wookie-looking dog is also the exact opposite when it comes to proportions in comparison to that of Chewbacca’s as he belongs in the toy group. His minute size makes him an ideal lapdog which appeals to many families mainly in Asian countries.
5. Bearded Collie
Weighing around 55 pounds and reaching a height of about 22 inches is a medium-sized canine known as the Bearded Collie. This herding dog is undeniably a Chewbacca look-alike, thanks mostly to how his coat looks.
This comes in various colors like fawn, tri-colors, blue, brown, and black. There are white markings in certain areas too. Despite the shabby appearance, the undercoat of this canine is soft to the touch. The outer coat is described to be flat and rough-looking.
Aside from his image, the breed is also known for its easy-going, affectionate, and playful nature. He needs maintenance regarding his coat as he is prone to matting. Due to this reason, many owners opt to trim this Chewie dog’s coat every once in a while.
6. Havanese
The Havanese breed originates from Cuba. From the name itself, it is definitely true that the dog was named after the said country’s capital, Havana. This dog that looks no other than Chewbacca is not a heavy shedder which lights a green signal to many hypersensitive dog lovers.
While the pooch comes in various colors, patterns, and shade combinations, what makes the Havanese dog an attractive pet is his devoted and lively character that is commonly shown to his family.
As a toy breed, home size and space will not be a problem. Well, as long as it’s not cramped, a tiny apartment would remain to be a suitable environment for this wonderful pooch.
Wookie lovers would surely have the best experience having this low-maintenance pet who needs the bare minimum when it comes to exercise.
7. Tibetan Terrier
We are certainly not running out in regard to Chewbacca look-alikes! Next up is this medium dog known as the Tibetan Terrier. This breed is known for his undying loyalty and excellence when it comes to watching over the house and his family.
What puts him on the list is his long coat that sometimes parts in the middle of his head and coat color that may come in a golden shade. Though this is lighter than deep mahogany which is what describes Chewie’s color, it is unmistakably closer in hue compared to his other natural colors like black, white, and gray.
This dog is neither too small nor too large as he ranges from 18 to 30 pounds. Although he has been naturally blessed to have a coat that can adjust to the cold climates of Tibet, it’s going to be a different story when it comes to receiving attention from his owners. He needs constant affection every day.
8. Affenpinscher
Native to Germany, this small toy dog, the Affenpinscher, is like a baby Chewbacca in black, tan, gray, silver, red, or belge. Since there are many options to choose from when it comes to coat colors, go for one that closely matches Chewie’s.
At a first glance, Chewbacca can be described as a monkey-looking character. The same is true with the Affenpinscher who has a medium-length, wiry fur that covers his body and face.
The nose of this dog replicates that of Chewie’s as well since it is short. Temperament-wise, the Affenpinscher is thought to be playful and quite feisty. He is one entertaining dog making him an interesting and enjoyable companion.
9. Pekingese
If you haven’t heard about the legend of the Pekingese breed yet, it is time that you know what the legend says about its coming about. This dog was told to be the offspring of the lion and the monkey that fell into a union through Buddha’s help.
This elucidates why the Pekingese breed looks like a half-monkey and half lion. With that being said, the connection lies in how Chewbacca’s look was formed. This Wookie is said to have been a mix of a cat, dog, lemur, and monkey.
Since both have had monkey lineage (based on the legend and Chewie’s creation only), the Pekingese deserve a spot. Focusing on the looks of the dog, he has a short snout, a medium in length coat, dark eyes, and teeth that are exactly the same as Chewbacca’s.
10. Lhasa Apso
Just like the Tibetan Terrier, the Lhasa Apso is another Chewie duplicate that comes from the mountains of Tibet. This dog is mostly known for its looks and personality. Moreover, he has a great history of being a watchdog in Tibet monasteries.
The breed’s thick and long hair allows him to withstand the harsh climate in his native region. He is robust, dependable, funny, cheerful, and eager to please. Aside from the attractive personality, this Chewbacca doppelgänger is an ideal choice for city dwellers who live in apartments.
Just as long as the dog’s basic needs are met, not to forget his exercise requirements which are minimal at best, the Lhasa Apso will grow up with an unbreakable loyalty and love toward his owner.
