Gizmo is the adorable Mogwai from the classic 1980s movie Gremlins. With his big eyes, big ears and fuzzy fur, Gizmo looks like a cute cross between a dog, a bat and a monkey. His unique appearance makes people wonder what real dog breeds Gizmo resembles.
While no dog looks exactly like Gizmo, there are several breeds that have some similarities in appearance that call to mind this iconic pop culture creature. Looking at factors like size, coat, face shape and personality can help match Gizmo to dogs that have that same cute, cuddly vibe.
Small Breeds
One of the most obvious traits that makes dogs look like Gizmo is their small size. Gizmo is a pint-sized pet, so small dog breeds are natural choices for dogs that look like him.
Some small dogs that resemble Gizmo include:
- Pomeranian
- Pug
- Brussels Griffon
- Chihuahua
Like Gizmo, these small dog breeds typically weigh less than 10 pounds. Their tiny stature gives them an endearing, almost puppy-like appearance even in adulthood, just like Gizmo.
Pomeranian
Pomeranians are very small, fluffy dogs that look a bit like tiny foxes. Their thick, stand-off coats and foxy faces resemble Gizmo’s fur and facial features. Pomeranians come in colors like orange, red and cream that match Gizmo’s coloring too.
Pug
With their large, expressive eyes and wrinkled faces, pugs have some similarities to Gizmo’s cute mug. Their curled tails and compact bodies also call Gizmo to mind. Brown and fawn pugs especially resemble Gizmo’s brown fur.
Brussels Griffon
Like Gizmo, the Brussels Griffon has a very unique, almost human-like face. Their wideset eyes, flat noses and tufted fur gives them an impish look that is reminiscent of Gizmo. Their small size and spunky personality adds to their Gizmo-like vibe.
Chihuahua
Chihuahuas are tiny dogs that, when groomed properly, can resemble Gizmo. Their large upright ears, bold eyes and dainty frames give them an appearance similar to the Mogwai. Smooth-coated brown Chihuahuas look the most like Gizmo.
Medium Breeds
While very small, Gizmo is not a tiny teacup dog. He’s larger than a Chihuahua but smaller than a standard Poodle. So some medium-sized breeds around 10-25 pounds also have a Gizmo-esque look.
Medium dog breeds with Gizmo similarities include:
- Cairn Terrier
- Norwich Terrier
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Havanese
Their fuzzy faces, pointy ears and wise expression make these breeds reminiscent of the lovable Mogwai.
Cairn Terrier
Cairn Terriers have an alert, foxy expression similar to Gizmo. Their weather-resistant coats also have the same scruffy texture as Gizmo’s fur. Cairn Terriers weigh 13-14 pounds, putting them in Gizmo’s size range.
Norwich Terrier
Norwich Terriers have upright ears, round eyes and stubby legs that call to mind Gizmo’s features. Their tan and red coats can also closely match Gizmo’s color. Norwich Terriers weigh 11-12 pounds on average.
Yorkshire Terrier
Yorkies share Gizmo’s big upright ears and brown coat. Their silky fur even parts down their back like Gizmo’s. A teacup Yorkie under 7 pounds will be closest in size to Gizmo, though standards weigh 7-15 pounds.
Havanese
The Havanese has a cute, almost human-like face like Gizmo. Their furry muzzle, dark eyes and button nose gives them a sweet expression. Havanese have a long, silky coat similar in texture to Gizmo’s. They typically weigh 7-13 pounds.
Large Breeds
While Gizmo is petite, he has very large, expressive features – big eyes, big ears and a big personality. Some larger dog breeds around 25-80 pounds share these traits, giving them a Gizmo essence.
Some bigger dogs with Gizmo similarities:
- Chow Chow
- Puli
- Bearded Collie
- Samoyed
Though much larger than Gizmo, these big breeds capture his playful nature and distinctive looks.
Chow Chow
The Chow Chow has a bear-like face and fluffy coat that resembles Gizmo. Their tan coloring and deep, square muzzle also call Gizmo to mind. Though much larger at 45-70 pounds, they share some looks.
Puli
The Puli is known for its mop-like corded coat reminiscent of Gizmo’s textured fur. Pulis also have sharp, alert facial features and ears that stand tall like the Mogwai’s. Pulis weigh 25-35 pounds.
Bearded Collie
A Bearded Collie’s long, shaggy fur gives it a lovable, huggable look just like Gizmo. Its animated eyes and lively nature also match Gizmo’s playful personality. Bearded Collies weigh 45-55 pounds.
Samoyed
Samoyeds have thick white coats that resemble Gizmo’s light fur. Their brown eyes also closely match Gizmo’s eye color. Weighing 35-65 pounds, Samoyeds capture Gizmo’s fluffy essence.
Mixed Breeds
Since Gizmo has such a unique look, he can also resemble some hybrid dogs that blend different breed traits. Some Gizmo look-alike mixes include:
- Pomeranian + Pug (Pom-pug)
- Yorkie + Maltese (Morkie)
- Coton de Tulear + Bichon Frise (Cotons)
- Chow Chow + Poodle (Choodle)
By combining breeds with Gizmo similarities, these mixes create dogs that truly capture the spirit of the Mogwai.
Pom-pug
A Pom-pug combines the Pomeranian’s fluffy fox-like features with the Pug’s curled tail and big eyes. These small, fluffy dogs weigh 5-10 pounds and resemble Gizmo.
Morkie
This blend of Yorkshire Terrier and Maltese has an alert and active demeanor just like Gizmo. Their silky fur and pointy ears also look Gizmo-esque. Morkies weigh 4-8 pounds.
Cotons
Cotons have the soft, cotton-like coat of the Coton de Tulear and the white fluffiness of the Bichon Frise. Their round teddy bear faces and plush fur recalls Gizmo. Cotons weigh 8-15 pounds.
Choodle
A Chow Chow Poodle mix captures the Chow’s bear face and Poodle’s smart personality – both reminiscent of Gizmo. Their 35-50 pound size and fluffy fur also look Gizmo-like.
Conclusion
While no dog perfectly matches the unique Gizmo, certain breeds share characteristics with this beloved pop culture pup. Small dogs like Pomeranians and Pugs emulate Gizmo’s tiny size. Medium dogs such as Yorkies and Havanese reflect his playful nature. Big breeds like Chow Chows and Pulis have the fluff and facial features that call Gizmo to mind. And designer dogs like Pom-pugs and Morkies blend different breed traits for an overall Gizmo essence.
So while they may not be 100% replicas, all these breeds have something distinctly Gizmo about them. When choosing a canine companion that captures Gizmo’s spirit, consider these cute dogs that resemble the iconic Mogwai. With their endearing looks and loyal personalities, they will fill your heart with as much joy as Gizmo gives his owners in the beloved movie Gremlins.
