To celebrate World Ocean Day on June 8, and inspired by a delightfully silly TikTok trend, I’ve been considering an important question: which marine animals look most like man’s best friend?
I strongly recommend taking all comparisons with a pinch of sea salt.
Seal = Staffordshire bull terrier
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There’s something undeniably Staffie-esque about a seal. The big soulful eyes. The smooth, silky appearance. The compact, muscular build. Even the expression is similar — a mixture of optimism and the vague hope that somebody nearby might have snacks.
Great white shark = English bull terrier
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With their smooth egg-shaped heads, tiny triangular eyes and prominent noses, the resemblance to a great white shark is surprisingly strong. The crucial difference, of course, is that one is a famously affectionate clown of the dog world and the other is a three-tonne apex predator.
I’d happily come face-to-face with an English bull terrier every day of the week. A great white shark, rather less so.
Swordfish = borzoi
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The longest snoots in their respective worlds.
The borzoi’s famously elongated head has become the subject of countless internet memes, but the breed was originally developed by Russian aristocrats to hunt wolves. The swordfish, meanwhile, can reach speeds of more than 95km/h thanks in part to its streamlined shape.
Dolphin = Labrador retriever
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Both seem permanently delighted to see you. Both are intelligent, sociable and eager to interact with the world around them. Labradors consistently rank among Britain’s most popular dogs and dolphins are one of the few marine animals known to play simply for fun.
I think they’d make great friends.
Walrus = French bulldog
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A comparison based largely on what experts might describe as ‘squishy faces’.
The walrus’s magnificent wrinkles, impressive whiskers and permanently unimpressed expression feel remarkably French bulldog-like. Both also have a tendency to look simultaneously grumpy and charming.
Elephant seal = bloodhound
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It’s all about the nose.
The male elephant seal’s inflatable proboscis can reach nearly 2m in length and produces the extraordinary roaring noises used to impress rivals. The bloodhound’s nose is equally impressive in its own way, possessing around 300 million scent receptors — among the highest of any dog breed.
Pufferfish = Pomeranian
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Small? Yes.
Round? Also yes.
Capable of dramatically increasing in size when feeling threatened? Absolutely.
The pufferfish inflates with water; the Pomeranian simply inflates with confidence. Both somehow manage to occupy far more space than their physical dimensions would suggest.
Beluga whale = Samoyed
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The resemblance between a beluga whale and a Samoyed isn’t so much about appearance as it is about vibe. Both are bright white, endlessly friendly-looking and appear to spend their lives smiling. Belugas are often described as the most expressive of all whales, thanks to their flexible facial features, while Samoyeds are famous for the trademark ‘Sammy smile’ that gives them their perpetually cheerful appearance.
Manatee = basset hound
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With their substantial frames, gentle nature and wonderfully unhurried approach to life, manatees and basset hounds feel remarkably alike. Both have a certain soft-edged charm, complete with droopy expressions, ample rolls (always a compliment) and a tendency to look as though they’ve just woken from an exceptionally good nap with neither appearing to be in any particular rush to get anywhere.
Dumbo octopus = Boston terrier
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Both have enormous expressive eyes, compact bodies and an uncanny ability to look like animated characters brought to life. The dumbo octopus, named after the elephant-like fins protruding from either side of its head, may be one of the cutest creatures in the ocean. The Boston terrier is certainly one of the cutest dogs.
Whether you’re a dog person, an ocean enthusiast or simply someone who enjoys comparing animals that have no business being compared, here’s to celebrating the remarkable creatures that make both our oceans and our lives infinitely more interesting.
