Land Seals vs Water Puppies: Why are pitties and seals so similarly adorable?

Elna McHilderson • Managing Editor

May 5, 2023 4:00 AM EDT

If you have seen a pit bull (or a staffy) with their ears back and their eyes wide, then you have probably had the thought, "wait, is this a seal or a dog?" These dogs with velvety, usually grey or brownish, fur and big wide-puppy dog eyes are always said to look just like a seal. That is why they get the nickname "land seals!" So then, naturally, seals get a name change to "water puppies," because it works vice versa for them. If you see a seal up close, with their silly snoot and similarly velvety fur, then you might think, "wait, is this a dog?" Both creatures emit immense amounts of cuteness, so much so you could overload. Are seals the mermaids of the dogs? Are dogs the four-legged cousin to seals? Apparently, there are some hard facts connecting the two in lineage, but we enjoy the responses from land seal and water puppy fans instead. They present the real hard hitting facts—like, the both go "arf!" See what else below!

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