The Adorable Pomeranian That Went Viral for Looking Like Paddington Bear
Bertram the Pomeranian, often called Bertie, already had a modest online following before trending online. The fluffy dog lived in New York City with artist and gallery owner Kathy Grayson. At the time, Bertie’s Instagram account had close to 200K followers, and many of his posts regularly pulled in more than 30,000 likes.
The viral moment arrived in early August 2018 when Grayson posted a photo of Bertie wearing a blue coat and a bright red hat. The outfit matched the classic look associated with Paddington Bear, the fictional character created by Michael Bond. Ben Whishaw later voiced the character in the 2014 film “Paddington.”
Once the image appeared online, people immediately noticed the resemblance. Within days, the post gathered more than 52,000 likes and continued circulating across social media. Many viewers joked that the dog looked less like a pet and more like a tiny bear cub.
The Start of Bertie’s Story
The path to internet fame began long before the costume photo. Kathy Grayson adopted Bertie several years earlier after finding him listed on Petfinder. The dog had been given up after a breeder considered him too large to sell. Grayson later joked that she ended up with “double the Pom,” though the extra fluff turned into part of Bertie’s appeal.
The dog moved to New York City and quickly became a familiar face at The Hole, the art gallery where Grayson works. Bertie often attends openings and gallery events, calmly greeting visitors and wandering between conversations. His presence has even influenced the occasional art sale.
Grayson once explained that a collector visiting the gallery ended up buying a painting because they also owned a chocolate Pomeranian. Another visitor who had nearly left the gallery turned around after Bertie ran over to greet her and later purchased artwork as well!
The Paddington Connection
Image via Wikimedia Commons/McPhail
Before the costume photo, fans had already started comparing Bertie to a teddy bear. Some followers even pointed out his resemblance to Paddington Bear. The comments eventually convinced Grayson to watch the Paddington films. After seeing the comparison herself, she decided to embrace the joke.
Grayson ordered the costume on Etsy and dressed Bertie in the red hat and blue coat associated with the marmalade-loving character. The outfit fit him perfectly, which made the visual comparison even stronger. The internet responded immediately, and the photo traveled across multiple platforms, bringing Bertie to audiences who had never seen his account before.
A Personality That Keeps Fans Around
The costume sparked the viral moment, but Bertie’s personality helped sustain the attention. Grayson describes him as calm, friendly, and unusually relaxed. He rarely barks and tends to observe people while wagging his tail.
Bertie also learned a few playful tricks. He can sit upright and even “dance” for treats. Grayson trained him to give kisses on command, though the dog now expects a reward for performing the trick.
His social media content reflects that easygoing personality. Photos often show Bertie wearing bow ties, T-shirts, or simple costumes while posing around New York City.