Shar-Pei Instagram - A Shar-Pei puppy named Tonkey Bear is the newest internet, or Instagram, sensation. With the face of a teddy bear, the four-month old puppy is so adorable that hundreds of thousands have become obsessed with Tonkey and has followed the dog on Instagram.
Under the handle @bearcoat_tonkey, owner Christine Park, 26, and boyfriend David Ngu, 30 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, shares the Shar-Pei Instagram photos of Tonkey Bear, according to The Daily Mail.
Tonkey Bear has not only become a hit with the Shar-Pei Instagram photos, but Tonkey has made countless news articles as well.
At first, Park posted the Shar-Pei Instagram photos showing Tonkey's cuddly face, paws, button nose and fuzzy bear coat so she could make friends for herself. However, her new pup didn't only make friends, she has become famous with over 165,000 Instagram followers and 35,260 Facebook likes, according to Newsmax.
Tonkey Bear has become a sort of celebrity that even her individual Shar-Pei Instagram pictures got more than 15,000 hearts.
Park and Ngu adopted the pup in May after they fell in love with her. The couple then decided to share their joy with the world. In a Bored Panda post, Park wrote about Tonkey's unexpected rise to fame, reported Us Magazine.
"8 weeks ago I created Tonkey her own Instagram account for the sole purpose of making friends myself," Park wrote. "The way it was supposed to go down: post photo of cute dog, cute dog attracts good-looking friends, good-looking friends want to hang out with me."
In an interview with Mashable, Christine said, "She's a funny character. Her tail wags at lightning speed - even when she's in trouble; those eyes could melt the coldest of hearts. She cuddles every day, loves children, and is friendly and curious towards strangers."
"We started Tonkey's Instagram account because we felt she was exceptionally cute. The bearcoat Shar Pei was new to us and we wanted the world to know her," she added.
"Dave and I love that Tonkey's followers get as excited as we do. The dog lovers also own Maxi, a two-year-old border collie who the couple rescued as a stray," said Park, adding that "Tonkey is Maxi's best friend and they are the perfect balance for each other."
The Shar-Pei puppy appears to idolize her sibling.
"Tonkey learns from Maxi. She teaches her to obey commands, learn tricks and learn manners. Maxi was our first dog, and is the glue in our little family," Christine said.
The couple, who owns Swish Developments, a building company, said they were prepared to face the challenges of raising a Shar-Pei.
"Shar Peis can be hard work - Tonkey has a tendency to be hard-headed and independent but actually she turned out to be a good listener and smart," said Park. "But she can be stubborn and feisty, although I can't tell if it's just because she's a puppy."
"Tonkey's breed is prone to certain health problems, so she's had three check-ups so far as I am a paranoid mum," she added. "She is perfectly healthy but it's good to be prepared. Our bond as a family grows every day and Tonkey is a welcome addition."
While Park said that Tonkey is 100 percent Shar-Pei, as the Shar-Pei Instagram photos show, some argued that she's part bear, with some even calling Tonkey a "designer dog."
But when Park spoke to Mashable on Thursday, she said she simply brushes off the haters. After familiarizing herself with the breed, Park sought for a Shar-Pei after Maxi.
Shar-Peis originated from China and went extinct in the '70s from mass extermination. Translated, Shar-Pei means"sand skin," since the breed is known for their wrinkled coats.
Below are some of the many adorable Shar-Pei Instagram photos of Tonkey.