Which is Better between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog? A Very Detailed Review.

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Caucasian Shepherd Dog Versus Karelian Bear Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and for the Karelian Bear Dog. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Karelian Bear Dog.

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Karelian Bear Dog: Overview

A very important difference between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a giant-sized dog while the Karelian Bear Dog is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog are Working Dogs. This means both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Karelian Bear Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Caucasian Shepherd Dog to the Karelian Bear Dog based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog

Factor Caucasian Shepherd Dog Karelian Bear Dog
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 1/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 13 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 2/5
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 2/5
Height 24 to 34 inches 19 to 24 inches
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 5/5
Weight 80 to 220 pounds 44 to 50 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $2110 $1350
Price Range $1500 – $2500 $1400 – $1400
Temperament Score 85.0 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Dentition
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye examination, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Karelian Bear Dog. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 69 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Karelian Bear Dog is 66 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is a better pet than the Karelian Bear Dog. So, you should get the Caucasian Shepherd Dog!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog

    Below is a list of where the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog are most different:

  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Karelian Bear Dogs have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool. However, Karelian Bear Dogs do not have the tendency to drool.
  • The Similarities Between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog

    The Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog are most similar:

  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog are not easy to train.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Karelian Bear Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs weigh 80 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are 24 to 34 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Karelian Bear Dogs weigh 44 to 50 pounds when fully grown. Karelian Bear Dogs are 19 to 24 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Karelian Bear Dog

    The lifespan of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs is 11.0 years.

    The lifespan of Karelian Bear Dogs is between 10 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Karelian Bear Dogs is 11.5 years.

    Karelian Bear Dogs live longer than Caucasian Shepherd Dogs.

    Temperament of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Versus the Karelian Bear Dog

    The Karelian Bear Dog has a better temperament than the Caucasian Shepherd Dog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Karelian Bear Dog is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 85.0 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 85.0 percent, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Karelian Bear Dog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog by measuring the temperaments of 20 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and 3 Karelian Bear Dogs.

    Price of Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Price of Karelian Bear Dog

    The average price of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy is $2110. The price of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog typically ranges from $1500 – $2500. However, the price of a Caucasian Shepherd Dog can be as low as $1000 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 56 Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Karelian Bear Dog puppy is $1350. The price of the Karelian Bear Dog typically ranges from $1400 – $1400. However, the price of the Karelian Bear Dog can be as low as $900 and as high as $1400. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 9 Karelian Bear Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Caucasian Shepherd Dog is more expensive than the Karelian Bear Dog.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog Karelian Bear Dog
    Average Price $2110 $1350
    Price Range $1500 to $2500 $1400 to $1400

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and Karelian Bear Dog. For different price points, the charts show how many Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppies or how many Karelian Bear Dog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Karelian Bear Dogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Karelian Bear Dogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Caucasian Shepherd Dog puppy or the Karelian Bear Dog puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Karelian Bear Dog

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Caucasian Shepherd Dogs shed more than Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Karelian Bear Dogs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Karelian Bear Dog

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Karelian Bear Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Karelian Bear Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Does the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Karelian Bear Dogs have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Do Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

    Karelian Bear Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Karelian Bear Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs. Karelian Bear Dog

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Karelian Bear Dogs have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Karelian Bear Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs good family dogs? What about Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Karelian Bear Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Karelian Bear Dogs get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Easier to Train than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not easy to train.

    Karelian Bear Dogs are not easy to train.

    Is the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Karelian Bear Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Caucasian Shepherd Dog:

  • Afador (76 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Afador.
  • Akbash (73 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Akbash.
  • Mastiff (72 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Mastiff.
  • Boerboel (71 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Boerboel.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Karelian Bear Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Karelian Bear Dog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Karelian Bear Dog:

  • Mountain Cur (77 percent match with Karelian Bear Dog). Here is our comparison of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs Mountain Cur.
  • Treeing Walker Coonhound (76 percent match with Karelian Bear Dog). Here is our comparison of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs Treeing Walker Coonhound.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and how the Karelian Bear Dog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and of the Karelian Bear Dog to other breeds:

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Bich Poo     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus French Bulldog     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus American Bulldog     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Affenpinscher     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Cavachon     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Maltese     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Collie     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Cane Corso     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus English Cocker Spaniel     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Brussels Griffon     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Basset Hound     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Bull Terrier     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Pekingese     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Australian Terrier     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Borzoi     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus American Foxhound     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Bearded Collie     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Mal Shi     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Boxer     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Border Collie     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Fila Brasileiro     

    Karelian Bear Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Karelian Bear Dog versus Pomapoo     Karelian Bear Dog versus Cane Corso     Karelian Bear Dog versus Patterdale Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Frenchton     Karelian Bear Dog versus Miniature Poodle     Karelian Bear Dog versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Siberian Husky     Karelian Bear Dog versus Australian Kelpie     Karelian Bear Dog versus Keeshond     Karelian Bear Dog versus American Eskimo Dog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Saint Bernard     Karelian Bear Dog versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Karelian Bear Dog versus Japanese Spitz     Karelian Bear Dog versus Manchester Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Karelian Bear Dog versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Karelian Bear Dog versus Beagle     Karelian Bear Dog versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Karelian Bear Dog versus Irish Water Spaniel     Karelian Bear Dog versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Karelian Bear Dog versus Shichon     Karelian Bear Dog versus Goldendoodle     Karelian Bear Dog versus American Hairless Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Saint Bernard     

    Conclusion: Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Karelian Bear Dog. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog better suits you and your family.