Which is Better between the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog? A Very Detailed Review.

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Chesapeake Bay Retriever Versus Karelian Bear Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chesapeake Bay Retriever 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever or the Karelian Bear Dog.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Karelian Bear Dog: Overview

Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog are similar in size. The Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

On the other hand, the Karelian Bear Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs 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.

Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Karelian Bear Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chesapeake Bay Retriever 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog

Factor Chesapeake Bay Retriever Karelian Bear Dog
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 2/5
Height 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the s 19 to 24 inches
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 13 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Weight 55 to 80 pounds 44 to 50 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $1060 $1350
Price Range $850 – $1200 $1400 – $1400
Temperament Score 87.8 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • EIC (Exercise Induced Collapse)
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chesapeake Bay Retriever 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever is 65 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 Karelian Bear Dog is a better pet than the Chesapeake Bay Retriever. So, you should get the Karelian Bear 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog

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

  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog are very playful.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Karelian Bear Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog.

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers weigh 55 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are 1 foot, 9 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the s 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Karelian Bear Dog

    The lifespan of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers 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 Chesapeake Bay Retrievers.

    Temperament of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever Versus the Karelian Bear Dog

    The Karelian Bear Dog has a better temperament than the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

    This is because the temperament score for the Karelian Bear Dog is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is 87.8 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 87.8 percent, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog by measuring the temperaments of 123 Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and 3 Karelian Bear Dogs.

    Price of Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Price of Karelian Bear Dog

    The average price of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever puppy is $1060. The price of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever typically ranges from $850 – $1200. However, the price of a Chesapeake Bay Retriever can be as low as $400 and as high as $2300. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 126 Chesapeake Bay Retriever 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 Karelian Bear Dog is more expensive than the Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

    Chesapeake Bay Retriever Karelian Bear Dog
    Average Price $1060 $1350
    Price Range $850 to $1200 $1400 to $1400

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever 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: Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Karelian Bear Dog

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers do not like to be left alone.

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chesapeake Bay Retrievers shed more than Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Karelian Bear Dogs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever or the Karelian Bear Dog

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers drool moderately.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever or the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are very easy to groom.

    Karelian Bear Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Does the Chesapeake Bay Retriever Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers 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 Chesapeake Bay Retrievers Bark and Howl? What about Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Chesapeake Bay Retrievers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Karelian Bear Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chesapeake Bay Retriever vs. Karelian Bear Dog

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Can Chesapeake Bay Retrievers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever or the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers do not get along well with other dogs.

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

    Are Chesapeake Bay Retrievers good family dogs? What about Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers 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 Chesapeake Bay Retrievers and Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Chesapeake Bay Retriever Easier to Train than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers are fairly easy to train.

    Karelian Bear Dogs are not easy to train.

    Is the Chesapeake Bay Retriever Better for Apartment Owners than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever or the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Chesapeake Bay Retrievers 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chesapeake Bay Retriever 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever:

  • Hovawart (74 percent match with Chesapeake Bay Retriever). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Hovawart.
  • Boerboel (76 percent match with Chesapeake Bay Retriever). 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever vs Mountain Cur.
  • Treeing Walker Coonhound (76 percent match with Karelian Bear Dog). Here is our comparison of the Chesapeake Bay Retriever vs Treeing Walker Coonhound.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Chesapeake Bay Retriever Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Patterdale Terrier     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Basset Hound     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Alaskan Malamute     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Bulldog     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Labradoodle     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Newfoundland     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus American Hairless Terrier     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Kishu Ken     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Shiloh Shepherd     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Miniature Pinscher     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Redbone Coonhound     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Cocker Spaniel     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Peek A Poo     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Bloodhound     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Puggle     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Silky Terrier     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Maremma Sheepdog     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Bulldog     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Pomapoo     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Scottish Deerhound     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Pomapoo     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus English Toy Spaniel     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Boston Terrier     Chesapeake Bay Retriever versus Bernese Mountain Dog     

    Karelian Bear Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Karelian Bear Dog versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Karelian Bear Dog versus American Eskimo Dog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Karelian Bear Dog versus Chorkie     Karelian Bear Dog versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Borzoi     Karelian Bear Dog versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Karelian Bear Dog versus Shihpoo     Karelian Bear Dog versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Karelian Bear Dog versus Shichon     Karelian Bear Dog versus Cocker Spaniel     Karelian Bear Dog versus Shihpoo     Karelian Bear Dog versus Catahoula Bulldog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Bullmastiff     Karelian Bear Dog versus Yorkshire Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Newfoundland     Karelian Bear Dog versus Barbet     Karelian Bear Dog versus Alaskan Malamute     Karelian Bear Dog versus Field Spaniel     Karelian Bear Dog versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Karelian Bear Dog versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Norwegian Lundehund     Karelian Bear Dog versus Spanish Mastiff     

    Conclusion: Chesapeake Bay Retriever 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 Chesapeake Bay Retriever and the Karelian Bear Dog better suits you and your family.