A Detailed Comparison of the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Karelian Bear Dog.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Chinese Shar-Pei Versus Karelian Bear Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei and the Karelian Bear Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei or the Karelian Bear Dog.

Chinese Shar-Pei versus Karelian Bear Dog: Overview

Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Karelian Bear Dog are similar in size. The Chinese Shar-Pei and the Karelian Bear Dog are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Karelian Bear Dog are Working Dogs. This means both the Chinese Shar-Pei 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.

Chinese Shar-Pei versus Karelian Bear Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei and the Karelian Bear Dog

Factor Chinese Shar-Pei Karelian Bear Dog
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 1/5
General Health 1/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 1/5 4/5
Height 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 19 to 24 inches
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 2/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
Weight 40 to 55 pounds 44 to 50 pounds
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 2/5
Life Span 8 to 12 years 10 to 13 years
Average Lifespan 10.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $1620 $1350
Price Range $1100 – $2000 $1400 – $1400
Temperament Score 71.0 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei is 68 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 Chinese Shar-Pei is a better pet than the Karelian Bear Dog. So, you should get the Chinese Shar-Pei!

    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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei and the Karelian Bear Dog

    Below is a list of where the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Karelian Bear Dog are most different:

  • Chinese Shar-Peis have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Karelian Bear Dogs are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Chinese Shar-Peis do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Karelian Bear Dogs do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis not very playful. However, Karelian Bear Dogs are very playful.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Karelian Bear Dogs can tolerate cold weather.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Karelian Bear Dogs have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Chinese Shar-Peis 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.
  • The Similarities Between the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Karelian Bear Dog

    The Chinese Shar-Pei and the Karelian Bear Dog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Karelian Bear Dog are most similar:

  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Karelian Bear Dog do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Karelian Bear Dog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Karelian Bear Dog do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Karelian Bear Dog are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Karelian Bear Dog do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Karelian Bear Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Karelian Bear Dog are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Karelian Bear Dog are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Karelian Bear Dog are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chinese Shar-Pei versus Karelian Bear Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chinese Shar-Pei and the Karelian Bear Dog.

    Chinese Shar-Peis weigh 40 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Chinese Shar-Peis are 18 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 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 Chinese Shar-Pei versus Karelian Bear Dog

    The lifespan of Chinese Shar-Peis is between 8 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Chinese Shar-Peis is 10.0 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 Chinese Shar-Peis.

    Temperament of the Karelian Bear Dog Versus the Chinese Shar-Pei

    The Karelian Bear Dog has a better temperament than the Chinese Shar-Pei.

    This is because the temperament score for the Karelian Bear Dog is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Chinese Shar-Pei is 71.0 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 71.0 percent, the Chinese Shar-Pei has a below-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 Chinese Shar-Pei and the Karelian Bear Dog by measuring the temperaments of 214 Chinese Shar-Peis and 3 Karelian Bear Dogs.

    Price of Chinese Shar-Pei versus Price of Karelian Bear Dog

    The average price of the Chinese Shar-Pei puppy is $1620. The price of the Chinese Shar-Pei typically ranges from $1100 – $2000. However, the price of a Chinese Shar-Pei can be as low as $300 and as high as $5000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 238 Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei is more expensive than the Karelian Bear Dog.

    Chinese Shar-Pei Karelian Bear Dog
    Average Price $1620 $1350
    Price Range $1100 to $2000 $1400 to $1400

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Chinese Shar-Peis. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Chinese Shar-Peis. 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 Chinese Shar-Pei 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: Chinese Shar-Pei versus Karelian Bear Dog

    Chinese Shar-Peis can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chinese Shar-Peis shed more than Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Chinese Shar-Peis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Karelian Bear Dogs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Chinese Shar-Pei or the Karelian Bear Dog

    Chinese Shar-Peis do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chinese Shar-Pei or the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are very easy to groom.

    Karelian Bear Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Does the Chinese Shar-Pei Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Chinese Shar-Peis have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other 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 Chinese Shar-Peis Bark and Howl? What about Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Can Chinese Shar-Peis Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Chinese Shar-Peis cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Karelian Bear Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chinese Shar-Pei vs. Karelian Bear Dog

    Chinese Shar-Peis 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 Chinese Shar-Peis Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chinese Shar-Peis 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 Chinese Shar-Pei or the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Chinese Shar-Peis do not get along well with other dogs.

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

    Are Chinese Shar-Peis good family dogs? What about Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.

    1

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

    How Kid-friendly are Chinese Shar-Peis and Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Chinese Shar-Peis 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 Chinese Shar-Pei Easier to Train than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Chinese Shar-Peis are fairly easy to train.

    Karelian Bear Dogs are not easy to train.

    Is the Chinese Shar-Pei Better for Apartment Owners than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Chinese Shar-Peis adapt very well to apartment living.

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Chinese Shar-Pei or the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Chinese Shar-Peis 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 Chinese Shar-Pei

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei:

  • Chow Chow (63 percent match with Chinese Shar-Pei). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Chow Chow.
  • Affenhuahua (62 percent match with Chinese Shar-Pei). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Affenhuahua.
  • 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 Chinese Shar-Pei vs Mountain Cur.
  • Treeing Walker Coonhound (76 percent match with Karelian Bear Dog). Here is our comparison of the Chinese Shar-Pei vs Treeing Walker Coonhound.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Chinese Shar-Pei Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Chinese Shar-Pei versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Valley Bulldog     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Maltese     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Norwegian Buhund     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Norwegian Lundehund     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Alaskan Malamute     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Bedlington Terrier     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Sussex Spaniel     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Biewer Terrier     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Irish Wolfhound     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Schipperke     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Chinese Shar-Pei versus American Hairless Terrier     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Weimaraner     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Black Mouth Cur     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Afador     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Sealyham Terrier     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Coton de Tulear     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Mal Shi     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Carolina Dog     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Japanese Chin     Chinese Shar-Pei versus French Spaniel     Chinese Shar-Pei versus Tibetan Spaniel     

    Karelian Bear Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Karelian Bear Dog versus Toy Poodle     Karelian Bear Dog versus Ibizan Hound     Karelian Bear Dog versus Kuvasz     Karelian Bear Dog versus Puggle     Karelian Bear Dog versus Great Pyrenees     Karelian Bear Dog versus Scottish Deerhound     Karelian Bear Dog versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Collie     Karelian Bear Dog versus Cavapoo     Karelian Bear Dog versus Mountain Cur     Karelian Bear Dog versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Karelian Bear Dog versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Karelian Bear Dog versus Lhasapoo     Karelian Bear Dog versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Karelian Bear Dog versus Golden Retriever     Karelian Bear Dog versus Shiranian     Karelian Bear Dog versus Bichon Frise     Karelian Bear Dog versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Karelian Bear Dog versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Lakeland Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Border Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Toy Poodle     Karelian Bear Dog versus Boston Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Bluetick Coonhound     Karelian Bear Dog versus Bernese Mountain Dog     

    Conclusion: Chinese Shar-Pei 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 Chinese Shar-Pei and the Karelian Bear Dog better suits you and your family.