Chow Chow versus Karelian Bear Dog. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Chow Chow Versus Karelian Bear Dog: Introduction

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

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

Chow Chow versus Karelian Bear Dog: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the Chow Chow and the Karelian Bear Dog are Working Dogs. This means both the Chow Chow 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.

Chow Chow versus Karelian Bear Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow and the Karelian Bear Dog

Factor Chow Chow Karelian Bear Dog
Kid-Friendly 1/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 4/5
Intelligence 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 1/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 13 years
Height 17 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 Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 2/5 4/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 4/5
Weight 40 to 70 pounds 44 to 50 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 5/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 2/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.5 years
Average Price $1750 $1350
Price Range $1000 – $2500 $1400 – $1400
Temperament Score 71.7 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow is a better pet than the Karelian Bear Dog. So, you should get the Chow Chow!

    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 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow and the Karelian Bear Dog

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

  • Chow Chows require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Karelian Bear Dogs are very easy to groom.
  • Chow Chows not very intelligent. However, Karelian Bear Dogs are highly intelligent.
  • Chow Chows are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Karelian Bear Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Chow Chows not very playful. However, Karelian Bear Dogs are very playful.
  • Chow Chows 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.
  • Chow Chows 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.
  • Chow Chows 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.
  • Chow Chows can be left alone for some time without problems. However, Karelian Bear Dogs do not like to be left alone.
  • The Similarities Between the Chow Chow and the Karelian Bear Dog

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

  • Both the Chow Chow and the Karelian Bear Dog do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Chow Chow and the Karelian Bear Dog are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chow Chow and the Karelian Bear Dog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Chow Chow and the Karelian Bear Dog cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Chow Chow and the Karelian Bear Dog are not easy to train.
  • Both the Chow Chow and the Karelian Bear Dog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Chow Chow and the Karelian Bear Dog are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chow Chow versus Karelian Bear Dog

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

    Chow Chows weigh 40 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Chow Chows are 17 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 Chow Chow versus Karelian Bear Dog

    The lifespan of Chow Chows is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Chow Chows is 13.5 years.

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

    Chow Chows live longer than Karelian Bear Dogs.

    Temperament of the Chow Chow Versus the Karelian Bear Dog

    The Karelian Bear Dog has a better temperament than the Chow Chow.

    This is because the temperament score for the Karelian Bear Dog is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Chow Chow is 71.7 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 71.7 percent, the Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow and the Karelian Bear Dog by measuring the temperaments of 99 Chow Chows and 3 Karelian Bear Dogs.

    Price of Chow Chow versus Price of Karelian Bear Dog

    The average price of the Chow Chow puppy is $1750. The price of the Chow Chow typically ranges from $1000 – $2500. However, the price of a Chow Chow can be as low as $400 and as high as $4125. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 156 Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow is more expensive than the Karelian Bear Dog.

    Chow Chow Karelian Bear Dog
    Average Price $1750 $1350
    Price Range $1000 to $2500 $1400 to $1400

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Chow Chows. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Chow Chows. 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 Chow Chow 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: Chow Chow versus Karelian Bear Dog

    Chow Chows can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Chow Chows shed more than Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Chow Chows do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Karelian Bear Dogs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Chow Chow or the Karelian Bear Dog

    Chow Chows drool moderately.

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

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

    Chow Chows require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Karelian Bear Dogs are very easy to groom.

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

    Chow Chows 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 Chow Chows Bark and Howl? What about Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Chow Chows are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Can Chow Chows Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Chow Chows can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Karelian Bear Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chow Chow vs. Karelian Bear Dog

    Chow Chows 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 Chow Chows Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chow Chows 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 Chow Chow or the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Chow Chows do not get along well with other dogs.

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

    Are Chow Chows good family dogs? What about Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Chow Chows are not affectionate with family. They are not good family dogs.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Chow Chows and Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Chow Chows 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 Chow Chow Easier to Train than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Chow Chows are not easy to train.

    Karelian Bear Dogs are not easy to train.

    Is the Chow Chow Better for Apartment Owners than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Chow Chows adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Chow Chows 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 Chow Chow

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow:

  • Anatolian Shepherd Dog (61 percent match with Chow Chow). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Anatolian Shepherd Dog.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dog (65 percent match with Chow Chow). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Caucasian Shepherd Dog.
  • Chinese Shar-Pei (63 percent match with Chow Chow). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Chinese Shar-Pei.
  • Akita Chow (62 percent match with Chow Chow). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Akita Chow.
  • 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 Chow Chow vs Mountain Cur.
  • Treeing Walker Coonhound (76 percent match with Karelian Bear Dog). Here is our comparison of the Chow Chow vs Treeing Walker Coonhound.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Chow Chow Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Chow Chow versus Bracco Italiano     Chow Chow versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Chow Chow versus Harrier     Chow Chow versus American Eskimo Dog     Chow Chow versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Chow Chow versus Bracco Italiano     Chow Chow versus Bullmastiff     Chow Chow versus Boxerdoodle     Chow Chow versus Great Pyrenees     Chow Chow versus Field Spaniel     Chow Chow versus Plott     Chow Chow versus German Longhaired Pointer     Chow Chow versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Chow Chow versus Ibizan Hound     Chow Chow versus Shiranian     Chow Chow versus Fila Brasileiro     Chow Chow versus Maltese     Chow Chow versus Goldendoodle     Chow Chow versus Maltipoo     Chow Chow versus Tibetan Terrier     Chow Chow versus Puli     Chow Chow versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Chow Chow versus Kai Ken     Chow Chow versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Chow Chow versus Toy Poodle     

    Karelian Bear Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Karelian Bear Dog versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Karelian Bear Dog versus Newfoundland     Karelian Bear Dog versus Italian Greyhound     Karelian Bear Dog versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Karelian Bear Dog versus Chinook     Karelian Bear Dog versus Korean Jindo Dog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Berger Picard     Karelian Bear Dog versus Mastiff     Karelian Bear Dog versus Patterdale Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Karelian Bear Dog versus Westiepoo     Karelian Bear Dog versus Mountain Cur     Karelian Bear Dog versus English Cocker Spaniel     Karelian Bear Dog versus American Hairless Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Cesky Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Akita     Karelian Bear Dog versus Shichon     Karelian Bear Dog versus Belgian Sheepdog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Lowchen     Karelian Bear Dog versus American Water Spaniel     Karelian Bear Dog versus Puli     Karelian Bear Dog versus Cockapoo     Karelian Bear Dog versus Samoyed     Karelian Bear Dog versus Azawakh     Karelian Bear Dog versus Clumber Spaniel     

    Conclusion: Chow Chow 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 Chow Chow and the Karelian Bear Dog better suits you and your family.