Coton de Tulear versus Karelian Bear Dog. Final Verdict on Which is a Better Pet.

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Coton de Tulear Versus Karelian Bear Dog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Coton de Tulear and the Karelian Bear Dog? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear and the Karelian Bear Dog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear or the Karelian Bear Dog

Coton de Tulear versus Karelian Bear Dog: Overview

A very important difference between the Coton de Tulear and the Karelian Bear Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Coton de Tulear is a tiny-sized dog while the Karelian Bear Dog is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Coton de Tulear belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

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.

Coton de Tulear versus Karelian Bear Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Coton de Tulear 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.

Factor Coton de Tulear Karelian Bear Dog
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 1/5
Life Span 14 to 16 years 10 to 13 years
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Height 8 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder 19 to 24 inches
Weight 8 to 13 pounds 44 to 50 pounds
Average Lifespan 15.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $2060 $1350
Price Range $1745 – $2500 $1400 – $1400
Temperament Score
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Exam
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • No Data

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Coton de Tulear 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 a Coton de Tulear is 94 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Karelian Bear Dog is 66 out of 125.

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

    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 Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear and the Karelian Bear Dog

    Below is a list of where the Coton de Tulear and the Karelian Bear Dog are most different:

  • Coton de Tulears 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.
  • Coton de Tulears 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.
  • Coton de Tulears are good for new dog owners. However, Karelian Bear Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Coton de Tulears adapt well to apartment living. However, Karelian Bear Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Coton de Tulears get along well with other dogs. However, Karelian Bear Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Coton de Tulears are very friendly towards strangers. However, Karelian Bear Dogs are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • The Similarities Between the Coton de Tulear and the Karelian Bear Dog

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

  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Karelian Bear Dog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Karelian Bear Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Karelian Bear Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Karelian Bear Dog are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Karelian Bear Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear and the Karelian Bear Dog are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Coton de Tulear versus Karelian Bear Dog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Coton de Tulear and the Karelian Bear Dog.

    Coton de Tulears weigh 8 to 13 pounds when fully grown. Coton de Tulears are 8 to 12 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.

    Price of Coton de Tulear versus Price of Karelian Bear Dog

    The average price of the Coton de Tulear puppy is $2060. The price of the Coton de Tulear typically ranges from $1745 – $2500. However, the price of a Coton de Tulear can be as low as $1000 and as high as $3200. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 127 Coton de Tulear 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 a 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 Coton de Tulear is more expensive than the Karelian Bear Dog.

    Coton de Tulear Karelian Bear Dog
    Average Price $2060 $1350
    Price Range $1745 to $2500 $1400 to $1400

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Coton de Tulears. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Coton de Tulears. 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 Coton de Tulear 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 from 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 one of those puppy mills that 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: Coton de Tulear versus Karelian Bear Dog

    Coton de Tulears do not like to be left alone.

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Coton de Tulears shed more than Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Coton de Tulears do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Karelian Bear Dogs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Coton de Tulear or the Karelian Bear Dog

    Coton de Tulears do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Does the Coton de Tulear Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Coton de Tulears 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.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Coton de Tulear or the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Coton de Tulears require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Karelian Bear Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Do Coton de Tulears Bark and Howl? What about Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Coton de Tulears 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 Coton de Tulears Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Coton de Tulears can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Karelian Bear Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Coton de Tulears can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Is the Coton de Tulear Easier to Train than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Coton de Tulears are fairly easy to train.

    Karelian Bear Dogs are not easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Coton de Tulear vs. Karelian Bear Dog

    Coton de Tulears have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Coton de Tulear or the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Coton de Tulears are very good for new dog owners.

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

    Is the Coton de Tulear Better for Apartment Owners than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Coton de Tulears adapt very well to apartment living.

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Are Coton de Tulears good family dogs? What about Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Coton de Tulears 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 Coton de Tulears and Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Coton de Tulears get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Coton de Tulear or the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Coton de Tulears get along very well with other dogs.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Coton de Tulear

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear:

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (78 percent match with Coton de Tulear). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Cavachon (78 percent match with Coton de Tulear). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Cavachon.
  • Shichon (78 percent match with Coton de Tulear). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Shichon.
  • 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 Coton de Tulear vs Mountain Cur.
  • Treeing Walker Coonhound (76 percent match with Karelian Bear Dog). Here is our comparison of the Coton de Tulear vs Treeing Walker Coonhound.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Coton de Tulear Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Coton de Tulear versus Chihuahua     Coton de Tulear versus Papipoo     Coton de Tulear versus Cocker Spaniel     Coton de Tulear versus American Eskimo Dog     Coton de Tulear versus Maltese     Coton de Tulear versus Norwich Terrier     Coton de Tulear versus Pekingese     Coton de Tulear versus King Shepherd     Coton de Tulear versus West Highland White Terrier     Coton de Tulear versus French Spaniel     

    Karelian Bear Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Karelian Bear Dog versus Cockalier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Karelian Bear Dog versus Azawakh     Karelian Bear Dog versus Valley Bulldog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Brittany     Karelian Bear Dog versus Giant Schnauzer     Karelian Bear Dog versus Patterdale Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Beagle     Karelian Bear Dog versus Chinook     Karelian Bear Dog versus Airedale Terrier     

    Conclusion: Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear and the Karelian Bear Dog better suits you and your family.