Estrela Mountain Dog versus Karelian Bear Dog. Final Verdict on Which is a Better Pet.

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Estrela Mountain Dog Versus Karelian Bear Dog: Introduction

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

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

Estrela Mountain Dog versus Karelian Bear Dog: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Estrela Mountain Dog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

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.

Estrela Mountain Dog versus Karelian Bear Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Estrela Mountain 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.

Factor Estrela Mountain Dog Karelian Bear Dog
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 1/5
Life Span 11 to 15 years 10 to 13 years
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 2/5
Height 24 to 30 inches 19 to 24 inches
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Weight 75 to 130 pounds 44 to 50 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $2000 $1350
Price Range $2000 – $2000 $1400 – $1400
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • 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 Estrela Mountain 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 a Estrela Mountain Dog is 85 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 Estrela Mountain Dog is a better pet than the Karelian Bear Dog. So, you should get the Estrela Mountain 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 Estrela Mountain 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 Estrela Mountain Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog

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

  • Estrela Mountain Dogs 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.
  • Estrela Mountain 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.
  • The Similarities Between the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog

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

  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog 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 Estrela Mountain Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Estrela Mountain Dog and the Karelian Bear Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Estrela Mountain Dog versus Karelian Bear Dog

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

    Estrela Mountain Dogs weigh 75 to 130 pounds when fully grown. Estrela Mountain Dogs are 24 to 30 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.

    Price of Estrela Mountain Dog versus Price of Karelian Bear Dog

    The average price of the Estrela Mountain Dog puppy is $2000. The price of the Estrela Mountain Dog typically ranges from $2000 – $2000. However, the price of a Estrela Mountain Dog can be as low as $2000 and as high as $2000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1 Estrela Mountain 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 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 Estrela Mountain Dog is more expensive than the Karelian Bear Dog.

    Estrela Mountain Dog Karelian Bear Dog
    Average Price $2000 $1350
    Price Range $2000 to $2000 $1400 to $1400

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Estrela Mountain Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Estrela Mountain 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 Estrela Mountain 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 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.

    Is the Estrela Mountain Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Estrela Mountain Dogs 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.

    Wanderlust Potential: Estrela Mountain Dog vs. Karelian Bear Dog

    Estrela Mountain 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.

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

    Estrela Mountain Dogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Karelian Bear Dogs are very easy to groom.

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

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are OK for new dog owners.

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Estrela Mountain Dog versus Karelian Bear Dog

    Estrela Mountain Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs 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.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Estrela Mountain Dog or the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

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

    Which one drools more, the Estrela Mountain Dog or the Karelian Bear Dog

    Estrela Mountain Dogs drool moderately.

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

    Do Estrela Mountain Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Estrela Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Karelian Bear Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Do Estrela Mountain Dogs shed more than Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Karelian Bear Dogs shed moderately.

    Is the Estrela Mountain Dog Easier to Train than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.

    Karelian Bear Dogs are not easy to train.

    Are Estrela Mountain Dogs good family dogs? What about Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Estrela Mountain 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 Estrela Mountain Dogs and Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Estrela Mountain Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Estrela Mountain Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Estrela Mountain 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 Estrela Mountain Dog:

  • Akbash (81 percent match with Estrela Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Akbash.
  • Dutch Shepherd (75 percent match with Estrela Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Dutch Shepherd.
  • Pyrenean Mastiff (75 percent match with Estrela Mountain Dog). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Pyrenean Mastiff.
  • 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 Estrela Mountain Dog vs Mountain Cur.
  • Treeing Walker Coonhound (76 percent match with Karelian Bear Dog). Here is our comparison of the Estrela Mountain Dog vs Treeing Walker Coonhound.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Estrela Mountain Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Estrela Mountain Dog versus Irish Wolfhound     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Estrela Mountain Dog versus King Shepherd     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Lowchen     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Ibizan Hound     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Bordoodle     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Black Russian Terrier     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Puggle     Estrela Mountain Dog versus Basenji     

    Karelian Bear Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Karelian Bear Dog versus Boerboel     Karelian Bear Dog versus German Pinscher     Karelian Bear Dog versus Lowchen     Karelian Bear Dog versus Plott     Karelian Bear Dog versus Akita     Karelian Bear Dog versus Bouvier des Flandres     Karelian Bear Dog versus Norwegian Buhund     Karelian Bear Dog versus English Toy Spaniel     Karelian Bear Dog versus Shiranian     Karelian Bear Dog versus Airedale Terrier     

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