Differences and Similarities between the German Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog.

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German Pinscher Versus Karelian Bear Dog: Introduction

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

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

German Pinscher versus Karelian Bear Dog: Overview

Both the German Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog are similar in size. The German Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog are both medium-sized dogs.

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

German Pinscher versus Karelian Bear Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog

Factor German Pinscher Karelian Bear Dog
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 10 to 13 years
Height 17 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder 19 to 24 inches
Dog Friendly 2/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 2/5
Weight 25 to 45 pounds 44 to 50 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $2040 $1350
Price Range $1150 – $2688 $1400 – $1400
Temperament Score 91.9 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher is 78 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 German Pinscher is a better pet than the Karelian Bear Dog. So, you should get the German Pinscher!

    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 German Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the German Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog

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

  • Both the German Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the German Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the German Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the German Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the German Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog are very easy to groom.
  • Both the German Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the German Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the German Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the German Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the German Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of German Pinscher versus Karelian Bear Dog

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

    German Pinschers weigh 25 to 45 pounds when fully grown. German Pinschers 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 German Pinscher versus Karelian Bear Dog

    The lifespan of German Pinschers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Pinschers is 13.0 years.

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

    German Pinschers live longer than Karelian Bear Dogs.

    Temperament of the German Pinscher Versus the Karelian Bear Dog

    The Karelian Bear Dog has a better temperament than the German Pinscher.

    This is because the temperament score for the Karelian Bear Dog is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the German Pinscher is 91.9 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 91.9 percent, the German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog by measuring the temperaments of 37 German Pinschers and 3 Karelian Bear Dogs.

    Price of German Pinscher versus Price of Karelian Bear Dog

    The average price of the German Pinscher puppy is $2040. The price of the German Pinscher typically ranges from $1150 – $2688. However, the price of a German Pinscher can be as low as $500 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 10 German Pinscher 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 German Pinscher is more expensive than the Karelian Bear Dog.

    German Pinscher Karelian Bear Dog
    Average Price $2040 $1350
    Price Range $1150 to $2688 $1400 to $1400

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

    A breakdown of the prices of German Pinschers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of German Pinschers. 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 German Pinscher 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: German Pinscher versus Karelian Bear Dog

    German Pinschers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do German Pinschers shed more than Karelian Bear Dogs?

    German Pinschers shed moderately.

    Karelian Bear Dogs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the German Pinscher or the Karelian Bear Dog

    German Pinschers 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 German Pinscher or the Karelian Bear Dog?

    German Pinschers are very easy to groom.

    Karelian Bear Dogs are very easy to groom.

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

    German Pinschers 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.

    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 German Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Karelian Bear Dogs?

    German Pinschers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can German Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    German Pinschers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Karelian Bear Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Pinscher vs. Karelian Bear Dog

    German Pinschers 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 German Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    German Pinschers 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 German Pinscher or the Karelian Bear Dog?

    German Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.

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

    Are German Pinschers good family dogs? What about Karelian Bear Dogs?

    German Pinschers 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 German Pinschers and Karelian Bear Dogs?

    German Pinschers 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 German Pinscher Easier to Train than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    German Pinschers are very easy to train.

    Karelian Bear Dogs are not easy to train.

    Is the German Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    German Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    German Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Pinscher

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

  • Australian Kelpie (79 percent match with German Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Australian Kelpie.
  • Belgian Malinois (80 percent match with German Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Belgian Malinois.
  • German Wirehaired Pointer (83 percent match with German Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs German Wirehaired Pointer.
  • Mudi (79 percent match with German Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Mudi.
  • 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 German Pinscher vs Mountain Cur.
  • Treeing Walker Coonhound (76 percent match with Karelian Bear Dog). Here is our comparison of the German Pinscher vs Treeing Walker Coonhound.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    German Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Pinscher versus Brittany     German Pinscher versus Clumber Spaniel     German Pinscher versus American Pit Bull Terrier     German Pinscher versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     German Pinscher versus Barbet     German Pinscher versus Miniature Pinscher     German Pinscher versus Yorkipoo     German Pinscher versus Curly-Coated Retriever     German Pinscher versus Toy Poodle     German Pinscher versus Sealyham Terrier     German Pinscher versus Peek A Poo     German Pinscher versus Pug     German Pinscher versus Great Pyrenees     German Pinscher versus Shiba Inu     German Pinscher versus Irish Water Spaniel     German Pinscher versus Biewer Terrier     German Pinscher versus Leonberger     German Pinscher versus Pointer     German Pinscher versus Affenhuahua     German Pinscher versus Bichon Frise     German Pinscher versus Boerboel     German Pinscher versus Italian Greyhound     German Pinscher versus Peek A Poo     German Pinscher versus Karelian Bear Dog     German Pinscher versus Tibetan Mastiff     

    Karelian Bear Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Karelian Bear Dog versus Affenhuahua     Karelian Bear Dog versus Boerboel     Karelian Bear Dog versus Barbet     Karelian Bear Dog versus Toy Fox Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Bordoodle     Karelian Bear Dog versus Bouvier des Flandres     Karelian Bear Dog versus Kuvasz     Karelian Bear Dog versus Lancashire Heeler     Karelian Bear Dog versus Tibetan Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Tibetan Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Karelian Bear Dog versus Portuguese Pointer     Karelian Bear Dog versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Shihpoo     Karelian Bear Dog versus Labrador Retriever     Karelian Bear Dog versus Basenji     Karelian Bear Dog versus Samoyed     Karelian Bear Dog versus Labrador Retriever     Karelian Bear Dog versus Airedale Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus English Setter     Karelian Bear Dog versus English Toy Spaniel     Karelian Bear Dog versus Maremma Sheepdog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Goldendoodle     Karelian Bear Dog versus Boston Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Dogo Argentino     

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