Is the Harrier Better than the Karelian Bear Dog as a Pet? Answer…

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Harrier Versus Karelian Bear Dog: Introduction

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

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

Harrier versus Karelian Bear Dog: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Harrier belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

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.

Harrier versus Karelian Bear Dog: Comparison Table

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

Factor Harrier Karelian Bear Dog
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 13 years
Height 19 to 21 inches tall at the shoulder 19 to 24 inches
Easygoing 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
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
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 1/5
Weight 45 to 60 pounds 44 to 50 pounds
Kid-Friendly 5/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 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 11.0 years 11.5 years
Price Range No Data $1400 – $1400
Average Price No Data $1350
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination- minimum age 12 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•  No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Harrier 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 Harrier is 81 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 Harrier is a better pet than the Karelian Bear Dog. So, you should get the Harrier!

    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 Harrier 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 Harrier and the Karelian Bear Dog

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

  • Harriers get along well with other dogs. However, Karelian Bear Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Harriers are very friendly towards strangers. However, Karelian Bear Dogs are not very friendly towards strangers.

    • The Similarities Between the Harrier and the Karelian Bear Dog

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

  • Both the Harrier and the Karelian Bear Dog do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Harrier and the Karelian Bear Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Harrier and the Karelian Bear Dog are not easy to train.
  • Both the Harrier and the Karelian Bear Dog can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Harrier and the Karelian Bear Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Harrier and the Karelian Bear Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Harrier and the Karelian Bear Dog have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Harrier and the Karelian Bear Dog are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Harrier and the Karelian Bear Dog do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Harrier and the Karelian Bear Dog are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Harrier 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 Harrier and the Karelian Bear Dog have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Harrier and the Karelian Bear Dog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Harrier and the Karelian Bear Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Harrier and the Karelian Bear Dog are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Harrier versus Karelian Bear Dog

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

    Harriers weigh 45 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Harriers are 19 to 21 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 Harrier versus Karelian Bear Dog

    The lifespan of Harriers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Harriers is 11.0 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 Harriers.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Harrier versus Karelian Bear Dog

    Harriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Harriers shed more than Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Harriers shed moderately.

    Karelian Bear Dogs shed moderately.

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

    Harriers 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 Harrier or the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Harriers are very easy to groom.

    Karelian Bear Dogs are very easy to groom.

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

    Harriers 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 Harriers Bark and Howl? What about Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Harriers 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 Harriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Harriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Karelian Bear Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Harrier vs. Karelian Bear Dog

    Harriers 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 Harriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Harriers 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 Harrier or the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Harriers get along very well with other dogs.

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

    Are Harriers good family dogs? What about Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Harriers 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 Harriers and Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Harriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Harrier Easier to Train than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Harriers are not easy to train.

    Karelian Bear Dogs are not easy to train.

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

    Harriers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Harriers 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 Harrier

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

  • American Foxhound (82 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs American Foxhound.
  • Black and Tan Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Black and Tan Coonhound.
  • Black Mouth Cur (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bluetick Coonhound (75 percent match with Harrier). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Bluetick Coonhound.

    • 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 Harrier vs Mountain Cur.
  • Treeing Walker Coonhound (76 percent match with Karelian Bear Dog). Here is our comparison of the Harrier vs Treeing Walker Coonhound.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Harrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Harrier versus Lowchen     Harrier versus Catahoula Bulldog     Harrier versus Pomeranian     Harrier versus Chi-Poo     Harrier versus Miniature Pinscher     Harrier versus Field Spaniel     Harrier versus Westiepoo     Harrier versus Italian Greyhound     Harrier versus Papillon     Harrier versus Shiloh Shepherd     Harrier versus Affenpinscher     Harrier versus Maremma Sheepdog     Harrier versus Maltese     Harrier versus Bichon Frise     Harrier versus Tibetan Mastiff     Harrier versus German Shepherd Dog     Harrier versus Ibizan Hound     Harrier versus Fila Brasileiro     Harrier versus Peek A Poo     Harrier versus Japanese Chin     Harrier versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Harrier versus Portuguese Water Dog     Harrier versus Pug     Harrier versus Puggle     Harrier versus Belgian Malinois     

    Karelian Bear Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Karelian Bear Dog versus Great Dane     Karelian Bear Dog versus Maltipoo     Karelian Bear Dog versus Harrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus King Shepherd     Karelian Bear Dog versus Boerboel     Karelian Bear Dog versus Italian Greyhound     Karelian Bear Dog versus Beaglier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Pyredoodle     Karelian Bear Dog versus Cocker Spaniel     Karelian Bear Dog versus German Longhaired Pointer     Karelian Bear Dog versus Giant Schnauzer     Karelian Bear Dog versus French Spaniel     Karelian Bear Dog versus Boxer     Karelian Bear Dog versus Irish Water Spaniel     Karelian Bear Dog versus Shiloh Shepherd     Karelian Bear Dog versus Italian Greyhound     Karelian Bear Dog versus Leonberger     Karelian Bear Dog versus Yorkshire Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Tibetan Mastiff     Karelian Bear Dog versus German Longhaired Pointer     Karelian Bear Dog versus Mountain Cur     Karelian Bear Dog versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Karelian Bear Dog versus Chinook     Karelian Bear Dog versus Kooikerhondje     Karelian Bear Dog versus Japanese Spitz     

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