Differences and Similarities between the Irish Wolfhound and the Karelian Bear Dog.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Irish Wolfhound Versus Karelian Bear Dog: Introduction

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

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

Irish Wolfhound versus Karelian Bear Dog: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Irish Wolfhound 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.

Irish Wolfhound versus Karelian Bear Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound and the Karelian Bear Dog

Factor Irish Wolfhound Karelian Bear Dog
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
General Health 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 2/5
Weight 115 to 180 pounds 44 to 50 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 1/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
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
Height 32 to 35 inches tall at the shoulder 19 to 24 inches
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
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
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
Life Span 6 to 8 years 10 to 13 years
Average Lifespan 7.0 years 11.5 years
Average Price $1930 $1350
Price Range $1500 – $2400 $1400 – $1400
Temperament Score 90.1 percent 100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • No Data

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound is 82 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 Irish Wolfhound is a better pet than the Karelian Bear Dog. So, you should get the Irish Wolfhound!

    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 Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound and the Karelian Bear Dog

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

  • Irish Wolfhounds have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Karelian Bear Dogs are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Irish Wolfhounds 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.
  • Irish Wolfhounds 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.
  • Irish Wolfhounds get along well with other dogs. However, Karelian Bear Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Irish Wolfhounds are very friendly towards strangers. However, Karelian Bear Dogs are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • The Similarities Between the Irish Wolfhound and the Karelian Bear Dog

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

  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Karelian Bear Dog do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Karelian Bear Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Karelian Bear Dog are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Karelian Bear Dog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Karelian Bear Dog cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Karelian Bear Dog can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Karelian Bear Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Karelian Bear Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Karelian Bear Dog are very playful.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Karelian Bear Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Karelian Bear Dog have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Wolfhound versus Karelian Bear Dog

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

    Irish Wolfhounds weigh 115 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Irish Wolfhounds are 32 to 35 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 Irish Wolfhound versus Karelian Bear Dog

    The lifespan of Irish Wolfhounds is between 6 to 8 years. The average lifespan of Irish Wolfhounds is 7.0 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 Irish Wolfhounds.

    Temperament of the Irish Wolfhound Versus the Karelian Bear Dog

    The Karelian Bear Dog has a better temperament than the Irish Wolfhound.

    This is because the temperament score for the Karelian Bear Dog is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Irish Wolfhound is 90.1 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 90.1 percent, the Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound and the Karelian Bear Dog by measuring the temperaments of 101 Irish Wolfhounds and 3 Karelian Bear Dogs.

    Price of Irish Wolfhound versus Price of Karelian Bear Dog

    The average price of the Irish Wolfhound puppy is $1930. The price of the Irish Wolfhound typically ranges from $1500 – $2400. However, the price of a Irish Wolfhound can be as low as $720 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 91 Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound is more expensive than the Karelian Bear Dog.

    Irish Wolfhound Karelian Bear Dog
    Average Price $1930 $1350
    Price Range $1500 to $2400 $1400 to $1400

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Irish Wolfhounds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Irish Wolfhounds. 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 Irish Wolfhound 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: Irish Wolfhound versus Karelian Bear Dog

    Irish Wolfhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Irish Wolfhounds shed more than Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Irish Wolfhounds shed moderately.

    Karelian Bear Dogs shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Irish Wolfhound or the Karelian Bear Dog

    Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhound or the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Irish Wolfhounds are moderately easy to groom.

    Karelian Bear Dogs are very easy to groom.

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

    Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhounds Bark and Howl? What about Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Irish Wolfhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Karelian Bear Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Irish Wolfhound vs. Karelian Bear Dog

    Irish Wolfhounds 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.

    Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhound or the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Irish Wolfhounds get along very well with other dogs.

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

    Are Irish Wolfhounds good family dogs? What about Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhounds and Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhound Easier to Train than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Irish Wolfhounds are fairly easy to train.

    Karelian Bear Dogs are not easy to train.

    Is the Irish Wolfhound Better for Apartment Owners than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhound or the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhound

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

  • Bracco Italiano (74 percent match with Irish Wolfhound). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Cavapoo (72 percent match with Irish Wolfhound). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Cavapoo.
  • 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 Irish Wolfhound vs Mountain Cur.
  • Treeing Walker Coonhound (76 percent match with Karelian Bear Dog). Here is our comparison of the Irish Wolfhound vs Treeing Walker Coonhound.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Irish Wolfhound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Wolfhound versus Japanese Chin     Irish Wolfhound versus Dalmatian     Irish Wolfhound versus West Highland White Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus Briard     Irish Wolfhound versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Irish Wolfhound versus Boerboel     Irish Wolfhound versus Brussels Griffon     Irish Wolfhound versus Morkie     Irish Wolfhound versus Bracco Italiano     Irish Wolfhound versus Pomchi     Irish Wolfhound versus Skye Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus Swedish Vallhund     Irish Wolfhound versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Irish Wolfhound versus Valley Bulldog     Irish Wolfhound versus Chi-Poo     Irish Wolfhound versus Norwegian Buhund     Irish Wolfhound versus Mastiff     Irish Wolfhound versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus Peek A Poo     Irish Wolfhound versus Doberman Pinscher     Irish Wolfhound versus Boykin Spaniel     Irish Wolfhound versus English Setter     Irish Wolfhound versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Irish Wolfhound versus Bulldog     Irish Wolfhound versus American Pit Bull Terrier     

    Karelian Bear Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Karelian Bear Dog versus Maltipoo     Karelian Bear Dog versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Karelian Bear Dog versus American Water Spaniel     Karelian Bear Dog versus Finnish Spitz     Karelian Bear Dog versus Chinook     Karelian Bear Dog versus Doberman Pinscher     Karelian Bear Dog versus Afghan Hound     Karelian Bear Dog versus Pug     Karelian Bear Dog versus Mountain Cur     Karelian Bear Dog versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Boerboel     Karelian Bear Dog versus Black Russian Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Scottish Deerhound     Karelian Bear Dog versus Chorkie     Karelian Bear Dog versus Briard     Karelian Bear Dog versus Coton de Tulear     Karelian Bear Dog versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Karelian Bear Dog versus Shiranian     Karelian Bear Dog versus Boston Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Black Russian Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Lhasa Apso     Karelian Bear Dog versus King Shepherd     Karelian Bear Dog versus Valley Bulldog     

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