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

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Karelian Bear Dog Versus Miniature Schnauzer: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Karelian Bear Dog and the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Karelian Bear Dog and for the Miniature Schnauzer. 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 Karelian Bear Dog and the Miniature Schnauzer.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Karelian Bear Dog or the Miniature Schnauzer.

Karelian Bear Dog versus Miniature Schnauzer: Overview

A very important difference between the Karelian Bear Dog and the Miniature Schnauzer is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Karelian Bear Dog is a medium-sized dog while the Miniature Schnauzer is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Miniature Schnauzer belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Karelian Bear Dog versus Miniature Schnauzer: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Karelian Bear Dog to the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Karelian Bear Dog and the Miniature Schnauzer

Factor Karelian Bear Dog Miniature Schnauzer
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 13 years 12 to 14 years
Height 19 to 24 inches 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 2/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Weight 44 to 50 pounds 11 to 20 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 11.5 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1350 $1950
Price Range $1400 – $1400 $1400 – $2500
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 79.3 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Mycobacterium Avian Complex
  • Myotonia Congenita
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Karelian Bear 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 Miniature Schnauzer. 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 Karelian Bear Dog is 66 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Miniature Schnauzer is 82 out of 125.

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

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Karelian Bear Dog and the Miniature Schnauzer

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

  • Karelian Bear Dogs do not like to be left alone. However, Miniature Schnauzers can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • Karelian Bear Dogs are not easy to train. However, Miniature Schnauzers are very easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Karelian Bear Dog and the Miniature Schnauzer

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

  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Miniature Schnauzer do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Miniature Schnauzer are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Miniature Schnauzer 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 Karelian Bear Dog and the Miniature Schnauzer are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Miniature Schnauzer are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Miniature Schnauzer are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Miniature Schnauzer are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Miniature Schnauzer have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Miniature Schnauzer require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Miniature Schnauzer are very playful.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Miniature Schnauzer can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Miniature Schnauzer have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Karelian Bear Dog versus Miniature Schnauzer

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

    Karelian Bear Dogs weigh 44 to 50 pounds when fully grown. Karelian Bear Dogs are 19 to 24 inches when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Miniature Schnauzers weigh 11 to 20 pounds when fully grown. Miniature Schnauzers are 13 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Karelian Bear Dog versus Miniature Schnauzer

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

    The lifespan of Miniature Schnauzers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Miniature Schnauzers is 13.0 years.

    Miniature Schnauzers live longer than Karelian Bear Dogs.

    Temperament of the Karelian Bear Dog Versus the Miniature Schnauzer

    The Karelian Bear Dog has a better temperament than the Miniature Schnauzer.

    This is because the temperament score for the Karelian Bear Dog is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Miniature Schnauzer is 79.3 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 100.0 percent, the Karelian Bear Dog has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 79.3 percent, the Miniature Schnauzer has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Karelian Bear Dog and the Miniature Schnauzer by measuring the temperaments of 3 Karelian Bear Dogs and 116 Miniature Schnauzers.

    Price of Karelian Bear Dog versus Price of Miniature Schnauzer

    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 reviewing the prices of 9 Karelian Bear Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Miniature Schnauzer puppy is $1950. The price of the Miniature Schnauzer typically ranges from $1400 – $2500. However, the price of the Miniature Schnauzer can be as low as $500 and as high as $8500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 913 Miniature Schnauzer puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Miniature Schnauzer is more expensive than the Karelian Bear Dog.

    Karelian Bear Dog Miniature Schnauzer
    Average Price $1350 $1950
    Price Range $1400 to $1400 $1400 to $2500

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Karelian Bear Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Karelian Bear Dogs. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Miniature Schnauzers

    A breakdown of the prices of Miniature Schnauzers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Karelian Bear Dog puppy or the Miniature Schnauzer 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: Karelian Bear Dog versus Miniature Schnauzer

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Miniature Schnauzers can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Do Karelian Bear Dogs shed more than Miniature Schnauzers?

    Karelian Bear Dogs shed moderately.

    Miniature Schnauzers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Karelian Bear Dog or the Miniature Schnauzer

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

    Miniature Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Karelian Bear Dog or the Miniature Schnauzer?

    Karelian Bear Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Miniature Schnauzers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Miniature Schnauzers 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 Karelian Bear Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Miniature Schnauzers?

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

    Miniature Schnauzers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Karelian Bear Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Miniature Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Karelian Bear Dog vs. Miniature Schnauzer

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

    Miniature Schnauzers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Miniature Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Miniature Schnauzers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Karelian Bear Dog or the Miniature Schnauzer?

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

    Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Karelian Bear Dogs good family dogs? What about Miniature Schnauzers?

    Karelian Bear Dogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Miniature Schnauzers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Karelian Bear Dogs and Miniature Schnauzers?

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

    Miniature Schnauzers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Is the Karelian Bear Dog Easier to Train than the Miniature Schnauzer?

    Karelian Bear Dogs are not easy to train.

    Miniature Schnauzers are very easy to train.

    Is the Karelian Bear Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Miniature Schnauzer?

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Miniature Schnauzers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

    Miniature Schnauzers are OK for new dog owners.

    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 Miniature Schnauzer vs Mountain Cur.
  • Treeing Walker Coonhound (76 percent match with Karelian Bear Dog). Here is our comparison of the Miniature Schnauzer vs Treeing Walker Coonhound.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Miniature Schnauzer

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

  • Polish Lowland Sheepdog (79 percent match with Miniature Schnauzer). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Polish Lowland Sheepdog.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Karelian Bear Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Karelian Bear Dog versus Saint Berdoodle     Karelian Bear Dog versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Boxerdoodle     Karelian Bear Dog versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Karelian Bear Dog versus Plott     Karelian Bear Dog versus Fila Brasileiro     Karelian Bear Dog versus Affenhuahua     Karelian Bear Dog versus Basset Hound     Karelian Bear Dog versus French Spaniel     Karelian Bear Dog versus Lhasapoo     Karelian Bear Dog versus Border Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus American Bulldog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Bolognese     Karelian Bear Dog versus Afador     Karelian Bear Dog versus Basenji     Karelian Bear Dog versus Bedlington Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Saint Berdoodle     Karelian Bear Dog versus Japanese Chin     Karelian Bear Dog versus Havanese     Karelian Bear Dog versus Goldendoodle     Karelian Bear Dog versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Karelian Bear Dog versus Schipperke     Karelian Bear Dog versus Affenpinscher     Karelian Bear Dog versus Scottish Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Chorkie     

    Miniature Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Miniature Schnauzer versus Coton de Tulear     Miniature Schnauzer versus Lhasapoo     Miniature Schnauzer versus Pointer     Miniature Schnauzer versus Pomsky     Miniature Schnauzer versus Black Russian Terrier     Miniature Schnauzer versus Boxerdoodle     Miniature Schnauzer versus Patterdale Terrier     Miniature Schnauzer versus Giant Schnauzer     Miniature Schnauzer versus Boxer     Miniature Schnauzer versus Yorkshire Terrier     Miniature Schnauzer versus Standard Poodle     Miniature Schnauzer versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Miniature Schnauzer versus Shiranian     Miniature Schnauzer versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Miniature Schnauzer versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Miniature Schnauzer versus Akita Chow     Miniature Schnauzer versus Hovawart     Miniature Schnauzer versus Toy Poodle     Miniature Schnauzer versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Miniature Schnauzer versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Miniature Schnauzer versus Maremma Sheepdog     Miniature Schnauzer versus Border Collie     Miniature Schnauzer versus Chi-Poo     Miniature Schnauzer versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Miniature Schnauzer versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     

    Conclusion: Karelian Bear Dog versus Miniature Schnauzer. 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 Karelian Bear Dog and the Miniature Schnauzer better suits you and your family.