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

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Karelian Bear Dog Versus Pomeranian: Introduction

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

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

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 Pomeranian.

Karelian Bear Dog versus Pomeranian: Overview

A very important difference between the Karelian Bear Dog and the Pomeranian is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Karelian Bear Dog is a medium-sized dog while the Pomeranian is a tiny-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 Pomeranian belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

Karelian Bear Dog versus Pomeranian: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Karelian Bear Dog to the Pomeranian 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 Pomeranian

Factor Karelian Bear Dog Pomeranian
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 13 years 12 to 16 years
Height 19 to 24 inches 7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
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 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 3/5
Weight 44 to 50 pounds 3 to 7 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 11.5 years 14.0 years
Average Price $1350 $2150
Price Range $1400 – $1400 $1500 – $2500
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 77.8 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • 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 Pomeranian. 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 Pomeranian is 79 out of 125.

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

    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 Pomeranian 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 Pomeranian

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

  • Karelian Bear Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Pomeranians are good for new dog owners.
  • Karelian Bear Dogs have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Pomeranians have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Karelian Bear Dogs have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Pomeranians 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 do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful. However, Pomeranians do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful.
  • The Similarities Between the Karelian Bear Dog and the Pomeranian

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

  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Pomeranian do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Pomeranian do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Pomeranian do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Pomeranian are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Pomeranian 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 Pomeranian are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Pomeranian 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 Pomeranian are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Pomeranian are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Pomeranian have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Pomeranian are very playful.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Pomeranian can tolerate cold weather.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Karelian Bear Dog versus Pomeranian

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

    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, Pomeranians weigh 3 to 7 pounds when fully grown. Pomeranians are 7 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Karelian Bear Dog versus Pomeranian

    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 Pomeranians is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Pomeranians is 14.0 years.

    Pomeranians live longer than Karelian Bear Dogs.

    Temperament of the Karelian Bear Dog Versus the Pomeranian

    The Karelian Bear Dog has a better temperament than the Pomeranian.

    This is because the temperament score for the Karelian Bear Dog is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Pomeranian is 77.8 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 77.8 percent, the Pomeranian has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Karelian Bear Dog and the Pomeranian by measuring the temperaments of 3 Karelian Bear Dogs and 36 Pomeranians.

    Price of Karelian Bear Dog versus Price of Pomeranian

    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 Pomeranian puppy is $2150. The price of the Pomeranian typically ranges from $1500 – $2500. However, the price of the Pomeranian can be as low as $150 and as high as $10000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1412 Pomeranian puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Pomeranian is more expensive than the Karelian Bear Dog.

    Karelian Bear Dog Pomeranian
    Average Price $1350 $2150
    Price Range $1400 to $1400 $1500 to $2500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Karelian Bear Dog and Pomeranian. For different price points, the charts show how many Karelian Bear Dog puppies or how many Pomeranian 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 Pomeranians

    A breakdown of the prices of Pomeranians

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

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Pomeranians do not like to be left alone.

    Do Karelian Bear Dogs shed more than Pomeranians?

    Karelian Bear Dogs shed moderately.

    Pomeranians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

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

    Pomeranians do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Karelian Bear Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Pomeranians 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 Pomeranian?

    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.

    Pomeranians 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.

    Do Karelian Bear Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Pomeranians?

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

    Pomeranians are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Pomeranians Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Karelian Bear Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Pomeranians can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Karelian Bear Dog vs. Pomeranian

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

    Pomeranians do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

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

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

    Pomeranians cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

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

    Pomeranians do not get along well with other dogs.

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

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

    Pomeranians are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Karelian Bear Dogs and Pomeranians?

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

    Pomeranians do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Karelian Bear Dogs are not easy to train.

    Pomeranians are very easy to train.

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

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Pomeranians adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

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

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

  • Pomapoo (81 percent match with Pomeranian). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Pomapoo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Karelian Bear Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Karelian Bear Dog versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Berger Picard     Karelian Bear Dog versus Australian Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Cesky Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus French Spaniel     Karelian Bear Dog versus Brittany     Karelian Bear Dog versus Schnoodle     Karelian Bear Dog versus Great Dane     Karelian Bear Dog versus Barbet     Karelian Bear Dog versus Mal Shi     Karelian Bear Dog versus Cocker Spaniel     Karelian Bear Dog versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Karelian Bear Dog versus Briard     Karelian Bear Dog versus Plott     Karelian Bear Dog versus Great Dane     Karelian Bear Dog versus American Water Spaniel     Karelian Bear Dog versus Leonberger     Karelian Bear Dog versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Maltese     Karelian Bear Dog versus Japanese Chin     Karelian Bear Dog versus Vizsla     Karelian Bear Dog versus Goldendoodle     Karelian Bear Dog versus Kooikerhondje     Karelian Bear Dog versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Karelian Bear Dog versus Dogue de Bordeaux     

    Pomeranian Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Pomeranian versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Pomeranian versus Dogo Argentino     Pomeranian versus Mountain Cur     Pomeranian versus Scottish Terrier     Pomeranian versus Korean Jindo Dog     Pomeranian versus Belgian Sheepdog     Pomeranian versus Australian Terrier     Pomeranian versus English Cocker Spaniel     Pomeranian versus Valley Bulldog     Pomeranian versus Keeshond     Pomeranian versus Great Dane     Pomeranian versus Akita Chow     Pomeranian versus Newfoundland     Pomeranian versus Akita Chow     Pomeranian versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Pomeranian versus Spanish Mastiff     Pomeranian versus Shiranian     Pomeranian versus Kooikerhondje     Pomeranian versus Saluki     Pomeranian versus Akita     Pomeranian versus Patterdale Terrier     Pomeranian versus Boston Terrier     Pomeranian versus Westiepoo     Pomeranian versus King Shepherd     Pomeranian versus Pug     

    Conclusion: Karelian Bear Dog versus Pomeranian. 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 Pomeranian better suits you and your family.