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

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Karelian Bear Dog Versus Tibetan Spaniel: Introduction

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

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

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 Tibetan Spaniel.

Karelian Bear Dog versus Tibetan Spaniel: Overview

A very important difference between the Karelian Bear Dog and the Tibetan Spaniel is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Karelian Bear Dog is a medium-sized dog while the Tibetan Spaniel 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 Tibetan Spaniel 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 Tibetan Spaniel: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Karelian Bear Dog to the Tibetan Spaniel 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 Tibetan Spaniel

Factor Karelian Bear Dog Tibetan Spaniel
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 13 years 12 to 15 years
Height 19 to 24 inches From 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 5/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Weight 44 to 50 pounds 9 to 15 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 1/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 3/5
Average Lifespan 11.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1350 $1650
Price Range $1400 – $1400 $1200 – $2000
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 91.7 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • approved laboratory
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • 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 Tibetan Spaniel. 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 Tibetan Spaniel is 82 out of 125.

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

    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 Tibetan Spaniel 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 Tibetan Spaniel

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

  • Karelian Bear Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Tibetan Spaniels are good for new dog owners.
  • Karelian Bear Dogs do not get along well with other dogs. However, Tibetan Spaniels get along well with other dogs.
  • Karelian Bear Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Tibetan Spaniels adapt well to apartment living.
  • Karelian Bear Dogs can tolerate cold weather. However, Tibetan Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • The Similarities Between the Karelian Bear Dog and the Tibetan Spaniel

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

  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Tibetan Spaniel do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Tibetan Spaniel do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Tibetan Spaniel are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Tibetan Spaniel are not prone to gaining weight easily.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Tibetan Spaniel 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 Tibetan Spaniel are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Tibetan Spaniel are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Tibetan Spaniel 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 Tibetan Spaniel are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Tibetan Spaniel are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Tibetan Spaniel are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Tibetan Spaniel have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Tibetan Spaniel require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Karelian Bear Dog and the Tibetan Spaniel are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Karelian Bear Dog versus Tibetan Spaniel

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

    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, Tibetan Spaniels weigh 9 to 15 pounds when fully grown. Tibetan Spaniels are From 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Karelian Bear Dog versus Tibetan Spaniel

    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 Tibetan Spaniels is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Tibetan Spaniels is 13.5 years.

    Tibetan Spaniels live longer than Karelian Bear Dogs.

    Temperament of the Tibetan Spaniel Versus the Karelian Bear Dog

    The Karelian Bear Dog has a better temperament than the Tibetan Spaniel.

    This is because the temperament score for the Karelian Bear Dog is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Tibetan Spaniel is 91.7 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 91.7 percent, the Tibetan Spaniel has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Karelian Bear Dog and the Tibetan Spaniel by measuring the temperaments of 3 Karelian Bear Dogs and 12 Tibetan Spaniels.

    Price of Karelian Bear Dog versus Price of Tibetan Spaniel

    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 Tibetan Spaniel puppy is $1650. The price of the Tibetan Spaniel typically ranges from $1200 – $2000. However, the price of the Tibetan Spaniel can be as low as $1000 and as high as $3800. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 13 Tibetan Spaniel puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Tibetan Spaniel is more expensive than the Karelian Bear Dog.

    Karelian Bear Dog Tibetan Spaniel
    Average Price $1350 $1650
    Price Range $1400 to $1400 $1200 to $2000

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Tibetan Spaniels

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

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Tibetan Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Do Karelian Bear Dogs shed more than Tibetan Spaniels?

    Karelian Bear Dogs shed moderately.

    Tibetan Spaniels shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Karelian Bear Dog or the Tibetan Spaniel

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

    Tibetan Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Karelian Bear Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Tibetan Spaniels are very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Tibetan Spaniels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Karelian Bear Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Tibetan Spaniels?

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

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

    Can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Tibetan Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Karelian Bear Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Tibetan Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Karelian Bear Dog vs. Tibetan Spaniel

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

    Tibetan Spaniels 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 Tibetan Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Tibetan Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

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

    Tibetan Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Karelian Bear Dogs good family dogs? What about Tibetan Spaniels?

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

    Tibetan Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Karelian Bear Dogs and Tibetan Spaniels?

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

    Tibetan Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Karelian Bear Dog Easier to Train than the Tibetan Spaniel?

    Karelian Bear Dogs are not easy to train.

    Tibetan Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Is the Karelian Bear Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Tibetan Spaniel?

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Tibetan Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

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

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

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (78 percent match with Tibetan Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Lowchen (78 percent match with Tibetan Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Lowchen.
  • Cockalier (80 percent match with Tibetan Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Karelian Bear Dog vs Cockalier.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Karelian Bear Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Karelian Bear Dog versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Westiepoo     Karelian Bear Dog versus Barbet     Karelian Bear Dog versus Plott     Karelian Bear Dog versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Swedish Vallhund     Karelian Bear Dog versus French Spaniel     Karelian Bear Dog versus Kooikerhondje     Karelian Bear Dog versus Maremma Sheepdog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Whippet     Karelian Bear Dog versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Karelian Bear Dog versus Mal Shi     Karelian Bear Dog versus Standard Schnauzer     Karelian Bear Dog versus Briard     Karelian Bear Dog versus Boxer     Karelian Bear Dog versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Karelian Bear Dog versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Saint Bernard     Karelian Bear Dog versus Vizsla     Karelian Bear Dog versus Biewer Terrier     Karelian Bear Dog versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Karelian Bear Dog versus Boxerdoodle     Karelian Bear Dog versus Bloodhound     Karelian Bear Dog versus Saint Bernard     Karelian Bear Dog versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     

    Tibetan Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Tibetan Spaniel versus Collie     Tibetan Spaniel versus Cocker Spaniel     Tibetan Spaniel versus Bluetick Coonhound     Tibetan Spaniel versus Scottish Deerhound     Tibetan Spaniel versus Boxer     Tibetan Spaniel versus Golden Retriever     Tibetan Spaniel versus Siberian Husky     Tibetan Spaniel versus American Bulldog     Tibetan Spaniel versus Bordoodle     Tibetan Spaniel versus American Eskimo Dog     Tibetan Spaniel versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Tibetan Spaniel versus Black Mouth Cur     Tibetan Spaniel versus Clumber Spaniel     Tibetan Spaniel versus Toy Fox Terrier     Tibetan Spaniel versus Boxer     Tibetan Spaniel versus Silky Terrier     Tibetan Spaniel versus Chi-Poo     Tibetan Spaniel versus Portuguese Pointer     Tibetan Spaniel versus American Eskimo Dog     Tibetan Spaniel versus Chinese Crested     Tibetan Spaniel versus Spanish Mastiff     Tibetan Spaniel versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Tibetan Spaniel versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Tibetan Spaniel versus English Springer Spaniel     Tibetan Spaniel versus Chi-Poo     

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