Why the Doberman Pinscher is Better than the Karelian Bear Dog as a Pet

Last Updated: Jun 18, 2022

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Doberman Pinscher Versus Karelian Bear Dog: Introduction

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

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

Doberman Pinscher versus Karelian Bear Dog

Doberman Pinscher versus Karelian Bear Dog: Overview

A very important difference between the Doberman Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Doberman Pinscher is a large-sized dog while the Karelian Bear Dog is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, both the Doberman Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog are Working Dogs. This means both the Doberman Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog 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.

Doberman Pinscher versus Karelian Bear Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Doberman Pinscher 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog

FactorDoberman PinscherKarelian Bear Dog
Tolerates Cold Weather1/55/5
Dog Friendly1/51/5
General Health1/54/5
Low Prey Drive5/51/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl5/52/5
Life Span10 to 13 years10 to 13 years
Tolerates Being Alone2/52/5
Does NOT chew on things4/52/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/51/5
Height24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder19 to 24 inches
Adapts Well To Apartment Living3/52/5
Good For Novice Owners3/51/5
Kid-Friendly3/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/52/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/54/5
NOT Rambunctious3/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor3/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs3/52/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/53/5
Does NOT Shed2/53/5
Does NOT Drool2/55/5
Easygoing1/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Easy To Groom5/54/5
Easy To Train5/52/5
Intelligence5/54/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Weight60 to 80 pounds44 to 50 pounds
Average Lifespan11.5 years11.5 years
Average Price$1910$1490
Price Range$1100 – $2500$1400 – $1790
Temperament Score79.5 percent100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • Working Aptitude
  • No Data
    *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

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

    Doberman Pinscher versus Karelian Bear Dog

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog

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

  • Doberman Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Karelian Bear Dogs can tolerate cold weather.
  • Doberman Pinschers 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
  • Doberman Pinschers have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Karelian Bear Dogs have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Doberman Pinschers 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.
  • Doberman Pinschers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Karelian Bear Dogs have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool. However, Karelian Bear Dogs do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Doberman Pinschers are very easy to train. However, Karelian Bear Dogs are not easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Doberman Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog

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

  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog 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 Doberman Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Doberman Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Doberman Pinscher versus Karelian Bear Dog

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

    The Doberman Pinscher weighs 60 to 80 pounds when fully grown. The Doberman Pinscher is 24 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the Karelian Bear Dog weighs 44 to 50 pounds when fully grown. The Karelian Bear Dog is 19 to 24 inches when fully grown.

    Size of Doberman Pinscher versus Size of Karelian Bear Dog

    Appearance (Colors) of the Doberman Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog

    Doberman Pinscher Colors

    The Doberman Pinscher comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Black
    • Bicolor
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Merle (Blue)
    • Gray / Blue / Silver
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)

    The Doberman Pinscher comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Black
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange

    Karelian Bear Dog Colors

    The Karelian Bear Dog comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Black
    • Bicolor

    The Karelian Bear Dog comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

    • White / Cream

    Lifespan of Doberman Pinscher versus Karelian Bear Dog

    The lifespan of the Doberman Pinscher is between 10 to 13 years. The average lifespan of the Doberman Pinscher is 11.5 years.

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

    The Karelian Bear Dog live as long as the Doberman Pinscher.

    Doberman Pinscher versus Karelian Bear Dog

    Temperament of the Karelian Bear Dog Versus the Doberman Pinscher

    The Karelian Bear Dog has a better temperament than the Doberman Pinscher.

    This is because the temperament score for the Karelian Bear Dog is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Doberman Pinscher is 79.5 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 79.5 percent, the Doberman Pinscher has a below-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 Doberman Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog by measuring the temperaments of 1780 Doberman Pinschers and 3 Karelian Bear Dogs.

    Price of Doberman Pinscher versus Price of Karelian Bear Dog

    The average price of the Doberman Pinscher puppy is $1910. The price of the Doberman Pinscher typically ranges from $1100 – $2500. However, the price of a Doberman Pinscher can be as low as $300 and as high as $7500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 476 Doberman Pinscher puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Karelian Bear Dog puppy is $1490. The price of the Karelian Bear Dog typically ranges from $1400 – $1790. However, the price of the Karelian Bear Dog can be as low as $900 and as high as $1790. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 13 Karelian Bear Dog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Doberman Pinscher is more expensive than the Karelian Bear Dog.

    Doberman Pinscher Karelian Bear Dog
    Average Price $1910 $1490
    Price Range $1100 to $2500 $1400 to $1790

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Doberman Pinschers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Doberman Pinschers. 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 Doberman Pinscher 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.

    Doberman Pinscher versus Karelian Bear Dog

    Adopting the Doberman Pinscher versus Adopting the Karelian Bear Dog

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Doberman Pinschers and many Karelian Bear Dogs are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Doberman Pinscher named Atticus that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Doberman Pinschers like Atticus on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Doberman Pinschers, Karelian Bear Dogs are also available for adoption. For example, Wreck It Ralph is a Male Karelian Bear Dog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Karelian Bear Dogs like Wreck It Ralph that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Doberman Pinscher and the Karelian Bear Dog can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Ricky is the name of another Doberman Pinscher (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Marshall is an adorable Male Karelian Bear Dog on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Doberman Pinschers and Karelian Bear Dogs are always available for adoption. Images and image labels from petfinder.com

    You can find more Doberman Pinschers and Karelian Bear Dogs that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Doberman Pinscher versus Karelian Bear Dog

    Doberman Pinschers do not like to be left alone.

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Doberman Pinschers shed more than Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Doberman Pinschers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Karelian Bear Dogs shed moderately.

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

    Doberman Pinschers are very easy to groom.

    Karelian Bear Dogs are very easy to groom.

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

    Doberman Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.

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

    Are Doberman Pinschers good family dogs? What about Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Doberman Pinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Is the Doberman Pinscher Easier to Train than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Doberman Pinschers are very easy to train.

    Karelian Bear Dogs are not easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Doberman Pinscher or the Karelian Bear Dog

    Doberman Pinschers have a very high tendency to drool.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Doberman Pinschers and Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Doberman Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

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

    Doberman Pinschers 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.

    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 Doberman Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Doberman Pinschers 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 Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Doberman Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Karelian Bear Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Doberman Pinscher vs. Karelian Bear Dog

    Doberman Pinschers 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 have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Doberman Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Doberman Pinschers can tolerate hot weather.

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

    Is the Doberman Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Doberman Pinschers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Doberman Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.

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

    Doberman Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Doberman Pinscher compares to other breeds aside from the Karelian Bear Dog. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Doberman Pinscher to other breeds:

    Doberman Pinscher versus Chorkie     Doberman Pinscher versus Australian Kelpie     Doberman Pinscher versus Yorkipoo     Doberman Pinscher versus Chinese Crested     Doberman Pinscher versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Doberman Pinscher versus Golden Retriever     Doberman Pinscher versus Barbet     Doberman Pinscher versus Saint Berdoodle     Doberman Pinscher versus Irish Terrier     Doberman Pinscher versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Doberman Pinscher versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Doberman Pinscher versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Doberman Pinscher versus Spinone Italiano     Doberman Pinscher versus Lhasapoo     

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