Which is Better between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Karelian Bear Dog?

Last Updated: Jun 14, 2022

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Karelian Bear Dog: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Karelian Bear Dog.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Karelian Bear Dog

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Karelian Bear Dog: Overview

A very important difference between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Karelian Bear Dog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Karelian Bear Dog is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Cavalier King Charles 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.

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.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Karelian Bear Dog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Karelian Bear Dog

FactorCavalier King Charles SpanielKarelian Bear Dog
Tolerates Being Alone1/52/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Height12 to 13 inches at the shoulder19 to 24 inches
Weight13 to 18 pounds44 to 50 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather2/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl4/52/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/51/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/51/5
Tolerates Cold Weather3/55/5
Does NOT Shed3/53/5
Does NOT chew on things3/52/5
Low Prey Drive3/51/5
NOT Rambunctious3/52/5
Easy To Groom4/54/5
General Health4/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/54/5
Easy To Train4/52/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/52/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/52/5
Good For Novice Owners5/51/5
Easygoing1/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/54/5
Kid-Friendly5/53/5
Dog Friendly5/51/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/52/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Life Span9 to 15 years10 to 13 years
Average Lifespan12.0 years11.5 years
Average Price$2410$1490
Price Range$1800 – $3000$1400 – $1790
Temperament Score85.5 percent100.0 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination;
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 91 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a better pet than the Karelian Bear Dog. So, you should get a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel!

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Karelian Bear Dog

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Karelian Bear Dog

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

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt well to apartment living. However, Karelian Bear Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are good for new dog owners. However, Karelian Bear Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along well with other dogs. However, Karelian Bear Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very friendly towards strangers. However, Karelian Bear Dogs are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • The Similarities Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Karelian Bear Dog

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

  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Karelian Bear Dog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Karelian Bear Dog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Karelian Bear Dog cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Karelian Bear Dog are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Karelian Bear Dog are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Karelian Bear Dog are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Karelian Bear Dog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Karelian Bear Dog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Karelian Bear Dog are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Karelian Bear Dog

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

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel weighs 13 to 18 pounds when fully grown. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 12 to 13 inches 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Size of Karelian Bear Dog

    Appearance (Colors) of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Karelian Bear Dog

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Colors

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel comes in the following beautiful primary colors:

    • Brown / Chocolate
    • Bicolor
    • Tricolor (Brown, Black, & White)
    • Apricot / Beige
    • Red / Chestnut / Orange
    • White / Cream
    • Yellow / Tan / Blond / Fawn
    • Black

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel comes in the following lovely secondary colors in addition to its primary colors:

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

    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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Karelian Bear Dog

    The lifespan of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is between 9 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 12.0 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel live longer than the Karelian Bear Dog.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Karelian Bear Dog

    Temperament of the Karelian Bear Dog Versus the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    The Karelian Bear Dog has a better temperament than the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

    This is because the temperament score for the Karelian Bear Dog is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 85.5 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 85.5 percent, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Karelian Bear Dog by measuring the temperaments of 62 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and 3 Karelian Bear Dogs.

    Price of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Price of Karelian Bear Dog

    The average price of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy is $2410. The price of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel typically ranges from $1800 – $3000. However, the price of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can be as low as $300 and as high as $7995. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1216 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is more expensive than the Karelian Bear Dog.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Karelian Bear Dog
    Average Price $2410 $1490
    Price Range $1800 to $3000 $1400 to $1790

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Karelian Bear Dog

    Adopting the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Adopting the Karelian Bear Dog

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Winston that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Cavalier King Charles Spaniels like Winston on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Karelian Bear Dogs are also available for adoption. For example, Marshall is a Male Karelian Bear Dog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Karelian Bear Dogs like Marshall that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Karelian Bear Dog can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Drew is the name of another Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Karelian Bear Dogs are always available for adoption. Images and image labels from petfinder.com

    You can find more Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Karelian Bear Dogs that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Karelian Bear Dog

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed more than Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed moderately.

    Karelian Bear Dogs shed moderately.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Karelian Bear Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

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

    Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good family dogs? What about Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Easier to Train than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Karelian Bear Dogs are not easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Karelian Bear Dog

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    How Kid-friendly are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Karelian Bear Dogs?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Karelian Bear Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs. Karelian Bear Dog

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Karelian Bear Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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.

    Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Karelian Bear Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Karelian Bear Dog?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shih Tzu     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Cavachon     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Alaskan Malamute     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shiloh Shepherd     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus German Pinscher     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus American Eskimo Dog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Bull Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Scottish Deerhound     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Lhasa Apso     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Black Russian Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Cockalier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Bracco Italiano     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Belgian Sheepdog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Maltese     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Vizsla     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Bearded Collie     

    Conclusion: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Karelian Bear Dog better suits you and your family.