Himalayan Sheepdog vs Karelian Bear Dog - Breed Comparison

Himalayan Sheepdog vs Karelian Bear Dog - Breed ComparisonHimalayan Sheepdog is originated from India but Karelian Bear Dog is originated from Finland. Himalayan Sheepdog may grow 11 cm / 5 inches higher than Karelian Bear Dog. Himalayan Sheepdog may weigh 22 kg / 49 pounds more than Karelian Bear Dog. Both Himalayan Sheepdog and Karelian Bear Dog has almost same life span. Both Himalayan Sheepdog and Karelian Bear Dog has almost same litter size. Himalayan Sheepdog requires High maintenance. But Karelian Bear Dog requires Moderate maintenance

History

himalayan sheepdog - historyThe Himalayan Sheepdog comes from Nepal originally and was bred as a guardian for livestock. The exact location where the breed comes from is not documented well but it is thought that they come from North India and Nepal and they are rare outside of that area. They are a mountain dog – close in ancestry to the Himalayan Mastiff, and the Kinnaur Sheepdog of Tibet (Himalaya). All these Himalayan mountain dogs were all called “Gaddi dogs”. The term was used for all the large dogs no matter what their breeds actually were.

The Himalayan Sheepdog is called by various names depending on where they were from. They are called Gaddi Leopardhund in Himachai Pradesh, In Nepal they are known as Bhote Kukkur or Bhotiya. Then there are Chamba Gaddi dogs. They are an ancient breed that existed before documentation on breeds was kept.

They acted as both guardians and herders. They guarded the mountain men’s encampments as well as the livestock. They were also used at times to hunt large animals. Today they are found only within Nepal and India. These Himalayan Sheepdogs are on the verge of extinction in India. There are no breeding programs and their isolation has caused the dilution of the gene pool. It is not recognized by any clubs including the UKC and the AKC.

karelian bear dog - historyThe Karelian Bear Dog is a Finnish Spitz-type dog who is regarded as a national treasure in the country. They have always been noted for their hunting skills, and because the dog has been found in ancient Viking graves you can assume it is an ancient breed.

In fact the ancestry of the dog can be traced to neolithic times, when dogs followed human settlers to regions of Scandinavia and Europe.The American Kennel Club does not fully recognize the Karelian Bear Dog. It is however included in their Foundation Stock Service.

Description

himalayan sheepdog puppy - descriptionThe breed is a large dog, very athletic and strong. The Himalayan Sheepdog is muscular with a deep chest, strong neck and strong shoulders. It has a medium tail that is thick and busy, curled high over its back. It is a daunting dog that can be very intimidating. They have well padded and large paws. With a broad head and wide forehead, they have a strong, wide muzzle. Their ears are high on the head and hang from the sides. They have almond shaped medium eyes that are deep set with a black nose.

They are a very active and swift dogs. By their nature they are constantly in motion, patrolling their territory and guarding their flock and people. Their devotion to their people and their courage is the stuff of legends. Their coat is double with a large ruff around their necks that resembles a mane. The inner coat is dense and short while the outer coat is longer but dense as well.

karelian bear dog puppy - descriptionStanding at between 54–60cm in height and weighing roughly 20–23 kg, the medium sized Karelian Bear Dog has a beautiful shiny coat. The outercoat is shortish, straight and dense and the undercoat is soft and thick.

The color of the coat is black with white markings. The dog has a bushy tail which curls in a circle over the back and the tail’s end is white. The ears of the dog are small and erect while the small eyes are intense.

Temperament:

It is best to have your Karelian Bear dog trained and socialized as he can tend to be aggressive towards other pets in the house, and even towards people he isn't familiar with. The owner of these dogs must be firm and fair with training as the Karelian is a strong-willed dog.

He is devoted to his human owners while being somewhat aloof and unfriendly with strangers. They are very territorial.

He is a very social dog and just loves spending time outdoors with his family. He is also good with children in the home as he is a playful dog.He is a dog who is going to require a lot of space to use up his energy. He needs a lot of mental and physical stimulation, as in the past he has always had a lot of work to do, and just loves being active. He is a confident, brave dog who takes his job as family protector seriously.

Characteristics

Children friendliness

himalayan sheepdog dog - characteristicsYes with enough proper socialization

Special talents

Protection and loyalty

Adaptability

They are not especially adaptable and need a large yard. They are not good in an apartment.

Learning ability

Intelligent but stubborn and independent making them able to learn if they want to.

karelian bear dog dog - characteristicsYour energetic Karelian Bear Dog isn’t recommendeded for life in the city in a small garden. He needs a large garden or farm where he can run far and wide.

Exercising him will be an important part if you own one of these dogs. He is a social, friendly, active family pet who happens to make a good watchdog too.

Make sure you have your Karelian Bear Dog trained and socialized and he’ll make you a wonderful friend and pet.

Health Problems

himalayan sheepdog puppies - health problemsThis is a pretty healthy breed with very few health issues. They have the usual large dog issues.

  • Hip Dysplasia – can cause lameness and/or arthritis
  • Elbow Dysplasia – can cause lameness and/or arthritis
  • Arthritis – can cause extreme pain and lameness
  • Patellar luxation – kneecap issues that are painful and can cause lameness
  • Obesity – they have a tendency to overeat and are not that active
  • Glaucoma – can cause blindness

karelian bear dog puppies - health problemsThe Karelian Bear Dog can reach 10 to 12 years of age with good care, but just like with other dog breeds, he can be prone to certain health problems such as eye and dental problems as well as hip dysplasia.

Many people don’t realize that dental problems are far more serious than what they imagine. An offensive breath can be the first warning sign of tooth decay with your canine friend.

There are other problems that can develop orally for your dog and these include inflammation of the gums, swollen gums and mouth tumors. You need to brush your pet’s teeth but also see to it that he goes for regular dental check-ups at the vet.

Caring The Pet

Feeding the puppy

himalayan sheepdog dogs - caringFeed the puppy 2-3 times a day with a total of two cups of a quality dog food for large breed dogs.

Feeding the adult

Feed the adult dog twice a day with 3 to 4 cups of a high quality dry dog food for large breed dogs.

Points for Good Health

They are very strong and athletic.

Games and Exercises

The Himalayan Sheepdog needs exercise but not to be overworked. They should be taken on long walks at least once a day. They might play fetch or run in a yard, but they don’t like too much exercise.

karelian bear dog dogs - caringThere are many people who just keep a dog for watchdog purposes and fail to make the pet a proper family member by meeting its physical and emotional needs.

Caring for a dog means providing nutritious food and clean drinking water, seeing that he has a warm, dry place to sleep, providing the dog with exercise and ensuring the dog is healthy and content.

Caring for a dog is a big responsibility, and you have to think carefully before you bring a dog into your home and life.

You need to be careful with the food you select for your pet. If you’re feeding him a commercially manufactured food, you need to make sure to read the label and make sure the top ingredients are meat and not meat by-products. If this is something you’ve never thought about, ask your veterinarian for food recommendations.

Speaking of veterinarians, make sure you have a reliable, reputable vet you can call on. At some time or other your pet may get sick and then you want to have the name of a reliable vet in your contacts list on your cell phone. Sometimes your pet can become suddenly sick where he will need immediate, emergency help from the vet.

Just like you look after yourself, you need to look after your pet by brushing him, checking him for fleas, ticks and worms and keeping an eye on his eyes, ears, teeth and general health.

Basic Information

Group:
Working dog
Working dog
Origin:
India
Finland
Height Male:
61 - 71 cm
24 - 28 inches
54 - 60 cm
21 - 24 inches
Height Female:
58 - 69 cm
22 - 28 inches
54 - 60 cm
21 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
40 - 45 kg
88 - 100 pounds
20 - 23 kg
44 - 51 pounds
Weight Female:
38 - 43 kg
83 - 95 pounds
20 - 23 kg
44 - 51 pounds
Life Span:
9 - 14 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 10
4 - 8
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Bhotia • Bhotiya • Bhote Kukkur • Gaddi • Gaddi Leopardhund • Himachal Pradesh • Himalayan Guard Dog • Himalayan Mastiff Guard Dog • Himalayan Chamba Gaddi • HSD
Karjalankarhukoira
Colors Available:
Black, fawn, light brown, beige
Black and White
Coat:
rough dense long
Shortish and dense
Shedding:
Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Courageous, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Loyal, Playful, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
High maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Hard
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Sakhalin Husky vs Karelian Bear Dog - Breed Comparison
  2. Portuguese Water Dog vs Karelian Bear Dog - Breed Comparison
  3. Puli vs Karelian Bear Dog - Breed Comparison
  4. McNab vs Karelian Bear Dog - Breed Comparison
  5. Porcelaine vs Karelian Bear Dog - Breed Comparison
  6. Hokkaido vs Karelian Bear Dog - Breed Comparison
  7. Petit Bleu de Gascogne vs Karelian Bear Dog - Breed Comparison
  8. Pumi vs Karelian Bear Dog - Breed Comparison
  9. Karelian Bear Dog vs American Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  10. Karelian Bear Dog vs Border Collie - Breed Comparison
  11. Karelian Bear Dog vs Alaskan Husky - Breed Comparison
  12. Karelian Bear Dog vs Catahoula Leopard - Breed Comparison
  13. Karelian Bear Dog vs German Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  14. Karelian Bear Dog vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  15. Karelian Bear Dog vs Griffon Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  16. Karelian Bear Dog vs Borador - Breed Comparison
  17. Karelian Bear Dog vs German Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  18. Karelian Bear Dog vs Canadian Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  19. Karelian Bear Dog vs Finnish Lapphund - Breed Comparison
  20. Karelian Bear Dog vs Berger Blanc Suisse - Breed Comparison
  21. Karelian Bear Dog vs Griffon Nivernais - Breed Comparison
  22. Karelian Bear Dog vs Australian Kelpie - Breed Comparison
  23. Karelian Bear Dog vs Griffon Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  24. Karelian Bear Dog vs Basque Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  25. Karelian Bear Dog vs Istrian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  26. Samoyed vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  27. Presa Canario vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  28. Labrador Husky vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  29. Mackenzie River Husky vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  30. Pyredoodle vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  31. Lurcher vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  32. Maremma Sheepdog vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  33. Sarplaninac vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  34. Mountain View Cur vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  35. Native American Indian Dog vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  36. Komondor vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  37. Polish Tatra Sheepdog vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  38. Rafeiro do Alentejo vs Himalayan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  39. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  40. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  41. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  42. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  43. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  44. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  45. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  46. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  47. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  48. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  49. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  50. Himalayan Sheepdog vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds