Rat Terrier vs Karelian Bear Dog - Breed Comparison

Rat Terrier vs Karelian Bear Dog - Breed ComparisonRat Terrier is originated from United States but Karelian Bear Dog is originated from Finland. Rat Terrier may grow 24 cm / 9 inches shorter than Karelian Bear Dog. Rat Terrier may weigh 19 kg / 41 pounds lesser than Karelian Bear Dog. Rat Terrier may live 6 years more than Karelian Bear Dog. Both Rat Terrier and Karelian Bear Dog has almost same litter size. Rat Terrier requires Low maintenance. But Karelian Bear Dog requires Moderate maintenance

History

rat terrier - historyKnown also as the American Rat Terrier or even as the Rattie, this American dog breed is a farm dog, common on family farms during the 1920's and 1930's.

Miniatures or Standards, these dogs are also recognized by the American Kennel Clubs and thought of today as a multi-purpose companion dog.

He is an American dog breed, having come about from Fox Terriers, Old English White Terriers, Bull Terriers, Manchester Terriers and others. Whippets and Italian Greyhounds have also come into the mix to add speed as a characteristic.

The Rat Terrier started to decline in numbers, and by the 1950's the numbers of the dog were so low that breeders stepped in to restore numbers.

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

rat terrier puppy - descriptionThere are different sized Rat Terriers, but the mid-sized one stands roughly between 20 and 36cm in height and weighs between 3 and 4kg.

The single coat is short and smooth and comes in colors such as tan, grey, chocolate, black and in solid colors too such as white. They are mostly in tri-colors - white, tan, black. Ticking is also seen.

With his short coat he is seen as a low maintenance dog even though he is still a shedder, with heavier seasonal shedding.

The ears can sometimes be erect, otherwise they are half-erect, half floppy. The tail has always been traditionally docked, giving him a nice, distinctive look, but today the tail is often just left un-docked. It isn't unusual for a puppy to be born with a short or long tail.

Temperament:

Intelligent, wary, loyal, loving, playful but stubborn, your Rat Terrier is a little bit wary around strangers. Training and socialization can be good for this dog and help him t be obedient and well mannered in all situations. These dogs also want to please. He is an active dog too and makes a great playmate for children, getting on well with kids and other pets in the home.

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

rat terrier dog - characteristicsThe Rat Terrier is such a clever, bright dog. These characteristics make him an excellent watchdog with strong jaws for his role of getting rid of rats on farms.

Even though he is a small dog, he isn’t particularly suited to life in the city on a small property as he has quite a shrill bark.

Because of him being small to medium in size, he is well suited to many homes, but you just have to watch out in the city if you live close to your neighbors as he is fairly noisy and active.

He would love a large property where he can just be himself. Provide him with the right home, and you’l have a friend for life.

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

rat terrier puppies - health problemsRat Terriers are generally feisty, healthy dogs who, with good care, can live to the ripe old age of 16, 17 or 18 years of age.

Just like with many other dogs, he can develop some of the more common dog illnesses there are. If you're opting for a puppy, find a good, reputable breeder.

Allergies:

It can be tricky trying to decide what kind of allergies are causing such problems with your pet. A skin allergy can cause a lot of itchiness and pain for your canine friend and he will bite and lick on the affected spots and make the situation worse. You will need to get him to the vet for some kind of treatment, as such an ailment can drive him mad.

Patellar Luxation:

This is a common problem in dogs, with the kneecap or patella being dislocated. It can cause a lot of pain and can be crippling for your dog.

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

Diet:

rat terrier dogs - caringYour Rat Terrier can easily reach 16, 17 or 18 years of age with good food. While you do get some excellent commercially manufactured dog foods, you want to add variety by including some nutritious home-made food too.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a healthy choice for your pet. Chop it up and add it into the dry kibble a couple of times a week.No complications - just plain and simple - the way dogs love it.

Some raw meat added in from time to time will help his skin and coat remain healthy. Never leave him without a constant source of fresh, cool water.

Exercise:

The Rat Terrier is an active dog. He just loves to dig too, so if you live close to a beach, he will love running and digging in the sand. If this isn’t possible, he will be happy to be taken on walks with you and maybe for a run in the park.

He loves all ball games and running after a frisbee, and he’s so clever, maybe you can even teach him to fetch the frisbee for you.

Grooming:

The Rat Terrier is a low-maintenance dog and only requires having his coat brushed twice a week.

Check inside his mouth for bad teeth. You can even brush his teeth with special canine toothpaste and brush to remove tartar buildup.

Keep his nails trimmed too if he doesn’t wear them down naturally so as to prevent them hooking on things and ripping into the flesh.

Check inside your dog’s ears too. If you’re not experienced with trimming dog nails or cleaning inside dog’s ears, your vet or professional groomer will do it for you.

During these grooming sessions with your Rat Terrier, check for fleas and ticks as well as for any sores or new lumps. Also, his eyes should be clear and bright with no discharge or redness.

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:
Terrier dog
Working dog
Origin:
United States
Finland
Height Male:
20 - 36 cm
7 - 15 inches
54 - 60 cm
21 - 24 inches
Height Female:
20 - 36 cm
7 - 15 inches
54 - 60 cm
21 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
3 - 4 kg
6 - 9 pounds
20 - 23 kg
44 - 51 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 4 kg
6 - 9 pounds
20 - 23 kg
44 - 51 pounds
Life Span:
15 - 18 Years
10 - 12 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 7
4 - 8
Size:
Small dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Rattie, American Rat Terrier
Karjalankarhukoira
Colors Available:
Mix of colors - mostly tri-colored - white, tan, black
Black and White
Coat:
Single coat, short and smooth
Shortish and dense
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
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. Rat Terrier vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  27. Rat Terrier vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  28. Rat Terrier vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  29. Rat Terrier vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  30. Rat Terrier vs Cairn Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Rat Terrier vs Border Terrier - Breed Comparison
  32. Rat Terrier vs Australian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  33. Rat Terrier vs Patterdale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Rat Terrier vs American Hairless Terrier - Breed Comparison
  35. Rat Terrier vs Bull Terrier Miniature - Breed Comparison
  36. Rat Terrier vs Norwich Terrier - Breed Comparison
  37. Rat Terrier vs Norfolk Terrier - Breed Comparison
  38. Rat Terrier vs English White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  39. Rat Terrier vs Parson Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Rat Terrier vs Feist - Breed Comparison
  41. Rat Terrier vs Manchester Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Rat Terrier vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier - Breed Comparison
  43. Rat Terrier vs Miniature Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Rat Terrier vs Cesky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  45. Rat Terrier vs Glen of Imaal Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Rat Terrier vs Chilean Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  47. Rat Terrier vs Black and Tan Terrier - Breed Comparison
  48. Rat Terrier vs Cairland Terrier - Breed Comparison
  49. Rat Terrier vs Fell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  50. Rat Terrier vs Lucas Terrier - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds