Akita vs Karelian Bear Dog

An Akita
Photo: E L from Western-Finland
A Karelian Bear Dog
Photo: Fraczek.marcin

Side by side

Akita
Karelian Bear Dog
Adult weight
Males 45–59 kg (100–130 lb); females 32–45 kg (70–100 lb) (breed club figure)1
Males 25–28 kg (55–62 lb); females 17–20 kg (37–44 lb)2
Height
Males 66–71.1 cm; females 61–66 cm (breed club figure)1
Males 54–60 cm; females 49–55 cm2
Lifespan
Median 11.4 years3
No sourced figure
Fully grown
13 months, both sexes4
11 months, both sexes4
Group
Spitz & primitive5
Spitz & primitive6
Coat
Double coat5
Double coat6
Shedding
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
A brush once a week
Exercise
A moderate amount
Plenty
Class
Watchdog
Field

Which suits you

Size
The Akita is much larger: about 45 kg (100 lb) as an adult, against 23 kg (50 lb) for the Karelian Bear Dog.
Exercise
Plan for plenty of exercise with the Karelian Bear Dog, and a moderate amount with the Akita.
Temperament
They differ most on voice (Akita: quiet; Karelian Bear Dog: very vocal).
Alike
Both are rated the same on affection: likes its own space.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Akita
Spitz & primitive · Large

In temperament the Akita is dignified, quiet and reserved with strangers, and closely attached to its own household.

Karelian Bear Dog
Spitz & primitive · Medium

The breed is bold, determined and self-reliant. It is usually calm and loyal with its own people but reserved with strangers, and it can be sharp with other dogs.

The Akita page →The Karelian Bear Dog page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Akita
Karelian Bear Dog
Activity
Differs
A good daily walk and play
Needs lots of exercise
Intelligence
Learns readily, likes games
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Needs an experienced owner
Needs an experienced owner
With people
Akita
Karelian Bear Dog
Affection
Likes its own space
Likes its own space
Loyalty
Sticks close to its people
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Decides for itself
Decides for itself
Around the home
Akita
Karelian Bear Dog
Sensitivity
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Voice
Differs
Quiet
Very vocal
Prey drive
Likely to chase small pets
Likely to chase small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour7. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home8,9.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Akita grows to the heavier adult, about 45 kg against the Karelian Bear Dog's 23 kg.
Akita
Karelian Bear Dog
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More comparisons

Compare the Akita with
Akita vs Shiba InuAkita vs Norwegian ElkhoundAkita vs Norwegian BuhundAkita vs Alaskan MalamuteAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·