Comparison: Finnish Spitz and Karelian Bear Dog

Finnish Spitz and Karelian Bear Dog are marked as similar in our database. The table compares only the data we have on the breeds.

Finnish Spitz
Photo: Karelgerda. Karelgerda, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Karelian Bear Dog
Photo: Fraczek.marcin, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Finnish SpitzKarelian Bear Dog
FCI group5. Spitz and primitive types5. Spitz and primitive types
Country of originFinlandFinland
CategoryMediumMedium
Weight–17–28 kg
Recognition features
  • Smaller than medium-sized, almost square spitz with bright red or golden-red coat
  • Stand-off coat with long trousers and a bushy tail
  • Tail curled tightly back and down along the hip; erect, pointed ears
  • Medium spitz, black with clear white markings on head, neck, chest and legs
  • Erect ears and a tail curved over the back
  • Independent and territorial big-game hunter
CoatModerately long, stand-off coat; back bright red or golden red, with lighter shades on cheeks, throat, chest and belly.Harsh straight outer coat over a soft dense undercoat; black, dull or with brown nuances, with defined white markings.
PurposeFinnish hunting dog that barks at game birds up in trees; the national dog of Finland.Finnish hunter of elk and bear; tracks game and holds it at bay with barking until the hunter arrives.

Breed page: Finnish Spitz · Breed page: Karelian Bear Dog

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The information is indicative. Texts are based on available sources and may contain inaccuracies; for binding details (e.g. for breeding or shows) use the official breed standard.