Comparison: Karelian Bear Dog and Norwegian Elkhound Black

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

Karelian Bear Dog
Photo: Fraczek.marcin, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Norwegian Elkhound Black
Photo: Rvenes, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Karelian Bear DogNorwegian Elkhound Black
FCI group5. Spitz and primitive types5. Spitz and primitive types
Country of originFinlandNorway
CategoryMediumMedium
Weight17–28 kg–
Recognition features
  • 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
  • Smaller than the grey elkhound, shining black coat lying rather close
  • Erect pointed ears and a tail curled over the back
  • At most a little white on chest and feet
CoatHarsh straight outer coat over a soft dense undercoat; black, dull or with brown nuances, with defined white markings.Dense and rough but lying close to the body, with a soft, woolly black undercoat; shining black, a little white on chest and feet tolerated.
PurposeFinnish hunter of elk and bear; tracks game and holds it at bay with barking until the hunter arrives.The black Norwegian elkhound, a hound for elk hunting; also a guard and companion.

Breed page: Karelian Bear Dog · Breed page: Norwegian Elkhound Black

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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.