Comparison: Karelian Bear Dog and Norwegian Elkhound Grey

Karelian Bear Dog and Norwegian Elkhound Grey 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 Grey
Photo: Dmitry Guskov, Public domain, source
Karelian Bear DogNorwegian Elkhound Grey
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
  • Squarely built, compact spitz with tail tightly curled over the back
  • Grey coat with black-tipped hairs, lighter harness marking and dark mask
  • Erect, pointed ears
CoatHarsh straight outer coat over a soft dense undercoat; black, dull or with brown nuances, with defined white markings.Medium length, thick, coarse and abundant outer coat without curls over a soft undercoat; grey in various shades with black tips, paler on chest, belly and legs.
PurposeFinnish hunter of elk and bear; tracks game and holds it at bay with barking until the hunter arrives.Norwegian elk hunter that tracks and bays moose; also kept as a guard and companion.

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

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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.