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Breed Characteristics
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Karelian Bear Dog
| Other Names | Karelsk Bjornhund, Karjalankarhukoira, Karelischer Barenhund |
| Country of Origin | Finland |
| Weight | 44 - 50 lbs. (20 - 23 kg) |
| Height (at withers) | 19 - 23 in. (48 - 58 cm) |
| Coat | The breed has a coat of straight, stiff guard hairs and a fine, soft, thick undercoat. There should be no curl in the hair at all. |
| Colour | The colour must be black with white markings. Often the jet black hair is slightly tinted with brownish highlights on the ends giving it an iridescent quality. Preferably the colour percentage is around 70% black and 30% white. |
| Litter Size | 5 - 8 puppies, average 6 |
| Life Span | 10 - 12 years |
| Origin & History | According to archeological records, dogs very similar to the modern Russo-European Laika and the Karelian Bear Dog existed in northeastern Europe and Scandinavia since Neolithic times. The breed standard for KBDs and Laikas today calls for a black-and-white marked dog, but originally the breed included individuals with coats of wolf gray of various shades, red coats like the standard spitz, and black-and-tan specimens as well. The Karelian Bear Dog was used mainly for hunting small fur-bearing animals, such as squirrels and marten. Like the Norwegian Elkhound, the Karelian Bear Dog was also used in hunting moose, lynx, wolf and, as its name would suggest, hunting the Eurasian Brown Bear. In hunting bear, at least a pair of Bear Dogs would be used to harry the animal, barking loudly, in order to distract the bear while the human hunter came in for the kill. Karelian Bear Dogs have been used for bear control at Yosemite and Glacier National Parks, and with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. |
| Personality | The Karelian Bear Dog has a good sense of humor. It is sensitive, independent, intelligent, skillful, tough on itself and energetic. A robust, persistent, and powerful dog, it is willing to take on virtually any game animal. This dog is very loyal to its owner's family and makes a good household companion when it has owners who know how to display leadership and the dog is extensively trained. This is not a breed for the casual pet owner; the Karelian Bear Dog is a hunter of unyielding bravery and determination. It will put a bear to flight or attack it with great pugnacity. The true outdoors enthusiast and dedicated hunter can look to this hard-working breed with delight and utter satisfaction. Owners must be capable of handling this very forceful canine. An owner who understands canine behavior, how to communicate by displaying authority over the dog, proper training and socialization are absolute musts. It may try to dominate other dogs and is perfectly willing to fight. Owners must communicate this is not an acceptable behavior. This dog needs a handler with natural authority. The training should be very consistent with both a firm hand and affection. This is not a breed for inexperienced dog owners. They are affectionate toward people and will announce both welcome and unwelcome visitors. Visitors the dog knows well will get an enthusiastic welcome while strangers may be treated coldly. This breed is very protective. They will protect you with their life. The Karelian Bear Dog can live with other household animals if they know where their place is in their pack (below all others) and if the training and socialization is properly handled. |
Care Requirements
| Health | There are no known breed-specific health concerns. |
| Grooming | The all-weather coat is easy to care for, requiring little attention. Use a metal comb when the dog is shedding for easy removal of the lose hair from the undercoat. Like other Arctic dogs, the Karelian Bear Dog does not have doggie odor. This breed is an average shedder. |
| Feeding | This breed has a small appetite for its size. |
| Exercise | The Karelian Bear Dog is a very energetic dog. It should be exercised with a brisk walk at least an hour each day. If you can keep this dog well under control, it will enjoy exercising by running alongside a bicycle. If it does not get enough exercise it will become bored and may be destructive inside the house. Never let two Karelian Bear Dogs run together free—for they will go hunting. Make sure your yard is well-fenced so your Karelian Bear Dog does not take off on a hunting adventure. |
| Other Considerations | The Karelian Bear Dog is not recommended for apartment life. It should have acreage or a farm so it can run. These animals do not like to be confined. They can be kept in an outdoor kennel as long as they get plenty of chances to run. |
