The Karelian Bear Dog

Intelligent and independent, the Karelian Bear Dog is a true hunter. This ancient breed is not one you see every day. So here’s what you’ll need to know about them before deciding whether it’s the right breed for you.

History

The Karelian Bear Dog is from Finland where it is known as Karjalankarhukoira. This breed has an interesting and unique history as it is said to have been descended from the ancient native dogs of the Komi people. Believed to be in existence since the Viking age these dogs were able to hunt and thrive in one of the coldest climates in the world where it really was survival of the fittest.

When the Komi people came west from the Ural Mountains and began trade with the Karelians the breed began to spread throughout the Karelian region which today is part of both Finland and Russia. It was used for hunting all types of game such as boar, elk, deer, moose, lynx, and even the fearsome Eurasian brown bear. However, it was also able to hunt for smaller animals such as rabbits, game birds, and waterfowl.

In an attempt to preserve these Spitz-type hunting dogs, a breeding program was started in 1936. This used the Komi dogs for its foundation. By 1945 the first standard for the breed was developed and the breed was officially registered in 1946.

While today it is rare in countries like the US and Canada the Finnish Karelian Bear Dog is very common in its own country. In fact, it is among the top ten most popular dog breeds in Finland and is considered a national treasure.

Personality

The Karelian bear dog temperament is often described as very confident and extremely courageous. These are animals that will take on even the largest beasts on their own. Although they are independent they can work together too. While they have a very strong prey drive and are aggressive towards game animals it isn’t in their nature to show aggression with people.

Karelian Bear Dogs are very good with children and make gentle and loving with their families. They can be protective of their territory towards unfamiliar dogs but live happily with other dogs and family pets if they are raised together. Karelians are smart but require a great deal of training and need an owner with a lot of experience.

Uses Today

Different from many other breeds which have had a hunting history and are now used as companions these are true working dogs. They are happiest when they have an actual job to do and have large areas to roam. If you don’t provide this they may take to finding their own sources of excitement or develop problem behaviors such as barking.

Of course with the Karelian Bear Dog hunting is their true passion and they can be trained to hunt any game animal you’d like. They have an excellent sense of direction and smell along with powerful jaws for holding prey. As you could guess from their name they do excel at bear hunting and will track down and keep a bear at bay while barking to alert his location for the hunter.

These bear-hunting skills are also used for scaring problem bears of all types such as black, brown, and grizzly bears. Using the dogs along with other non-lethal methods creates a negative association in the bear’s mind with areas where there are people. This can save its life since it lessens the chance that the bear will have a conflict with humans in the future.

This breed is also used for bear and predator protection in places like Alaska where running into a predator on your own could be deadly.  It’s no coincidence that there are more Karelian Dog breeders in bear country. They are also a great choice for search and rescue, especially in rugged terrain and in situations where they may need to protect their handlers from predators. Agility is another activity that suits them well.

Physical Description

This breed is considered medium in size. Karelian Bear dog size is related to the sex of the dog. Males are between twenty-one and twenty-four inches tall while females only range from nineteen to twenty-two inches. And while the average weight for males is fifty-five to sixty-two pounds females typically weigh anywhere from thirty-seven to forty-nine.

Karelians have a body that is powerfully built with a medium-length tail that curves over their back forming a full arch. Their ears are medium size and erect with slightly rounded tips. They have bright eyes and powerful jaws and a straight double coat that is black and white in color. Their white markings are usually on the head, neck, chest, stomach, and legs.

Health

The average Karelian Bear Dog lifespan is from ten to twelve years in age. These dogs are very hardy and healthy and not known for any breed-specific health problems.

Care

Karelian Bear Dog training is very important and because they are a much more primitive breed than others, it should be done in a way where your dog sees you as the pack leader. You will need to earn this position from your dog with trust and respect. Although with this breed you may want to consider a professional trainer for help.

Karelian Dog breeders usually will be able to give you the names of some reputable trainers that have experience working with this breed in your area. Socialization is also very important particularly if your dog will be living with other pets. As a high energy level breed, they need a lot of daily exercise or even better a job to perform.

And because they do have a high prey drive you should make sure to keep a leash on your pet when in public to make sure they don’t run off after any other animals. These are not apartment dogs so you shouldn’t consider a Karelian Bear Dog puppy if it won’t have access to wide-open spaces. Fortunately, they don’t shed frequently and therefore only require occasional brushing.

For experienced owners who want a serious hunting dog, protector, and companion the Karelian Bear Dog is a breed that won’t disappoint. However, you’ll need the appropriate amount of space and energy to keep them occupied.

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