The Fearless Karelian Bear Dog

The Karelian Bear Dog is regarded as a national treasure in its home country of Finland, and the Finland people have never mixed this breed with any other. Originally the dog of peasants, the breed was more often used for hunting elk and as a watch dog.

The breed was also very popular for hunting other aggressive game such as wild boar. The dogs ability to hunt and its fearlessness to attack a bear, earned the breed its name. The Karelian will either make a bear run away or it will attack it with everything he has, and even sacrifice his own life for his master.

In 1945, the first breed standard was establishes, and in 1946, the first Karelian Bear Dogs were registered in the Finnish Kennel Club. The breed is one of the top 10 most common breeds in Finland today.

After World War II, the breed almost became extinct, however its popularity is on the rise and is now being breed in many European countries as well as in North America.

The Karelian is sensitive, energetic, independent, intelligent, has a good sense of humor and is tough on itself. With proper training and an experienced handler this breed, being very loyal to it's owner and family, makes a good family dog.

They are affectionate towards people and will announce welcome and unwelcome visitors to there master. They are very cautious of strangers and may act cold to them at first.

Being a very active dog, the Karelian Bear Dog needs plenty of room to run free, play and get lots of exercise. If they do not get enough exercise they will get bored and may start to dig up there yard.

If using them for hunting, they must always hunt with one master, and it is best to not have more than two Karelians hunting together, or they may fight over the prey, or go off hunting on there own. They will hunt better and get along better with other Karelians that they were raised with.

The Karelian has a short, straight, stiff, all weather outer-coat and a soft dense under coat. The breed has a distinctive black coat with white markings which occur on the head, chest, abdomen and legs.

The coat is easy to care for, requiring little attention. Brush with a metal comb when shedding for easy removal of the hair from the undercoat. Common with most Arctic dogs, the Karelian does not have to usual dog smell.

The average weight for the Karelian Bear Dogs is between 44 and 50 pounds. The shoulder height is between 19 and 23 inches.

This breed is a fairly healthy breed and has a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years.

sources:

www.akc.org

www.acacanines.com

dogbreedinfo.com

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