The Karelian Bear Dog is a medium-sized dog that originated in Finland where it was commonly used to hunt such large game as moose, bear and wild boar. It is known by a handful of different names including the Karelian Bear Dog, Karelian Dog, KBD, Karelischer Barenhund, Karelsk Bjornhund and the Karjalankarhukoira. It is thought that Karelian Bear Dogs have been around since the Neolithic era. These early dogs looked much like today's dogs; however, in addition to black and white, they also came in black and tan, red, and wolf gray colors. Throughout history, Karelian Dogs have been used to hunt such game as bears, moose, wolves and lynx.
Karelian Dogs can weigh anywhere between 44 and 50 pounds when fully grown. They have short hair that is longer on the tail. The most common color for the breed is black and white; however, brown and white can occur in a litter on occasion. The head should be somewhat wedge-shaped with almond-shaped light to dark brown eyes. The triangular ears are set high on the head and are held fully erect. The muzzle is strong and a bit square in shape with a black nose. The body is muscular, and the legs should be thick and strong. The tail of the Karelian Bear Dog is fuzzy and is held in a tight curl over the back. The KBD is a Finnish dog breed with a medium-sized, athletic body. They have a sturdy, square-proportioned frame and long heads and muzzles. Their tails curl over their backs. The KBD has small, erect ears and a dense, straight coat that is usually black and white. Karelian Bear Dogs have strong, medium-sized frames covered in short, dense, straight coats that usually come in black with white markings. They need to be brushed regularly.
Personality
Karelian Dogs are highly intelligent; however, they can be a bit stubborn at times. As such, it is best to begin training your pet while it is still a puppy. These dogs get along quite well with kids, but due to their energetic temperament, they may be too much for toddlers to handle. Karelian Dogs typically do not interact well with other dogs or other types of household pets. Are you looking for a dog that will make a great guard dog and companion? If you are, a Karelian Bear Dog may be the perfect choice! These loyal and affectionate dogs are very distrusting of strangers, and they will fearlessly protect their owners if necessary. However, if you choose one of these dogs, you will need to provide it with a large area to run and play. The Karelian Bear Dog is a loyal, brave and courageous dog breed. They are very attached to their owners and are fearless when it comes to protecting them. KBDs are very affectionate towards children and make playful and gentle playmates. They need plenty of exercise and need to be taken for daily walks and runs.
Breed Characteristics
| Life Span: | 11 - 13 years |
| Nicknames: | Karelian Dog, KBD, Karelischer Barenhund, Karelsk Bjornhund, Karjalankarhukoira |
Karelian Bear Dog Build Information
Karelian Dogs can weigh anywhere between 44 and 50 pounds when fully grown. They have short hair that is longer on the tail. The most common color for the breed is black and white; however, brown and white can occur in a litter on occasion. The head should be somewhat wedge-shaped with almond-shaped light to dark brown eyes. The triangular ears are set high on the head and are held fully erect. The muzzle is strong and a bit square in shape with a black nose. The body is muscular, and the legs should be thick and strong. The tail of the Karelian Bear Dog is fuzzy and is held in a tight curl over the back. The KBD is a Finnish dog breed with a medium-sized, athletic body. They have a sturdy, square-proportioned frame and long heads and muzzles. Their tails curl over their backs. The KBD has small, erect ears and a dense, straight coat that is usually black and white. Karelian Bear Dogs have strong, medium-sized frames covered in short, dense, straight coats that usually come in black with white markings. They need to be brushed regularly.
| Size: | Medium |
Behaviour and Personality
Karelian Dogs are highly intelligent; however, they can be a bit stubborn at times. As such, it is best to begin training your pet while it is still a puppy. These dogs get along quite well with kids, but due to their energetic temperament, they may be too much for toddlers to handle. Karelian Dogs typically do not interact well with other dogs or other types of household pets. Are you looking for a dog that will make a great guard dog and companion? If you are, a Karelian Bear Dog may be the perfect choice! These loyal and affectionate dogs are very distrusting of strangers, and they will fearlessly protect their owners if necessary. However, if you choose one of these dogs, you will need to provide it with a large area to run and play. The Karelian Bear Dog is a loyal, brave and courageous dog breed. They are very attached to their owners and are fearless when it comes to protecting them. KBDs are very affectionate towards children and make playful and gentle playmates. They need plenty of exercise and need to be taken for daily walks and runs.
| Activity Level: | Moderately Active |
| Affection Level: | Affectionate |
| Kid Friendliness: | Very Friendly |
Appearance
Your Karelian Bear Dog will require little grooming other than an occasional brushing during shedding season. Furthermore, since this is a virtually odor-free dog, bathing will only be necessary if your pet becomes excessively dirty. You may need to clean your dog's ears from time to time. If you notice excess wax accumulation in your Karelian Dog's ears, use the tip of a dampened cloth to wipe the debris out. When your pet's nails grow too long, you can use a set of pliers-type nail clippers to trim the ends taking care to avoid the veins inside the nails.
| Shedding: | Moderate |
| Grooming: | Low Maintenance |
Karelian Bear Dog Common Health Conditions
Currently (as of 2014), there are no reports of any common health issues in the Karelian Bear Dog, and healthy dogs can live from 11 to 13 years or longer. However, a small number of breeders have reported a few cases of monorchidism (one testicle). Due to their ancestry, they may also be vulnerable to hip dysplasia and bloat.
Karelian Bear Dog Pet Insurance
When adding a dog or cat to your family you want to make sure your pet is happy, healthy and protected. During its lifetime your pet is exposed to many illnesses and diseases and some breeds are affected by a congenital disease which is a condition existing at birth. At these moments when your pet is ill or maybe needs surgery, you want to be protected for the unexpected and high veterinarian costs.
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Breed Talents and Facts
The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife use Karelian Bear Dogs for various purposes including to detect black bears, the non-lethal relocation of black bears and to detect illegally harvested animals. Both Glacier and Yosemite National Parks have used Karelian Dogs to control bears within the parks. Karelian Bear Dogs are not suited for small living spaces: They need a lot of space to run. The average life span for the Karelian Bear Dog is 11 to 13 years.
| Training: | Hard |