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Karelian Bear Dog Facts
Did you just bring home a new Karelian Bear Dog puppy and want to learn more about the breed? Or maybe you are thinking about buying a puppy and want to know if this
is the right breed for you?
No matter what your situation may be, you will find the answers to your questions right here!
History
Also known as "Karjalankarhukoira" (hey, the name is Finnish!), the breed originated several thousand years ago in Northern Europe in an area called Karelia (the area is now divided between Russia and Finland).
Though similar in appearance to the Russo-European Laika, these are two distinct breeds.
As the name implies, Karelian Bear Dog was used to hunt bears and other large animals, including elk and moose. Even now, it's still used to keep the bears away from human settlements.
The breed was nearly extinct after WWII but with the help of Finnish Kennel Club, it recovered.
In its native Finland, the Karelian Bear Dog is regarded as a national treasure.
Physical Characteristics of Karelian Bear Dogs
This is a large breed. It has a body that is slightly longer than it is tall, a large head, a large nose, prickly ears and small, brown eyes. The tail is bushy and carried over the back.
Like all Northern breeds, the Karelian Dog has a double coat. The hair, black and white in color, is harsh and medium in length. It's longest at the back and neck.
| Height | Weight | ||
| Male | 21 to 24 inches | 55 to 65 pounds | |
| Female | 19 to 21 inches | 40 to 50 pounds |
Temperament
The Karelian Dog is a hunter with a strong prey drive.
He is fearless (how else would you call a 65 pound dog willing to attack a bear weighting 10 times its weight?), and is willing to sacrifice his life to protect his master. Needless to say, he is good with humans, even children.
He is known to be aggressive with other dogs.
Best Owner
This is a very active breed and requires an owner who is just as active. It's not an "apartment" dog. The owner should live in the suburbs and have a large, fenced yard. Oh, almost forgot - it requires an experienced owner.
Some Karelian Bear Dog breeders may interview prospective owners to make sure they are qualified.
Activity and Exercise
Like I already mentioned, the Karelian Bear Dog is a very active breed. At a minimum, he requires several brisk walks every day. If you enjoy jogging, he can accompany you on your daily jog (on leash, of course). You may also let him exercise on his own in a well-fenced yard.
Grooming
The breed is an average shedder and is easy to care for. Like most Northern breeds, it doesn't have doggie odor, loses most of the dirt during the shedding season and should be bathed only when necessary.
Not much brushing is needed for most of the year. During the shedding season, brush daily to remove loose hair from the undercoat.
Health Concerns
This is a very healthy breed with no known health concerns. Still, buy only from reputable Karelian Bear Dog breeders.
Life Expectancy
The average life expectancy is between 10 and 13 years.
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