Karelian Bear Dog Facts

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.

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 / Living Conditions

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 this is the right breed for them.

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 Karelian Bear Dog 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

Like all dog breeds, the Karelian Bear Dog is susceptible to complications caused by parasites such as dog ticks, fleas, and puppy worms, including tapeworms, roundworms, and heartworms.

Other than the above concerns, this is a very healthy breed. Still, buy only from reputable Karelian Bear Dog breeders (visit dog breeders to learn how to identify responsible dog breeders).

No matter how small the risk of health problems is, any puppy may get sick or injured. Many health problems will require an immediate attention from your Vet, but there are many others that will not, and you may handle them on your own.

To save time and money, learn how to diagnose and treat dog health problems that don't require your Vet's attention.

Life Expectancy

The average life expectancy for a Karelian Bear Dog is between 10 and 13 years.

Did you ever consider adopting your next pet?

If this is the breed you are interested in, and adoption appeals to you, consider contacting your local Karelian Bear Dog rescue. There are thousands of pets looking for a loving home.