- Karelian Bear Dog Breed: Everything You Need to Know
Everything You Need to Know About
Karelian Bear Dog Breed
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Table of Contents
Karelian Bear Dog General Information
The Karelian bear dog has its origins in the Karelia region of Finland and Russia. These Finnish bear dogs were bred down from the Komi dog with the intention of creating a sturdy dog that would bark at big game.
Hunting:
The dog was used to hunt small fur-bearing animals like squirrels and marten as well as larger animals like moose, lynx, wolves, and bears. These tasks are a good fit for the Karelian dog due to its quick reflexes and fearless nature. When hunting bears, several Karelian Bear Dogs were used to distract the animal while the hunter went in for the finish.
Current Popularity:
Today, these black-and-white dogs are seen by many as a Finnish national treasure and are among the top 10 most common dog breeds in Finland.
While still used to hunt, they are also frequently kept as household companion pets.
Characteristics of a
Karelian Bear Dog
These can be considered the most common traits of a Karelian Bear Dog:
Temperament
The Karelian Bear Dog’s temperament is energetic, independent, and intense.
These intelligent dogs have natural hunting abilities and enjoy running around chasing smaller animals. They are also confident, alert, and brave — all traits which make them valuable for hunters.
However, these dogs’ natural inclination and suitability for hunting doesn’t mean they can’t be good family pets — Karelian Dogs are very affectionate and loyal towards their owners and make fantastic household pets once trained well.
Energy Level
Energy level: High.
Karelian bear dogs are an active breed with a high exercise requirement. Along with lots of playtime, these dogs need a minimum of one hour of walking per day to keep them mentally and physically stimulated.
In addition, off-leash time to run around in a large fenced yard is also recommended.
Energy level: High.
Karelian bear dogs are an active breed with a high exercise requirement. Along with lots of playtime, these dogs need a minimum of one hour of walking per day to keep them mentally and physically stimulated.
In addition, off-leash time to run around in a large fenced yard is also recommended.
Size
Karelian Bear Dogs are medium-sized canines.
- Weight:
The average Karelian bear dog weight lies between 44 – 50 lbs (20 – 23 kg), but in this breed, weight is highly variable depending on the individual dog.
- Weight:
- Height:
The average male Karelian dog stands at 21 – 24 in (53 – 61 cm) at the shoulder. These female dogs are smaller than the males and range in height from 19 – 22 in (48 – 56 cm) at the shoulder.
- Height:
- Length:
The average body length for this breed is roughly between 28 – 34 in (71 – 86.4 cm).
- Length:
Average Size Chart
Weight
Female
Male
20 – 23 kg
44 – 50 lbs
20 – 23 kg
44 – 50 lbs
Height
Female
Male
48 – 56 cm
19 – 22 in
53 – 61 cm
21 – 24 in
Length
Female
Male
71 – 86.4 cm
28 – 34 in
71 – 86.4 cm
28 – 34 in
Weight
Female
20 – 23 kg
44 – 50 lbs
Male
20 – 23 kg
44 – 50 lbs
Height
Female
48 – 56 cm
19 – 22 in
Male
53 – 61 cm
21 – 24 in
Length
Female
71 – 86.4 cm
28 – 34 in
Male
71 – 86.4 cm
28 – 34 in
Trainability / Intelligence
Karelian bear dog training should start at 6-8 weeks of age. They are most receptive to training at this age and will soak up everything you try to teach them like a sponge, reacting best to positive reinforcement.
However, it should be kept in mind that this breed is naturally stubborn and does not like being told what to do. As such, these independent dogs can be hard to train for novice owners.
Other Pets / Children
- Other pets:
As for other pets, the Karelian bear dog is best suited to households where it can be the only pet.
This is due to the dog’s natural hunting instincts and aggressiveness, which can often make it hostile towards other pets and dogs. Socialization and training will help, but the breed’s natural predatory instincts are not so easily overcome.
- Other pets:
- Children:
Despite being a somewhat aggressive bear-hunting dog, the Karelian Bear Dog is surprisingly good with children. These intense but playful dogs enjoy playing with children, although they should be supervised as they can sometimes play rough, even accidentally.
Children should also be instructed on how to treat the dog appropriately and respectfully.
- Children:
Shedding / Coat
Karelian bear dogs are double-coated dogs, possessing a stiff outer coat and soft undercoat. They are generally average shedders but shed heavily twice per year when their seasonal coat blows.
Grooming / Care
The Karelian bear dog needs its coat brushed regularly to keep its fur and skin healthy. As these dogs don’t shed a lot normally, weekly brushing is enough to dislodge any loose hair and minimize shedding.
Occasional bathing also helps, although they don’t need a lot of it as they don’t have the kind of “doggy odor” that most dogs do.
This breed also tends to have fast-growing nails which need to be trimmed or ground down to prevent painful cracking, splitting, and breaking.
Their teeth need to be brushed regularly as recommended by your vet, and their ears need to be cleaned and checked for signs of infection frequently.
Common Health Issues / Veterinary needs
Unlike a lot of other purebreds, the Karelian dog has a reputation for being healthy with few genetic health conditions. It is, however, prone to hip dysplasia and eye problems.
Regular vet visits play a big role in ensuring any developing problems are diagnosed and treated on time.
You can also keep an eye out for common symptoms of hip dysplasia and eye problems like discomfort, lameness, and bumping into furniture.
Karelian Bear Dog Genetic Health Issues:
- Hip dysplasia
- Eye problems
Nutrition
The Karelian Bear Dog should be fed kibble specially formulated for a mid-sized breed with above-average energy.
They often eat less when compared to other dogs of their energy level and weight and, as such, need to be fed energy-dense food that will fulfill their nutritional requirements.
Karelian bear dog puppies’ dietary needs are different from those of adult dogs. Opt for premium-quality, brand-name puppy food and consult your vet on portion sizes and timings to ensure your puppy stays healthy and happy.
The Karelian Bear Dog should be fed kibble specially formulated for a mid-sized breed with above-average energy.
They often eat less when compared to other dogs of their energy level and weight and, as such, need to be fed energy-dense food that will fulfill their nutritional requirements.
Karelian bear dog puppies’ dietary needs are different from those of adult dogs. Opt for premium-quality, brand-name puppy food and consult your vet on portion sizes and timings to ensure your puppy stays healthy and happy.
First Time Owner?
The Karelian Bear Dog is naturally aggressive and independent.
This breed of dog requires a lot of time to be spent on training and socialization to be a good family pet and needs a dedicated and confident owner who already knows their way around dog behavior.
All this points to Karelian Bear Dogs being not recommended for first-time dog owners.
They are also not recommended for owners who don’t have experience training or handling more aggressive dogs.
Special Needs
• Socialization
Due to this dog’s strong hunting instincts, socialization needs to begin early. Take your Karelian bear dog puppy to a lot of puppy parks (with constant supervision!) and play dates to help it understand the proper behavior around other dogs.
Take care to ensure that your Karelian Bear Dog gets a lot of human interaction. This will make it less aloof and wary of strangers, less aggressive, and less likely to attack.
• Space
Karelian bear dogs are medium-large, high-energy dogs who need a lot of space to be comfortable. They like running around and are very reserved, disliking crowded living arrangements.
Large rural homes like farms with a lot of acreage are ideal for this breed. Urban homes with a large fenced yard can also do.
Apartments are not recommended for a Karelian Bear Dog.
As these dogs’ desire to chase smaller animals can sometimes translate into wanderlust, a high fence is necessary.
A large fenced yard keeps them secure, as well as the neighborhood, while Karelians run around and burn excess energy.
Other Things to Consider
• Destructive Tendencies
It is vital for these active and intelligent dogs to stay entertained and engaged. They can become quite destructive when bored or frustrated.
Bored Karelian Bear Dogs will become destructive in the home or garden and might start chewing and scratching everything in sight.
• Separation Anxiety
The Karelian Bear Dog is prone to separation anxiety and does not like being left alone. If separated from its owner for long periods of time, this dog will start showing symptoms of separation anxiety and become destructive.
Karelians are not the right breed for a busy person who works long hours away from home and can’t watch and entertain their dog.
Karelian Bear Dog FAQ
How Much Do Karelian Bear Dogs Cost?
The Karelian Bear Dog price varies depending on whether you are buying from a breeder or adopting.
Since finding a breeder for this particular dog can be difficult as many of them are imported from countries like Poland and Finland, buying Karelian Bear Dog puppies can cost, on average, between $1,000 – $2,500.
In contrast, adopting one averages around $300.
Karelian Bear Dog Pros and Cons
Pros
- Great hunting companion
- Great only dog for large rural areas
Cons
- High energy, can be destructive
- Can be aggressive
Care Guide
