All About
Karelian Bear Dog

Karelian Bear Dogs are energetic, intelligent, and intense. They are prized for their natural hunting abilities, though this can make them aggressive toward other animals and dogs. Socialization and training need to begin early. Their hunting instincts may also cause Karelian Bear Dogs to wander or chase after animals. They do best with a large, fenced-in yard that will keep them secure and prevent them from getting lost while allowing them to run and burn off energy. As with many intelligent and energetic dogs, boredom is the enemy. A Karelian Bear Dog that isn't mentally and physically stimulated can act out in destructive ways. A tired dog is a happy dog, and that's especially true of this breed. Karelian Bear Dogs make excellent watchdogs, and even though they are not naturally trusting of strangers, they are highly loyal and protective of their human families. Their instinct is to bark and alert their humans to anything that may be a threat or anything that may simply be of interest. Karelian Bear Dogs require a dedicated, confident trainer who will rely on positive reinforcement. They are usually prized by hunters, but Karelian Bear Dogs can make loving family companions when their needs are addressed.

The Karelian Bear Dog should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet. Clean, fresh water should be available at all times.

 

Beyond regular weekly grooming, the occasional bath will keep your Karelian Bear Dog clean and looking his best. Grooming can be a wonderful bonding experience for you and your pet. The strong, fast-growing nails should be trimmed regularly with a nail clipper or grinder to avoid overgrowth, splitting, and cracking. Their ears should be checked regularly to avoid a buildup of wax and debris, which can result in infection. Teeth should be brushed regularly.

Karelian Bear Dogs tend to have fast-growing nails that must be trimmed or ground down often to avoid cracking, splitting, and breaking. Their teeth should be brushed regularly as recommended by a veterinarian. Their ears should be checked for signs of infection, parasites, or debris and kept clean. Keep up with regular vet visits to maintain good health for your Karelian Bear Dog.

Working with a responsible breeder, those wishing to own a Karelian Bear Dog can gain the education they need to know about specific health concerns within the breed. Good breeders utilize health screenings and genetic testing of their breeding stock to reduce the likelihood of disease in their puppies.

The Karelian Bear Dog is a Spitz-type breed with an ancestry that goes way back. In fact, archaeological records suggest that dogs similar to the modern Karelian Bear Dog existed in northeastern Europe and Scandinavia as far back as Neolithic times, and they likely followed the first human settlers to the area thousands of years ago. People who lived in the region depended on successful hunts to eat and survive, and Karelian Bear Dogs were kept and bred to help with that task. They were most often used to hunt squirrel, hares, and other small game, but they were also capable of hunting large, aggressive animals, as well. Two Karelian Bear Dogs could easily tree a bear and bark at it until their human could catch up and bring the animal down. The breed needed to be hardy to withstand the climate and wildlife of the region. These dogs are still used to hunt elk and other large animals in Scandinavia today. Originally, Karelian Bear Dogs' coats came in many colors, including wolf gray, red, or black and tan, though modern breed standards have led to their coats being mostly black and white. Karelian Bear Dogs almost went extinct after World War II. In fact, all Karelian Bear Dogs alive today can trace their ancestry to 40 dogs that were saved during that time. Since then, the breed has grown more popular, and in addition to being one of the top ten most common breeds in Finland, Karelian Bear Dogs are also bred in North America and countries in Europe. The American Kennel Club does not fully recognize the Karelian Bear Dog, though it is included in their Foundation Stock Service which helps keep records of the breed's lineage and allows them to compete in some competitions.