Karelian Bear Dog
A bold, black-and-white Finnish spitz bred to hold bear and moose at bay, loyal but very independent.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at the withers
- Males 54–60 cm · Females 49–55 cm
- Weight
- Males 25–28 kg · Females 17–20 kg
- Life expectancy
- 11–14 years
- Exercise
- 90–150 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Double coat, medium
- Colours
- Black, White, Bicolour
- Bred for
- Hunting by scent, Guarding
- Country of origin
- Finland
- FCI
- Group 5, no. 48 · Spitz & primitive types
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 3/5 – Moderate |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with other dogs | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good with cats | 1/5 – Very low |
| Open to strangers | 2/5 – Low |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 4/5 – High |
| Easy to train | 2/5 – Low |
| Prey drive | 5/5 – Very high |
| Watchful and protective | 4/5 – High |
| Barking | 4/5 – High |
| Shedding | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Grooming effort | 2/5 – Low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 1/5 – Very low |
| Suits apartment living | 1/5 – Very low |
| Adaptability | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with cold | 5/5 – Very high |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- hunt large game or spend much time outdoors
- have experience with strong-willed breeds
- live rurally
Think twice if you …
- have other dogs or pets
- live in town
- want an easy, obedient companion
Care
Temperament
Karelian Bear Dogs are brave, determined and independent, often dog-aggressive, especially with the same sex. They are loyal to their own people and watchful with strangers.
Exercise
They need at least 90 minutes of vigorous outdoor activity every day. Hunting, tracking, long forest hikes and skijoring suit them.
Grooming
The straight double coat needs a weekly brush and extra combing during seasonal shedding.
Training
Training must be consistent and patient, as they are bred to work independently. Socialisation with dogs from puppyhood is essential.
Health
The breed is generally hardy; hip and elbow dysplasia and some eye conditions are seen. Ask the breeder for hip, elbow and eye results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
- Eye examination
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Karelian Bear Dog comes from the Karelia region on the Finnish–Russian border, where hunters used it on large game such as bear, moose and wild boar. The breed nearly vanished during the Second World War and was rebuilt in Finland from surviving dogs.
It is a serious working dog with great courage and a strong hunting instinct. With its family it can be loyal and gentle, but it is often intolerant of other dogs and has little interest in small pets. It suits experienced owners with an outdoor lifestyle, ideally hunters, rather than first-time dog people.
Did you know?
The Wind River Bear Institute in the USA has used Karelian Bear Dogs to teach wild bears to keep away from people.