The Karelian Bear Dog is a breed of dogs that has its origins in Finland. It looks like a slender Akita or a Russian Laika. The dog was bred to hunt moose, lynx, wolves and bear. This breed came close to extinction in the 20th century and, nowadays, it is relatively a rare breed.
The Karelian Bear Dog is a slender dog with a wolf-like aspect. It has a robust constitution, without looking heavy. More than this, it looks very balanced in proportions.
This medium-sized breed may not look fearful, but it will certainly act this way. Its head is normal in size, with a rounded skull. Its forehead is wide and bold. The skin has no wrinkles. The stop is deep, but delicate and the muzzle is elongated and has the same length as the skull. The eyes are round, with an intense, vivid look.
The ears are small, triangular and erect. The nose is black with wide nostrils. The jaws are incredibly strong. The neck is thick and muscular. The body is very athletic and elastic. The back is more straight than curved, the chest is moderately deep and the legs are pretty long. The tail is curled over the body. The coat is straight and dense.
The under-coat is soft, whereas the outer coat is thick and harsh to the touch. The color of the coat is only black and white.
There are no noticeable differences between genders, but the females are more slender than the males. Usually, their average height is 19 to 23 inches (48-58 cm), whereas their weight is 44 to 55 pounds (20-23 kg).
This dog is wilder than others. This breed has a more developed instinct of hunting and chasing its prey. Its bold and courageous attitude makes it perfect for chasing wolves and scaring bears. However, its character makes it unsuitable for a first time dog owner. Although it is bright and joyful, this dog can be a real pain without training. Thus, it requires extensive training and a firm, strict tone to make it obedient. The owner must have pack leader skills to handle this dog. Also, it becomes tolerant with other pets only if it knows them.
It is certainly not a dog that can adapt to city life and it cannot live in an apartment. Due to its coat, it can live outdoors without a problem and it can resist low temperatures. It requires large spaces, yards or farms. It is not suitable for children, especially the little ones. Be careful with visitors, because this dog can be very protective and it does not make any exception. It barks a lot to communicate with its master.
Its coat needs little attention. It must be brushed from time to time and it needs occasional bathing. Its coat does not carry the usual doggy odor. The Karelian Bear Dog is a brave dog that needs an experienced, energetic owner to look after.
