Karelian Bear Dog  

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:  Finland. 

SPECIAL SKILLS:  Hunting dog for large wild game. 

SIZE:  The shoulder-height is 54 - 60cm (21 1/4 - 23 1/2in) for dogs and 49 - 55cm (19 1/4 - 21 1/2in) for bitches.  The ideal height is 57 - 58cm (22 1/2 - 22 3/4in) for dogs and 51 - 53cm (20 - 20 3/4 in) for bitches. 

COAT:  The short-haired coat consists of straight and stiff hairs while the under-layer is soft and dense.  The Karelian Bear Dog is white with black.  Black speckles in the white are considered a fault. 

CARE REQUIRED:  The coat of these dogs requires little attention.  Use a special metal comb when the dog is shedding for easy removal of loose hairs from the undercoat. 

CHARACTER:  This dog is very loyal to its own family and makes a good household companion.  It may try to dominate other dogs but it is also sensitive, independent, intelligent, cunning, tough on itself, and energetic.  It has a good sense of humor.  These dogs can often be rather unfriendly towards other dogs.  

TRAINING:  This dog needs a handler with natural authority.  The training should be very consistent, with both a firm hand and affection.  This is not a breed for inexperienced dog owners.  

SOCIAL BEHAVIOR:  As far as other dogs are concerned, Karelian Bear Dogs tend to try to dominate and are perfectly willing to fight.  They are affectionate towards people, however, which means they are unsuitable as watchdogs.  

They'll announce both welcome and unwelcome visitors but that is all.  Those visitors that the dogs know well will get an enthusiastic welcome while strangers may be treated coldly.  The Karelian Bear Dog can live with other household animals if the training is properly handled.  

EXERCISE:  This breed can be kept in an outdoor kennel.  The Karelian Bear Dog needs to be able to exercise for at least an hour per day.  If you can keep this dog well under control it will enjoy exercising by running alongside a bicycle.  If it gets too little exercise or becomes bored inside your house it may take this out on your furniture.  Make sure that your yard is well fenced because Karelian Bear Dogs have a tendency to go hunting.  

SPECIAL REMARKS:  In common with most Artic dogs, the Karelian Bear Dog does not have the usual smell of dog hair.

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