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Karelian Bear Dog (Karjalankarhukoira)
Medium Breed
The Karelian Bear Dog is a sensitive yet courageous breed with a wilful and energetic personality. Its loyalty to its family and friends is unflappable, making it a suitable household companion for some, but not all.
Breed standards
Country of origin
Finland
Weight
Males 55-62 lbs/25-28 kgs; Females 37-44 lbs/17-20 kgs (Standards may vary)
Height
Males 54-60 cm/ 21 1/2 - 24 Inches; Females 49-55 cm/ 19 1/2 - 22 Inches (Standards may vary)
Coat
Outer coat is harsh and straight with longer hair on the neck, back, backside and upper thighs. The undercoat is soft and dense.
Markings
Black, or dull brown. White markings on the head, neck, chest, belly and the legs.
Lifespan
About 10-12 years
The Karelian Bear Dog is an exceptionally brave breed of dog with a strong territorial instinct. Its determined nature and ability to take on any game makes it an excellent companion when hunting and thus it has been very popular with hunters. It has a loving and gentle nature, though only with its own family. It has a personality which differs from that of many other pets; it is not suitable for all to own.
Temperament
The Karelian Bear Dog is a very natural and brave breed and is one of the few dogs described as having a sense of humour. It is sensitive to its owners' emotions and is highly intelligent. Very loyal, the breed makes a great companion, especially for the hunter of large game; when hunting it may keep game at bay, marking it by barking. It has a keen sense of smell and a good sense of direction. The Karelian Bear Dog is independent and can be rather anti-social in its behaviour. Socialising from an early age is absolutely essential. Training should be consistent, sensitive as well as firm; this dog should never be trained as an attack dog. It can make a fabulous companion for the right owner.
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PoorChildrenGood
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VeryCombativenessNot very
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VeryDominanceNot very
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Not veryFriendlinessGood
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Not veryIndependenceVery
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LoudNoiseQuiet
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Not veryTrainabilityVery
Good to know
The Karelian Bear Dog is a wonderful breed of dog with an intelligent nature and strong, protective personality; it is not a suitable breed for all to own. The Karelian Bear Dog was originally bred as a hunting dog to bark at large game, namely bear and elk.
- An excellent guard dog
- An excellent hunting dog
- A good companion
- Does not need trimming or stripping
- Requires sufficient daily exercise
- Not suitable for a novice owner
- Not suited to city life or apartment life
- A noisy breed of dog