Karelian Bear Dog Breed Introduction | Karelian Bear Dog Breed
Karelian Bear Dog is a medium-sized Spitz dog breed from Finland bred for hunting. They earned their name from their ability to hunt bears. In its native Finland, Karelian Bear Dogs are among the top 10 most popular dog breeds. It is also the national treasure of Finland. The fearless nature and quick reflexes have made Karelian Bear dogs famous for hunting large games including moose, wild boar, and bears.
Naturally aggressive towards other animals, this breed requires deliberate socialization with anything that the parent is around often. Due to their aggressive disposition, proper training and socialization is a necessity. However they are affectionate with their parents. They are also reserved around people but may never be aggressive towards them.
Karelian Bear Dog History
The progenitors of Karelian Bear Dogs are the Komi dog that came from East Karelia, Olonets Karelia, and Ladoga Karelia. The Komi Dogs were used as watchdogs and hunting dogs. The early dogs had red-gray, red, and black and white coats. The breeding of Karelian Bear Dogs was started in 1936 with an aim of creating a sturdy dog that would bark at big game. Later on, only the dogs with black and white coats were preferred for breeding.
It was then agreed the name of the sturdy breed would be Karelian Bear Dog. In 1945, the first standard was established. The Finnish Kennel Club registered the first Karelian Bear Dogs in 1946. This breed has also been used in reducing human-bear conflicts in Japan, USA, and Canada. Since June 2005, Karelian Bear Dogs have been part of AKC’s Foundation Stock Service.
Karelian Bear Dog Lifespan
The lifespan of Karelian Bear Dog is 11 to 13 years.
Karelian Bear Dog Grooming
The Karelian Bear Dogs have a double coat that needs brushing once a week to remove loose hair, dirt, and promote new hair growth. However, during the seasonal shedding period, they will require three or four brushings per week. This breed needs an occasional bath unless it rolls into something messy. Use a hypoallergenic canine shampoo and conditioner to bathe your dog.
Thoroughly rinse off the grooming products from the coat using lukewarm water to prevent skin irritation. Trim the nails of Karelian Bear Dogs every 3 to 5 weeks to prevent overgrowth, splitting and cracking. Brush the teeth of Karelian Bear Dogs at least twice a week to remove tartar build up using a tasty canine toothpaste and toothbrush. Clean the ears using cotton balls soaked in an ear cleanser solution to remove dirt and excess wax.
Karelian Bear Dog Shedding
The Karelian Bear sheds all-year round at low to moderate levels and heavily when blowing off the coat in Spring and Fall.
Karelian Bear Dog Coat | Coat Type
The Karelian Bear Dogs have a double coat consisting of a thick, soft, and fine undercoat and a top coat with straight, stiff guard hairs.
Karelian Bear Dog Hypoallergenic
The Karelian Bear Dogs are not hypoallergenic. This is because they have a moulting coat that sheds throughout the year at low to moderate levels and heavily when experiencing seasonal change. Shedding allows fur and dander to spread around the house triggering allergic reactions. Apart from dander and fur, Karelian Bear’s saliva, urine, and mucus contain a protein allergen that triggers inflammation.
Karelian Bear Dog Training
This is a naturally aggressive dog that needs deliberate training and socialization. Parents should also establish a firm pack leadership when the Karelian Bear Dog is still young to create a successful pecking order. Early training is essential to teach the dog the acceptable behaviors before it gets inclined towards bad habits. Firm and consistent but gentle hand in training is key. The Karelian Bear Dogs have a tendency of exhibiting aggressive traits towards other animals.
Therefore, socialization is key from an early age to tame or reduce this behavior. This training starts from the age of 7 or 8 weeks after the pet joins your home and continues for the rest of its life to ensure you have a well-mannered and well-adjusted Karelian Bear Dog. To socialize a Karelian Bear, expose it to a wide variety of people, animals i.e. dogs and cats, places, people, situations, surfaces, experiences, sight, smell, things that the owner is around often, and sounds such as door bells, whistles, washing machines, vacuum cleaners, sirens, and lawn mowers.
Enrolling Karelian Bear Dogs in a puppy class will also serve as a form of socialization. These classes create a controlled setting where the dogs are able to interact with each other. Use toys, verbal praise, playtime, and treats to encourage positive behaviors. Avoid use of harsh correction methods such as yelling, shoving, punching, beating, kicking, and use of prong or choke collars. Negative training methods make the exercise counterproductive.
Keep the train sessions short, upbeat, and challenging to discourage boredom. Teach a Karelian Bear basic command words like come, sit, stay, wait, lie down, drop it, etc. one at a time from the age of 2 to 3 months. Effectively housebreak Karelian Bear Dogs by creating a feeding schedule, crate training, and potty training.
Karelian Bear Dog Hunting | Hunting Boar
The Karelian Bear Dogs are hunting pooches that hunt a variety of animals. They are able to hunt large games such as bears, wild boars, and moose due to their fearless nature and quick flexes. While hunting bears, at least a brace of Karelian Bears would be used to ruin the beast while barking loudly in order to distract the game until the mortal came in for the kill. While on the hunt, these dogs are silent and only alert their owners when they have the prey.
The Karelian Bears keep the game corners by barking loudly, running bark and forth or around the animal until the hunter is close to dispatch it. While hunting, this breed has a history of holding an animal at bay for a long time. If the Boar or any other prey tries to leave, the Karelian Bear nips it on the backside to keep it from running.
Karelian Bear Dog Temperament | Personality | Traits
- Fearless.
- Affectionate.
- Active.
- Alert.
- Territorial.
- Protective.
- Tenacious.
- Social.
- Energetic.
- Aggressive.
- Loyal.
- Intelligent.
- Spirited.
Karelian Bear Dog Exercise
The Karelian Bears are energetic and social hunting dogs that require a lot of physical and mental stimulation. Hiking, swimming, flying discs, retrieving balls, running in a secured yard, and going for walks several times a day provide an outlet for burning excess energy. Indoor exercise such as learning new tricks, playing hide-and seek, and chasing a ball rolled along the floor will also keep the dog stimulated.
Karelian Bear Dog Barking
These are alert and territorial dogs that bark to notify the owner of the presence of any animals or strangers nearby that they do not recognize.
Karelian Bear Dog Height
Female Karelian Bears have a height of 19 to 22 inches ( approx. 49 to 55 cm ) while male Karelian Bears have a height of 21 to 24 inches ( approx. 54 to 60 cm ).
Karelian Bear Dog Weight
Mature Karelian Bear Dogs have a weight of 44 to 49 pounds ( approx. 20 to 22 kg ).
Karelian Bear Dog Size
The Karelian Bear Dogs are medium-sized animals with a weight of 44 to 49 pounds ( approx. 20 to 22 kg ) and a height of 19 to 24 inches ( approx. 49 to 60 cm ).
Karelian Bear Dog Bite Force | Bite Force Psi
Reportedly, the Karelian Bear Dogs have a bite force of 245 Psi.
Karelian Bear Dog Health Problems
The Karelian Bear Dogs are relatively healthy dogs that are rarely affected by genetic health issues that other breeds are predisposed to. However, they may suffer from eye problems like cataracts and hip dysplasia.
Other Dog Breeds include:
Karelian Bear Dog Names
The Karelian Bear parent may decide to find a name for the pet before it joins them home from the breeder or days after the pet has settled to understand the personality of a particular breed. Parents may get name inspirations from the Finnish heritage of the breed, coat color, personality, celebrity Karelian Bears, movies, songs, food, books, historical figures, and nature.
The name that the parent settles with should freely roll off their tongues without making them embarrassed when uttered out loud in the public places. Karelian Dogs and other breeds understand better names that have vowels. Avoid giving a Bear Dog a name that rhymes with the command words to avoid confusion. Some of the names that Karelian Bear owners give to their pets include:
- Simba.
- Peanut.
- Girlie.
- Pixie.
- Sassy.
- Empress.
- Molly.
- Maggie.
- Bailey.
- Murphy.
- Cupid.
Karelian Bear Dog Food
The amount of food that Karelian Bears feed on depend on their age, metabolism, activity level, and body build. Karelian Bear Dogs should feed on food formulated for medium-sized dogs appropriate for their age i.e. puppy, seniors, and adults. Some Karelian Bears may be prone to getting overweight.
Therefore, parents should check the weight level, treats given to aid when training, and calorie consumption. The Karelian Bears respond well to home-made, raw diet, or commercial dry or wet food. A Karelian Bear should have access to clean and fresh water at all times.
Karelian Bear Dog Colors
Purebred Karelian Bear Dogs should have a Black and White Coat color.
Karelian Bear Dog Price | Prices | Cost
The average price of Karelian Bear Dogs is $1500 to $1800 depending on the age, pedigree, and the location of the breeder.
Do Karelian Bear Dogs Shed
Yes. Karelian Bear Dogs shed all-year round at low to moderate levels and heavily while experiencing seasonal change in Spring and/or Fall.
Are Karelian Bear Dogs Dangerous
The Karelian Bear Dogs have a tendency of exhibiting aggressive traits towards other animals. However, they are never aggressive towards humans but they may be slightly reserved.
How Long Do Karelian Bear Dogs Live
The Karelian Bear Dogs have a lifespan of 11 to 13 years.
Karelian Bear Dogs Quick Facts
- The name of Karelian Bears is spelled with a C in its native Finland.
- Its Finnish name is Karjalankarhukoira.
- The Karelian Bear Dogs earned their name from their ability to hunt bears.