The Karelian Bear Dog is a somewhat rare breed of big game hunting dog which originated from the Finnish province of Karelia. It is thought that the Karelian Bear Dog may date back to the time of the Vikings.
Very much of the type of the Nordic Spitz, the Karelian Bear Dog or KBD as enthusiasts know them, is a medium sized dog; 21-23" at the withers for males and 19-21" at the withers for females. The dogs weigh in at 40-49 pounds as adults. They are black and white, with a preference for a dull black or a black with a coppery over-sheen. The Karelian Bear Dog has prick ears, small dark eyes and it's tail curls over its back in typical Spitz fashion.
In his native Finland, the Karelian Bear Dog was and still is used primarily for hunting elk. He is a prolific hunter, however, and has also been used to hunt deer, mink, cougar and of course, bear. Known for bravery and ferocity, the Karelian Bear Dog provides great protection for his master in the wilderness, circling around his owner to protect him from bear or cougar. The Karelian Bear Dog will fight any bear or cougar, or even another dog or a human intruder in your home to the death if necessary.
Owners of the Karelian Bear Dog describe their dogs as sensitive, independent, intelligent, tough on themselves and very energetic. They say their dogs have a good sense of humor, unless around other dogs. The Karelian Bear Dog does not generally like other dogs and may be aggressive. While they can bond to an entire family, they tend to be "one-person dogs" and may be cold to or suspicious of strangers.
The Karelian Bear Dog is considered to be truly a dog for outside work and living, and many are kept outside so that their coat stays in shape for cold weather work. It is important though, if you are going to have a Karelian Bear Dog, that he be socialized properly and trained with a firm, but gentle hand. Otherwise, their naturally dominant personalities will make them difficult to handle. It is said that this is not a breed for inexperienced owners and requires a person of natural authority to be their owner.
A creative modern use for the talents of the Karelian Bear Dog is "bear shepherding", a program of the Wind River Bear Institute in Florence, Mont. The mission of this conservationist group is "to reduce human-caused bear mortality and conflicts worldwide to ensure the continued survival of all species of bears for future generations." The Karelian Bear Dog is uniquely suited to the unusual programs of this group. People and dogs are matched to act as partners in training bears to avoid situations in which bears and people may come into conflict, thus avoiding both bear and human fatalities. The dogs are trained to "speak" to the bears, barking at them and discouraging them from coming into areas where they might come into conflict with humans.
If you have a need for a dog that will help in hunting big game, or a dog who will be an undaunted protector in the face of danger, the Karelian Bear Dog may be the dog for you. If you live in an apartment or live a sedentary life, attractive as these dogs are, they are not the best choice for you. The Karelian Bear Dog is a working dog with a proud heritage, and he wants nothing more than to continue in that line of work.
