

By using the dogs along with other non-lethal methods it creates a negative association in the bear’s mind with areas that there are people. These bear hunting skills are also used for scaring problem bears of all types such as black, brown, and grizzly bears. As you could guess from their name they do excel at bear hunting and will track down and keep a bear at bay while barking to alert his location for the hunter.

They have an excellent sense of direction and smell along with powerful jaws for holding prey. Of course with the Karelian Bear Dog hunting is their true passion and they can be trained to hunt any game animal you’d like. If you don’t provide this they may take to finding their own sources of excitement or develop problem behaviors such as barking.

They are happiest when they have an actual job to do and have large areas to roam. Uses Todayĭifferent from many other breeds which have had a hunting history and are now used as companions these are true working dogs. Karelians are smart but require a great deal of training and need an owner with a lot of experience. They can be protective of their territory towards unfamiliar dogs but live happily with other dogs and family pets if they are raised together. Karelian Bear Dogs are very good with children and make gentle and loving with their families. While they have a very strong prey drive and are aggressive towards game animals it isn’t in their nature to show aggression with people. Although they are independent they can work together too. These are animals that will take on even the largest beasts on their own. The Karelian bear dog temperament is often described as very confident and extremely courageous. In fact, it is among the top ten most popular dog breeds in Finland and is considered a national treasure. While today it is rare in countries like the US and Canada the Finnish Karelian Bear Dog is very common in its own country. By 1945 the first standard for the breed was developed and the breed was officially and registered in 1946. This used the Komi dogs for its foundation. In an attempt to preserve these Spitz-type hunting dogs a breeding program was started in 1936. However, it was also able to hunt for smaller animals such as rabbits, game birds, and waterfowl. It was used for hunting all types of game such as boar, elk, deer, moose, lynx, and even the fearsome Eurasian brown bear. When the Komi people came west from the Ural Mountains and began trade with the Karelians the breed began to spread throughout the Karelian region which today is part of both Finland and Russia. Believed to be in existence since the Viking age these dogs were able to hunt and thrive in one of the coldest climates in the world where it really was survival of the fittest. This breed has an interesting and unique history as it is said to have been descended from the ancient native dogs of the Komi people. The Karelian Bear Dog is from Finland where it is known as Karjalankarhukoira. So here’s what you’ll need to know about them before deciding whether it’s the right breed for you. This ancient breed is not one you see every day. Intelligent and independent, the Karelian Bear Dog is a true hunter.
