The Karelian Bear Dog is a loyal, affectionate, energetic,
intelligent hunting dog, family companion and watch dog. Its
beauty often attracts people to the Karelian Bear Dog and
sidetracks them from its true character. It remains a true
working dog, tough and independent with a strong hunting
instinct, not a dog for everybody, and definitely not a dog for
the city. They are also not a dog for hot climates. They prefer
the cold weather. My dogs’ energy levels are completely
different in the summer then they are in the winter and I think it
would be cruel to subject them to hot weather on a permanent
basis. The life expectancy of the average KBD is about 12
years. They are known to mature slowly and remain active well
into their senior years.
intelligent hunting dog, family companion and watch dog. Its
beauty often attracts people to the Karelian Bear Dog and
sidetracks them from its true character. It remains a true
working dog, tough and independent with a strong hunting
instinct, not a dog for everybody, and definitely not a dog for
the city. They are also not a dog for hot climates. They prefer
the cold weather. My dogs’ energy levels are completely
different in the summer then they are in the winter and I think it
would be cruel to subject them to hot weather on a permanent
basis. The life expectancy of the average KBD is about 12
years. They are known to mature slowly and remain active well
into their senior years.
We let them go at 8 weeks. With us, the puppies receive significant human contact/handling because when I have a litter of puppies, they are basically my life for 2 months. They are not in a kennel, they are in my home and I am with them their every waking moment. We live in a very small town so when we have puppies, we have lots of visitors, both young and old. The visitors are a very important part of the puppy's socialization. A foundation that includes the proper training and socialization of the puppy and adolescent KBD will result in an adult that will be a wonderful new addition to their new family. |
| KBD Puppies |
Basic obedience training must start from the
moment you bring your puppy home. The training
and socialization of the puppy actually starts with us
here and with his dam and siblings. The Finnish
Spitz Club recommends that a KBD go to its new
home at 7 to 8 weeks. At this age, the Karelian
puppy does their best bonding with their new family.
moment you bring your puppy home. The training
and socialization of the puppy actually starts with us
here and with his dam and siblings. The Finnish
Spitz Club recommends that a KBD go to its new
home at 7 to 8 weeks. At this age, the Karelian
puppy does their best bonding with their new family.
A Karelian Puppy in Their New Home
Even though puppies and adults alike benefit from exercise, the intensity level of puppy activities should not be
anywhere near as strenuous as that of an adult Karelian. Puppies exercise themselves so when they are
young you should concentrate on socialization and training more then exercise. Take your dog with you
anywhere and everywhere that you can, so he gets used to all types of places and situations.
anywhere near as strenuous as that of an adult Karelian. Puppies exercise themselves so when they are
young you should concentrate on socialization and training more then exercise. Take your dog with you
anywhere and everywhere that you can, so he gets used to all types of places and situations.
He will learn who belongs to his pack, including your other
animals, whether they are chickens, cats, other dogs, etc.
Karelian Bear Dog males do better in homes with female
dogs. If you want harmonious living, I do not recommend a
male for an existing male dog home. They do not need
specific exercise until they are 8-10 months old and even
then only a maximum of about 1.5 km a day. At a year old
they can start 3-4 km walks. I would NOT recommend
running beside a bicycle, skijoring, kicksledding, etc. until
they are at least 18 mos or better yet 24 mos. Strenuous
activity could seriously affect the still developing bones of
a young puppy, and can cause problems in their adult life.
But once they are old enough....do as much as you can
with your dog....people who play with their dog, stay with
their dog.
animals, whether they are chickens, cats, other dogs, etc.
Karelian Bear Dog males do better in homes with female
dogs. If you want harmonious living, I do not recommend a
male for an existing male dog home. They do not need
specific exercise until they are 8-10 months old and even
then only a maximum of about 1.5 km a day. At a year old
they can start 3-4 km walks. I would NOT recommend
running beside a bicycle, skijoring, kicksledding, etc. until
they are at least 18 mos or better yet 24 mos. Strenuous
activity could seriously affect the still developing bones of
a young puppy, and can cause problems in their adult life.
But once they are old enough....do as much as you can
with your dog....people who play with their dog, stay with
their dog.
| Exercise |
Daily exercise of at least an hour is a must for an adult
KBD or they can be destructive from sheer boredom. Left
to its own devices, without proper supervision and
exercise they can get into trouble. I have been very lucky
with mine, I have never come home to anything chewed or
any disasters but I know of others who have not been so
lucky. This is not always the case but you should be
prepared to exercise so as not to take any chances.
KBD or they can be destructive from sheer boredom. Left
to its own devices, without proper supervision and
exercise they can get into trouble. I have been very lucky
with mine, I have never come home to anything chewed or
any disasters but I know of others who have not been so
lucky. This is not always the case but you should be
prepared to exercise so as not to take any chances.
Training - Are you as Intelligent as a KBD?
It is very important that basic obedience lessons begin early and the training must be kept interesting or the
KBD will become bored and your training efforts will be counter productive. Karelians need an owner who is as
energetic, involved and intelligent as they are or they will soon be running the household and getting into
trouble. The most important training, especially if you are getting your Karelian either for hunting or for
protection from predatory animals, is that of recall. You must be fully confident that your KBD will listen to the
"Come" command in all environments and situations prior to letting him off leash in an uncontrolled environment.
They are fearless, even as young pups, before they have the speed and maturity to avoid harm from a bear,
for example. This training is best done on a long lead; I find a 30ft. horse lunge line works well. You must
practice the "come" command and if the pup ignores you give him a bit of a tug to encourage him. This will not
be accomplished in a day or two...it will take lots and lots of practice.
KBD will become bored and your training efforts will be counter productive. Karelians need an owner who is as
energetic, involved and intelligent as they are or they will soon be running the household and getting into
trouble. The most important training, especially if you are getting your Karelian either for hunting or for
protection from predatory animals, is that of recall. You must be fully confident that your KBD will listen to the
"Come" command in all environments and situations prior to letting him off leash in an uncontrolled environment.
They are fearless, even as young pups, before they have the speed and maturity to avoid harm from a bear,
for example. This training is best done on a long lead; I find a 30ft. horse lunge line works well. You must
practice the "come" command and if the pup ignores you give him a bit of a tug to encourage him. This will not
be accomplished in a day or two...it will take lots and lots of practice.
| GrawPaw's Jalo (2nd from left) at his formal training classes. He is apparently the star pupil. |
A Fearless Animal
You can take your pup at 3 or 4 months to the bush/forest to get him
to build self confidence and to learn to follow your trail. Do not,
however, play hide and go seek with him at a young age in the bush
as he may get frightened and in turn lose his trust in you, which you
do not want at this early stage. The more he goes with you the
larger his roaming area will become and he will soon discover the
wildlife, the first generally being a squirrel or a chipmunk. He will
bark and you will see his whole demeanor change. If you do not
want him going after these small animals, ignore his barking and
continue walking until he eventually figures out that you don't care
about the squirrel and he follows you. As adults, they are very
powerful dogs who are willing to take on any game animal. They
originate from my homeland of Finland and are used to hunt elk,
moose, bear and other wild game.
to build self confidence and to learn to follow your trail. Do not,
however, play hide and go seek with him at a young age in the bush
as he may get frightened and in turn lose his trust in you, which you
do not want at this early stage. The more he goes with you the
larger his roaming area will become and he will soon discover the
wildlife, the first generally being a squirrel or a chipmunk. He will
bark and you will see his whole demeanor change. If you do not
want him going after these small animals, ignore his barking and
continue walking until he eventually figures out that you don't care
about the squirrel and he follows you. As adults, they are very
powerful dogs who are willing to take on any game animal. They
originate from my homeland of Finland and are used to hunt elk,
moose, bear and other wild game.
| Are They a Good Family Dog? |
I always tell people that Karelians are not like, for
instance, Golden Retrievers or Labs. They are
not a dog that is clingy or that is happy to just
follow you around. They need to have a
purpose, ie. hunting, guarding and protecting
property from prey, etc. KBDs are extremely
loyal to their owner. They will generally choose
one member of the family who they are close to,
although they will bond with the whole family.
instance, Golden Retrievers or Labs. They are
not a dog that is clingy or that is happy to just
follow you around. They need to have a
purpose, ie. hunting, guarding and protecting
property from prey, etc. KBDs are extremely
loyal to their owner. They will generally choose
one member of the family who they are close to,
although they will bond with the whole family.
People always ask what they are like with children. Although, they are wonderful with children, you must
remember they are a primitive, hunting breed and so, they are not the type of dog that you get for the sole
purpose of being a pet for your child, if that makes sense. I grew up with Karelians and we never, ever had any
issues and now, as an adult, with my own dogs we have never had a problem. When I was young, my nieces
and nephews (I was an aunt at 9 yrs old) would be at our place every weekend playing with the dogs and I
have had several puppies go to homes with young children and they have said how wonderful their KBDs are
with their children. Your KBD should have a safe place that is his own in your house, whether it be a piece of
carpet, a bed or a crate. KBDs love attention and playing with children but once they have had enough, they
will go and find a quiet corner of the house or their 'safe place' to go to. As with any breed of dog, the children
should be taught to respect that, and to know that the dog needs his quiet time. Also, if your puppy has done
something naughty, you should never, ever discipline him when he is in his 'safe place'. It must be done where
it happens to have an impact and he needs to know that the safe place is just that, safe.
remember they are a primitive, hunting breed and so, they are not the type of dog that you get for the sole
purpose of being a pet for your child, if that makes sense. I grew up with Karelians and we never, ever had any
issues and now, as an adult, with my own dogs we have never had a problem. When I was young, my nieces
and nephews (I was an aunt at 9 yrs old) would be at our place every weekend playing with the dogs and I
have had several puppies go to homes with young children and they have said how wonderful their KBDs are
with their children. Your KBD should have a safe place that is his own in your house, whether it be a piece of
carpet, a bed or a crate. KBDs love attention and playing with children but once they have had enough, they
will go and find a quiet corner of the house or their 'safe place' to go to. As with any breed of dog, the children
should be taught to respect that, and to know that the dog needs his quiet time. Also, if your puppy has done
something naughty, you should never, ever discipline him when he is in his 'safe place'. It must be done where
it happens to have an impact and he needs to know that the safe place is just that, safe.
Do Karelian Bear Dogs Bark a lot?
I also get asked often, how much do they bark?
Well, they are not the type of dog to bark for no
reason. Not the type to bark indoors at nothing.
When they bark there is something or someone
at the root of the barking. Where we live, we
have no neighbours, so I like the fact that they
alert me when a car pulls in the driveway or
when there are deer, bear, moose, etc. on the
property. They also have been known to bark at
squirrels, chipmunks, etc. hence the fact that
these are not meant for city life. When used for
hunting , the Karelian uses their bark to alert
their master when they have cornered their
prey. The Finnish Spitz Club does not
recommend trying to hinder their barking as
then it may discourage them from doing it in a
situation when you really need them to.
Well, they are not the type of dog to bark for no
reason. Not the type to bark indoors at nothing.
When they bark there is something or someone
at the root of the barking. Where we live, we
have no neighbours, so I like the fact that they
alert me when a car pulls in the driveway or
when there are deer, bear, moose, etc. on the
property. They also have been known to bark at
squirrels, chipmunks, etc. hence the fact that
these are not meant for city life. When used for
hunting , the Karelian uses their bark to alert
their master when they have cornered their
prey. The Finnish Spitz Club does not
recommend trying to hinder their barking as
then it may discourage them from doing it in a
situation when you really need them to.
A Karelian Will Be The Most Loyal Family Member
Karelian Bear Dogs are very intelligent and
can learn quickly. BUT they are also very
stubborn so they need a strong and
confident pack leader/owner/handler who
they respect. If you can be that alpha
leader, you will get a very loyal family
member with a Karelian who will protect you
to their last dieing breath if they have to.
You must use a consistent and firm but
loving hand and NEVER EVER hit a Karelian
for they will lose all respect for you as a
leader and may never forget the incident.
can learn quickly. BUT they are also very
stubborn so they need a strong and
confident pack leader/owner/handler who
they respect. If you can be that alpha
leader, you will get a very loyal family
member with a Karelian who will protect you
to their last dieing breath if they have to.
You must use a consistent and firm but
loving hand and NEVER EVER hit a Karelian
for they will lose all respect for you as a
leader and may never forget the incident.
| "He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." Anonymous |
Karelian Bear Dog Info
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