These Rare Dogs Were Bred to Hunt Bears—Now They’re Defending Our State Parks Meet the Karelian Bear Dog
The Karelian Bear Dog has a rich history dating back over 2,000 years, originating in the cold climate of the Karelian region between Finland and Russia. This breed’s double coat, developed to withstand harsh winters, makes it well-suited for activities like dog sledding in similarly cold environments such as Alaska.
For Kavik the Karelian Bear Dog Alaska is the perfect place to be in the great outdoors just like his ancestors. Kavik is being raised with a mushing group of Siberian Huskies and other sled dogs whose adventures are shared through TikTok by their humans Rohn and Alyssa Buser who go by @SustinaSledDogs online. In 2022, Kavik went on his first sled run with the team when he was just 6 months old, and he loved it! You can see how swift and agile he is in the snow and even though he’s a little unsure at first, Kavik embodies the athleticism and incredible stamina of the Karelian Bear Dog starting from a young age.
@susitnasleddogs Kavik’s first run with in the team. #sleddog #karelianbeardog #dogmushing #sleddogs #sleddogsoftiktok #siberianhusky #cutepuppy #puppy #kbd #adventuredog ♬ Little Things – Adrian Berenguer
If you’ve never heard of this breed of dog, you’re not alone. Karelian Bear Dogs are still relatively rare in the United States. The Karelian Bear Dog is not your average family pet, and after centuries of breeding, the hunting dog instincts are powerful in this Finnish dog breed. Still, if you get the chance to meet one of these beautiful ancient dogs, you’ll find that they can be gentle, affectionate, and extremely loyal to their humans.
Meet 5 Karelian Bear Dogs from Instagram
Today’s Karelian Bear Dogs come in one color that conforms to breed standards: black with white markings, which vary from individual to individual. Early Karelians also had red, gray, and “bear-like” coloring but the breed has been standardized to include only black and white. Though black and white Barelian Bear Dogs are the only accepted color combination, the American Karelian Bear Dog Alliance notes that the dogs should not be jet-black and that a “reddish, sunburned cast is held quite desirable, and is often indicative of older, historically established bloodlines.”
1. Koda
Source: @KodaTheKBD
Koda is a gorgeous four-year-old black Karelian Bear Dog living in Norway with her humans and canine sister, an Icelandic Sheepdog. This gorgeous pup loves to explore nature and spend time outside, but Koda is also working towards becoming a champion show dog.
2. Sun
Source: @Sun_The_Karelian
Sun is a beautiful six-year-old Karelian Bear Dog living in Nagano, Japan. Sun is a family pet, but some Karelian Bear Dogs have been used by local Japanese officials to combat bear overpopulation.
3. Fly & Rex
Source: @FlyExplores
Fly and Rex are a pair of Karelian Bear Dogs living in Alaska where they get to explore the great outdoors in all kinds of weather. Snow, rain, shine, or even on the water, Fly and Rex are always ready to go on an adventure.
4. Rush
Source: @KarelianCrew
A Karelian Bear Dog puppy will probably be the cutest thing you see all day—you’re welcome! Rush is all grown up now, but this is what she looked like when he was just a wee pup. Rush lives in Central BC, Canada, and has a sister named Caster who is also a KBD.
5. Lady
Source: @Lady_The_Karelian
Lady is a four-year-old Karelian Bear Dog from Calgary, Alberta, Canada, who is the typical KBD and loves to spend time outside. Described as quick and fearless by her humans, Lady is a city-living pup who still connects daily with nature.
Karelian Bear Dog is 2000 Years Old
The modern Karelian Bear Dog’s genetic ancestry can be traced back over 2,000 years and is thought to descend from local dogs called “Komi” and Zyrian Laika—a spitz-type dog that is Indigenous to Northern Russia and areas formally under Finnish rule.
Karelian Bear Dogs—called Karjalankarhukoira in Finnish—were bred and kept in Finland and Russia for centuries and prized as hunting dogs. The Karelian Bear Dog has a remarkable ability to hunt and would regularly be used for both small and large game. Karelian Bear Dogs bark at large game to alert hunters to their location, to confuse the game, and to act as a deterrent.
During WWII, the population of Karelian Bear Dogs in Finland and Russia was decimated with many dogs being released into the wild, killed, or captured for financial gain. Following the war, tremendous efforts were made to restore the breed, and the first official breed standard was established. By 1946, the first “purebred” Karelian Bear Dogs were added to the Finnish Kennel Club’s breed registry.
As the name would suggest, Karelian Bear Dogs were used to hunt bears, and the breed is still used today as a hunting dog and in government-sponsored programs designed to reduce the number of bear-related incidents in parks and rural areas. The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife began its Karelian Bear Dog program in 2003 wanting to reduce the number of incidents between humans and bears.
Participating Karelian Bear Dogs help by “responding to complaints of problem bears and mountain lions throughout Washington, assisting in “hard releases,” a non-lethal process designed to restore a bear’s natural fear of humans, detecting and locating poached wildlife and other evidence, [and] visiting schools and public events around the state to help share WDFW’s mission,” says the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. Similar programs exist in Finland, Japan, and in parks around the U.S.
Karelian Bear Dog Temperament
Karelian Bear Dogs are loyal and protective of their homes and families. Wary of strangers and dogs outside the family, Karelian Bear Dogs are not a particularly social breed despite bonding closely with their humans. KBDs have a moderately high energy level with incredible stamina and love outdoor activities like hiking, camping, backpacking, and yes, hunting.
Courageous yet balanced, Karelian Bear Dogs won’t back down from a challenge, but also make predictable family members whose behavior will never shock you. That said, some Karelian Bear Dogs can be reactive and may express some aggression without proper socialization. Not recommended for homes with children, Karelian Bear Dogs have a high prey drive and instinct to chase, can be a bit rough for young kids, and prefer humans that can understand their physical and behavioral boundaries.
The perfect dog for a lover of the outdoors who prefers a weekend of solitary hiking to socializing, the Karelian Bear Dog also needs an experienced owner who understands canine body language and the particulars of owning a hunting breed.
Karelian Bear Dog Size
Karelian Bear Dogs are a medium-sized breed that stands 19–23.5 inches at the shoulder and weighs 40–49 pounds.
Karelian Bear Dog Health
Karelian Bear Dogs have undergone diligent and careful breeding since the 1940s including rigorous genetic testing to eliminate most health problems from the breed’s bloodlines. Still, Karelian Bear Dogs can be susceptible to some common inherited and age-related health issues including hip dysplasia, back problems, and cataracts.
Where To Find a Karelian Bear Dog For Sale
If you’ve fallen in love with the Karelian Bear Dog and want to find a litter of responsibly bred Karelian Bear Dog puppies, the American Kennel Club breeder marketplace is a good place to start. One of the most well-known Karelian Bear Dog breeders in the US is Wind River Bear Institute founded by biologist Carrie Hunt “to provide innovative, non-lethal solutions to complex human-wildlife conflict issues.”
For more than 20 years, Wind River Bear Institute has been the top provider of working Karelian Bear Dogs throughout the US, Canada, and Japan. Wind River Bear Institute also breeds companion Karelian Bear Dogs and offers an enormous amount of knowledge to potential KBD owners.
Because this breed is relatively rare and quite expensive to own, there are very few opportunities for Karelian Bear Dog adoption. Joining KBD groups and owner forums can help connect you to folks in the community of Karelian Bear Dogs and increase your chances of finding one to adopt.
Karelian Bear Dog FAQ
Are Karelian Bear Dogs good family dogs?
Karelian Bear Dogs are not recommended for families with children but do make wonderful companions with proper socialization.
How much does a Karelian Bear Dog cost?
Reputable Karelian Bear Dog breeders charge anywhere from $3,000–$5,000 for a puppy.
Are Karelian Bear Dogs recognized by the American Kennel Club?
Yes. Karelian Bear Dogs were officially recognized by the American Kennel Club and added to their Foundation Stock Service registry in 2005 and approved to compete in Companion Events shows in 2008.
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