Karelian Bear Dog Or Karjalankarhukoira
The Karelian bear dog or Karjalankarhukoira is a little known breed, but very characteristic of the Nordic countries. Today we want to bring you closer to her, because they say that knowledge is never too much, is it not?
Meet Karelia’s Bear Dog
origin and history
These dogs come from Finland and, although some people have them as a pet, they are mainly chosen as hunting dogs. They have some qualities that make them perfect for this job.
For example: they stand out for their agility, tenacity, wide development of vision and smell, and for their ease of adaptation to extreme temperatures, whether cold or hot.
It is believed to be one of the oldest breeds in the region. His name came up because one didn’t want to recognize him just as a Finn, as part of Karelia belonged to Russia, when this race appeared.
What is certain is that the bear dog from Karelia or Karjalankarhukoira lived around Lake Ladoga, which is on the border between Finland and Russia.
Physical Characteristics of the Karelian Bear Dog
As a main feature, its black coat stands out, with white spots on various parts of the body. The hair is medium to large and very abundant. Underneath this layer of fur, there is another interior, very soft but thick, which protects it from low temperatures.
This breed is medium in size, measuring about 50 or 60 centimeters in height, with a robust and strong appearance. Its ears are erect with rounded tips. Its tail is medium and arch-shaped, rarely having the common white spots on its fur.
In relation to the legs, the hind legs are a little longer than the front legs, but both are straight and strong. The complexity of its muscles makes it an ideal animal for hunting and other field-related work, especially at low temperatures.
His eyes are brown, greenish hued, very round and never sunken. On her face, the white line that runs from her nose to the top of her head and down from her inner jaw to her neck stands out.
character and temperament
It is a very agile and active dog, tenacious and brave. Thanks to this, and to its developed senses of sight and smell, it is an excellent guardian dog.
It is very affectionate and friendly, with a patient and tolerant character, ideal for living with children. However, it is a bit stubborn, so it needs training, if possible, professional. With that and with a good socialization since puppy, it will be an ideal animal to be in the family.
care and health
The Karelian Bear Dog or Karjalankarhukoira is an incredibly strong animal. In fact, it is not known of general or congenital health problems of this breed.
It is such a robust animal, in every way, that it has great resistance to fatigue. Therefore, it was used for jobs as hard as hunting in extreme environments such as sub-zero temperatures and heavy snow.
However, due to this stamina and being an active dog, it needs good doses of exercise daily. Its coat requires daily care and brushing to eliminate dead coat and allow the coat to regenerate.
Even with your great strength, you need to moisturize your nose and pads well, if you live in a very cold and snowy place. These are very delicate areas of your body.
As you can see, the Karelian bear dog is not a well-known animal, but it will be an ideal dog to have as a companion at home, as it is quiet and has a lovely character. Have you thought about having him as your next pet?
