Breeds / Medium
Karelian Bear Dog puppies
Bold, independent and single minded on game, reserved with strangers and often intolerant of unfamiliar dogs. A serious Finnish hunting breed rather than a family pet.
The facts
- Size class Medium
- Country of origin Finland
- Adult weight 20 to 22.2 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 44 to 49 lb
- Adult height 48 to 60 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Medium double
- Shedding Moderate
- Typical lifespan 11 to 13 years
- Good with children Not recommended
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
About the Karelian Bear Dog
The Karelian Bear Dog was developed in Finland and the Karelian region to hunt large game, holding moose or bear at bay and barking until the hunter arrives. They weigh 20 to 22.2 kg and stand 48 to 60 cm, black with sharp white markings and a dense medium double coat built for a hard winter. They are bold, independent and completely single minded once they have found game, aloof with strangers, and often unwilling to share space with unfamiliar dogs.
This is a working dog that needs hours of genuine activity and something to point them at. Grooming is weekly brushing with an occasional bath, plus regular nail trimming, since the nails grow fast. Fencing has to be serious. They are rated at the bottom of the scale for living with children, which is worth taking at face value: they suit an experienced adult household, and any contact with children needs close supervision and thorough socialisation. Before you fall for the looks, make sure you have a proper outlet for them.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Karelian Bear Dog puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Hip dysplasia, screened by x-ray evaluation of breeding stock
- Inherited eye disease, screened by an ophthalmologist examination
- Patellar luxation, detected on orthopaedic examination
Your Karelian Bear Dog puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Karelian Bear Dog.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 20 to 22.2 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 36 inch (36 x 24 x 26 in, 91 x 61 x 66 cm) for an adult of up to 22.2 kg; chew toys made for medium breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other medium breeds
American Cocker Spaniel
American Pit Bull Terrier
American Staffordshire Terrier
American Water Spaniel
Aussiedoodle
Australian Cattle Dog
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Karelian Bear Dog breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/karelian-bear-dog/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Fraczek.marcin, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.