Country of Origin: Finland
Weight: 44-49 pounds
Height: 19-23.5 inches
Coat: Short, harsh, standoff
Color: Black (preferably dull or with a brownish cast); white blaze, throat, chest, feet and tail tip

General Appearance: Medium size dog, strong and muscular, robust conformation; ears pricked of medium size with slightly rounded tips; tail set high of medium length and curved over the back.

"Since prehistoric times, remains of medium- size, compact-built dogs similar to the Samoyed and the Karelian Bear Dog lived with people across northern and northeastern Europe. Their remains were found in many archeological sites. In most of Europe these dogs gradually disappeared, being replaced by specialized cultured breeds. In the early Twentieth Century, in a large portion of northeastern Europe, approximately from Finland across northwestern Russia to Archangelsk, Vyatka and North Ural and to the south as far as the Kama River and middle parts of the Volga River basin, these types of dogs were commonly used for hunting and as watchdogs.

However, even in this part of the world they became increasingly mixed with imported cultured breeds, such as Setters, Spaniels, hounds and, at a later time, with German Shepherd, producing very intelligent, hardy, but not always beautiful mongrels. The unique hunting qualities and natural beauty of these aboriginal dogs could only be saved by systematic pure breeding to standard, which has been done in two countries, Finland and Russia.

In Finland, breeding of local dogs of this type to standard began in 1936. Dogs from Russia, particularly from Karelia an Archangelsk Province, were also imported and used for breeding. Only black dogs with white markings on the head, chest, legs and abdomen were accepted. Breeding to standard began in 1936 and the breed named as the Karelian Bear Dog became recognized by Scandinavian kennel clubs and by FCI only in 1946.

In Russia, breeding of these dog to standard began using aboriginal dogs of Komi, Archangelsk Province and other regions approximately during the same time as in Finland. At a later time, more dogs from Karelia and Archangelsk Province were used and crosses with the West Siberian Laika were also involved.
...Despite the fact that these dogs were essentially no different from the Karelian Bear Dog of Finland, unfortunately, the breed was named differently, as Russo-European Laika."

(Vladimir Beregovoy, "Origins of the Karelian Bear Dog and the Russo-European Laika")

The Karelian Bear Dog is a fearless hunter. They can also be tireless conservationist. Teams of KBDs are needed to continue the Institutes vital work.

Your donation, no matter how large or small, funds breeding and training programs that will protect not only the health and vitality of this breed but the future of the bears they work so hard to protect.
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