KARELIAN BEAR DOG

Official U.K.C. Breed Standard*

KARELIAN BEAR DOG
  © Copyright 1997, United Kennel Club, Inc.

HISTORY

Survival in the harsh northern climates of our world brought man and dog together very early in history. The generic Spitz gradually evolved into a number of different breeds, each performing some task essential to the survival of man and dog. The Karelian Bear Dog is primarily used to hunt bear and elk when they are available, although they have also been used to hunt smaller animals when big game was scarce. The Karelian Bear Dog usually hunts alone rather than in packs and trails its prey silently. When the bear or other prey is located, the Karelian Bear Dog barks and worries the creature to a standstill. The devastation resulting from war nearly caused the breed to die out. In the late 1930s, the Finnish Kennel Club undertook to restore the breed and it was recognized by FCI in 1945. Today, the Karelian Bear Dog is one of the most highly regarded breeds in its native land. The Finnish Kennel Club has emphasized the importance of maintaining this breed's hunting instincts and courage as well as its smart appearance.

The Karelian Bear Dog was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1996.

GENERAL APPEARANCE

The Karelian Bear Dog is a medium-sized, sturdily-built, Spitz-type dog, with a triangle-shaped head, prick ears, and a harsh, straight, black or black and white coat of medium length. The length of body from point of buttocks to point of sternum is just slightly longer than height, measured at the withers, although slightly longer coat on the thighs may make the length of body appear greater. The preferred tail is carried in a loose curl over the back, although a natural bob or stub tail is acceptable. Honorable scars or other evidences of injury resulting from working in the field are not to be penalized.

CHARACTERISTICS

One of the most readily identifiable characteristics of the Karelian Bear Dog is its striking black coat, usually with sharp-edged white markings. The temperament is also very characteristic. The Karelian Bear Dog is has a reserved but stable temperament and is very devoted to its master. Karelians have strong hunting instincts. Karelians are normally aggressive with other dogs, particularly in their own territory, so they do not work well in a pack. They are fearless and will attack bear and other large game without hesitation. Their senses, particularly the sense of smell, are very keen.

HEAD

The head is rather large for the size of the dog without appearing heavy or coarse. The female's head is somewhat more refined than the male's head. From the front, the head is triangular, broad between the ears and narrowing toward the muzzle. Viewed from above, the broad skull tapers very distinctly toward the place where the muzzle joins it and then tapers very little from the base of the muzzle toward the nose. When viewed from the side, the Karelian Bear Dog head has a distinct outline with the slightly arched skull, the slightly sloping stop, and the strong, high muzzle. The head is free of wrinkles.
Faults: Head too light or too heavy; stop too short and steep

SKULL
The skull is broad and slightly arched. The cheeks are well developed. The bony arches over the eye are only slightly developed. The ratio of the length of the skull, measured from occiput to stop, to the width at the widest point is approximately 10:11.
Faults: Skull too flat or too highly arched; skull too narrow

MUZZLE
The muzzle is moderately thick and shorter in length than the skull with an approximate ratio of 7:10. When viewed from the side, the point where the muzzle joins the skull is relatively high and the top line of the muzzle is straight. The lower outline of the muzzle moves steadily upward toward the blunt end of the muzzle. Viewed from the front, the muzzle is well filled in under the eyes and there is little tapering toward the nose. Lips are black and tightly closed.
Faults: Muzzle too short, too long or too narrow.

TEETH
The Karelian Bear Dog has a complete set of good-sized, evenly spaced, white teeth. Broken teeth resulting from field work are not to be penalized.
Faults: Level bite
Disqualification: Overshot or undershot.

NOSE
The nose is large and solid black. In profile, the nose is on the same line as the top of the muzzle and extends just slightly beyond the forepart of the muzzle.

EYES
The eyes are relatively small and oval in shape with an alert, sometimes fiery expression. Dark brown eyes are strongly preferred. Lighter eyes are less desirable and the lighter the eye, the more serious the fault. Eye rims are dark.
Disqualification: Wall eye

EARS
The ears are strongly erect, of medium size, triangular in shape, and set at the outer edge of the skull, but not too low. The ears are slightly rounded at the tips and wide at the base. The ratio of ear height to width is about 8:7. When the dog is alert, a vertical line drawn upward from the dog's cheek will run along the outer edge of the ear. The ears are extremely mobile and react sensitively to sounds.
Faults: Long, narrow ear; pointed tips; ears placed too high or too far apart; soft ears that fail to remain completely erect when the dog is moving.
Disqualification: Drop ear, ears with bent tips

NECK

The neck is of moderate length, muscular, arched and covered with thick hair.
Faults: Loose skin; insufficient coat on the neck

FOREQUARTERS

The shoulders are well laid back with good angulation and well-developed muscles. The forelegs are straight and muscular, with moderate bone and moderately short, slightly sloping, flexible pasterns. The shoulder blade and the upper arm are roughly equal in length. The upper arm lies close to the ribs with the elbow moving close to the body.
Faults: Straight shoulders; elbows out; legs too short; fine bone; down in pasterns.

FEET

The feet are of medium size, round in shape, well-knuckled up, with thick strong pads. The hind feet are somewhat longer and flatter than the front feet. Nails should be hard. Dewclaws may be removed.
Faults: Splayed toes; thin pads.

BODY

The Karelian Bear Dog is just slightly longer, measured from prosternum to point of buttocks, than tall, measured from the withers to the ground. Females are proportionately somewhat longer in body. The line of the back inclines very slightly downward from well-developed withers and then becomes level. The back is well-muscled with a short, muscular loin. The ribs are moderately sprung out from the spine, forming a strong back. The chest is moderately wide and the brisket extends to the elbow. The forechest should extend in a shallow oval shape in front of the forelegs but the sternum should not be excessively pointed. There is a slight but noticeable tuck-up.
Faults: Chest too deep or too narrow; barrel-shaped body; pronounced tuck-up.

HINDQUARTERS

The thighs are strong and muscular. The rear legs have moderate bone and are moderately well angulated at stifle and hock joints. The hocks are well let down. Viewed from the rear, the rear pasterns should be parallel to each other; from the side, they should be perpendicular to the ground.
Faults: Insufficient angulation at stifle or hock; cowhocks.

TAIL

The Karelian Bear Dog may be born with a tail or a natural bob. The preferred tail, when pulled straight down, is at least long enough to reach the hock joint. It is carried in a loose curl over the back with the tip touching the back or either side of the body. The tail is well-furred and set on high. A stub tail, which may be up to 5 inches long and carried above the line of the back but not vertically, or a natural bob tail is acceptable.
Faults: Straight tail; hairless tail; sickle tail; double-curled tail or tail curled so tightly that a chicken egg could not be passed through its center.

COAT

The Karelian Bear Dog has a double coat of medium length, with the hair on the neck, back and buttocks slightly longer, and the hair on the head, legs, and ears slightly shorter. The outer coat is coarse, straight, and stands somewhat away from the body. The undercoat is thick, soft, and dense.
Faults: Curly or wavy coat; lack of undercoat.

COLOR

Black, usually with sharp-edged white patches or marks on the head, neck, chest, belly, and legs. Brownish-black, matte black, and shiny black are all acceptable. The ideal ratio of black to white is 7:3. Other acceptable ratios are, in order of preference, 8:2, 6:4, 9:1, 5:5. White with black patches is allowed but undesirable.
Disqualification: any color other than black and white

HEIGHT & WEIGHT

Desirable height, measured at the withers, ranges from 21-1/4 to 23-1/2 inches for males and 19-1/4 to 21-1/4 inches for females. The Karelian Bear Dog should be presented in hard, muscular condition.
Fault: Obese, soft condition.
Serious faults: Dogs over or under standard height should be severely penalized.

GAIT

The Karelian Bear Dog moves with strides of moderate length with a gait that conveys stamina and agility rather than power and strength. It is a quick, agile trot which enables the dog to switch effortlessly to a gallop which is the breed's more natural gait. Correct movement is essential in this breed.

DISQUALIFICATIONS

Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or marked shyness. Any color other than black and white Overshot or undershot bite. Wall eye. Drop ear.

Note: Karelian Bear Dogs are not to be penalized for dog aggression as it is a normal characteristic of this breed. Handlers, however, may be penalized for failure to properly control their dogs.

* NOTE: This information has been contributed by, and is property of The United Kennel Club, Inc. and is gratefully used here with permission.

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