KARELIAN BEAR DOGS 

  HISTORY 

The Karelian Bear Dog, sometimes also known as the Karelian Bearhound, is a distinctive and attractive animal with a striking appearance. It has showy black and white markings similar to a Border Collie and is a member of the spitz family of dogs. It is fortunate that these dogs are also called "Bear Dogs" as the Finnish name is "Karjalankarhukoira". The Karelian Bear Dog is closely related to the Russian Laika breeds, however it is reported that the Karelian is more domesticated. As with most working dogs the Karelian Bear Dog is alert and active and requires regular attention and exercise. The Karelian Bear Dog is an old breed, dating back at least to the time of Vikings. The name "Karelian" derives from the province Karelia of Finland a portion of which became a part of the USSR by treaty in 1941 following the "Winter War". Karelia is a land of forest and stream and for centuries the Bear Dogs have been a part of the family both as guard and hunter. The abundant big game included elk, deer and of course bears as well as numerous small game. The breed was offically recognized by the Finnish Kennel Club in 1935 and breed standards were established. World War II was difficult with Finland ceding territory to the USSR and therefore cutting off access to the breeding stock in Soviet Karelia. Some differences exist between Bear Dogs from North Karelia in Finland and Bear Dogs from Karelia. The Russians have in the past cross-bred the Bear Dogs with the Utchak sheep dog in an attempt to make a "super bear dog" with more courage, stamina and strength. This effort has been successful.

GENERAL APPEARANCE  Medium sized, robust conformation, strong, only slightly longer than the height at the withers, with dense coat and pricked ears.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS  The length of the body is only slightly longer than the height at the withers. The depth of the body is about the half of the height at the withers. The ratio between muzzle and skull is approximately 2 : 3. The length of the skull is about the same as its breadth and depth.

BEHAVIOUR / TEMPERAMENT Balanced, slightly reserved, courageous and persistent. Very self-confident, may be aggressive towards other dogs, but never towards people. Highly developed fighting spirit

HEAD  Viewed from the front triangular in shape.

Stop Not very pronounced, rather long, arched gradually towards the skull.

FACIAL REGION

Nose  Large, black in colour.

Muzzle  Deep, tapering only slightly towards the nose. The nasal bridge is straight.

Lips  Rather thin and tight.

Jaws/Teeth  The jaws are very strong. The teeth are well developed and symmetrical; normal dentition. Tight scissor bite.

Cheeks  The zygomatic arches are strong.

Eyes Rathers small, slightly oval. Brown of different shades, never yellow. The expression is alert and fiery.

Ears  Erect, set rather high, medium sized with slightly rounded tips.

NECK   Muscular; of medium length, arched and covered with profuse hair. Without dewlap.

BODY     Withers  Clearly defined, especially in males, less defined in bitches. Back Straight and muscular. Loin Short and muscular Croup Broad, strong and slightly sloping. Chest  Spacious, not very broad, rather long, reaching approximately to the elbows. The ribs are slightly arched; the forechest clearly visible, yet not very broad.

Lower line  Slightly tucked up. TAIL  High set, of medium length, curved over the back, the tip of the tail touching the body on either side or on the back. A natural bobtail is permitted.

FOREQUARTERS    Strong with strong bone. Viewed from the front straight and parallel. The upper arm and the shoulder blade are equal in length, the forearm is slightly longer. Shoulders. Relatively oblique, muscular. Upper arm Slightly oblique and strong. Elbows Pointing straight backwards, placed on the vertical line drawn from the highest point of the shoulder blade. Forearm Strong and vertical. Metacarpus(Pastern) Of medium length, slightly oblique. Fore feet Tight, well arched, roundish and pointing forward. Pads springy, the sides covered with dense hair.

HINDQUARTERS Strong and muscular, viewed from behind straight and parallel. The front line of the hind limb is evenly arched. Upper thigh  Broad and long with strong muscles. Stifle Pointing forward, medium angulation.Second thigh  Long and muscular. Hock  Low; angulation clearly visible. Metatarsus Short, strong and vertical.Hindfeet Tight, slightly longer and less arched than the front feet. Pads springy, the sides covered with dense hair.

GAIT/MOVEMENT Light, ground covering and effortless. Changes easily from trot to gallop, which is the most natural style of movement. The legs move parallel.

SKIN   Tight overall without wrinkles. COAT  HAIR  Outer coat harsh and straight. On the neck, back and backside of the upper thighs longer than elsewhere. The undercoat is soft and dense. COLOUR  Black, may be dull or shaded with brown. Most individuals have clearly defined white markings on the head, neck, chest, belly and the legs. SIZE AND WEIGHT Height at withers Ideal height for males 57 cm, Ideal height for females 52 cm. With a tolerance of ± 3 cm. Weight  Males 25 - 28 kg,  Bitches 17 - 20 kg.

FAULTS  Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree. Light in bone. Narrow skull. Strongly bulging forehead. Snipey muzzle. Yellow eyes.Soft or bat ears.Dewlap.Too deep or barrel shaped ribcage.Straight or insufficiently curved tail.Straight shoulders.Straight hocks and flat feet. Dewclaws on hindlegs. Wavy coat. Predominantly white colour with black markings or some so called wolf hair.

ELIMINATING FAULTS    Overshot or undershot mouth.  Wall eye.  Ears hanging or with drooping tips. Other colours than allowed in the standard.  Aggressiveness towards people.

Note   Male  animals should have two apperently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum. 

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