Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief historical overview
The Karelian Bear Dog is an ancient northern hunting breed that developed in the territory of Karelia and the northwest of Russia. Originally used for hunting large game such as bear, moose, and wild boar, these dogs had to possess courage, a strong build, a powerful voice, and the ability to hold game until the hunter arrived. The breed underwent natural selection, with local laika-type dogs contributing to its formation. In the 20th century, systematic breeding began, consolidating its working qualities, black-and-white coloration, and strong format. Today the Karelian Bear Dog is valued for its reliability, endurance, and dedication to traditional hunting work.
General appearance
The Karelian Bear Dog is a strong, dry, well-built hunting breed of medium size with a distinctly expressed working type. The body is compact, powerful, with a straight topline and deep chest. The head is wedge-shaped, dry, expressing confidence and alertness. The ears are erect, triangular, emphasizing the dog’s activity. The tail is set high, curled into a ring or half-ring. The coat is dense, thick, with abundant undercoat that protects against cold and moisture. The movement is collected and energetic, reflecting endurance and the ability to work in forest terrain. The overall impression is one of strength, courage, and natural independence typical of a hunting breed.
Important proportions
The Karelian Bear Dog must maintain strong, balanced proportions that highlight its hunting type. Height at the withers is approximately equal to body length, forming a compact, functional outline. The chest is deep, reaching the elbows and providing good lung capacity and stamina. The head is wedge-shaped and proportional to the body; the muzzle is slightly shorter than the skull. The limbs are straight, strong, with moderate angulation, ensuring agility and stability in forest conditions. The topline is straight, the loin strong. The tail is high-set and curled. Overall proportions must emphasize strength, quick reaction, and the ability to work with large game.
Behaviour and temperament
The Karelian Bear Dog is characterized by courage, determination, and pronounced hunting instincts. It is confident, attentive, and independent, yet maintains a strong bond with its owner. This breed possesses high endurance and the ability to work long hours in difficult conditions, retaining focus and motivation. Towards people, the dog is loyal and balanced; towards strangers it may be wary but not unjustifiably aggressive. Strong dominance may appear toward other dogs. Timidity, nervousness, panic reactions, or lack of working drive are unacceptable — the breed must maintain confidence and determination.
Head
The head of the Karelian Bear Dog is wedge-shaped, dry, and proportional to the body, emphasizing alertness and the breed’s hunting nature. The skull is moderately wide, slightly convex; the forehead blends smoothly into the muzzle. The stop is defined but not sharp. The muzzle is straight, strong, tapering gradually toward the nose while remaining deep and functional. The nose is black and well pigmented. Lips are thin, tight, forming clean lines. The jaws are strong and broad, with a full set of large teeth and a scissor bite. The expression is attentive, confident, and alert. Coarseness, weak muzzle, looseness, or excessive massiveness are unacceptable.
Facial region
The facial region is dry and clean, underlining the breed’s functionality. The muzzle is straight, strong, shorter than the skull, enabling a confident grip. The bridge of the nose is straight, without arch or dip. The nose is large and black. Lips are tight and not pendulous. Jaws are powerful, broad at the base, providing grip strength and the ability to hold large game. Cheeks are moderately developed, not coarse, flowing smoothly into the zygomatic arches. Facial lines must be clean and firm. Weak jaws, pointed muzzle, looseness, or poor pigmentation are faults.
Eyes
Eyes of the Karelian Bear Dog are medium-sized, oval, moderately deep-set, giving an attentive, courageous, and alert expression. Eye color is usually dark brown or brown; very light shades are undesirable as they distort the breed type. Eyelids are dry, tight, well pigmented. The gaze should be lively, confident, and working, without signs of fear or aggression. The eyes must reflect focus and readiness for action, essential for a hunting dog working with large game. Round, overly large, or protruding eyes, weak pigmentation of eyelids, or nervous expression are unacceptable.
Ears
Ears are erect, triangular, medium-sized, with strong cartilage and high placement. Set wide apart, directed upward and slightly forward, emphasizing alertness and readiness. Tips are slightly rounded. The hair on the ears is short and dense, providing protection from cold and moisture. The ears must be mobile and responsive. Low-set, large, semi-pricked, or dropped ears, as well as excessively wide ears, are faults. Proper ear set is important for the expression and silhouette of the head.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, dry, strong, and well-muscled, ensuring mobility, agility, and confident head carriage during work with large game. Set high, with a smooth, pronounced transition into the withers. Skin is tight, without looseness; the coat is dense and close-fitting. The neck must be strong but not coarse, capable of sustaining sharp movements and prolonged work. Poorly muscled, short, thick, excessively coarse, or weak necks are unacceptable.
Body
The body is strong, dry, and balanced, reflecting the breed’s working nature. The topline is straight and firm. The withers are pronounced, flowing into a strong, muscular back of medium length. The loin is short and strong, providing stability and drive. The chest is deep, reaching the elbows, sufficiently long, with moderately sprung ribs, not barrel-shaped. The abdomen is tucked up, highlighting a dry outline. The croup is wide, slightly sloping, muscular. A weak back, narrow chest, soft topline, looseness, or excessive length of body are faults.
Tail
The tail is set high, strong at the base, of medium length, covered with dense, thick hair. At rest it may hang, but is usually carried as a ring or half-ring over the back. When excited, it rises above the topline while remaining curled. The tail must be proportional and not overly thin or long. Low set, straight tail without curling, kinks, breakage, or insufficient coat are faults.
Forequarters
Forequarters are straight, dry, strong, parallel, providing stability and agility in forest terrain. Shoulder blades are long, sloping, close-fitting, creating the correct shoulder angle. Upper arms are muscular, approximately equal in length to the shoulder blades. Elbows are directed backward, not turning in or out. Forearms are straight, strong, with good bone. Pasterns are short, slightly sloping, but firm. Feet are compact, round, tight, with dense pads. Narrow stance, weak pasterns, out- or in-turned elbows, insufficient bone, or looseness are faults.
Hindquarters
Hindquarters are strong, dry, well-angulated, providing powerful propulsion and stability. Thighs are long, muscular, wide but not coarse. Stifles well-formed with moderate working angulation. Lower thighs strong, proportional to upper thigh. Hocks low-set, firm, ensuring stability. Rear pasterns short, vertical, straight. Feet compact with dense pads. Cow-hocked, barrel-hocked, weak joints, or insufficient angulation are faults.
Gait and movement
Movement must be collected, light, energetic, and confident, reflecting the breed’s hunting purpose. Movement is straight: fore and hind limbs move parallel, without crossing, swaying, or excessive outward action. Forelimbs provide good reach; hindquarters deliver powerful, even drive transmitted through the strong back. The topline remains firm. The trot should be economical, elastic, and long-lasting. Short steps, stiffness, weak ligaments, loss of rhythm or coordination are unacceptable.
Coat
The coat is dense, thick, and adapted to harsh northern climates. Guard hair is straight, coarse, close-lying, providing protection from moisture and cold. Undercoat is very dense, soft, and thick, offering excellent insulation. Males may have a slightly more pronounced neck ruff. The tail is covered with thick, lush hair. On the face and ears the hair is shorter but dense. Soft, silky, curly coat, insufficient undercoat, or sparse hair are faults.
Permissible colours
The Karelian Bear Dog is primarily black and white, which is characteristic for the breed. Various distributions of white and black are permitted: solid areas, patches, mask, symmetrical or asymmetrical patterns. White markings may appear on the chest, legs, tail, and muzzle. Solid black or black with minimal markings occurs but is less common. Pigmentation of nose, eyelids, and lips must be black and strong. Washed-out shades, weak pigmentation, or dirty transitions are faults. Albinism is unacceptable. Color must emphasize the working northern type rather than decoration.
Size
The Karelian Bear Dog is a medium-sized, strong, well-balanced breed. Height at the withers for males is usually 54–60 cm, for females 49–55 cm. Weight varies according to format and condition but the dog must remain dry, strong, and functional, without excessive heaviness or looseness. Balance between height, body width, and limb strength is essential. Oversized, overly light, or overly massive dogs are undesirable. Proportions must emphasize strength, agility, and suitability for forest work.
Faults
Faults include any deviations that reduce working ability or distort breed type. Weak bone, narrow chest, soft topline, insufficient depth of body, loose musculature. Head faults include overly light or coarse muzzle, weak jaws, light eyes, incorrect ear set. Coat faults include softness, curliness, lack of undercoat. Movement faults include short steps, stiffness, out-or in-turn of limbs, or close hocks. Behavioural faults include timidity, instability, excessive uncontrolled aggression, or lack of hunting drive.
Disqualification
Disqualifying faults include serious deviations in exterior, psyche, or pigmentation. Unprovoked aggression, extreme timidity, panic reactions, or unstable nervous system. Incorrect bite, absence of many teeth, eyelid defects, weak pigmentation of nose, lips, or eyelids. White markings extending beyond permitted areas, albinism. Incorrect tail structure, lack of undercoat, curly or too soft coat. Severe movement defects, limb deformities, congenital abnormalities, or signs of mixed origin.
Important notes
The Karelian Bear Dog is a breed in which hunting qualities, stable psyche, and the ability to work independently with large game are especially valued. Breeding must maintain strength, confidence, endurance, and correct coat type. Excessive softness, decorative appearance, or loss of hunting instinct are unacceptable. Age, condition, seasonal coat changes, and physical fitness are considered when evaluating the dog. Minor exterior deviations are less important than weakness of character or loss of working temperament. The breed must remain hardy, courageous, and functional, retaining natural focus and ability to work in forest conditions.
Conclusion
The Karelian Bear Dog is a strong, courageous, and reliable hunting breed that retains the ability to work with large game and operate confidently in difficult environments. It combines a strong exterior, stable temperament, independence, and loyalty to its owner. The standard emphasizes the importance of dense coat, correct proportions, strong movement, stable psyche, and proper breed expression. The breed must not lose its working essence or become decorative. With proper breeding and training, the Karelian Bear Dog remains an indispensable hunting companion and a reliable partner for active owners.
