COUNTRY: FinlandWEIGHT: 44-49 pounds
HEIGHT: 19-23 Vz inches
COAT: Short, harsh, stand-off
COLOR: Black (preferably dull or with a brownish" cast); white blaze, throat, chest, feet and tail tip
OTHER NAMES: Karelsk Bjornhund,Karjalankarhukoira, Karelischer Barenhund
GROUP: Northern
Russo-European Laika
COUNTRY: USSR
WEIGHT: 45-50 pounds
HEIGHT: 21-24 inches
COAT: Short, harsh, stand-off
COLOR: Black, with symmetrical white markings
OTHER NAMES: Lajka Ruissisch Europaisch, Karelian Bear Laika
REGISTRY: FCI
GROUP: Northern
Large hunting laikas from Karelia and neighboring areas on the Russian/Finland border have become popular throughout European Russia as well as in Finland. The breed that the Finns fostered took on the name Karelian Bear Dog. In Russia (Karelia is now a territory of the Soviet Union), the breed is called Russo-European Laika, but they are much the same dog in background, appearance, and hunting style. The Russian strain called the Karelian Bear Laika is larger and more aggressive, creating a more specialized elk and bear dog. But all of them are big dogs, slightly longer than tall, and they boast a robust, athletic stature. Although the tail preferably plumes over the back, natural bobtails do exist and, while frowned upon, are still conceded by both the current Finnish and Soviet standards.
The dog always was employed for a variety of game, but interest was aroused in the breed by his reputation as a big game hunter. This was especially true of the Russian aristocracy in the last century. Bear Dog was accepted as its name, which gives the breed a certain dignity and stature. Although the breed remained fairly pure in backwoods villages for centuries, in the 1930s the Finnish Kennel Club took this breed into its planned breeding programs, furnishing the boost needed to guarantee the breed's preservation.
The Winter War (between Russia and Finland in 1939^0) nearly decimated the breed and only a few fanciers remained. By the 1960s, the Karelian Bear Dog was seriously declining in Finland. Poor breeding practices—using parents without good abilities—were creating puppies which disappointed hunters. Conscientious breeders brought this laika back to today's strength in both numbers and abilities.
The Karelian Bear Dog in Finland has been used mainly as a hunter of elk. Now trials to choose breeding stock are held and are said to be very demanding on both dog and hunter. Erkki Tuominen, a Finnish breeder, says of the breed, ". . . its future depends on how we can retain and further develop its ability as an elkdog."
He described the dog eloquently in a letter: "A definite kind of abruptness, which could also be named self-respect, belongs to the tempera-ment of the Carelian Bear Dog [Finnish spelling]. In a pinch it is unfailingly brave, never yielding, even merciless. This is the dog for a big-game hunter both in essence and character .... If one would have to describe the Carelian Bear Dog with a word, it would be grand .... Its black-white colour, the fiery look of ... dark eyes and the stateliness and strength of its essence capture the eyes of a hunter . . . like a piece of wild and untamed wilderness . . . firm barking in [the] autumn landscape, the angrily puffing elk; that is Finnish big-game hunting at its best."
These big-game hunters are used for other types of quarry as well, depending on their owner. In Russia the laikas hunt squirrel, fowl and mink as well as bears, moose, boars and even wolves. American owners agree that the Karelians are excellent squirrel dogs. Contrary to the name, laika meaning barker, these dogs are always silent trailers, beginning their barking only when the game is treed or otherwise cornered. At that point, they begin their continuous barking to keep the quarry occupied until the hunter is within shooting range. They generally hunt singly, due to their aggressive tendencies.
Karelian Bear Dogs are owned and bred in Canada, America and other European countries as well as Russia and Finland. Owners emphasize they are a working breed and must have plenty of exercise, and that the dogs are most happy when owned by an outdoor enthusiast. Most are housed outside to keep them acclimated to the colder temperatures. They are tough and independent, but form a strong bond with their owner. These characteristics make them sharp guard dogs. The breed is aggressive with other dogs and will fight an intruder—human or canine—to the death, if need be. The Karelian does not make a good pet for those unable to control him. Training, socialization and leash control in public are advised.