Karjalankarhukoira

FCI:

Karelian Bear Dog - Group V - Spitz and primitive types, Section 2 - Nordic hunting dogs.

General Appearance:

Not only in its home of origin it is now a popular hunting dog. It has an excellent sense of smell and certainly not missing a courage, which is ready at any time to prove it can show its endurance. It becomes a companion breed very occasionally. Individuals that are used for hunting are quite reserved, close contact with humans they are not missing, which is especially true for strange persons.

Dogs are bred for several generations as a companion dogs, they are more emotional, the people visibly responsive, receptive. It shows considerable intelligence and even a sense of humour, but they are still mentally robust, energetic, tenacious, persistent, strong and agile hounds, that also vigilantly guarded.

Temperament/ Behaviour:

Basis of training is welcoming adamant consistency, certainly it is not a breed for beginners. During its training, it cannot do anything by force. The owner needs a knowledgeable of dog´s psychology. Who can always behave consistently it possesses natural authority and has specific behavioural characteristics i.e. the dog understanding. Because it is a brave dog, confident and independent that it can hunt large animals that is way it must decide itself. Trainer can never expect to recover the absolute slavish obedience.

To owners and other family members are loyal but to strangers is reserved, dog must make the friendship itself. If necessary, it is also an excellent defender. It does not look for conflicts with other dogs , but when it is attacked, it is fighting  hard and bravely, the enemy will never subside.

A good relationship with other animals is necessary to teach this breed effortlessly - the gradual habituation from an early age in socialization. With domestic pets it should never be left alone together, they could provoke their intimacy.

Body:

Medium height, stout and strong Nordic hunting Spitz slightly elongated body frame. Height at withers is ideally , male   57 cm for female  52 cm, tolerance is allowed for both sexes + / -3 cm. Weight of body, male is 25-28 kg , female 17 -20 kg.

The head has in top view a triangular shape. The skull should be wide when viewed from the front or from the side above and slightly arched, broadest between the earlobes. Longitudinal front furrow is barely noticeable; brow ridges are only slightly developed. The frontal slope is steep but rather gradual and gradually into the vault of the skull.

The muzzle is deep and to the nose slightly narrower. Nasal bridge should be flat, broad nose, black coloured. Lips are relatively thin and close fitting to the jaws and teeth. Jaws must be very strong, teeth large and evenly spaced. A tight scissor bite is required.

The zygomatic arches are strong. The eyes should be relatively small, slightly oval in shape, coloured in different shades of brown. It may never be yellow; their expression is alert, full of fire. The earlobes are relatively high, of medium size, pointed at the tops clothing.

The neck is of medium length, muscular, in the neck arched, covered with thick hair, a neck without dewlap. The body has to be clearly visible tap, especially by males. The back should be straight, muscular, short loin, well muscled, croup should be broad, strong, slightly sloping.

The tail is set high, medium length, arched and carried up over the torso bent so that its tip is directed against the back or to one or the other flank. Bobtail is permitted.

The chest should be capacious, rather long and deep so that it reaches approximately the elbows should not be too wide. Zebra must be only moderately rounded. Forechest when viewed from the side clearly visible. The bottom line of the body determines the belly slightly drawn up.

The forelegs are sine burly bone should be straight and parallel. The blades are the same length as the upper arm, forearm slightly longer. Shoulders should be well muscled and quite oblique; shoulder bones are strong, slightly oblique. Elbows pointing straight backwards, must be strong forearms vertical to ground. Pasterns should be moderately long, slightly slanted. Feet should be arched, well-knit toes, rounded and straight. The pads are resilient and their lateral surfaces must be heavily coated.

The hindquarters should be strong and properly muscled, straight and parallel to each other. The thighs should be broad and strongly muscled. Moderately bent knees pointing straight forward, legs are long, muscular. Hocks must be low over the base, clearly bent. The hocks are short, strong and vertical to ground. The feet have to be a little bit longer and flatter than forefeet. Movement is light, powerful and easy.

The top coat is rough, fitting. Neck, back and sides of the rear forelegs and thighs should be longer than elsewhere on the body. The undercoat should be soft, thick. Colour is black, can be dull or slightly brownish (Titian) touch. Most individuals have bounded pure white markings on the head ('baldness'), neck, front chest, abdomen and legs.

All faults from the requirements of the standard must be considered as defects and evaluate exactly according to the seriousness with regard to the health and welfare of the male or female. To negative defects belong to aggression towards people, overshot or undershot jaw, glass (white colour of eyes) eyes, ears or hanging with the leaders ahead banked, other  colour of coat than permitted standard.