Karelian Bear Dog

[shedkid]

Meet Riker!Going to use him for bear conflict running off problem bears!Lots of training ahead.

[h20hunter]

Good looking dog......how do they do for pets?

[Old Dog]

I had the pleasure of meeting Mishka (sp) a couple of times.  She is a really sweet dog, but she sheds A LOT.  Bruce Richards is her handler. 

[shedkid]

There driven to hunt and they have to be trained very well but once there trained they make good family dogs....old dog i have met Mishka a couple of times along with 5/6 wdfw dogs

[bare.hunter]

there was a guy in Oregon that hunted with two karelians and one hound and caught a lot of bear for the Korean community.

[bearbaito6]

there was a guy in Oregon that hunted with two karelians and one hound and caught a lot of bear for the Korean community.

So he had a hound that caught a lot of bear by itself

[Knocker of rocks]

For those of us with neck problems

[shedkid]

Isnt illegal to hunt bear/cat in wa?Or r u special?Educate yourself about the breed, I might try it fir a shed dog. I have talked to many owners of kbd's and they all said that there the smartest and fastest learning dog.

[shedkid]

Thanks! knocker of rocks

[Knocker of rocks]

I've met Officer Colton (Bear dog with the WDFW) several times, and his brother too.  They're great dogs

[cohoho]

If I ever get another dog - this is this breed that I want!  I really like them, friend that lived in rural AK had one.  It was the perfect hiking/camping companion, super smart and not willing to back down from anything...  Not a barker till something actually was there...  Awesome looking pup you got...  Where did you get him/her from?

[shedkid]

I got him in kettle falls

[KFhunter]

Shoulda went to Riggins ID and got some of these

http://spokane.craigslist.org/for/4225391705.html

[quadrafire]

I haven't read up on them lately but from some of my encounters 10 + years ago I thought many of them were aggressive towards people. Hopefully this is a different line

[shedkid]

Never seen them agressive towards people usually calm unless there is danger or they're not sure of something

[boneaddict]

I don't know anything about the breed.  Very interested to know more.   Looks like a nice looking pup.

[Bob33]

"They are silent but tenacious hunters and alert only when they have the prey at bay. They will keep prey cornered there by barking in a very high, fast bark and running back and forth or around the animal until their handler comes and dispatches it. Karelian Bear Dogs have been known to hold an animal at bay for a very long time. If a bear tries to leave, the dog will nip at it on the backside and aggravate it to keep it from running away."

[Knocker of rocks]

Due to huge budget shortfalls within the agency, the Karelian Bear Dogs are funded solely through private outside sources. These monies are handled and maintained in a separate account specifically for the care, upkeep and training of the KBDs. If enough funds are generated, we will be expanding our KBD program throughout the state to assist and help officers in each of our six Regions.
http://wdfw.wa.gov/enforcement/kbd/index.html

[MountainWalk]

Thats a fine looking dog. I sure miss having a dog. I've mostly pwned plotts and pits, but I sure would not mind owning a russian bear dog.   BTW, you know how hard it is to find afree dog?  Even a no name mutt dog?  Seems like everyone thinks their mixed breed dogs are worth a hundred bucks at least.  I want me a dog! Just a plain jane ol dog.   Good luck OP!

[bigtex]

Actually WDFW never provided any funding to acquire or provide upkeep for the WDFW Karelian Bear Dog program. The program has been donation/volunteer based since day one. Generally speaking WDFW Officers spend more money out of their own pocket for the general everyday vet and feeding care then they receive in donation money.

WDFW has received several large donations (one was from SCI) to acquire these dogs.

But again, $0 of WDFW money has ever been spent to acquire or for the "upkeep" of these dogs.