Karelian bear dogs are guardians of the wild
Danny and Erika Burleigh, of Superior, show off their Karelian bear dogs. Hunters of big game such as elk and bear preferred them in Finland, but here they primarily protect people from large animals, including bears and mountain lions. (Monte Turner/Mineral Independent)
They are one of the top 10 most popular dogs in Finland and their popularity is growing in the United States.
It’s very likely you’ve heard of them, or at least of what they do.
The Karelian bear dog was bread for hunting bears, wolves and moose but came
into the limelight in the U.S. for fending off large predators.
“We sold two of them to a family in Troy, Montana,” said Superior resident Danny Burleigh. “A cougar came close enough to snatch their small dog! In a flash, their two Karelians took off after it. They came back a bit later with the little dog trailing after them. They said they are constantly on watch over all their pets and livestock,” Burleigh said.
He and his wife, Erika, purchased their first Karelian in 2007 when they lived up Petty Creek. It was a female pup that was easy to train and good to their chickens and rabbits.
“People kept admiring her and asked where they could get one. We decided to get a male and began to sell her puppies,” Erika said.
The beauty of their service-work is what they do when trained to intimidate or defend against big critters.
“When a Karelian is faced with a bear or wild animal they do not attack. They get the attention of the predator and move it away from their owner. A
single attack dog would attack the predator and most likely get killed.
“The Karelian constantly worries the predator by bothering it by coming at it and dodging and charging. It keeps up this maneuvering until the beast gives up and leaves the vicinity and then they follow until they believe their masters are safe when they come back to their duty as guard dogs,” Danny said. Being outdoorsy folks, the Burleighs had more in mind than having a new family member, but they do make wonderful companions.
“We got our first Karelian for a pet and protector for hiking in the wilds. When off leash they constantly circle their master keeping them in sight. Sometimes you may not even see them, but they are keeping you in sight doing their job,” Erika said.
Florence, Montana is home to the Wind River Bear Institute and since 1996, they have been successful using their Karelians in working with black bears, grizzly bears and polar bears.
Sending their teams to troubled areas by or training handlers from worldwide locations, they have saved the lives of many animals who otherwise would have needlessly been destroyed.