As far as I know, there is only one kennel in America that produces pure REL, and they are in Alaska. They actually breed pure REL, KBD, and mixes but their mixes are called "Alaskan Bear Dogs" and registered under that name in the UKC. That kennel also is a purely working kennel, she hunts her dogs on moose, bear, and cat. Link: http://www.bearunoffkennels.com
**It looks like she may not be mixing or breeding REL anymore; she may only be breeding KBD. Its been years since I spoke to her, Susan is super cool tho.
wow, that norrbottenspets pups looks tiny up against the moose. We have run into a young buck and his mom a couple times when walking on our road. Inu looks on and keeps his mouth shut. I stare in awe for a few seconds, then hauled away so not to get stomped to death.
Yeah moose are pretty big, huh? An angry moose is scary even if you are in a car! They've killed dogs before in alaska, and even people....(when I still lived in AK a guy got stomped to death on the Univ. of Alaska campus in Anchorage). anyway, cool dogs!
Moose has killed a human? Wow, your mooses have to be really big then. In Finland elks kill people only in car accidents. Tho, there is a difference between European elk and American elk. Our elk is called elk and American is called moose.
If you really want to know true info from Karelians and Laikas, I can ask it in Finnish spitz forum. Karelians are fantastic hunting dogs ( I have heard one chasing a bear 16 hours) even though Jämthund is coming more popular.
After hearing about these mixes some breeders have done, I now understand why Japanese breeders aren't so keen selling their puppies abroad. It's make me really sad that one of our greatest national dog breed has been ruin.
Here is few videos which I found where Karelian is hunting.
Here is video where Jämthund is on bark with elk ( I really don't know the real English counterpart for this Finnish word). In Finland we say that the elk is on dog's bark and I don't know do you have any specific word for that.
I love the dog's eye view one...like the camera is attached to the dog's collar?
Man that JRT was lucky it didn't get killed....
I was curious about the difference in moose size as at always puzzled me....when I was younger and found out that Norwegian elkhounds (I had a great elkhound as a teenager) actually hunted what we call moose, I was astounded that such small dogs would be used. Now it may or may not matter anyway if they are trying to hold the animal at bay, but it was a long time before I understood the moose I grew up with were much larger. (here's a link on moose size: http://www.smouse.force9.co.uk/facts.htm It's a UK site, but it lists sizes for different types of moose).
Gen, you should absolutely go bow hunting for moose if you ever get the chance. I had a friend in Alaska who did, and he said it was amazing....
anyway, really cool to see these dogs work.
eta: forgot to say the Jamthund was really cool....I guess they are similar to the Norwegian Elkhounds? My elkhound had a crazy prey drive, and, like a Shiba, could catch almost any kind of small game. And she went crazy when she saw moose
@MirkaM - I think the term we use in the US is "baying". When a dog is in a bark-and-hold with wild game you would say the dog is "baying" the moose (or whatever).
@shibamistress I think the dog is wearing the camera vest. Norwegians are smaller and sturdier than Jämts. But I can't say anything about their character. I have only met very friendly and social Norwegians and Jämts. My mum had Norwegian elkhound when I was a baby. What I have heard, she was the most friendliest dog ever. Well, I think photos tell everything... I have tried to ride with her and feed her grass. Poor dog
And thanks Brad. I have been thinking the English version whole evening.
But I think it is so amazing that we have people from different parts of the world that can share information and different perspectives like this on dogs, moose, or whatever.
As for the dogs... KBD's are pretty fascinating... However, I am with Brad, I would rather have an REL, and have actually thought about looking into getting one at some (distant) point in the future.
So I called and talked to Anna, (Grawpaws) about Karelians being dog aggressive or quarrelsome with other dogs(in or outside their homes). She is originally from Finland and grew up with Karelains. She said that it is “stupid, ludicrous, and crazy.” She had many of her puppies go to homes with multiple dogs ranging from seeing eye dogs to toy pups. She seemed very concerned about this because she wanted to connect me with people who already have her pups in multiple dog homes. She did say that it is important to socialize them vigilantly once they get home. That the benefits of a puppy class/socialization at 8/9 weeks out weighs the health risk. (when precautions taken) She agreed naturally a Karelian kept out in the rural with no contact with other dogs would be protective and aggressive if an encounter ensued. This is normal for many dogs.
I think that there is too much hype being spread around on Karelians being very or extra aggressive, especially by certain breeders or uninformed individuals. Maybe to deter certain people, I don't know.
@brada1878 You're going to end up with Laika dogs someday. Let's be serious! Whether they're KBDs, RELs or WSLs, you're going to get into Laikas. I'm a little surprised that I can't find more KBD enthusiasts online. I know there's a facebook group, but nobody on there hunts or works their dogs seriously. Kind of disappointing for me.
You have to start taking Finnish lessons . Then you have plenty of people who is hunting with their Karelians.
Well, I have to say that if I had to choose from Karelians and Laikas, I would definitely choose Karelian. Laikas I have met have been more aggressive towards other dogs than Karelians.
I am a native English speaker. Apologies if it sounded accusatory. I know that having lots of dogs doesn't constitute hoarding. I was wondering how it would be different. I guess I was taking it from the perspective of the uninformed who can confuse a responsible owner of many dogs with the same thing of an irresponsible one.
A hoarder is someone with a degree of mental instability who continues collecting animals despite the fact that they cannot properly provide food, water, vet care and clean living conditions.
A responsible owner or caretaker provides all of those things to the animals.
I posted this thinking you were asking again what the difference was, der..
Comments
**It looks like she may not be mixing or breeding REL anymore; she may only be breeding KBD. Its been years since I spoke to her, Susan is super cool tho.
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If you really want to know true info from Karelians and Laikas, I can ask it in Finnish spitz forum. Karelians are fantastic hunting dogs ( I have heard one chasing a bear 16 hours) even though Jämthund is coming more popular.
After hearing about these mixes some breeders have done, I now understand why Japanese breeders aren't so keen selling their puppies abroad. It's make me really sad that one of our greatest national dog breed has been ruin.
Here is few videos which I found where Karelian is hunting.
This is my favorite:
Here is also a link for one KBD breeder who has more videos http://kkarhukoira.suntuubi.com/?cat=17.
I thought this was kinda funny, only a JRT.....
Yeah, Alaskan Moose are the biggest, we have Shiras moose around here that are smaller, but big enough for me to be plenty scared.
Man that JRT was lucky it didn't get killed....
I was curious about the difference in moose size as at always puzzled me....when I was younger and found out that Norwegian elkhounds (I had a great elkhound as a teenager) actually hunted what we call moose, I was astounded that such small dogs would be used. Now it may or may not matter anyway if they are trying to hold the animal at bay, but it was a long time before I understood the moose I grew up with were much larger. (here's a link on moose size: http://www.smouse.force9.co.uk/facts.htm It's a UK site, but it lists sizes for different types of moose).
Gen, you should absolutely go bow hunting for moose if you ever get the chance. I had a friend in Alaska who did, and he said it was amazing....
anyway, really cool to see these dogs work.
eta: forgot to say the Jamthund was really cool....I guess they are similar to the Norwegian Elkhounds? My elkhound had a crazy prey drive, and, like a Shiba, could catch almost any kind of small game. And she went crazy when she saw moose
----
And thanks Brad. I have been thinking the English version whole evening.
But I think it is so amazing that we have people from different parts of the world that can share information and different perspectives like this on dogs, moose, or whatever.
As for the dogs... KBD's are pretty fascinating... However, I am with Brad, I would rather have an REL, and have actually thought about looking into getting one at some (distant) point in the future.
I think that there is too much hype being spread around on Karelians being very or extra aggressive, especially by certain breeders or uninformed individuals. Maybe to deter certain people, I don't know.
Ilo is a clown
puppy cuteness
You're going to end up with Laika dogs someday. Let's be serious! Whether they're KBDs, RELs or WSLs, you're going to get into Laikas.
I'm a little surprised that I can't find more KBD enthusiasts online. I know there's a facebook group, but nobody on there hunts or works their dogs seriously. Kind of disappointing for me.
Well, I have to say that if I had to choose from Karelians and Laikas, I would definitely choose Karelian. Laikas I have met have been more aggressive towards other dogs than Karelians.
A responsible owner or caretaker provides all of those things to the animals.
I posted this thinking you were asking again what the difference was, der..