From the Breeder Our goal in breeding is to produce healthy Karelians with the right character, temperament and conformation in line with the breed standard, and to share this wonderful rare breed with loving families that feel as strongly about them as we do. Our puppies are raised in our home, not a kennel. They're part of our family while they're here and in our daily lives. By the time your new family member is ready for their new home, they usually know how to "sit", we've also worked on "down", and they are generally potty trained. Both parents have been health tested, including eyes and hips. All puppies are sold with a full written health guarantee ensuring that each will be free of any genetic health defects and in general good health. They will be identified by a micro-chip prior to going to their new home, be de- wormed and have their first shots. We recommend a health check by your vet within 72 hours of arrival at their new home. Our puppies are available on a very limited basis, and we are very selective about their placement. If you are approved, we try to match our waiting list of puppy families personalities and needs with those of our puppies. We take our responsibility very seriously. It is very important to us that each puppy be placed in the right home environment for them to flourish. We as individuals all have personalities, and so do they. Between the age of 7 and 8 weeks, each puppy will be temperament tested with the help of a professional trainer. It's important that the testing be done by someone unfamiliar with the pups. It's also very interesting for me to observe the puppy's individual reaction to a stranger, and how they follow their direction. The testing is also done in a new and different environment, and their reaction to this also tells alot. This test, along with my observations of the puppies to that point, will guide the placement process into homes, by helping to identify general personality traits. They will be evaluated on sociability, dominance, obedience potential and prey drive. Some of the tests included will be; noise reaction/sound sensitivity, sight sensitivity, touch sensitivity, restraint testing, social dominance, as well as others. The testing helps us to place pups into homes for the best personality match. All adopted families will receive a written copy of their pups testing results. Our puppies will be ready to go to their new homes at the age of 10 weeks. We keep them the extra two week because new research has shown that the period from 8 to 10 weeks of age is critical in their development with respect to socializing with their litter mates and parents. This is the time that they are really learning to be a dog. There is seldom a new home environment that can replicate the time spent with their Mummy, Daddy and litter mates. After all, how many adoptive families have 5 to 7 puppies and parents for them to socialize with? Our contract states, among other things, that if for any reason during it's lifetime one of our puppies is not able to be kept by it's owner, we must be contacted. We will either take the puppy/dog back, or assist in the placement of the puppy/dog into a new home. If this ever were to happen, we would consider it OUR mistake. One of our dogs can NEVER be sold without our approval of the new owner, or placed into a shelter. Please remember, a puppy grows into a dog, and it's care is a lifetime (10-15 +yrs) commitment. Before you decide on a puppy of any breed, whether from us or anyone else, please read the story by author Jim Willis, entitled; HOW COULD YOU?
Before contacting us about a puppy, please make sure the entire family is in agreement about adding a KBD to your family. Also read the following pages on our website. * Karelian Bear Dog Info *Beware of Crosses *Training
* 2 year health guarantee (limited) for genetic health defects * Dew claws removed * Micro-chip * All shots current, de wormed * Vet health check prior to travel * Proof of litter registration with United Kennel Club * Individual registration with the United Kennel Club * Proof of litter recording with AKC FSS * 5 generation pedigree * Temperament/personality testing between 7 and 8 weeks of age (copy of trainer's assessment provided to new family) For more information or to request our questionnaire send an email to Gail at the link below. In your initial inquiry, please tell us something about yourself, and also be prepared to send pictures and/or videos of yourself and the home and environment that the puppy would potentially live in. CONTACT US Gail Rasanen Breeder |
| Scroll down to see some puppy pics! Click on the links to the litters for more puppy pictures and to read about them in their new homes! |
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We are taking an extended break from breeding, and have no litters planned at this time. If you have questions on the KBD and whether it's the right breed for you, please read all of the information on our pages and then I will be happy to answer any further questions you may have. |