STANDARDS:
HEAD: When viewed from the front triangular in shape.
MUZZLE: The bridge is straight, the point where the muzzle joins the skull is relatively high, the muzzle is well filled in under the eyes and little tapering.
EARS: Strongly erect, of medium size, triangular in shape, and set at the outer edge but not too low. The ears are slightly rounded at the tips and wide at the base.
LIPS: Black and Tightly closed.
EYES: Slightly oval, Small, brown in color can be of different shades,
NECK: is of moderate length, muscular, arched and covered with thick hair.
BACK: Straight.
CHEEKS: Are well developed
FEET: Are medium size, round in shape, well-knuckled up, with thick strong pads. The hind feet are somewhat longer and flatter than the front feet.
COAT: Of medium length, with the hair on the neck, back and buttocks slightly longer, and the hair on the head, legs, and ears slightly shorter.
FAULTS:
HEAD: Skull too flat or too highly arched; skull too narrow.
MUZZLE: Too short, too long or too narrow.
EYES: Yellow eyes, wall eye.
BACK: Pronounced tuck-up.
EARS: Drop ear, ears with bent tips, narrow ear; pointed tips; ears placed too high or too far apart.
NECK: Loose skin; insufficient coat on the neck.
FEET: Splayed toes; thin pads.
COAT: Curly or wavy coat; lock of undercoat.
COLOR: Any color other than black and white.
HIGHT & WEIGHT: Obese, Over standard height or dogs under standard height should be severely penalized.
TAIL: Straight tail: hairless tail: sickle tail: double-curled tail or tail curled so tightly that a chicken egg will not bass through its center.
HINDQUARTERS: Insufficient angulation at stifle or hock; cowhocks.
TEETH: Level bite.
DIQUALIFICATIONS: Unilateral or bilateral cryptochid. Viciousness or marked shyness. Overshot or undershot bite.
NOTE: Karelian Bear Dogs are not to be penalized for dog aggression as it is a normal characteristic for the breed. Handlers, however, may be penalized for failure to properly control their dogs.