This article will let you know an amazing fact about dogs: some dogs are strong enough to fight and in fact kill bears! So what dog can kill a bear? Let’s find out!
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Bears are one of the most powerful predators in the world. They are very strong and can kill any animal, or even a human, in a single blow. Most animals cannot match their strength, but sometimes, certain breeds of dogs haven’t only chased, but even killed a bear.
Dogs have evolved from gray wolves, one of the most dangerous predators in the wild. Thus, a dog’s instinct is to hunt and kill its prey. However, due to years of urbanization and domestication, most dogs have forgotten their original nature.
Even today, breeds like Tibetan Mastiff, Karelian Bear, Wolf dog, Alaskan Malamute, Rottweiler, Akbash dogs, etc can kill their ancestors and other animals. So, what dogs can kill a bear, you may ask? There are many of them, and we have made a long list of the 7 breeds that are known to have already done it on occasion. Read on to find out which ones!
Do Bears Eat Dogs?
Apart from the Polar bear, most other bears would likely not eat a dog.
Bears usually avoid encounters with dogs. In the case of black bears, they are perfectly capable of hurting, even killing a dog or any other animal. Black bears can also kill humans, so they are dangerous, but most bears kill and leave.
They have no interest in eating a dog’s carcass. However, it shouldn’t be accepted as a fact; many bears hurt, kill, and eat dogs, usually when they feel that the dog can hurt its cubs and family.
So, if your pet dog enters a bear’s territory, it might be treated like prey or danger. It can be, thus, quite possible for the bear to eat, but the latter wouldn’t actively move out of its territory to hunt for a dog as food.
Most bears avoid interacting with dogs and instead focus on eating small animals, such as rabbits, raccoons, skunks, etc., but the case is different when talking about polar bears.
The polar bear is one of the giant carnivores out there and wouldn’t think twice before killing and eating a dog. Even young polar bears are known to hunt down animals and humans, usually because they live in a cold and harsh climate where there is a lack of food and comfort.
Most probably, a bear won’t eat a dog, but it cannot be applied to every situation.
Are Bears Afraid of Dogs?
They may not be afraid, but they like to be left alone.
Bears are shy and sensitive creatures who do not like getting out of their comfort zone. Thus, they do not like interacting with dogs and usually avoid them.
It is pretty unlikely for a bear to approach a ground guarded by a barking dog. In recent times, humans have appreciated the idea of keeping a trained dog to keep bears away from their property – better than hunting one, isn’t it?
So, no, bears are not afraid of dogs, but they do not share any sympathy with them either. They do not like to be chased by a dog since it is likely that they will remember the event and feel disturbed by it.
Sometimes, the bear can lose it and run after the dog, especially if the threat is hanging over its cubs. So, a dog owner needs to be careful about sending his furry friend after a wild bear.
What Dog Can Kill a Bear?
There are several areas in America where people still live near nature and use dogs to protect them from wild animals, including bears.So, what dog can kill a bear? Some of the most dangerous and, thus, best dogs to kill a bear include the following.
Akbash
A native Turkish Guard dog, a typical Akbash, is quite muscular and tall. Akbash are also smart and have been known for protecting people and livestock since the 1970s (when they were first introduced to humans). Akbash are shepherd dogs loyal to their masters and have some of the best qualities of a hunter and a pet.
History shows that Akbash dogs have successfully protected livestock and humans from the attack of wild animals, including bears, wolves, coyotes, etc. – this explains that Akbash dogs are entirely capable of killing a bear, even today.
Great Pyrénées
The primary purpose of these dogs since the time of their evolution is to protect livestock and chase away wild animals. They are, thus, one of the most dangerous and most muscular dogs on the planet. They originally come from the Great Pyrenees mountain and are primarily found in France and Spain.
Caucasian Mountain Dog
Bred in the mountains of the Caucasus between Europe and Asia, these furry animals are fit to live outdoors and thus, protect the livestock by chasing, and if needed, attacking wild animals.
The temperament of this breed can vary from being extremely calm and friendly to dangerously ferocious and unmanageable, especially when they can sense that their owner or family is in danger.
Not many people know that the bite of a Caucasian mountain dog is more potent than that of a lion, which makes it quite dangerous to other animals.
It has jaw-dropping aggression, and though there aren’t many incidents of a dog killing a bear, it is entirely possible due to this breed’s superhuman strength and muscular body.
However, this dog’s intense barking and growling are enough to chase a bear away simply because the latter avoids getting into a fight that might not end in his favor.
Pit Bull
If we throw some light on the history of wild animals being attacked by dogs, the Pit Bull takes the cake. As per statistics, Pit Bulls hold the highest number of attacks done to wild animals in America.
The dog is so dangerous that it has also been banned in many countries because it has killed more than 200 humans in 13 years, followed by Rottweiler and German Shepherd. Pit Bull is also used for death fights, and so, it is dangerous enough to kill a bear.
Alaskan Malamute
A giant dog breed, Alaskan Malamute, is primarily used for loading heavy loads. They are pretty significant and quickly chase away wild animals to protect their owners and family. Thus, it is not surprising to know that Alaskan Malamute has the natural ability to hunt predators, including wolves and bears.
Wolf dog
These dogs are the result of mixing wolves with domesticated dogs and have acquired the ability to keep their instincts safe and ready whenever needed. They are also quite sensitive and carry guarding skills; they are primarily used for guarding and protecting their owners, which also involves chasing away wild animals and predators.
Karelian Bear Dogs
They are not as large as the other dogs but they are unusually fast and brave. Karjalankarhukoira, popularly known as the Karelian bear dog, is a Finnish dog breed and often a national treasure.
The species is referred to so because of the umpteen number of qualities that these dogs have, starting from the flexible body to unusually high speed, quick reflexes, and fearless nature.
Since Karelian bear dogs have quite impressive speed and ability to catch their prey, they are often considered a good match for bears, who can easily outrun dogs. So, yes, when it comes to chasing or killing bears, Karelian bears are our best pick amongst dogs!
Can Karelian Bear Dog Kill a Bear?
Yes, Karelian bear dogs are so named because they can, in fact, kill bears.
Karelians can kill a bear since they are extraordinary at chasing other animals. Since bears run faster than dogs, it can be difficult for other breeds to catch one, let alone kill it. The case is different with Karelian bear dogs since they can almost match the running speed of an average bear.
In the old times, they were primarily used for hunting not only small animals, like rabbits and squirrels but also big predators like wolves and bears. Thus, it is expected from this breed to not only chase bears but also protect their owners from its attack.
In simple words, Karelian bear dogs can kill a bear, but usually, they end up barking or growling at the bear until it runs away or disappears in the woods. Thus, Karelian bear dogs are powerful vigilantes naturally aggressive to other animals and quite lovable towards their owners and their families.
In the present day, the dogs of the Karelian breed can be found at Glacier and Yosemite National Parks under the Fish and Wildlife department of Washington state.
A Few Final Words
In a nutshell, dogs can kill bears, but usually, the job is done by a pack of 4 or 5. In other words, it takes more than one average dog to kill a bear, depending on the urgency and condition of the situation.
There are also instances where dogs have single-handedly killed or chased a bear, but that doesn’t mean it will happen every time. So, if you have a furry friend who belongs to the category of ‘dangerous’ dogs, do not let it chase a bear alone because the result can be devastating for you.
Thank you for reading, we hope we have given you the information that you were seeking.Did you know that even domestic dogs can sometimes survive in the wild? Some of them can also kill a deer! Dogs are astonishing, aren’t they?