All the fires have moved tons of bears around in Canada and in the US as well. As areas burn, animals move. Food sources change for animals as it’s new territory. When folks hike in regions that have not burnt but have a whole bunch of new migrant animals the encounters go up. Bear encounters are in that category.

Old breeders and woodsman for centuries have known that when that occurs and your traveling in those regions having a bear dog with you is incredibly valuable. Most people don’t understand the importance of a bear dog. In fact, most don’t even know what it actually is or does. My goal is education on this important subject. Tragic circumstances arise without proper knowledge.

Norwegian Elkhounds and Swedish Elkhounds are two of the oldest known bear dogs. Other breeds that are descendants of one of these such as the Karelian are also well known as bear dogs.

In order to have some awareness when hiking of what is around you, and specifically I am talking about when bear are around you, you need a dog. Otherwise the chance of being in close proximity before knowing of the presence is high. A working Norwegian Elkhound or “Jamthund” scouts around you, always aware and scenting for what is close. They actually will alert you long before you know anything that something is right there.

Bear dogs are fearless, that does not mean they directly rush into a conflict with bears, it’s the opposite really, they simply stand the ground and don’t raise a conflict. Much better. They will come between you and bear and diffuse the situation. Allow you time to move away, slow things down, divert the aggression if there is some.

Normally bears will move off, it’s only when you surprise them to catch them off guard they would provoke or initiate aggression. The working Norwegian or Swedish Elkhound dogs would be able to divert this.

The big key for all folks when hiking is not bear spray, how foolish really. The bear should never have gotten close enough that you can spray it, I am amazed at how folks fall for this nonsense. A good working Elkhound like our lines would have told you about the bear long before, and if it should so happen to be finding it right close, it would come between and move it off. Long before you had the thoughts to get bear spray out.

I have seen bears on hikes so many times and it is always “After” the dogs told me where it was. Always. I never saw it first. All my dogs are exceptional at this. My lines are all full bear lineage working dogs. The very best in the world. It absolutely amazes me to hear stories about hikers who have had misfortunate instances with bears and everyone says, “they were accomplished skilled outdoors people”. No, they were not, or they would have had a bear dog. They spent all their education and effort on backpacks, gadgets, gear, but not on a dog. Sad really.

Personally, I would much rather hike with nothing other than the dog. The gear is absolutely non essential when faced with extreme situations encountered, specifically like bear, or other, the only thing that matters then is the dog.

Anyone hiking the remote terrain of North America and is so doing it without a good working Elkhound is simply foolish, plain and simple.