Karelian Bear Dog is a tough hunting breed. The Finnish Spitz Club characterizes the Finnish KBD as a hunting spitz mainly used for hunting moose and bear. It holds the game at bay. They can also be used for small game hunting, e.g. marten and raccoon dog. Some individuals will even fetch waterfowl. Karelian Bear Dog is a persistent and courageous breed. It is also very self-confident, and it may be aggressive towards other dogs, but never towards people.

The Karelian Bear Dog is very independent, yet it works co-operatively with his master, marking the game animal by intensive bark. An experienced hunter will know what animal the dog is barking at by the sound of the bark.

Karelian Bear Dog has a very keen sense of smell and a very good sense of direction. It searches the game animals from wide area. It can work as well in difficult terrains as under all types of weather conditions. Water and high snow do not restrain Karelian Bear Dog from hunting.

With a Karelian Bear Dog, you can compete in several types of working trials and even do agility. Common types of working trials for the Karelian Bear Dog include moose hunting trials, bear hunting trials and bear instinct trials. Karelian Bear Dogs can also participate in hunting trail trials, where the trail is laid with fresh blood to mimic a trail of a wounded animal ("blood tracking"). Karelian Bear Dogs can also be trained for and compete in obedience trials, search & rescue trials, and sled dog trials.