Bear Dogs
Bear dogs are probably not actually part bear, but it's hard to tell. These huge, fluffy mastiffs were bred in the Northwoods to protect and work beside their masters.
Basic Information
Biological Traits
Bear dogs are long-lived by canine standards and frequently live for twenty to thirty years, though the high end of that range is rare. They can get very large: up to four feet at the shoulders, and a correspondingly impressive mass of muscle and fat stores.
There is no particular dimorphism between sexes. Both have warm, thick coats, floppy ears, strong protective instincts, and enormous paws. They are most commonly dark brown, but lighter brown, and black are both also possible. Some dogs have patches of all three colors, most commonly on their face, neck, and haunches.Ecology and Habitats
With their dense, two-layered coat, bear dogs are best suited for a cold environment, and do not do well in the south.
Dietary Needs and Habits
Bear Dogs are happy to eat whatever you have leftover. In fact, are you going to eat that? You're done, right?
Preferences aside, they do best on a high-protein diet with lots of raw meat, organs, and bone.
Additional Information
Uses, Products & Exploitation
Whatever a sapper does for a living, their bear dog is there to help. For children, the dogs are a guardian (and sometimes a mount). For the elderly, the dogs often act as service animals, and are always a source of strength when one's own strength starts to fail.
Geographic Origin and Distribution
Almost exclusively found in the Northwoods, where they are nearly ubiquitous.
Average Intelligence
Bear dogs are fairly intelligent, in a simple and straightforward way. They show no cunning at all, but decent problem solving skills, and exceptional loyalty.
Perception and Sensory Capabilities
Bear dogs are capable, though not extraordinary, trackers. They are particularly attuned to their master and family, and have been said to find lost children miles from home in white-out blizzards. They also seem to be able to tell when their master is sick, even before other symptoms appear. At the least, they are able to sense lycanthropy, and will react strongly to it.
They are built to pull carts, hunt beside their master, and generally work all day, frequently in cold weather. They are not fast, but they are definitely happier on the move than they are at rest.
Dog Sense
A common saying in the Northwoods is "if my dog doesn't trust you, I don't trust you," and it tends to taken quite literally. This certainly contributes to the ostricization of werewolves, as bear dogs almost universally see them as a threat.
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