Россия - медведица.

Недопонимание фразы "русский медведь" возникло из-за того, что "медведь" в русском языке муж.рода, а сам "русский медведь" пришел из английского.


Cartoon shows Potemkin, with sword raised overhead and wearing hussar's uniform, riding Catherine the Great who is dressed as a black bear, they approach George III and his ministers, Pitt, Salisbury, and Thurlow, who are carrying spears, three of which have had their points broken off; behind them stand two bishops.

London : Pubd. by W. Holland, 1791 April 19.