The
Norwegian Elkhound is a hardy, medium-sized
Spitz-type dog, sturdy and squarely built
with the stamina to hunt all day long for
days at a time. The stand-off double
coat has a distinctive gray color with a
lighter undercoat and undersides. The muzzle,
ears and tail tip are black. The head is
broad and wedge- shaped with a defined stop.
It has strong jaws. The pointed prick ears
are very mobile. The eyes are dark brown
and friendly with a keen, friendly expression.
The teeth should meet in a scissors bite.
The tail is rolled tightly over its back.
The body is relatively short and most
of the length should be in the ribcage.
The chest should be deep and relatively
wide. The forelegs are straight and parallel
to each other. The paws are small and tight
with thick pads. The Norwegian Elkhound
has no doggie odor. (There is also a black
Elkhound that is recognized as a separate
breed, but little is known about this dog
outside of its native Norway.)
Temperament
The
Norwegian Elkhound is fearless and friendly.
Although some may be somewhat reserved with
strangers, it will greet family and friends
it knows with enthusiasm. They are reliable,
energetic and alert companions for children
and make sensible guard dogs. It is clean
and docile with an outstanding character.
They are affectionate and loyal, engaging
and sensitive. Like other Arctic dogs, the
Norwegian Elkhound has a mind of its own
and is fairly independent. It may be somewhat
resistant to obedience training. It is important
to be firm with this dog but show affection
as well. Puppies need firm but gentle discipline.
Be fair when training this breed. You can
upset the dog for a long time by punishing
it unfairly, and it will let you know how
it feels. They have been bred to hold prey
at bay, barking constantly until the hunter
arrives. Some Norwegian Elkhounds bark a
great deal. They also have a tendency to
roam. It is best to pair sled dogs in teams
of one male and one female, as males have
a tendency to fight if harnessed together.
They may also be aggressive with same sex
dogs in the household, but this tends to
be the exception rather then the rule. Some
sources say Elkhounds are usually good with
non-canine pets, others say they shouldn't be
trusted so use caution.
Prone
to hip dysplasia, pyotraumatic dermatitis
and PRA. Occasionally seen is Fanconi syndrome.
Do not over feed this breed as it tends
to gain weight quickly.
Living
Conditions
The
Norwegian Elkhound will be okay in an apartment
if it is sufficiently exercised. It is fairly
active indoors and does best with at least
a large yard. Elkhounds prefer cool climates.
Exercise
The
Norwegian Elkhound is a very energetic dog
that thrives on strenuous activity. They
need to be taken on a daily, long, brisk
walk or jog. It should have at least
an hour of exercise a day. It will enjoy
a running beside your bike or a really good
run in the woods, but remember that these
dogs like to roam. If it picks up an interesting
scent, it may ignore you when you call it.
Life
Expectancy
About
12-15 years.
Grooming
The
hard, coarse, weatherproof coat is easy
to groom. It should be brushed regularly,
with extra care given while the dog is shedding
its dense undercoat. When the dog is shedding,
the dead hair clings to the new hair. The
dead hair should be removed with a rubber
brush or a wooden comb with a double row
of metal teeth. Brushes and combs just for
this purpose are sold in pet stores. Bathe
only when necessary, as it removes the natural
oils in the skin. Like other Arctic dogs,
they do not have the usual smell of dog
hair. The coat is both water and dirt resistant.
This breed is a seasonally heavy shedder.
Origin
One
of the most ancient breeds, it is thousands
of years old. These dogs have been by man's
side since the time he hunted with slingshots.
A skeleton similar to today's Norwegian
Elkhound has been found dating from 4000
to 5000 BC. Historically, the dog was used
in Scandinavia as a hunter of big game,
especially moose ("Elg" in Norwegian) and
elk. The dog can scent game from a distance
of several Kilometers. He tracks the quarry
and attracts its attention by barking. Then
he holds the animal at bay until the hunter
arrives to make the kill. Over the centuries,
Elkhounds have also successfully hunted
badger, lynx, mountain lion, bear, wolf,
reindeer, elk and even rabbit. The Elkhounds
is particularly well-suited to badger hunting
since he works better at night than in the
daytime. It is also highly prized as a sled
dog. In case of war, the Norwegian Defense
Minister has the power to mobilize all privately
owned Elkhounds. In more recent times, the
friendly and reliable character of the Elkhound
has helped win him a place in many homes
as a cherished family pet. The breed was
first exhibited in 1877 when the Norwegian
Hunters Association began holding shows.
In 1923, the Elkhound Club was formed and
the breed was officially recognized by the
British Kennel Club. The Norwegian Elkhound
Association of America was recognized by
the AKC in about 1930. Some of the Elkhound's
talents include: hunting, tracking, herding,
watchdogging, guarding, sledding, and agility.
