Norwegian Elkhound
Description
Being an ancient breed of over a thousand years old, the
Norwegian Elkhound has been by man's side since the time he hunted with
slingshots and was used in Scandinavia as a hunter of big game,
especially Elk and Moose and other game such as badger, lynx, mountain
lion, bear, wolf, reindeer and even rabbit. Some of their other amazing
talents include: hunting, tracking, herding, watchdog, guarding,
sledding and agility.
Temperament
The fearless and friendly Norwegian Elkhound will greet
family and friends it knows with enthusiasm and affection however, can
be somewhat reserved with strangers. They are affectionate, loyal,
engaging and sensitive and have a clean, docile and outstanding
character. Having a strong mind of its own this dog is fairly
independent and you may find it somewhat resistant to obedience
training. It will be important to be firm with this dog but at the same
time to show affection and be fair as this dog can be upset for a long
time if punished unfairly, and will let you know how it feels. They are
normally good with non-canine pets and because of their background some
Norwegian Elkhounds may bark a great deal but can be easily trained not
to bark.
Appearance
Height: 46-53cm
(18-21in)
Weight: 18-27kg
(40-60lb)
The Norwegian Elkhound is a medium-sized
Spitz-type dog which is hardy, sturdy and squarely built with the
stamina to hunt all day long for days at a time. Their double coat is of
a distinctive grey colour with a lighter undercoat and undersides and
their muzzle, ears and tail tip are black. With strong jaws and a head
that is broad and wedge shaped it has a defined stop. Their pointed
prick ears are very mobile and they have eyes which are dark brown
displaying a keen, friendly expression. The body is relatively short and
most of the length should be in the ribcage and their tail is rolled
tightly over their back. The forelegs are straight and parallel to each
other and their paws are thick padded and small and tight.
Grooming
These dogs have a hard, coarse, weatherproof coat which is
relatively easy to groom. With regular brushing, extra care should be
given while the dog is seasonally shedding its dense, heavy undercoat as
the dead hair will tend to cling to the new hair. Ideally the dead hair
should be removed with a rubber brush or a wooden comb with a double row
of metal teeth and brushes and combs designed just for this purpose are
sold in pet and dog grooming stores. It is recommended to bath only when
necessary; otherwise the natural oils in the skin will be removed
causing dry and irritated skin. Like other Arctic dogs their coat is
both water and dirt resistant and they do not have the usual doggy odour.
Life Expectancy
10-16 Years
Health Concerns
Because of past
careful
breeding, Norwegian Elkhounds do not suffer from any specific hereditary
conditions. They may be prone to being overweight but with careful
monitoring of their diet this will not be a problem.
Suitability
Being reliable,
energetic and alert they make great family pets and sensible guard dogs.
Apartment living will be okay if the dog is sufficiently exercised. The
Elkhound is fairly active indoors and does prefer a yard. Preferring the
cooler climates the Norwegian Elkhound is a very energetic dog and
thrives on lots of strenuous activity. They require daily, long, brisk
walks or for those energetic owners, jogs for at least an hour. They
will even enjoy running beside your bike, but keep in mind that these
dogs like to roam, so beware if it picks up an interesting scent, it may
ignore you when you call it and just keep following its nose instead.
Norwegian Elkhound -
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