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Norwegian Elkhound

friendly / confident / dependable
>>

Average sizes and life
expectancy of the breed.

Height

20.5 inches (male)

19.5 inches (female)

Weight

55 pounds (male)

48 pounds (female)

Life Expectancy

12-15 years

Breed Traits & Characteristics

Affectionate With Family
  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    100% 100%
How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.
Good With Young Children
  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    60% 60%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS
  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    60% 60%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    60% 60%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    40% 40%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    40% 40%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    80% 80%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    80% 80%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    100% 100%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    80% 80%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    80% 80%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    80% 80%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    80% 80%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

  • Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
    80% 80%
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

Affectionate With Family

  • Independent Lovey-Dovey
    100% 100%

How affectionate a breed is likely to be with family members, or other people he knows well. Some breeds can be aloof with everyone but their owner, while other breeds treat everyone they know like their best friend.

Good With Young Children

  • Not Recommended Good With Children
    60% 60%
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

  • Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs
    60% 60%
How generally friendly a breed is towards other dogs. Dogs should always be supervised for interactions and introductions with other dogs, but some breeds are innately more likely to get along with other dogs, both at home and in public.

Shedding Level

  • No Shedding Hair Everywhere
    60% 60%
How much fur and hair you can expect the breed to leave behind. Breeds with high shedding will need to be brushed more frequently, are more likely to trigger certain types of allergies, and are more likely to require more consistent vacuuming and lint-rolling.

Coat Grooming Frequency

  • Monthly Daily
    40% 40%
How frequently a breed requires bathing, brushing, trimming, or other kinds of coat maintenance. Consider how much time, patience, and budget you have for this type of care when looking at the grooming effort needed. All breeds require regular nail trimming.

Drooling Level

  • Less Likely to Drool Always Have a Towel
    40% 40%
How drool-prone a breed tends to be. If you're a neat freak, dogs that can leave ropes of slobber on your arm or big wet spots on your clothes may not be the right choice for you.

Coat Type

Corded
Curly
Double
Hairless
Rough
Silky
Smooth
Wavy
Wiry
Canine coats come in many different types, depending on the breed's purpose. Each coat type comes with different grooming needs, allergen potential, and shedding level. You may also just prefer the look or feel of certain coat types over others when choosing a family pet.

Coat Length

Long
Medium
Short
How long the breed's coat is expected to be. Some long-haired breeds can be trimmed short, but this will require additional upkeep to maintain.

Openness To Strangers

  • Reserved Everyone Is My Best Friend
    80% 80%
How welcoming a breed is likely to be towards strangers. Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around!

Playfulness Level

  • Only When You Want To Play Non-Stop
    80% 80%
How enthusiastic about play a breed is likely to be, even past the age of puppyhood. Some breeds will continue wanting to play tug-of-war or fetch well into their adult years, while others will be happy to just relax on the couch with you most of the time.

Watchdog/Protective Nature

  • What's Mine Is Yours Vigilant
    100% 100%
A breed's tendency to alert you that strangers are around. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. These breeds are likely to warm to strangers who enter the house and are accepted by their family.

Adaptability Level

  • Lives For Routine Highly Adaptable
    80% 80%
How easily a breed handles change. This can include changes in living conditions, noise, weather, daily schedule, and other variations in day-to-day life.

Trainability Level

  • Self-Willed Eager to Please
    80% 80%
How easy it will be to train your dog, and how willing your dog will be to learn new things. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want!

Energy Level

  • Couch Potato High Energy
    80% 80%
The amount of exercise and mental stimulation a breed needs. High energy breeds are ready to go and eager for their next adventure. They'll spend their time running, jumping, and playing throughout the day. Low energy breeds are like couch potatoes - they're happy to simply lay around and snooze.

Barking Level

  • Only To Alert Very Vocal
    80% 80%
How often this breed vocalizes, whether it's with barks or howls. While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some barkless breeds can still be vocal, using other sounds to express themselves.

Mental Stimulation Needs

  • Happy to Lounge Needs a Job or Activity
    80% 80%
How much mental stimulation a breed needs to stay happy and healthy. Purpose-bred dogs can have jobs that require decision-making, problem-solving, concentration, or other qualities, and without the brain exercise they need, they'll create their own projects to keep their minds busy -- and they probably won't be the kind of projects you'd like.

About the Breed

The Norwegian Elkhound is a sturdy spitz breed distinguished by its thick silver-gray coat and regal yet amiable disposition. The sturdy Elkhound is one of Europe’s oldest breeds of canine. They traveled with the Vikings and are depicted in Norse mythology and art. Norwegian Elkhounds are sturdy, short-bodied dogs with shoulders that measure about 20 inches. Their tail tightly curls over their backs, and they have a thick coat of silver-gray hair. A dog built for an honest day’s work will have a deep chest, strong legs, and muscular thighs. The ears are movable and erect, and the eyes are a dark brown color. An Elkhound is a good example of a watchful, loyal dog of the north. Elkhounds are renowned for being excellent friends and sharp watchdogs. Their innate athleticism and eagerness are well-suited for agility and herding competitions. An Elkhound is a trustworthy companion forever, reserved until introductions are made. These powerful, self-assured canines with genuine tender hearts and a touch of hound-like independence.

What To Expect When Caring For a Norwegian Elkhound

Owning a dog is not just a privilege; it’s a responsibility. They depend on us for, at minimum, food and shelter, and deserve much more. When you take a dog into your life, you need to understand the commitment that dog ownership entails.

Health

This breed is generally quite healthy. The typical lifespan of a dog is 12 to 14 years, and the most common causes of death for owners are heart disease or cancer. There have been very few cases of PRA, although they can be linked to imported dogs. There have been some episodes of renal (kidney) difficulties, but this seems to have been pushed out of the breed's current state of health. Although hip dysplasia does occur, by and large dogs who are evaluated usually earn a "good" or "fair" evaluation from OFA, with many rating "excellent."  
Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club:
  • Hip Evaluation
  • Ophthalmologist Evaluation

Grooming

A top coat and an undercoat make up the "two-ply" coat of the Norwegian Elkhound. Potential puppy owners are warned by elkhound breeders about the unavoidable: that during shedding season, silver undercoat "tumbleweeds" will roll throughout their home. Although not as much as the undercoat, the outer coat will also shed. You can control the fur storm using a slicker brush. For the majority of the year, the issue can be resolved with five minutes per day of "back-brushing," which involves brushing against the direction that the coat lies. The coat will remain gorgeous with daily upkeep of just two minutes at other times, and your vacuum will be given new life! Due to their rough pelt, elkhounds do not smell like dogs. The family pet will benefit greatly from a wash two to three times each year, which will aid in the shed of its dead coat and the growth of new, healthy hair.

Exercise

In their native Norway, these dogs are used for hunting. They must be able to trot several miles for several days if necessary as they trail and follow moose that are well ahead of the hunter. They are independent and lovers of the woods and their freedom because they must make their own judgments when hunting and because of the way they hunt. Owners of Norwegian Elkhounds should avoid the urge to let them run loose in the neighborhood or a park when they are out for a walk. The breed is naturally inclined to explore and investigate the world. The majority adore swimming (a necessary moose-trailing sport), and many take agility and herding contests very seriously.  

Training

In the obedience ring, this breed typically does not excel. Being extremely intelligent, the Elkhound picks things up rapidly, however after learning something, it starts to seem like we've done it 12 times already.'This breed's autonomous character, which was influenced by its hunting traits, presents another challenge to teaching them for activities. They have excellent hygiene and respond fast to housebreaking that has been properly addressed.  

Nutrition

The Norwegian Elkhound should thrive on premium dog food, whether it is produced commercially or is made at home under the guidance and agreement of your veterinarian. Whatever the dog's age (puppy, adult, or senior), the diet should be suitable. The majority of elkhounds are 'food hounds,' not fussy eaters, and will make sorrowful looks to make their owners feel weak so they will give them as many treats as possible. Watching the Elkhound while they eat is essential to determining whether they are at a healthy weight. When they eat, the region directly behind the end of the ribcage ought to sink in. When the dog trots, he may roll over on his back or sides, which is another sign of obesity. Discover which foods fit the bill for canine consumption and which don't. If you have any worries about your dog's weight or diet, consult your veterinarian. Fresh water that is clean should always be accessible.

History

The Norwegian Elkhound has endured more than six millennia with all of his Nordic characteristics intact, a fearless and amiable dog who is devoted to humankind. He was a shipmate of the Vikings, keeper of remote farms, herder of flocks and defender from wolves and bears, and occasional hauler and hunter.

The Elkhound is significant in Norse myth and history. His skeleton was discovered in the Viste Cave at Jaeren, in western Norway, among the stone tools in a stratum dating from 4000 to 5000 b.c. He is mentioned in the epic sagas of ancient times, and we can see his remains next to his Viking master along with the Viking’s sword and shield, demonstrating the high regard in which he was held. One of the many frequently reported myths about the breed is that an Elkhound was crowned king in the country of Throndhjem in the 12th century.

The name Elkhound honors the breed’s long-standing prey, the enormous elk or moose. Elkhounds were experts at tracking these majestic and dangerous animals’ scent trails over great distances, holding them at bay while avoiding assault, and holding them off until the trailing hunters arrived. Elkhounds don’t resemble the sleek-coated, droopy-eared scenthounds that evolved in warmer climates, but they are nevertheless considered hounds since they trail and hold warm-blooded prey.