Norwegian Elkhound
This is the national dog of Norway. The ancestry of this breed goes back to a subspecies of grey wolf found in central Europe and Russia and now extinct. The Norwegian Elkhound is quite possibly one of the most ancient breeds. In the most inhospitable of temperatures, deep snow, and dense forests this dog has done it all…protector, hunter, and fearless defender. Standing roughly at 20.5 in. and only tipping the scales at around 52 lbs he has been used to hunt moose, wolves, and bear. The Norwegian Elkhound is well suited to his subzero home with a double thick fur coat. The undercoat smooth, and insulating, colored in black at the muzzle, ears, and tail tip; running to sliver gray on its legs and the tightly curled tail. With the guard coat running along the back and tipped in black. The Elkhound is one tough mid sized dog.
Temperment
They bond almost inseparably with their humans and are extremely loyal. The level of devotion they have to their human “pack” make them fantastic family dogs, if given the attention they need. Highly intelligent, independent, and at times a bit rowdy, and playful. The adventurous spirit of this dog make him up for any outdoor activity…the colder out the better. He needs attention to understand his place in the family pack, and is happiest when he is part of it. Ownership of this breed is a lifetime commitment, deserting him can hurt this proud and noble dogs feelings. They can be difficult to train due to the above average intelligence and stubbornness. Owning one of these marvelous dogs requires you to establish dominance.
Grooming/Exercise
The Elkhound requires daily brushing to keep their coat healthy, and to help keep them cool in the summer. Daily brushing also helps to keep the oil glands from becoming plugged. Two 30 min. walks per day is the minimum to help maintain a healthy Elkhound…ideally 2 to 3 hours would be better.
Health
Possible Issues
- Sometimes predisposition to suffer from progressive retinal atrophy
- Hip Dysplasia
- Renal Problems (later in life)
- Cysts (later in life)
- Thyroid Problems (later in life)
Over all a sturdy, healthy breed with a life expectancy of 12 to 16 years.
