NORWEGIAN ELKHOUND

Temperament: Friendly, Confident, Dependable
Height: 20.5 inches (male), 19.5 inches (female)
Weight: 55 pounds (male), 48 pounds (female)
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
Group: Hound Group 

MORE ABOUT THIS BREED

The gorgeous Norwegian Elkhound dog breed, with their wolf-like face, delights in life. Smart as can be, they also have a wonderful sense of humor. They’ll race you around the kitchen island, reverse directions when you do, and then howl for sheer fun.

Norwegian Elkhounds are strong-willed enough that they can take over a home if they’re allowed half a chance. They love the dominant role, and without proper training and socialization, this can become a problem. Training can be difficult, and they need a firm and consistent owner.

Naturally, they prefer a winter climate with lots of snow to play in. A true adventurer, the Elkhound wants his adventure to occur outdoors. Long daily exercise is a necessity, so if you’re not ready to turn your couch potato ways into those of an outdoorsman, think twice — if you can’t keep up, you’ll soon be met with a house full of destroyed belongings that met their fates as he found ways to expend his endless energy. Not surprisingly, the Elkhound excels at fast-moving performance events such as agility.

Once he’s outside, the Elkhound may see game he just has to track, and he’ll likely choose to ignore your calls for his return. Thanks to their strong prey drive, Elkhounds may even chase their quarry through plate-glass windows; and while they were bred to track but not attack game, they have been known to kill game on their own.

PERSONALITY

The Norwegian Elkhound is a fearless, reliable, energetic and extremely loyal companion. These dogs may be a little reserved around strangers, but they will greet family members and other people they know with gusto.

The Elkhound’s watchdog talents are evident in its tendency to be territorial and to bark more than some other breeds do.

This proud, intelligent, independent yet affectionate animal does best in a family with well-behaved older children or no children at all. Caution is in order with respect to adding a Norwegian elkhound to a family that already has smaller pets; this dog may view the smaller animals as prey.

FEEDING

Recommended daily amount: 2 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.

Note: How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. 

HEALTH

By and large this is a very healthy breed. The average life span is 12–14 years, with most owners losing their dogs due to cancer or heart issues. Negligible incidences of PRA have been found but can be traced to foreign dogs. hip dysplasia occurs, but by and large dogs that are checked usually get a “good” or “fair” evaluation from OFA, with many rating “excellent.” There have been some bouts of renal (kidney) issues, but this seems to have been put out of the breed’s current state of health.

Recommended Health Tests from the National Breed Club:

• Hip Dysplasia

• Ocular Examination

CARE

The Norwegian Elkhound requires daily exercise (breeders recommend 30 minutes twice a day), not only to burn off energy but also to help him maintain a healthy weight. Exceptionally food-motivated, he can become obese (look out for those huge, soulful brown eyes aimed at your dinner), and proper feeding and exercise are required throughout his life.

He does all right in apartments, but he is a barker, so take that into consideration. A home with a fenced yard is more suitable. He could live outside because he’s so hardy, but he’d much rather be indoors with you.

Crate training benefits every dog and is a kind way to ensure that your Elkhound doesn’t have accidents in the house or get into things he shouldn’t. A crate is also a place where he can retreat for a nap. Crate training at a young age will help your Elkhound accept confinement if he ever needs to be boarded or hospitalized.

Never stick your Elkhound in a crate all day long, however. It’s not a jail, and he shouldn’t spend more than a few hours at a time in it except when he’s sleeping at night (if that’s where he sleeps — he’s going to prefer to be in your bed with you). Elkhounds are people dogs, and they aren’t meant to spend their lives locked up in a crate or kennel.

GROOMING

The Norwegian Elkhound has a “two-ply” coat, with a top coat and an undercoat. Elkhound breeders warn potential puppy buyers of the inevitable—that during shedding season they will have “tumbleweeds” of silver undercoat rolling around their house. The outer coat will shed as well, but not to the degree that the undercoat will. A slicker brush will help you keep the fur storm under control. Five minutes a day of “back-brushing” (brushing in the opposite direction to which the coat lies) will take care of the problem for most of the year. Daily maintenance of just two minutes a day at other times will keep the coat beautiful, and will give your vacuum a new lease on life! Elkhounds do not have a doggy smell, due to the harshness of the coat. A bath two to three times a year for the family pet is perfect and helps the dead coat to fall out and new, healthy hair to grow in.

SOME PICTURES ABOUT THIS BREED

Source: dogtime, akc, hillspet.