Norwegian Elkhound

Norwegian Elkhound showing the standard tightly curled tail

The Norwegian Elkhound is a Spitz-type breed of dog, specifically a member of the scent hound family. The dog is the national dog breed of Norway.

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Appearance

The dog stands about 52 centimetres high and weighs up to 24 kilograms. Its grey coat is made of dense smooth lying hair ranging from black at the muzzle, ears and tip of its tail, to silvery grey on its legs, tail and underbody. Solid black elkhounds are rarer.

History

Archaeological digs in Scandinavia suggest this breed existed and was domesticated in the Stone age. At the end of the 19th century the breed came to England and in 1901 the The Kennel Club officially recognised it.

For many years, the breed was considered one of the oldest dog breeds, going back more than six thousand years. Recent DNA analysis suggests, however, that this breed is actually a recent construction, bred to resemble an older form. 1]

An ideal elkhound has a tightly curled tail, as the dog shown in the photograph on this page. The elkhound is a medium sized dog and extremely hardy. They are bred for hunting large game, such as bear and elk. The elkhound has a very strong drive and it is not unheard of for an elkhound to go through a plate glass window when motivated by its quarry. Although the breed is strong and hardy, the dogs typically have an inseparable bond with their masters and are quite loyal. The Norwegian elkhound was presented at a dog exhibition for the first time in 1877. All Elkhounds have a sharp and piercing bark which is handy if someone breaks in.

Temperament

Norwegian Elkhounds are loyal to their "pack" and make good family dogs. Although each dog is an individual, they generally like children (or at least tolerate them) and can be very protective of those they consider part of their pack or family. This, combined with their loud voice, makes them a good watch dog. Norwegian Elkhounds can be challenging to train because of their intelligence and deep independent streak. However, they can make good obedience, agility, and particularly tracking dogs, and they are good natured in their disobedience (for example, failing to "come" because there is something of greater interest in the other direction).

Grooming

Norwegian Elkhound's thick coats are well suited to Norwegian weather, and provide protection from the elements in two main ways. Their outer coats shed rain, snow and sleet easily, while their under coats keep them warm in the low temperatures. Because their coat is so thick, they moult it twice a year, producing copious amounts of fur - in some rural regions of Norway, this fur is used to make sweaters.

Elkhounds tend to remain clean through their coat shedding most dirt, and because the dogs seem to keep themselves clean instinctively. However, elkhounds require regular brushing especially when they moult to avoid their oil glands becoming plugged, and to help them to stay cool in summer.

Health

Norwegian Elkhounds sometimes carry a genetic predisposition to suffer from blindness, or, like many medium and large breeds, hip dysplasia, renal problems and cysts, particularly in later life. Overall, however, they are a hearty breed with few health problems.

Elkhounds are very powerful animals, bred to hunt all day in cold climates, so they require plenty of exercise to feel satisfied and stay healthy. A twenty to thirty minute walk twice a day is recommended by many breeders.

Elkhounds are prone to rapid weight gain and must not be overfed.

They tend to have a lifespan of twelve years.

Famous Norwegian Elkhounds

President Herbert Hoover's "Weejie"

Resources

• Books
  • Norwegian Elkhound (Comprehensive Owner's Guide), 2005.
  • Norwegian Elkhounds by Anna Katherine Nicholas. TFH, 1997.
  • The Norwegian Elkhound (Pure Bred) by Nina P. Ross, PhD. Doral, 1995.
  • The Elkhound in the British Isles by Anne Roslin-Williams. Witherby & Co., 1993.
  • My 60 Years with Norwegian Elkhounds by Olav P. Campbell, 1988.
  • The New Complete Norwegian Elkhound, revised edition, by Olav Wallo. Howell, 1987.
  • Norwegian Elkhounds by Anna Katherine Nicholas. TFH, 1983.
  • Great Gray Dogs: The Norwegian Elkhound Factbook, 2nd edition. Great Gray Dogs, 1980.
  • Your Norwegian Elkhound by Helen E. Franciose and Nancy C. Swanson. Denlinger, 1974.
  • How to Raise and Train a Norwegian Elkhound by Glenna Clark Crafts. TFH, 1973. Reprint of the 1964 book with a different cover.

• Magazine Articles
  • Dearth, Kim D.R. "The Norwegian Elkhound" Dog World September 1999, Vol. 84 Issue 9, p12-17.
  • "Dog of the Vikings" Dog Fancy. April 1998.
  • "Norwegian Elkhound". Dog World. July 1997, Vol. 82 Issue 7. p86.