NORWEGIAN ELKHOUND
APPEARANCE
The Norwegian Elkhound is medium in size, and has an athletic and sturdy build. His grey, white, and black coat is made up of two layers: an underlying dense smooth coat ranging from black at the muzzle, ears, and tip of its tail; to silvery grey on its legs, tail, and underbody; and an overlying black-tipped protective guard coat along its back. An ideal Elkhound has a tightly curled tail.
PERSONALITY
The Norwegian Elkhound is bold, playful, independent, alert, extremely intelligent, and, at times, a bit boisterous. This is a dog ready for adventure and is happiest if that adventure takes place outdoors in cold weather. Although the breed is strong and hardy, the dogs typically have an inseparable bond with their masters and are quite loyal. All Elkhounds have a sharp loud bark which makes them suitable as guard-dogs.
TRAINING
Norwegian Elkhounds can be challenging to train because of their intelligence and deep independent streak, but they are good obedience dogs, good-natured, and very understanble in their learning and training. They need an assertive and confident owner in order to respond well to training. They can be wonderful in agility and are particularly good tracking dogs.
EXERCISE
The Norwegian Elkhound has high energy levels, and needs plenty of exercise. Regular walks or a safe, secured area in which to play and exercise are important. The Elkhound will need at least an hour of exercise per day as they are very energetic! Leash walks are suggested because if this dog finds an interesting smell, they will more likely follow it rather then listen to the owner.
SOCIALIZATION
The Norwegian Elkhound tends to get along well with children, particularly when brought up with them. They can be dog aggressive with dogs of the same sex, and should also be socialized early with cats. When it comes to strangers, some Norwegian Elkhounds can be friendly, and others may be more reserved. The Norwegian Elkhound is a protective and loyal dog, and makes a good family pet for the right family.
LIVING CONDITIONS
They will do well in an apartment as long as they get their daily exercise. A back yard would be preferable so they could have more space to roam around in.
GROOMING
As is common with most northern dogs, the Norwegian Elkhounds breed is double-coated — long coarse outer hair to shed rain, sleet and snow and soft wooly undercoat for insulation against the elements of nature. The undercoat sheds profusely twice a year, usually at six month intervals; guard hairs are shed approximately every other year. Regular grooming is advisable and an absolute necessity when shedding. These dogs are high shedders, and shed to some degree all year round. They are therefore not the best choice for allergy sufferers.
HEALTH ISSUES
Norwegian Elkhounds have a lifespan of 12–16 years. Norwegian Elkhounds sometimes carry a genetic predisposition to suffer from progressive retinal atrophy, or, like many medium and large breeds, hip dysplasia, renal problems and cysts, particularly in later life; they are also prone to thyroid problems.
HISTORY
The Norwegian Elkhound originated in Norway and are an intelligent breed as they hunt alongside their owners while working as a team. This breed is one of the oldest dating back to 5000 BC. The breed was registered with the AKC in 1913.
