Create Your Norwegian Elkhound's Shop
Norwegian Elkhound Breed Summary
Energetic, Affectionate, Loyal, Protective and Playful
These dogs are a very sturdy and solid looking breed and were originally bred to hunt Elk in the northern regions of Norway. They belong to the Spitz family of dogs and have the pricked ears and tight curly tails associated with the breed. In Norway, they remain a highly prized breed for both their stamina and fantastic hunting skills.
Unfortunately, they are not as well known here in the UK, but are slowly starting to rise in popularity mainly due to their lovely appearance and gentle nature. They are best suited to hoomans who already have specific knowledge and experience with the breed.
Fun Fact: The breed has been around as far back as 5,000 BC!
| Kennel Club Group | Hound |
| Lifespan | 12 - 15 Years |
| Height (at the withers) | Males and Females 49cm - 52cm |
| Weight | Males and Females 22kg - 25kg |
| Coat | Coats are Very Profuse and Close Lying. They Topcoat is Corse and the Undercoat is Softer and Dense with a Woolly Texture |
| Colour | Grey, Grey & Black, Wolf Grey |
| Eye colour | Dark Brown |
| Common health issues | Hip dysplasia, Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), Renal dysplasia, Patellar luxation, Fanconi syndrome, Von Willebrand’s disease Type II, Early retinal degeneration (ERD), Intracutaneous cornifying epithelioma, Hot spots, Sebaceous cysts, Hypothyroidism |
| Other Names | Elkhound, Norwegian Moose Dog, Small Grey Elk Dog, Gray Norwegian Elkhound, Norsk Elghund, Grå Norsk Elghund |
These guys are known for their very high levels of energy. For this reason, they need to be kept by a family that already lead a very active lifestyle that Elkhounds can easily slot into. They absolutely love hoomans and thrive in a family environment, making them extremely sociable and happy dogs! The breed can sometimes seem very over-protective of their families, so it is important that they are socialised from a young age to try and tone down this trait. They need to know their place in the pack otherwise they will take on the role of Alpha Male, making them fairly difficult to live with! Because of their love of people, they don't like to be left alone for too long as this can lead to them developing separation anxiety and becoming destructive and depressed. For this reason, they need someone to be with them for most of the day.
Norwegian Elkhounds are an extremely ancient breed, it's thought that remains of similar dogs have been found that date back to the Stone Ages! It's believed that they first originated in the northern regions of Scandinavia and were bred to hunt and guard livestock whilst living alongside Vikings! Additionally, these guys are extremely skilled at hunting and are able to track down their prey over very large distances. They were also just as adequate at hunting through the night, which led to them being highly-prized by their owners. It was during the mid 1800's that they became most highly regarded, during the Wolf Period whereby many hoomans and their livestock were attacked by Wolves. Elkhounds were used as valuable guard dogs, donning spiked colours made of iron as extra protection against the predators. There are two varieties of the breed; Bandhunds and Loshunds. Bandhunds track scents whilst being held on a lead by the hunters, whereas Loshunds go ahead of the hunters to catch prey. They first went on display in England around the late 19th century but are fairly rare outside of their native country. Anyone wanting to share their home with one of these fluffy guys would need to be put on a waiting list.