The Norwegian Elkhound 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 around the rest of the world 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 20.5in Females 19.5in |
| Weight | Males and Females 48lb - 55lb |
| Coat | Coats are Very Profuse and Close Lying. They Topcoat is Corse and the Undercoat is Softer and Dense with a Woolly Texture |
| Color | Gray, Gray & Black, Wolf Gray |
| Eye color | 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 Gray 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 socialized 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.
The Elkhound looms in Norse history and myth. We read of him in the epic sagas of ancient times, we find his remains aside his Viking master along with the Viking’s sword and shield, proof of the high regard in which he was held; and in the Viste Cave at Jaeren, in western Norway, his skeleton was found among the stone tools in stratum dating from 4000 to 5000 b.c. Among the many oft-told tales associated with the breed is one from the 12th century, in which an Elkhound was named king in the land of Throndhjem.
The name Elkhound acknowledges the breed’s age-old quarry, the giant elk, or moose. Elkhounds specialized in following the scent trail of these magnificent and dangerous creatures over a distance and holding them at bay while dodging attack until the trailing huntsmen arrived. Elkhounds look nothing like the droopy-eared, sleek-coated scent hounds developed in warmer climes, but they are classified as hounds by virtue of their job description: trailing and holding warm-blooded quarry.