Norwegian Elkhound

The Norwegian Elkhound is an ancient breed. The Norwegian word Elghund actually translates to "

moosedog," a more accurate description because the Elkhound is no Hound, but another of the Spitz breeds.

History:

The history of the Elkhound goes back to the Stone Age, and fossil skeletons of dogs identical to living Elkhounds have been found in Norway. In those days, the Elkhound would have worked with Nordic hunters who were in pursuit of moose, elk, lynx, bear and wolf, as well as smaller game. These dogs would have accompanied the Viking raiders and so spread into the rest of the world. The fossil skeletal evidence shows that the breed has not changed in thousands of years. Perhaps surprisingly, given this long history, the Elkhound was not officially recognized until the mid 1870s. Another closely related breed is the Black Norwegian Elkhound. It is essentially the same as the Elkhound, but is slightly lighter in build and is very rare.

Physical characteristics:

Height: 19 - 21 in (49 - 52 cm). Weight: 44 - 50 lb (20 - 23 kg). The wolf-gray Elkhound has a top coat that is thick, coarse and water-proof, and a soft dense undercoat. It has a slightly longer ruff of hair around the neck and a plumed tail, but otherwise the coat is medium-short. The head is broad and wedge-shaped, and the small ears are erect and set high on the skull. The eyes are medium-sized and dark, as is the nose. The body is short and compact with a deep, powerful chest and straight, strong legs. Despite being used to hunt large prey, the Elkhound is not a large dog.

Behavior:

The Norwegian Elkhound is a highly adaptable dog. This intelligent dog is able to think and act for itself and so makes a superb watch-dog. It is advisable to encourage this dog to bark at the sounds and events you consider to be important, or it may develop its own agenda. If allowed to go unchecked this dog can get quite dominant in the family. However, if it is treated assertively from the outset, this dog rapidly becomes a loyal and devoted member of the household. Although it can cope with a normal-sized garden, the Norwegian Elkhound really benefits from being taken on extended walks.