Skip to content The Norwegian Elkhound is considered a kind of symbol of Norway, its national dog. It is an ancient Spitz-like breed. For centuries, this dog has served hunters, herders and farmers as a watchdog, tracked down big game such as bear, elk, reindeer and moose, and as a guardian for grazing livestock.
Characteristic
The Norwegian Elkhound is considered a kind of symbol of Norway, its national dog. It is an ancient Spitz-like breed. For centuries, the Norwegian Elkhound has served hunters, herders and farmers as a watchdog, tracked down big game such as bear, elk, reindeer and moose, and as a guardian for grazing livestock.
Character
The Norwegian Elkhound is a sensitive, affectionate and loyal breed. They are friendly towards those they know well, but they are cold and wary of strangers. In the event of unexpected guests arriving or suspicious sounds, or any other danger, this dog will immediately warn the rest of the family with a loud and sonorous bark. Affectionate and careful with children, although if children are too small, you should keep them under supervision, as the dog may try to graze them. Behaves aggressively towards dogs of the same sex and does not get along with cats or other small pets.
Wool and care
The Norwegian Elkhound is dressed in two layers of wool. The outer layer is straight, rather hard and thick, which protects the dog well from any bad weather. Under it there is a dense, soft and fleecy undercoat. Molting is seasonal and very active. In order to minimize free hair loss, the Norwegian Elkhound needs weekly brushing and combing with a special comb. The dog’s coat requires special attention during seasonal molting. Since this dog cleans itself naturally, you should only bathe your dog when absolutely necessary. The most typical diseases for this breed are atheromas of the skin and dysplasia of the joints. It is also important to monitor the dog’s diet and not overfeed him, because the Norwegian Elkhound quickly gains excess weight. A cool climate is preferable for keeping this breed.
Training
The Norwegian Elkhound needs early socialization and obedience training. They are a rather intelligent breed that wants to earn your praise, but they require a dominant trainer who can set their own rules. Rough or arbitrary methods should not be used, training should be based on firmness, fairness and consistency.
Activity
Norwegian Elkhound is not recommended for keeping in an apartment. This dog requires a significant amount of physical activity, and therefore, it is best if Elkhound has a large fenced yard at his disposal. He will also feel good on the farm, where he will have a lot of the usual work for this breed. The Norwegian Elkhound is the perfect companion for an active family event, biking, hiking or jogging. Dogs of this breed have proven themselves well in agility, protection, they are excellent guard dogs, they graze livestock well and can be harnessed to a sled for transporting goods.
