Norwegian Elkhound

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Norway

MOST SUITED AS Hunting dog for large wild game.

SIZE
The shoulder-height is ideally 52cm (20 1/in) for dogs and 49cm (19in) for bitches. Variance of 2cm (1/2in) is permitted.

COAT
The Elkhound has a thick, woolly, cream-coloured under coat and a hard, dense, and longer outer coat. This outer coat comes in various shades of grey, with black markings behind the ears and around the muzzle. There are also black Elk­hounds, which are recognized as a separate breed. The black Elkhounds are permitted to have white markings.

CARE REQUIRED
The coat of an Elkhound requires little grooming. An ideal way to remove loose hairs during moulting is to use a wooden comb with a double row of metal teeth. In common with other Arctic dogs, they do not have the usual smell of dog hair. The coat is both water and dirt resistant.

CHARACTER
The Elkhound is tough on itself, straight forward, equable, friendly, and gentle-natured. However quiet it may be indoors, it will be a bundle of energy outside.

TRAINING
Like other Arctic dogs, the Norwegian Elkhound has a mind of its own and is fairly independent. It is important to be firm with them but show them your affection as well and make sure you are fair with them. You can upset this dog for a long time by pu­nishing it unfairly - and it will let you know how it feels.

SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
The Norwegian Elkhound is somewhat reserved with strangers but will greet family friends it knows with enthusiasm. They can be dominant towards their own kind but this is rather the exception than the rule. They usually get on with each other and reasonably well with children too provided they do not pester the dogs. They will announce the presence of visitors but that is all.

EXERCISE
Exercise of an hour a day is the minimum to keep this dog happy. Take it out with you cycling or let it have a really good run in the woods but do not forget that if it gets the scent of wild game, it will be quite deaf to your calls.