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Norwegian Elkhound Dog Breed Introduction
Norwegian Elkhound is a medium-sized Northern Spitz-type of breed dog from Norway. It was bred for tracking and hunting large games like bear, wolves, and elk(moose). The name of this breed is a misnomer. Norwegian Elkhounds are Spitz breed and not hound dogs. The name was derived as a mistranslation from its original Norwegian name Norsk elghund meaning Norwegian moose dog.
These dogs were bred to independently track down and hold the moose at bay by jumping in and out toward the game to distract its attention. While doing so, they would signal to the hunters with a loud bark until they arrive to shoot the moose. Norwegian Elkhounds possess a very loud bark which makes them excellent watchdogs. Even though the breed is hardy and strong, these dogs typically have an inseparable bond with their masters. Naturally, Norwegian Elkhounds are reserved until introductions are made, thereafter, they make trustworthy friends.
Norwegian Elkhound History
Norwegian Elkhounds were developed in Norway as early as 5000 B.C. as hunting dogs. They were used for hunting bear, wolf, elk, reindeer, badgers, lynx, and other wild animals. These dogs are important in the Nordic culture. They have been found in the Vikings graves alongside their weapons such as swords and shields. The Norwegian Elkhounds became a breed of interest after the Norwegian Hunters Association held it’s first dog show in the late 19th century ( 1877). Shortly after, efforts were made to create the breed’s standard, records, and shape the dog into a serious competitor in the show ring. The Kennel Club officially recognized Norwegian Elkhounds in 1901.
Norwegian Elkhound Lifespan
A Norwegian Elkhound has a lifespan of 12 to 15 years.
Norwegian Elkhound Grooming
A Norwegian Elkhound has a double-layered coat that sheds at moderate levels all-year round. They require a weekly brushing using a slicker brush to remove the loose hair. Before brushing the coat, spritz it with a water conditioner solution or a detangling spray to avoid hair breakage. Furthermore, Norwegian Elkhounds shed heavily twice a year in Spring and Fall.
During this period, brush the coat on a daily basis using a slicker brush and an undercoat rake. A Typical, Norwegian Elkhound has no doggy odor due to the harshness of the coat. This dog requires a bath 2 or 3 times a week unless it rolls off into something stinky. Use a hypoallergenic dog shampoo and conditioner to bath and moisturize the coat. After a bath, thoroughly rinse off the grooming products from the skin to prevent skin irritation.
Trim the nails using a nail clipper or grinder every 3 to 5 weeks to prevent cracking, splitting, and overgrowth. Brush the teeth of a Norwegian Elkhound twice a week if not daily using a dog-formulated toothpaste and toothbrush. Clean the ears on a weekly basis using an ear cleanser solution and cotton balls. While cleaning the ears, check out for signs of dog’s ear infection such as odor, dark discharge, and redness.
Norwegian Elkhound Shedding
A Norwegian Elkhound sheds all-year round at moderate levels. Although, they experience heavy shedding in Spring and Fall when blowing off their coats. Brush the coat on a daily basis during the heavy shedding season to avoid tumbleweeds of silver undercoat rolling around the house.
Norwegian Elkhound Coat
A Norwegian Elkhound has a double-layered coat consisting of a topcoat and undercoat. The topcoat is coarse with straight guard hairs while the undercoat is dense, soft, and wooly.
Norwegian Elkhound Hypoallergenic
A Norwegian Elkhound is not a hypoallergenic breed. It has a moulting double coat that sheds all-year round at moderate levels and heavily twice a year. Shedding releases dander and fur into the environment aggravating allergies. Apart from hair and dander, dog’s saliva, urine, and mucus contain a protein allergen that triggers an allergic reaction.
How To Train A Norwegian Elkhound
A Norwegian Elkhound is an intelligent breed that learns pretty fast. However, the training becomes a challenge if it is repetitive. In addition, Norwegian Elkhounds are independent thinkers. This is a plus when hunting. However, it pose as a challenge during training sessions. Therefore, Norwegian Elkhounds need confident owners who assume pack leadership and take charge. Early training is a plus before the dog gets inclined to bad habits.
Socialization training is key in order to raise a well-adjusted, well-mannered, and friendly dog. This training starts at the age of 3 weeks while the pup is with the breeder until the age of 16 weeks after the puppy has already settled in its new home. Usually, parents take their pets home from the age of 8 weeks. Socialization can still be a life-long process to ensure the pet matures to have a well-rounded temperament and personality. To socialize Norwegian Elkhounds, expose them to a wide variety of people, animals, surfaces, places, sight, experiences, smell, and sounds such as baby crying sounds, vacuum cleaners, sirens, washing machine, door bells, lawn mowers, and whistles.
Enrolling a Norwegian Elkhound pet in a puppy class will also serve as a form of socialization. These classes create a controlled environment where puppies interact. Puppy classes also help the parents to not only identify and correct bad habits but also have access to training information and assistance. These dogs respond well to a gentle, firm, and a rewarding leadership such as the use of positive reinforcement methods such as the use of treats, toys, verbal praise, playtime, and petting. Avoid use of harsh correction methods such as the use of prong or choke collars, beating, yelling, shoving, or kicking. These methods are counterproductive.
Keep the training sessions fun, challenging, and short for a span of 5 to 10 minutes to avoid boredom and distraction. Start teaching basic command words like come, sit, stay, lie down, heel, leave it, wait, etc. one at a time until the dog is well-acquainted before proceeding to the next command word. Avoid issuing a command word to a Norwegian Elkhound while too frustrated or excited since it does not sound the same for your pet. Effectively housebreak a Norwegian Elkhound by creating a feeding schedule, crate training, and potty training. Fortunately, Norwegian Elkhounds are very clean and quickly respond to correctly managed housebreaking.
Norwegian Elkhound Temperament | Traits
- Intelligent.
- Independent.
- Loyal.
- Hardy.
- Strong.
- Vocal.
- Bold.
- Playful.
- Alert.
- Sensitive.
- Devoted.
- Protective.
- Watchful.
- Friendly.
- Reliable.
- Energetic.
Norwegian Elkhound Exercise
This is a hunting breed that has an instinct to travel and explore the world. Therefore, Norwegian Elkhounds should not be exercised off-leash and be allowed to roam freely in the neighborhood. This breed makes a great partner for hiking, hunting, or biking. They are also exceptional swimmers. Norwegian Elkhounds are stimulated physically and mentally by participating in herding, agility, carting, or flyball competitions.
Norwegian Elkhound Barking
A Norwegian is a watchful and alert dog that possess a sharp loud bark. For this reason, they make excellent watchdogs.
Norwegian Elkhound Height
A Female Norwegian Elkhound has a height of 19.5 inches ( approx. 50 cm ) while its male counterpart has a height of 20.5 inches ( approx. 52 cm ).
Norwegian Elkhound Female Weight
A Female Norwegian Elkhound has a weight of 48 pounds ( approx. 22 kg).
Norwegian Elkhound Weight
A Male Norwegian Elkhound has a weight of 55 pounds ( approx. 25 kg ) while its female counterpart has a weight of 48 pounds ( approx. 22 kg).
Norwegian Elkhound Size
A Norwegian Elkhound is a medium-sized dog that has a height of 19.5 to 20.5 inches ( approx. 50 to 52 cm ) and a weight of 48 to 55 pounds ( approx. 22 to 25 kg ).
Norwegian Elkhound Bite Force
Reportedly, Norwegian Elkhounds have a bite force of at least 150 PSI.
Norwegian Elkhound Health Issues
Generally, Norwegian Elkhounds are hardy dogs with few health issues. However, they suffer from certain health problems including eye disorders like progressive retinal atrophy, hip dysplasia, Sebaceous Cysts, hypothyroidism, obesity, and Fanconi Syndrome.
Norwegian Elkhound Names
A Norwegian Elkhound parent may decide to get a name for the pup before it joins them home from the breeder or days after it has already settled in to determine the personality of a particular dog. Parents may get name inspirations from the Norway heritage, coat color and texture, personality of the dog, books, celebrity Norwegian Elkhounds, movies, food, nature, or historical figures.
Regardless of where the parent will source the name, he or she should ensure the name in question will not make them embarrassed when uttered out loud in the public places such as parks, malls, etc. Norwegian Elkhounds and other breeds better understand names that have vowels.
Avoid giving your pet a name that rhymes with the command words to avoid confusion. If the owner settles with a long name, he or she should find a cute nickname for the pooch. If a Norwegian Elkhound shares a name with any family member or guest who frequent your home it may cause confusion. Some of the names that Norwegian Elkhounds owners give their pets include:
- Walker.
- Thor.
- Pearl.
- Silver.
- Shadow.
- Gerda.
- Briar.
- Hunter.
- Ariana.
- Bear.
- Star.
- Elsa.
- Mia, etc.
Norwegian Elkhound Colors
A Norwegian Elkhound has a gray and silver coat. The dog has a darker shade of gray on the saddle and light gray color on the mane, chest, and harness mark. A light shed of silver is on the legs, stomach, underside of tail, and buttocks. The tail tip, muzzle, and ears are black.
Apart from Norwegian Elkhounds, other dog breeds include:
Norwegian Elkhound Food
The amount of food that Norwegian Elkhounds feed on depends on their age, metabolism, size, activity level, and body build. Norwegian Elkhounds puppies have a high metabolism rate as compared to adults or senior dogs. Therefore, a puppy should feed 3 or 4 times a day immediately they start weaning until the age of 6 months. From the age of 6 months, Norwegian Elkhounds feed a total of two meals for life with snacks in between. Owners should look out for calorie consumption and weight level since Norwegian Elkhounds are prone to overfeeding.
Like other dogs, Norwegian Elkhounds should feed on the right amount of minerals, protein, amino acids, fatty acids, carbohydrates, water, and fats to maintain a healthy bone structure and weight. Depending on the budget and the time of preparation needed, parents may feed Norwegian Elkhounds with dry food, wet food, home made meals, or a raw diet. Parents who prefer commercial dry or wet food should ensure the first three ingredients that are listed are proteins from a known source.
Commercial foods should neither have fillers, chemicals, meat by-products, additives, nor preservatives. The same goes to the snacks given to the dogs. Dry or wet food should also be formulated for medium-sized puppies, adults, and seniors depending on the age of your Norwegian Elkhound. Check the physique of your dog to tell whether it is underweight or overweight.
The pooch is underweight if the ribs are visible. However, if the ribs are not visible but can be felt without pressing hard, a Norwegian Elkhound has an ideal weight. Although, if the ribs cannot be felt after pressing, the Norwegian Elkhound is overweight and should be exercised. Owners who want to switch to another pet food should gradually do this over a period of one month by mixing old food with new food. As the week progresses, the amount of old food decreases as the amount of the new food increases until the Norwegian Elkhound is only feeding on the new food.
Are Norwegian Elkhounds Aggressive
No. Although, Norwegian Elkhounds are reserved with unfamiliar faces, they are trustworthy friends following introductions.
Are Norwegian Elkhounds Good Family Dogs
Yes. Norwegian Elkhounds are loyal dogs that make excellent family dogs if given proper attention. They are playful, energetic, alert, watchful, bold, and devoted dogs.
Are Norwegian Elkhounds Hypoallergenic
No. Norwegian Elkhounds shed all-year round at moderate levels. They also shed heavily twice a year. Shedding allows dander and fur to spread around the house triggering an allergic reaction. Therefore, Norwegian Elkhounds are not hypoallergenic.
Norwegian Elkhounds Quick Facts
These dogs rank 54th in Stanley Coren’s The Intelligence of Dogs.
Norwegian Elkhounds are the National dogs of Norway.
They are extremely hardy dogs that have a tightly curled tail.
