Norwegian Elkhound Grey

Grey and dark grey. 

Harsh, straight topcoat. Soft and dense undercoat. 

Brown.

Medium sized spitz breed. Sturdy build with a square body and large head. Thick fur and bushy tail.  Alert, intelligent expression. Elongated muzzle.

A loyal and affectionate dog that enjoys lots of contact with its owner. Much less affectionate around strangers.

An energetic, bold character that loves to play. The Elkhound is a very intelligent dog, so games must be interesting.

Older Elkhounds are quite calm, but younger dogs, and especially puppies, are very boisterous. Has a tendency to jump up, which can unnerve people who are less familiar with dogs. 

A very intelligent dog with a strong and independent mind. Keeping them mentally stimulated is just as important as keeping them well exercised. 

This dog was bred to hunt elk, moose, and bears. Has a very high prey drive. A fearless hunter. 

A very confident dog that will rarely get scared by anyone or anything. However, they can be a little suspicious of strangers. Because they’re so loyal to the pack, they view strangers as outsiders, and a potential threat.  

Independent and very strong-willed. A dominant personality, especially around other dogs. 

A social dog that requires lots of human contact and company. These dogs have been working alongside people for thousands of years. They’re not suited to solitude. 

Responds well to reward-based training methods, but requires a firm and confident handler. Consistency and structure are really important when training these highly-intelligent animals.

Known as a very vocal breed. The Elkhound has a loud and very distinct bark. 

An extremely loyal dog. Very unlikely to run away. 

This dog is prone to separation anxiety, which can lead to destructive behaviour.

No issues with overeating.

Thanks to its loud and distinct bark, the Norwegian Elkhound makes an excellent watchdog. A natural protector. 

First time dog owners will struggle to handle the Elkhound. These dogs are strong-minded, willful, and can easily take advantage of a “weak” handler. 

A flat is a really bad environment for the Elkhound. Keeping one locked up in such a small space will lead to behavioural problems and mental health issues.

This dog needs around two hours of exercise every day. The Elkhound is an outdoor dog. Owners need a large garden or should live near the countryside.

Easy enough to transport by car, although longer trips should be broken up into stages. The Elkhound will need to stretch its legs, otherwise it will get bored and frustrated. 

The Elkhound is a real working dog with a very high-prey drive. Not suitable for families who have cats.

The Elkhound is naturally competitive and can be aggressive. This can lead to conflict with other dogs. 

Suited for families with older children who know how to behave around dogs. Far too boisterous and powerful to be left alone with toddlers. 

This dog can be a real handful, especially during its first few years. Requires over two hours of exercise every day. Not the best choice for elderly dog owners.  

Sheds throughout the year. Very heavy shedding during the Spring. 

A very healthy and well-bred dog, although they do have a genetic predisposition to thyroid problems. Their average life expectancy is between 12 and 14 years.

Bred to survive in harsh natural environments. Very strong. Very robust. Well-built, muscular dog with lots of stamina.

Sheds during the spring, which helps keep them cool in summer. However, they will struggle in warmer countries, especially during very hot summers.

They have a thick, double-layered coat that provides protection against the cold, the rain, and the wind. No problems surviving the cold. 

Although the Elkhound has an average appetite, they’re prone to rapid weight-gain as they approach old age. This is due to problems with their thyroid gland, which slows down the Elkhounds metabolism. 

• Hip dysplasia
• Elbow dysplasia 
• Thyroid problems
• Cysts
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Rapid weight gain

The Norwegian Elkhound is an ancient breed that was developed around 3,000 years ago. It’s a result of a female wolf and male dog hybridization that occured long after wild wolves were first domesticated. It seems that Scandinavian tribes  were looking for a way to improve the existing hunting breeds by crossing them with wolves. And they certainly succeeded with the Norwegian Elkhound. This dog has been hunting alongside humans ever since and still helps hunters track large game such as moose, elk, and bears. This highly prized dog was rarely seen outside of Norway until the late 19th Century. It was officially recognised by the Kennel Club in 1901.