Norwegian Elkhound

The Norwegian Elkhound is a hardy, medium-sized Spitz-type dog, sturdy and squarely built with the stamina to hunt all day long for days at a time. The stand-off double coat has a distinctive gray color with a lighter undercoat and undersides. The muzzle, ears and tail tip are black. The head is broad and wedge- shaped with a defined stop. It has strong jaws. The pointed prick ears are very mobile. The eyes are dark brown and friendly with a keen, friendly expression. The teeth should meet in a scissors bite. The tail is rolled tightly over its back. The body is relatively short and most of the length should be in the ribcage. The chest should be deep and relatively wide. The forelegs are straight and parallel to each other. The paws are small and tight with thick pads. The Norwegian Elkhound has no doggie odor. (There is also a black Elkhound that is recognized as a separate breed, but little is known about this dog outside of its native Norway.)

The Norwegian Elkhound is fearless and friendly. Although some may be somewhat reserved with strangers, it will greet family and friends it knows with enthusiasm. They are reliable, energetic and alert companions for children and make sensible guard dogs. It is clean and docile with an outstanding character. They are affectionate and loyal, engaging and sensitive. Like other Arctic dogs, the Norwegian Elkhound has a mind of its own and is fairly independent. It may be somewhat resistant to obedience training. It is important to be firm with this dog but show affection as well. Puppies need firm but gentle discipline. Be fair when training this breed. You can upset the dog for a long time by punishing it unfairly, and it will let you know how it feels. They have been bred to hold prey at bay, barking constantly until the hunter arrives. Some Norwegian Elkhounds bark a great deal. They also have a tendency to roam. It is best to pair sled dogs in teams of one male and one female, as males have a tendency to fight if harnessed together. They may also be aggressive with same sex dogs in the household, but this tends to be the exception rather then the rule. Some sources say Elkhounds are usually good with non-canine pets, others say they shouldn't be trusted so use caution.