Norwegian Elkhound

The Norwegian Elkhound is Norway's grey moose dog — a hardy spitz that tracks and holds elk at bay for the hunter.

History

Dogs of this type have been in Scandinavia for thousands of years; remains found with Viking-age burials are of the same build. Its job is to find elk by scent, then circle and bark to hold the animal in place — work that demands nerve, stamina and a voice. Norway names it a national breed.

Temperament

The breed is known for being bold, friendly and independent, attached to its family and confident with strangers, and thoroughly vocal — it was bred to bark, which is worth knowing before taking one into a flat.

Care and training

It needs a great deal of exercise and work for its nose. Training must be motivating; it is a hunting spitz and simply refuses drudgery. The thick grey coat sheds spectacularly twice a year.

Health

Known tendencies include hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy and a predisposition to obesity if fed like a less active dog. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.