Norwegian Elkhound
Simply put, the Norwegian Elkhound is an athlete. This is a very active breed, strong, and full of energy. He is smart and alert, and very loyal to his family but reserved around strangers. This plus his tendency to bark makes him a good watchdog. But we should stress that this dog will bark a lot. He was bred to bark when locating prey, and he has retained this habit to this day. He must be trained early to stop on command or you just might go crazy. His high-pitched bark is very intense, and makes dragging your fingernails on a chalkboard seem pleasant by comparison. If you leave him in the yard unattended, your neighbors might just get up a petition to remove you from the neighborhood. The Norwegian Elkhound can also be a challenge to train. He is independent, stubborn and dominant. You must be a firm leader and be sure he receives socialization from an early age. The socialization should help to lower his tendency toward territorial aggression. He can be aggressive to other dogs and small animals. Spoil this breed and you will have a pushy and possibly aggressive pet. Females tend to make a more controllable pet. Ideally you will have a fenced yard because this breed needs a lot of exercise. Daily walks should be routine. Apartment life is not recommended, but it can work if you have the time to spend with your dog outdoors. If you don't have the time to spend exercising and training him, find another breed. The Norwegian Elkhound is not recommended for the elderly or disabled since he is so active and high strung. Older children are fine, as long as there is no rough play or teasing. The Norwegian Elkhound dates back to the Viking days and remains the national dog of Norway. He was used as a hunter of elk and moose and as a herd guarder. He was bred with superior smell, endurance, and stamina to stand the cold Norwegian winter. Generally this breed stands between 19-21 inches tall at the shoulder and will weigh between 45 and 60 pounds. They are however very prone to gain weight and cannot be overfed. His body is muscular and has a thick insulating coat with a very dense undercoat. This breed sheds all year and sheds a lot. Daily brushing is a necessity. Generally they are silver and gray with some black tipped hairs throughout his thick coat. Norwegian Elkhounds have a lifespan of 12-15 years.
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