Norwegian Elkhound

also known as Norsk Elghund, Grå Norsk Elghund, Harmaa Norjanhirvikoira, Gray Norwegian Elkhound, Small Grey Elk Dog, Norwegian Moose Dog, Elkhound

Pros History


The Norwegian Elkhound, also known as the Norsk Elghund, is a breed of dog that is believed to have originated in Norway. The breed has a long and storied history that is intertwined with the history of Norway and its culture.

The origins of the Norwegian Elkhound can be traced back to ancient Norway, where it was used by the Vikings for hunting large game such as elk, bear, and wolf. The breed was prized for its endurance, strength, and courage, making it an ideal hunting companion. The Norwegian Elkhound was also used as a watchdog and a herding dog by the early settlers of Norway.

The breed's name, "Norwegian Elkhound," is a direct translation of the Norwegian name "Norsk Elghund," which means "Norwegian Elk Dog." This name reflects the breed's history as a hunting companion for elk in Norway.

Despite its long history, the Norwegian Elkhound was almost extinct by the late 19th century, as a result of overhunting, industrialization, and the rise of more popular breeds such as the German Shepherd. However, a group of dedicated breeders worked to preserve the breed, and it has since been re-established.

The Norwegian Elkhound is recognized by many kennel clubs around the world, including the American Kennel Club (AKC) which recognized the breed in 1913, The Kennel Club (UK) and other well-known international kennel clubs such as the Canadian Kennel Club, The Australian National Kennel Council, and the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) are just a few examples.

Breed Information


Type

Is Norwegian Elkhound a purebred?

Purebred

Purpose

What were Norwegian Elkhounds originally used for?

hunting large game, herding, guarding

Lifespan

How Long Do Norwegian Elkhounds Live? What is average life expectancy for a Norwegian Elkhound? How long can Norwegian Elkhounds live?

10-12 years

The average Norwegian Elkhound lifespan is somewhere between 10-12 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Norwegian Elkhound Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Norwegian Elkhound?

What is the average height of a Norwegian Elkhound? How big is a Purebred Norwegian Elkhound height? Norwegian Elkhound dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 19-21 inches (48.3 - 53.3 cm) 7.0 inches (17.8 cm) 12.0 inches (30.5 cm) 16.5 inches (41.9 cm)
Female 19-21 inches (48.3 - 53.3 cm) 7.0 inches (17.8 cm) 12.0 inches (30.5 cm) 16.5 inches (41.9 cm)
What is the average weight of a Norwegian Elkhound? How much should Norwegian Elkhounds weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 48-55 pounds (22 - 25 kg) 17.5 pounds (8 kg) 30.0 pounds (14 kg) 45.0 pounds (20 kg)
Female 48-50 pounds (22 - 23 kg) 15.0 pounds (7 kg) 27.5 pounds (12 kg) 40.0 pounds (18 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do Norwegian Elkhounds get fat easily?

The Norwegian Elkhound is a breed that has an average to high tendency to gain weight if their weight is not closely monitored. It is important to maintain a balance between exercise and food intake to keep them at a healthy weight. This can be achieved by scheduling at least one daily walk and engaging in regular playtime with them.

Hypoallergenic

Are Norwegian Elkhounds Hypoallergenic?

No

Unfortunately, the Norwegian Elkhound is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Temperament

What is a Norwegian Elkhound personality? What are Norwegian Elkhound dogs best known for?

Alert
Playful
Intelligent
Bold
Loyal
Strong
Willed

Shedding Level

Are Norwegian Elkhounds heavy shedders? How Much Does a Norwegian Elkhound Shed?

Norwegian Elkhound dogs are heavy shedders, they will lose a significant amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your Norwegian Elkhound. This will remove loose hair and keep his coat growing in the same direction.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of a Norwegian Elkhound dog?

The Norwegian Elkhound dog is one of the best choice if you want a good watchdog. This breed will keep watch over you and your family at all times. This breed takes this task seriously and will typically perform its guarding duty with little to no training. This dog will require obedience training, or you can consider guard dog training to sharpen its skills.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Norwegian Elkhounds come from?

Norway

Ancestry

What are Norwegian Elkhounds descended from?

northern spitz

Date of Birth

When were Norwegian Elkhounds first bred? How old is the Norwegian Elkhound breed?

500 BC

Breed Group

What Breed Group is a Norwegian Elkhound?

Hound (AKC:1913)
Northern Breeds (UKC)

Norwegian Elkhound Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Norwegian Elkhound eyes?

Brown

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Norwegian Elkhound nose be naturally?

Black

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Norwegian Elkhound coat be naturally?

Gray
Silver

Coat Length

How long is a Norwegian Elkhounds coat?

The coat of a Norwegian Elkhound falls in the medium length category.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Norwegian Elkhound Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of a Norwegian Elkhound?

Straight

Litter Size

How many puppies can a Norwegian Elkhound have in a litter? How many puppies can a Norwegian Elkhound have in her first litter?

10-12 puppies per pregnancy

A Norwegian Elkhound can have a litter of 10-12 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Norwegian Elkhounds are known for their adaptability and versatility, they are capable of adapting well to a wide range of lifestyle changes and living environments. They are a highly adaptable breed, and make great companions for families and individuals of all lifestyles.

Norwegian Elkhound Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Norwegian Elkhounds have a lot of health problems?

The Norwegian Elkhound is generally considered to be healthy. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to certain health issues and it is important to keep an eye out for them and address them with your veterinarian as needed.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a Norwegian Elkhound?

Hip Dysplasia

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Norwegian Elkhounds?

Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Sebaceous Adenitis
Pyotraumatic Dermatitis
Hypothyroidism

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Norwegian Elkhound breed?

Eye
Hip
Thyroid Tests
X-Rays
Eye Examination
Physical Examination

Norwegian Elkhound Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Norwegian Elkhounds have a lot of energy?

Norwegian Elkhounds are high-energy dogs, thus an active lifestyle suits them well.

Social Needs

Do Norwegian Elkhounds need socialization? How social are Norwegian Elkhounds?

Norwegian Elkhounds have average social needs compared to other breeds. They are known to be less active and independent than other breeds, and they are content with spending time alone and with their human family.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Norwegian Elkhounds get?

The Norwegian Elkhound dog needs significant physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They are also well-suited for those who lead an active lifestyle and enjoy activities such as running, hiking, or other outdoor pursuits.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should a Norwegian Elkhound have? Do Norwegian Elkhounds sleep a lot?

Norwegian Elkhounds are active dogs that don't require as much sleep as other breeds. However, they still need enough sleep to stay healthy.

Drooling Tendency

Does a Norwegian Elkhound drool a lot?

The Norwegian Elkhound is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Norwegian Elkhound dogs bark and howl frequently, they are not a good fit for quiet homes.

Territorial

Do Norwegian Elkhounds exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

Norwegian Elkhound dogs are known for being average at defending. They possess the capability to defend their territory or owners, but it is not their primary trait. They are not the best choice for guard dogs

Mouthiness

Are Norwegian Elkhounds mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of a Norwegian Elkhound running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Norwegian Elkhound dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Norwegian Elkhounds enjoy doing? How do I keep my Norwegian Elkhound busy?

Trailing, Hiking

Activity Level

What is the energy level of a Norwegian Elkhound? How much energy does a Norwegian Elkhound have?

Medium

Norwegian Elkhounds are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should a Norwegian Elkhound walk each week? How many miles should a Norwegian Elkhound walk every week?

8 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Norwegian Elkhound, it's at least 8 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much a Norwegian Elkhound should exercise a day? How much activity does a Norwegian Elkhound need?

45 minutes

In general most Norwegian Elkhounds usually need at least 45 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for a Norwegian Elkhound?

The Norwegian Elkhound is a breed of dog that requires an average amount of grooming effort.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush a Norwegian Elkhound?

Weekly

Norwegian Elkhound should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Norwegian Elkhounds?

Slicker Brush
Comb
Deshedder
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does a Norwegian Elkhound eat?

2.5 cups

For an average 48-55 pound (22 - 25 kg) Norwegian Elkhound feed 2.5 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does a Norwegian Elkhound Cost Daily?

$1.70 - $2.00 / day

The average cost of a Norwegian Elkhound is somewhere $1.70 - $2.00 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does a Norwegian Elkhound Cost Per Month?

$48 - $63 / month

The average per month expenses of a Norwegian Elkhound is between $48 - $63. This makes an average of $576 - $756 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Norwegian Elkhound Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is a Norwegian Elkhound?

The Norwegian Elkhound breed is considered very intelligent and easy to train.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is a Norwegian Elkhound dog?

This dog breed is more sensitive than others and easily overwhelmed by new surroundings and people. They need gentle handling and a calm, stable home environment with positive reinforcement training.

Affection Dependance

Are Norwegian Elkhound dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Norwegian Elkhound do well in apartments? Are Norwegian Elkhounds good indoor dogs?

Norwegian Elkhounds are dogs that do well in apartments with sufficient exercise, but they would really appreciate a small yard.

Child Friendly

Are Norwegian Elkhounds good with kids? Are Norwegian Elkhounds good around children?

Norwegian Elkhounds are kid-friendly dogs. They are good with children and excellent dogs with children if they are socialized and trained at a young age.

Senior-friendly

Are Norwegian Elkhounds good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Norwegian Elkhounds good with cats? How friendly Norwegian Elkhounds are toward cats?

Norwegian Elkhounds are an average cat friendly dog. They do well with cats, even more if raised together from puppyhood,

Dog Friendly

Do Norwegian Elkhound dogs get along with other dogs? Are Norwegian Elkhounds OK with other dogs?

Norwegian Elkhounds are average friendly towards other dogs. If they are raised with other dogs, they are likely to get along with them. And, if they are socialized properly from a young age, they will usually be great with other dogs.

Pet friendly

How do Norwegian Elkhound dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Norwegian Elkhounds friendly with strangers?

Norwegian Elkhounds are average friendly around strangers. They can be wary around strangers and a little standoffish. Early socialisation is key.

Playfulness

Do Norwegian Elkhounds like to play? Are Norwegian Elkhounds playful?

Norwegian Elkhounds have an average level of playfulness. The Norwegian Elkhounds, like other dogs, like to play. But they are not the most playful dog breed.

Trainability

Are Norwegian Elkhound easily trained?

Norwegian Elkhound dogs are known for their ease of training and ability to learn quickly, making them a popular choice for pet owners and trainers alike.

Pros Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Strong and independent
    Can handle being left alone for a few hours.
  • Good with children and other pets
    Can get along with other animals.
  • Excellent hunting and tracking abilities
    Makes it great for outdoor activities.

Cons

  • Not suitable for office environment
    Norwegian Elkhounds are not suited to the office environment
  • Not Hypoallergenic
    People prone to allergies may have a reaction to Norwegian Elkhounds, as they are not considered a hypoallergenic breed.
  • Barking
    The Norwegian Elkhound breed is known for its loudness.
  • Tendency to gain weight
    If not careful with a Norwegian Elkhound's weight, it can easily become an issue.
  • Requires regular grooming
    Can take more time and effort to groom due to their thick coat.