Norwegian Elkhound Breed Facts and Information

Coat & Grooming: Norwegian Elkhounds have a thick double coat that requires brushing twice a week, says DiNardo. However, “during their spring and fall shedding seasons, they should be brushed daily,” she says.

Shedding: During the spring and fall shedding season, Norwegian Elkhound owners can expect to see quite a lot of excess silver undercoat, as it tends to shed heavily. To avoid excessive shedding during shedding season and year-round, consider brushing your Norwegian Elkhound daily.

Training: When it comes to obedience, training can really go either way. While their intelligence makes them a good candidate for training, Norwegian Elkhounds also tend to be independent, which can get in the way of training.

“This breed has very keen senses and good problem-solving skills, therefore picking up on things quickly,” says DiNardo. “Their training should be consistent and requires patience, as their independent nature can make training harder.”

Barking: The Norwegian Elkhound tends to bark frequently, especially when it hears strange noises. Plenty of exercise and consistent training can help prevent your Elkhound from being overly loud or destructive.

Personality: Refined but friendly, intelligent and trustworthy, the Norwegian Elkhound makes a great companion pet.

Temperament & Behavior: The Norwegian Elkhound is mostly friendly, intelligent and dependable, but it can be reserved around strangers and it does have an independent streak, thanks mostly to its hunting ancestry.

“Norwegian Elkhounds are bold, energetic hunters with an independent nature,” says American Kennel Club executive secretary Gina DiNardo. “They are loyal, affectionate and friendly with their families, but can also be protective and possessive.”

Behavior with Kids: While Norwegian Elkhounds do tend to strongly bond with their owners, they aren’t the most overly affectionate or playful breed.

Protection: Intelligent and loyal, Norwegian Elkhounds are reserved when they first meet strangers and tend to bark at unusual noises, which makes them a generally good guard dog.

Life span: On average, Elkhounds live to be between 12 and 15 years old.

Inherited Health Issues: Although generally a healthy breed, Norwegian Elkhounds are still prone to a variety of health conditions that can occur at an increased incidence within the breed or due to genetics. These conditions may include, but are not limited to, the following: Intracutaneous cornifying epithelioma, Cataracts, Entropion, Progressive retinal atrophy, Glaucoma and Multifocal retinal dysplasia.

Preventive Care: Certain health conditions can occur at an increased frequency in Norwegian Elkhounds, but responsible breeders typically perform a variety of different screening or genetic tests prior to breeding in an attempt to decrease the incidence of these conditions in future generations. Owners of Norwegian Elkhounds should continue to monitor their dogs at home for any changes or concerns physically or behaviorally, as these could indicate the start of new health problems. As with all breeds, Norwegian Elkhounds should be examined by a veterinarian once or twice per year, and should receive regular vaccinations, deworming and preventative medications.

Most Norwegian Elkhounds think with their stomachs, and those big brown eyes can prompt many owners to give too many treats. Avoid offering table foods or excessive treats, since these can quickly pack on excess weight. Instead, feed your Elkhound a balanced high quality diet in portion controlled meals.

Daily Consumption: Average daily consumption for an adult Elkhound is 1.5 to 2 cups.

Energy Level: Frisky, energetic breed that is always ready for action

Exercise: A working dog that was bred for hunting, the Norwegian Elkhound requires at least an hour of exercise each day to remain happy and healthy. Not a natural retriever, this breed instead enjoys activities that are more fast-paced — like a vigorous walk — or that revolve around their agility and herding expertise.

Climate: The Norwegian Elkhound has a great tolerance for the cold but doesn’t tend to do well in the heat.