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Norwegian Elkhounds Make Great Pet Dogs
Norwegian Elkhounds are an old breed, dating back to Stone Age
times in Scandinavia. Fossil dating confirms its long use as a
domesticated hunting companion of man. They are only moderately
popular in the U.S., but as you'll see, this breed has a lot of
desirable traits that make it a good choice as a pet.
Physical Characteristics
Norwegian Elkhounds are beautiful dogs, with medium-sized
bodies, a distinctive Spitz curled tail, and strong, athletic
lines. Bred to hunt a variety of prey, they possess amazing
stamina and can go strong for days at a time. Like all hunting
dogs, Elkhounds have powerful jaw muscles and ears that move
around the head to pick up sounds coming from many directions.
They have wide, deep, muscular chests and front legs designed
for quick bursts of speed.
Not surprisingly, since they evolved in colder climes, Norwegian
Elkhounds possess a thick double coat that is darker gray on top
and lighter underneath. It is superbly suited for heat
absorption and retention. They also emit no "doggie" odor -
another common characteristic of hunting dogs. This works to
mask its presence when stalking prey. For us as pet owners, this
makes the Elkhound a very clean dog, even in the hot summer
months when other breeds can become smelly from all the
perspiration.
Elkhounds stand 18-22 inches tall and generally run between
40-55 lbs. Pound for pound, they are one of the fiercest hunting
dogs in existence and make excellent guard dogs for homes and
businesses. They bark loudly and often, which is either a good
or a bad thing, depending on where you live and what job you
give the dog.
From a health perspective, Elkhounds are prone to hip dysplasia,
dermatitis, and Fanconi Syndrome (rare, but can lead to kidney
failure). You should also be careful not to overfeed this breed,
as it gains weight quickly and doesn't shed pounds efficiently
in a sedentary domestic environment.
Temperament
The Norwegian Elkhound is both friendly and fiercely loyal. This
is a great trait in a pet dog, but care must be taken to
properly socialize the animal to avoid aggression toward
strangers (both other dogs and humans). Having only occasional
visitors can bring out the 'guard dog' tendency. Early
socialization, such as taking the pup to crowded parks or having
lots of family and friends over on a regular basis, can instill
a sense of ease around strange dogs and people that will last
your dog's lifetime. The key is to help your pet Elkhound learn
early on to associate your presence among others as a good thing
- not a situation requiring his/her defensive posturing
(barking, growling, aggressive movements).
Like all arctic dog breeds, Elkhounds have a definite
independent streak. Intelligent and resourceful, they are one of
the best breeds to have as an 'only pet.' They are a bit
resistant to formal training, so you need to be firm (but never
mean) to teach them. They respond well to praise and rewards,
but are very sensitive and will remain aloof for long periods if
you treat them unfairly or punish too much during training. The
key is to be firm, but give lots and lots of praise and love to
reward him/her when the behavior you want to instill is
exhibited.
The most common complaint about Norwegian Elkhound behavior is
the barking. Understand that hunting dogs need to hold the prey
at bay and alert their masters to their location at the same
time. This means that the more boisterous dogs were better at
helping their masters hunt, so they got bred more often. As a
natural result, this breed now features loud barking almost
universally. Don't get an Elkhound if this will pose a problem.
Elkhounds as Pets
As you've probably discerned, Norwegians need a lot of activity.
They are tireless runners and need to burn that energy off.
Therefore, they are not good pets for apartment or condominium
dwellers, unless you can provide ample outdoor space for regular
exercise. Ideally, a big fenced yard or local park with a
regularly active owner is the perfect setting for these dogs.
Norwegian Elkhounds are also best suited for a cooler climate.
They can overheat quickly in any region where the temperature
exceeds 90 in the Summer. However, they do very well during cold
winters, even when temps dip into sub-zero readings.
Finally, always exercise caution when taking your Elkhound out
for a walk or jog. Use a leash! They have an independent streak
and are known to ignore their masters when they pick up an
interesting scent. Even trained dogs of this breed will
sometimes defy their masters when a really enticing scent comes
along, so don't get complacent!
Overall, the Norwegian Elkhound is an excellent dog to bring
into your home as a pet. Loyal, friendly, intelligent and
energetic, they make wonderful pets for active people or working
dogs for those with property protection needs.
© John Schwartz http://www.puppies-dogs-supplies.com (all rights
reserved)
About the author:
John Schwartz is a freelance writer and dog lover. He has
written many published articles on subjects like safe dog
toys and supplies, pet health issues, and effective dog
training practices. Visit his website at http://www.puppies-do
gs-supplies.com for more information and useful tips.
John Schwartz
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