The Norwegian Elkhound is a bold, hardy Nordic hound known for its confident spirit and ancient role tracking big game.
How the Norwegian Elkhound coat is built, and what that means when you groom it.
Critical: A Norwegian Elkhound should not be shaved.
The undercoat keeps heat out as well as in, and the outer coat shields the skin from sun and insect bites. Clipping the whole coat off removes both. It often grows back patchy, soft or a different colour, and in some animals the guard hairs never return properly. Brush the undercoat out instead of cutting it off.
Information: A Norwegian Elkhound drops its undercoat in heavy bursts.
The undercoat comes out in heavy bursts over a few weeks. An undercoat rake, or a bath followed by a proper blow-dry, clears it far faster than daily brushing. Clipping the coat down is not a shortcut for this.
A few of the Norwegian Elkhound profiles members have added to United Pet Club.
The Norwegian Elkhound is a medium-sized Nordic hunting dog from Norway, known for a confident, alert temperament and a dense gray coat built for cold weather.
The Norwegian Elkhound is a medium-sized spitz-type dog that originated in Norway. It was bred to track and hold large game, including moose (called elk in Europe), which gives the breed its name. The dog works by scent and by holding game at bay with persistent barking until the hunter arrives.
The breed has a square, compact build, a tightly curled tail carried over the back, and a thick double coat in shades of gray with black tipping. The expression is keen and friendly. Adults usually weigh between 20 and 25 kilograms and stand about 49 to 52 centimeters at the shoulder.
Norwegian Elkhounds are friendly with their families and tend to bond closely with the household. They are alert and vocal, which makes them effective watchdogs, and they carry themselves with a steady confidence. Their energy and stamina reflect generations of work in rough terrain.
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Origin | Norway |
| Size | Medium (about 20 to 25 kg) |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 years |
| Group/role | Hound, big-game tracker and watchdog |
| Good with | Families, older children, active households |
This breed fits an active owner who can provide daily exercise and consistent handling. The Elkhound does well in cool climates and tolerates outdoor activity in cold weather. It is vocal by nature, so it suits homes where regular barking is manageable. People who enjoy hiking, long walks, and an independent-minded dog will find the breed a good match.
The Norwegian Elkhound is an ancient Nordic breed from Norway, used for centuries to track moose and other big game before gaining formal recognition in the late 1800s.
The Norwegian Elkhound is one of the oldest spitz-type breeds in Scandinavia. Dogs of similar type have lived alongside people in the region for a very long time, and skeletal remains of spitz dogs have been found at Nordic archaeological sites that date back thousands of years. The breed developed in Norway as a hunting and guarding companion in a harsh northern climate.
The primary job was hunting moose. The dog ranged ahead of the hunter, located game by scent, and then held it in place with sustained barking until the hunter could approach. This style of work required stamina, courage, and an independent head, all traits the breed still shows today. The Elkhound was also used on other large game and served as a farm and homestead guardian.
Formal interest in standardizing the breed grew in the late 19th century. Norway held its first dog shows in the 1870s, and the Elkhound was among the breeds presented. Breed clubs and written standards followed, which helped fix the type that is recognized now.
The breed later spread beyond Norway to other parts of Europe and to North America, where it was registered by major kennel clubs in the early 20th century. It remains a national breed of Norway and is still valued both as a working hound and as a family dog.
The Norwegian Elkhound is a square, compact spitz with a gray double coat, a tightly curled tail, and dark, alert eyes.
The Norwegian Elkhound has a square, balanced outline, with body length roughly equal to height at the shoulder. The build is sturdy rather than heavy, with good bone and a deep chest that supports endurance. The head is wedge-shaped with erect, pointed ears and a clean muzzle. The tail is set high, thickly coated, and curled tightly over the back.
| Trait | Standard |
|---|---|
| Height | Males about 52 cm, females about 49 cm at the shoulder |
| Weight | Males about 23 kg, females about 20 kg |
| Coat | Dense double coat, hard outer guard hairs over a soft undercoat |
| Colors | Gray with black-tipped guard hairs, darker on the back, lighter on the chest and legs |
| Eyes | Dark brown, oval, with a keen and friendly expression |
The coat is the defining feature. A coarse, weather-resistant outer layer sits over a thick, woolly undercoat that insulates against cold. The standard color is gray, produced by black-tipped guard hairs over a lighter base. The shade is usually darker along the saddle and back and lighter on the underside, chest, legs, and the underside of the tail. A black mask and dark ears are common. The undercoat sheds heavily during seasonal molts, which calls for extra grooming at those times.
The Norwegian Elkhound is friendly and confident with its family, alert and vocal toward strangers, and independent enough to need consistent handling.
The Norwegian Elkhound is bold, friendly, and confident. With its own family it is affectionate and steady, and it tends to attach strongly to the household rather than to a single person. The breed is loyal and enjoys being part of daily activity.
With strangers the Elkhound is alert and watchful. It announces visitors readily, which makes it a capable watchdog, though it is usually more vocal than aggressive. Early and ongoing socialization helps it greet new people and situations calmly.
With other pets the breed can live well alongside dogs it is raised with. Its strong hunting drive means small animals may trigger chasing, so introductions and supervision matter. The Elkhound is intelligent and independent, a combination that can read as stubbornness, so it responds best to firm, fair, and consistent guidance.
| Trait | Rating |
|---|---|
| Affection | 4 |
| Energy | 4 |
| Trainability | 3 |
| Vocalness | 5 |
| Shedding | 5 |
The Norwegian Elkhound needs regular brushing with heavy seasonal grooming, plenty of daily exercise, and a cool environment suited to its dense coat.
The Norwegian Elkhound is built for cold and tolerates outdoor activity in cool and freezing weather. It can struggle in heat, so exercise should shift to cooler parts of the day in warm climates and shade and water must always be available. The breed adapts to family homes with a yard and prefers to be near its people rather than left alone for long stretches.
The Norwegian Elkhound does well on a measured, balanced diet, with portions controlled carefully because the breed gains weight easily.
The Norwegian Elkhound needs a complete, balanced diet matched to its age, weight, and activity level. The breed has a hearty appetite and puts on weight easily, so portions should be measured rather than free-fed. Maintaining a lean body condition protects the joints and supports a long, active life. Fresh water should always be available.
| Life stage | Amount per day | Meals |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy (2 to 6 months) | Per product guide for growth, divided | 3 to 4 |
| Junior (6 to 12 months) | About 1.5 to 2 cups of quality dry food | 2 to 3 |
| Adult | About 1.5 to 2 cups, adjusted to activity | 2 |
| Senior | Slightly reduced, watch for weight gain | 2 |
Treats should make up no more than about 10 percent of daily calories, and the main meal portion should be reduced when extra treats are given. Most Elkhounds on a complete commercial diet do not need supplements. Any addition, such as a joint supplement for an older dog, should be discussed with a veterinarian first.
The Norwegian Elkhound is generally hardy with a lifespan of 12 to 15 years, though it can be prone to hip dysplasia, eye conditions, and weight-related problems.
The Norwegian Elkhound is a robust, hardy breed with a typical lifespan of 12 to 15 years. Good breeding, sensible feeding, and regular exercise go a long way toward a healthy life. As with many breeds, there are a few inherited and lifestyle-related conditions worth watching.
| Condition | Signs | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | Stiffness, limping, reluctance to jump | Screening of breeding stock helps reduce risk |
| Progressive retinal atrophy | Night blindness, declining vision | An inherited eye disease; DNA and eye testing aid detection |
| Hypothyroidism | Weight gain, lethargy, coat changes | Managed with daily medication after diagnosis |
| Obesity | Excess weight, low stamina | Controlled with measured feeding and exercise |
The Norwegian Elkhound is intelligent but independent, so it learns well with early, consistent, reward-based training and steady socialization.
The Norwegian Elkhound is smart and capable, but it was bred to work at a distance from the hunter and to make its own decisions. That independence means it does not always obey simply because it is asked. Training works best when it is consistent, short, and motivating, and when the dog sees a reason to cooperate. Harsh methods tend to backfire with this breed and can make it more stubborn.
Early socialization is important. Exposing the puppy to a range of people, dogs, places, and sounds builds a confident, settled adult. Because the breed is naturally vocal, teaching a reliable quiet cue early helps manage barking.
Norwegian Elkhounds reach breeding maturity at one to two years, carry litters of around six puppies after a roughly nine-week pregnancy, and raise hardy young.
Responsible breeding of Norwegian Elkhounds begins with health-tested parents and a clear understanding of the breed. Dogs reach physical maturity around one to two years of age, and most breeders wait until the second year before a first litter so the dam is fully grown. Health screening for hip and eye conditions before mating helps reduce inherited problems.
Pregnancy lasts about 63 days. Litters average around six puppies, though the number varies. The dam usually whelps without difficulty, but a quiet, warm space and veterinary support on standby are wise.
Newborn puppies are blind and deaf at birth and depend fully on the mother for warmth and milk. Eyes open at around two weeks. Weaning begins near three to four weeks, and structured socialization should start in the following weeks. Puppies are typically ready to leave for new homes at about eight weeks, once eating solid food and showing steady early development.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Breeding maturity | About 1 to 2 years |
| Gestation | About 63 days |
| Average litter size | About 6 puppies |
| Eyes open | About 14 days |
| Weaning | About 3 to 4 weeks |
| Ready for new home | About 8 weeks |
The city vet office handles the RA 9482 paperwork; a free United Pet Club record is what a finder anywhere can actually search for your Norwegian Elkhound.
A Norwegian Elkhound that gets loose during a storm is identified by whatever record answers the scan, not by the barangay it came from. Give it a record that answers: your mobile number, the dog's photo, and his details, free for life with United Pet Club. Register your dog today and it is done for good.
The clinic's part ended with the implant; the tracing part is yours. File your Norwegian Elkhound's 15-digit number with United Pet Club and every scan leads to your phone: free for life, all brands accepted, updates free every time your details change. Microchip registration plus a free account finishes the job.
Open a free United Pet Club account, add your Norwegian Elkhound's details and a photo, then save the profile. It stays free for his whole life and sits alongside the city vet office registration RA 9482 requires.
Type the 15-digit chip number into your free account together with your mobile number and address. The lifetime plan charges nothing for the registration or for any update, whatever brand the clinic used.
Yes, RA 9482 requires dog registration with your city or municipal veterinary office, along with current anti-rabies vaccination. The United Pet Club profile is the searchable half: free, worldwide, and tied to your current mobile.
Nothing. The free lifetime plan covers the profile, the microchip record, and every update, with no renewal fees at all.
Common questions about the Norwegian Elkhound cover its size, temperament, grooming demands, lifespan, family suitability, and availability.
It is a medium breed. Males stand about 52 cm at the shoulder and weigh around 23 kg, while females are slightly smaller at about 49 cm and 20 kg.
It is friendly and confident with its family, alert and vocal toward strangers, and independent in nature. It makes a good watchdog and a loyal companion.
Care is moderate. The main demands are heavy seasonal shedding that calls for daily brushing during molts, and a need for regular exercise. Beginners who can meet those needs can manage the breed.
The typical lifespan is 12 to 15 years, helped by a lean weight, regular exercise, and routine veterinary care.
Yes. It bonds closely with the household and does well with older children. As with any dog, interactions with young children should be supervised.
Yes. The breed is naturally vocal, a trait that traces to its work holding game at bay. Early training of a quiet cue helps keep barking in check.
They are an established breed recognized by major kennel clubs, but they are less common than popular breeds. Finding a health-testing breeder may involve a waiting list.
