Norwegian Elkhound

In the Viste cave on the Jæren peninsula, archaeological excavations uncovered four dog skeletons dated between 5000 and 4000 BC. According to Professor Brinchmann of the Bergen Museum, these dogs would be of type Elkhound and are the oldest evidence of the presence of this type of dog in Norway. Furthermore, Norwegian Elkhounds appear in many Viking sagas and have been found in Viking tombs buried in southwestern Norway. The Norwegian Elkhound has been selected for centuries in rural regions of Norway by farmers, hunters and shepherds to serve as a guard dog, shepherd and hunting dog for large game (elk, reindeer and bear). The breed adapted to the harsh Norwegian climate. In 1877, the Norwegian Hunters Association organized its first dog show, where Elkhounds were represented. Quickly, the first studbooks and standard were established in Norway. Interest in this breed extended to England where the British Elkhound Society was founded in 1923. In the 1930s, the Norwegian Elkhound Association of America was created.

The standard describes the Norwegian Elkhound Grey as fearless, energetic and courageous. It is a breed both independent and extremely sociable. It is a confident dog, it nevertheless remains attentive to its master. Training must be based on omnipresent communication in daily life, through the intermediary of the look and speech.

The Norwegian Elkhound Grey is a dog of spitz type of medium size, with a compact body with square structure and robust appearance. The limbs are vigorous, the back broad and straight and the neck is elastic and well-carried. The tail is carried as a plume and rolls over the back. The head evokes that of the wolf. The ears are erect and mobile. The dark brown eyes should not be prominent. The thick and abundant coat is formed of a mid-length and rough hair and a woolly and light grey undercoat. Shorter on the head and front of the limbs, it forms a collar around the neck. The coat is sandy coloured with charred extremities. The harness mark, which runs from the withers to the elbow, is a band of approximately five centimeters width, where the tips of the outer coat are not charred. The face has a black mask with a dark line running from the eye to the ear attachment serving as a boundary.

The Norwegian Elkhound Grey is a small eater, meals should not be too abundant. Industrial food suits him.