Norwegian elding hunters are dogs belonging to the Nordic Spitz category and are traditionally considered hunting dogs. They are very common in the mountains of Norway, from where they probably originate. They are also called Elkhound and are probably descendants of the old marsh dogs, the first dogs that lived in the villages of Europe in prehistoric times.
Due to archaeological remains found in warehouses, where remains of Viking ships and colonies have been found and where skeletons of dogs have also appeared practically identical to those of the present Elkhound, it is presumed that they are dogs that accompanied the Vikings on their long and exciting journeys.
- Traditionally.
- As hunting dogs were used.
- As is inferred from their name.
- Ele hunters or Norwegian elders.
- This is not a coincidence.
- As these dogs have an incredibly developed sense of smell.
- As well as a great resistance to the persecution of prey.
- Usually Noisi moose and mountain bears.
These dogs are considered a medium to large breed, with a size in males between 45 and 55 centimeters to the cross and a weight between 23 and 27 kg. In females the size is somewhat smaller, but not exaggerated, since they weigh between 18 and 25 kg and their height varies between 45 and 50 centimeters. Gender differences are sometimes negligible.
Continuing with the characteristics of the Norwegian Elkhound, its body is square in shape and very strong and robust, with its tail high curly insertion on the back and covered with dense and long hair. The Head of the Elkhound is wedge-shaped, narrows as the black truffle approaches and has a sensitive but not abrupt stop. The eyes are usually dark brown and are not very large or prominent. The ears, raised and tied high, like the tail, are pointed and long.
The coat of the Norwegian Elkhound has two layers, a relatively long, dense, smooth and thicker upper, and the lower layer is diffuse, very soft and also dense. This two-layer structure ensures a great insulating capacity against the cold, which predominates in the places of origin of the Elkhound. The range of shades of gray is the only one accepted in the pattern, usually with a lighter tone on the belly, chest and legs, with black tips on the hairs of the surface layer determining the degree of clarity or darkness of the gray. The anterior part of the snout and the ears form a dark mask and usually have a harness-shaped mark, characterized by hairs from the cross area on the elbows and from the tourniquet to the chest, forming a line about 5-6 centimeters wide. ; This brand does not have the same hair with black tips that are present in the rest of the body.
Elus are very attentive dogs, and have a very active personality, always alert, so they are excellent guard dogs, warning of any potential danger with their barking. For this reason, they are very suspicious and reluctant to deal with strangers, although they are generally not aggressive.
On the other hand, the Elkhounds are very affectionate and sociable dogs, especially with people, because with other dogs or other animals, they can be really bad. They are very suitable dogs for children, because with them they are especially patient and attentive, taking care of them and making sure nothing happens to them. So, they are great babysitting dogs.
Another characteristic of the norwegian Elkhound’s temperament is that it is a very independent dog, so you have to give it space to move and be comfortable. In addition, it is a very playful and active dog, so it needs a lot of exercise to keep calm.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that we are talking about an extremely sweet dog, which facilitates its training with prices, which we will talk about in the following sections.
As we have already said, in the care of the Norwegian Elkhound highlights the high dose of physical activity you need. This dog has a high level of energy, so you need to exercise daily, otherwise you will be nervous and may have disruptive or abnormal behaviors. A minimum of one hour of high-intensity exercise per day is recommended. In addition to the imbalance, physical inactivity can lead them to develop obesity or, at the very least, overweight, which will have several negative consequences for their health.
As for the care of your fur, you need a minimum of 2 to 3 brushes per week to be in good condition, although the bathrooms should be limited only when necessary, since the Elkhounds have a rather delicate appearance and can suffer various dermatological diseases.
Because they are very sweet dogs, in addition to subjecting them to various physical activities, it will be essential to offer them a suitable diet, composed mainly of meat and fish, with fewer fruits and vegetables. If you want to offer food of animal origin, it is very important to choose a quality one, based on natural ingredients and suitable for human consumption. To set up a home plan, we recommend that you refer to this article: “BarF Dog Diet”.
If, instead of an adult, you have adopted an Elkhound puppy, and also if you are the first dog you live with, you need to add a comfortable bed to sleep, several toys (including dental teeth), feeders and drinkers.
As we mentioned, this breed is extremely sweet, so prices are a good motivation for them to learn, being a great incentive when they receive a snack when they do something good. You can also enjoy your good sense of smell and exercise it through tracking and sniffing games, which will stimulate you physically and mentally.
For good results during Elkhound training, some general recommendations are: exercise before sessions, use rewards, and use training techniques based on reinforcement and respect. The use of punishment, screaming or violence will not bring positive results to anyone, on the contrary, will lead to the development of fear, insecurity and anxiety in the dog, which can lead to an aggressive attitude if you feel assaulted. Therefore, it is advisable to reinforce good behaviors and motivate the puppy to continue learning with words of encouragement and affection. A properly stimulated and motivated dog will not only learn faster, but will also be happier.
Finally, and returning to the initial advice, to achieve the expected results, it is essential to educate Elkhound consistently and patiently. Some breeds are able to internalize certain commands or habits of coexistence even with less rigorous training; However, with this breed it is necessary to work every day using the techniques mentioned. However, you should never exceed 15 minutes per session, as excessive time will cause the animal to get bored or nervous.
Elkhound can be proud of your iron health, without serious congenital or hereditary diseases. It simply seems to have a certain propensity to develop skin-affecting diseases, such as dermatitis or thrush.
In order for your dog to maintain good general health, it is recommended to visit the veterinarian regularly. During these visits, in addition to vaccinating and performing internal and external deworming, the dog must undergo diagnostic tests to check its health and be able to detect the onset or presence of diseases as quickly as possible.
If you offer all the necessary care and make regular visits to the veterinarian, Elkhound can accompany you for 12 to 15 years.