Norwegian Elkhound
Also called Elghund, Norsk Elghund and Norwegian Grey Elkhound
- Great with kids
- Sheds a lot
- Barks a lot
The Norwegian Elkhound is an ancient breed of Spitz-type hunting and guard dog from Norway. They are strong and powerful, yet friendly and loyal. Norwegian Elkhounds have a thick, double coat with a long, profuse undercoat and a short, thick outer coat. They come in various colors, including black and grey. They are independent and intelligent, and make great family pets.
- Weight
- 40–55 lb (18–25 kg)
- Height at the shoulder
- 18–21 in (46–53 cm)
- Life span
- 12–15 years
- Exercise
- About 60 minutes a day
- Coat
- Medium, Double
- Origin
- Scandinavia, Norway
Traits
Family and friends
- Children: Good with children
- Other dogs: OK with other dogs
- Strangers: Polite with strangers
Home and activity
- Energy: Energetic
- Apartment living: Can manage in an apartment
- Barking: Barks often
- Training: Fairly easy to train
Care
- Grooming: Regular brushing
- Shedding: Sheds heavily
- Drooling: Hardly drools
Temperament
Alert
Bold
Energetic
Friendly
Independent
Loyal
Coat colours
Gray
Males and females
| Measure | Males | Females |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 44–55 lb (20–25 kg) | 40–51 lb (18–23 kg) |
| Height | 19–21 in (48–53 cm) | 18–20 in (46–51 cm) |
Recognized by
American Kennel Club (AKC), Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI), The Kennel Club (UK) (KC) and United Kennel Club (UKC)
Caring for a Norwegian Elkhound
Find pet services near you that suit this breed.
Breeds of a similar size
All medium breeds
Sources
- Breed Standards: Norwegian Elkhound | United Kennel Club (UKC) (opens in a new tab)
- Norwegian Elkhound | Breed Standards | The Kennel Club (opens in a new tab)
- Norwegian Elkhound Dog Breed - Hill's Pet US (opens in a new tab)
- Norwegian Elkhound Dog Breed Information and Pictures (opens in a new tab)
- Norwegian Elkhound Dog Breed Information & Characteristics (opens in a new tab)
Breed details from The Dog API (opens in a new tab).