History
Norway’s national dog, the Norsk elghund (Norwegian Elkhound or more accurately “moose dog”) is a medium-sized dog that has hunted, herded and played guard dog since Viking times. This ancient Spitz is one of the oldest dog breeds, having originated as early as 5,000 B.C. Elkhounds have been found buried at Viking grave sites such as the Svarthola in Jæren, Norway. According to DNA research, the elkhound is descended from an extinct type of gray wolf originating in western Russia and central Europe.
The breed was first present at a Norwegian dog exhibit in 1877, and was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1913. It remains the only Spitz breed in the Hound category. It is the 100th most popular AKC breed, and has recently increased in popularity. The Norwegian elkhound is one of the most successful breeds at the Westminster dog show, having won the Hound category 11 times.
Name
The “elk” in elkhound is actually a mistranslation of the Norwegian word for “moose:” elg. This breed of dog is excellent at hunting moose, bear and reindeer, but there are actually no elk in Europe. During the Middle Ages, the breed was referred to as dyrehund, or “animal dog.”
Looks
The elkhound breed belongs to the Spitz family and possesses cold weather physical traits such as a thick stand-off coat, fuzzy pointed ears, a compact, dense body and a curly tail that sits on its back. Their coats are primarily a grayish wolf color with tips of black and white.
Personality
Friendly, confident, athletic and robust, Norwegian elkhounds love exercise and make great family pets. Perhaps due to their wolf roots, the elkhound is loyal and always wants to know who is in charge. This breed has incredible stamina and can track game for hours in harsh conditions and rough terrain. Its primary target is the moose, and it has the courage to hold large animals at bay while alerting the hunter by with sharp barking.
Famous Elkhounds
US President Herbert Hoover had a Norwegian Elkhound named Weegie, and Norway’s Minister of Defense has the power to mobilize all Norwegian Elkhounds in service of their country, if the need should ever arise.