The Black Norwegian Elkhound is a modern version of the Grey Norwegian Elkhound and originated in Norway.
"Elkhound" is English for the Norwegian "Elghund," which translates to "moose dog".
It is a small spitz breed.
History This is an ancient breed of dog that dates back to the Stone Age.
Thousands of years old, they lived with cavemen and were used for hunting game and tracking animals such as: Elk Moose Bear Badger Wolf Lynx Rabbit Mountain lion Reindeer The breed originated in Scandinavia and was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1913.
It was acknowledged by the British Kennel Club in 1923.
Appearance The male stands 19-21 inches in height, while the female is 18-20 inches in height.
The male dog weights 50-60 pounds, and the female is 40-55 pounds.
Its fur is coarse, short, and thick, and requires regular grooming.
It is smaller than other Elkhounds.
It is a medium size dog, sturdy, athletic, and squarely built.
The skull is flat with a wedge shaped head, and the muzzle has a straight nasal bridge.
They have dark brown eyes and a black nose.
Their lips are black, and their jaw is strong.
The ears are pointed and sit broadly and high on the head.
The tail curls over the back.
They have strong forearms and muscular hindquarters, with white markings on the chest and feet.
Temperament It is not only a hunting dog but also a family dog.
They are great with children; both loyal and friendly.
They are gentle and docile, but they aren't to be trusted with pets other than cats and dogs, being a hunting dog by nature.
They are also energetic and independent, so they need firm but kind discipline.
It is best not to over feed this elkhound, as they gain weight easily.
Grooming Because of their dense coats, they can withstand all types of weather.
They have a softer undercoat with a denser outer coat.
They need regular grooming as their fur is pretty thick.
Their coat does not smell like regular dogs because they have a natural resistance to water and dirt.
It is best not to over-wash these dogs, so you don't strip down the natural oils in their coats that provide protection.
Hunting These elkhounds are hunting and guard dogs by nature and can smell game a mile away.
Although they are also used for herding, sledding, and watchdogs, they are hunters at heart and work best at night.
They have stamina and agility and can track for hours in adverse weather conditions and rugged terrain without tiring.
Genetic Diseases The breed is prone to hip dysplasia, pyotraumatic dermatitis, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).
Every so often, Fanconi syndrome is an issue for this dog.
For whatever reason you consider a Black Norwegian Elkhound, be it as a family dog or for hunting, you can't go wrong with your selection of a breed that has stood the test of time for centuries.
"Elkhound" is English for the Norwegian "Elghund," which translates to "moose dog".
It is a small spitz breed.
History This is an ancient breed of dog that dates back to the Stone Age.
Thousands of years old, they lived with cavemen and were used for hunting game and tracking animals such as: Elk Moose Bear Badger Wolf Lynx Rabbit Mountain lion Reindeer The breed originated in Scandinavia and was first recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1913.
It was acknowledged by the British Kennel Club in 1923.
Appearance The male stands 19-21 inches in height, while the female is 18-20 inches in height.
The male dog weights 50-60 pounds, and the female is 40-55 pounds.
Its fur is coarse, short, and thick, and requires regular grooming.
It is smaller than other Elkhounds.
It is a medium size dog, sturdy, athletic, and squarely built.
The skull is flat with a wedge shaped head, and the muzzle has a straight nasal bridge.
They have dark brown eyes and a black nose.
Their lips are black, and their jaw is strong.
The ears are pointed and sit broadly and high on the head.
The tail curls over the back.
They have strong forearms and muscular hindquarters, with white markings on the chest and feet.
Temperament It is not only a hunting dog but also a family dog.
They are great with children; both loyal and friendly.
They are gentle and docile, but they aren't to be trusted with pets other than cats and dogs, being a hunting dog by nature.
They are also energetic and independent, so they need firm but kind discipline.
It is best not to over feed this elkhound, as they gain weight easily.
Grooming Because of their dense coats, they can withstand all types of weather.
They have a softer undercoat with a denser outer coat.
They need regular grooming as their fur is pretty thick.
Their coat does not smell like regular dogs because they have a natural resistance to water and dirt.
It is best not to over-wash these dogs, so you don't strip down the natural oils in their coats that provide protection.
Hunting These elkhounds are hunting and guard dogs by nature and can smell game a mile away.
Although they are also used for herding, sledding, and watchdogs, they are hunters at heart and work best at night.
They have stamina and agility and can track for hours in adverse weather conditions and rugged terrain without tiring.
Genetic Diseases The breed is prone to hip dysplasia, pyotraumatic dermatitis, and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA).
Every so often, Fanconi syndrome is an issue for this dog.
For whatever reason you consider a Black Norwegian Elkhound, be it as a family dog or for hunting, you can't go wrong with your selection of a breed that has stood the test of time for centuries.
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