Norwegian Elkhound puppies

About the Norwegian Elkhound

The Norwegian Elkhound is an ancient Nordic spitz used to track moose over long distances, hold them at bay and bark until the hunter arrived. This is a compact, square dog of 50 to 52 cm and 21.8 to 24.9 kg, grey with black tipping, a dense double coat and a tightly curled tail. They are bold and friendly with people, confident to the point of stubbornness, and independent by design, since the job required them to make decisions far away from any handler.

The coat is the first thing owners notice, because the silver undercoat comes out in quantity twice a year. Five minutes of brushing against the lie of the coat each day keeps it manageable, and the breed needs very few baths. Exercise means long walks and swimming, always on lead or in a secure space, because the urge to range is strong. Ratings with children and other pets are moderate, so supervise and socialise. Do not count on a reliable return if you let one run free.

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a Norwegian Elkhound puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A medium breed puppy at eight weeks is a manageable armful that will not stay that way. Most of the growth happens between now and six months, so buy for the adult dog where you can. This is a high energy breed. At eight weeks that shows up as intensity rather than stamina, and they will need a job to do long before they need long walks. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• Hip dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed and scored for
• Progressive retinal atrophy, detectable by DNA test and eye screening
• Kidney disease, monitored by blood and urine testing
• Hypothyroidism, diagnosed by a blood thyroid panel

Your Norwegian Elkhound puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Medium for a Norwegian Elkhound.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 21.8 to 24.9 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Kit sizes: crate 36 inch (36 x 24 x 26 in, 91 x 61 x 66 cm) for an adult of up to 24.9 kg; chew toys made for medium breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.

Buying guides for this

• Best crate for a puppy: wire, plastic or soft, and how to size one with a divider

Other medium breeds

More on the Norwegian Elkhound

Previous: Norwegian Buhund · Next: Norwegian Lundehund

Sources

• akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
• fci.be for country of origin
• Health notes from Norwegian Elkhound breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/norwegian-elkhound/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Photo: HawkNightingale175, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.