The Norwegian Elkhound Dog: The Norwegian Elkhound is a Spitz-type breed originating in Norway. This breed has served as a herder, hunter, and defender throughout history. Known for its courage and ability to track large games, the Norwegian Elkhound Dog has a rich history. You can read more about this breed’s history and characteristics below. If you’d like to own a Norwegian Elkhound, here are some essential tips:
Characteristics
The characteristic of the Norwegian Elkhound is that it is headstrong and independent. They are loyal and friendly with their family and friends and are generally very friendly towards other animals. However, this breed can be aggressive toward strangers. It is essential to introduce your dog to other dogs as an adult. They should be trained to remain calm around children. It is not advisable to leave it alone with small children.
The high level of activity and independence that makes the Norwegian Elkhound an ideal dog for hunting is also its downfall. While the Norwegian Elkhound is intelligent, this trait makes him difficult to train for everyday obedience. This trait also leads to an increased tendency for territoriality and barking more than other breeds. Even though this breed is brilliant and affectionate, it may not be appropriate for a family with small children, as it may mistake smaller animals for prey.
Health
Are you considering buying a new Norwegian Elkhound? You need to be aware of the common diseases in this breed. You can prevent problems by learning about the symptoms of each one and scheduling your pet’s annual checkup at the veterinarian. However, you should be concerned if you do not see any symptoms in your pet. Here are some signs to watch for and ways to prevent them. Listed below are some common diseases that you should be aware of.
Ensure your Norwegian Elkhound Dog eats nutritious food low in phosphorus. Phosphorus in dog food can lead to joint pain, heart disease, and metabolic disorders. Ensure your dog is not a “food toy” – don’t feed leftover human food or doggie treats. Also, remember to give them plenty of attention! This breed needs a lot of attention.
Care
While the Norwegian Elkhound is generally a healthy breed, they are susceptible to specific health problems. The most common is canine hip dysplasia, but minor health issues can also affect the breed. Your pet should be examined by a veterinarian regularly for hip, eye, and urine tests. You should also brush your dog’s fur daily during the shedding season. It also needs twice-weekly brushing otherwise. This breed typically lives for 10 to 12 years.
Besides healthy teeth, this breed can develop hot spots. Regular brushing and ear cleaning can help prevent these problems from occurring. As athletic as this breed is, it can establish fleas and ticks. Flea and tick shampoo is a good choice, but you can also use a tick-repellent spray that keeps ticks away for up to 12 days. Flea-and-tick repellent wipes are convenient for between baths and before outdoor adventures.
Care for a Norwegian Elkhound
If you consider bringing a new addition to your family, consider getting a Norwegian elkhound. While this breed is famous for its fierce hunting instinct, you’ll be pleased to learn that it also makes a beautiful family pet. While this breed may be best for a family with older children, it is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a loyal, affectionate pet.
The Norwegian Elkhound is a brilliant dog that will challenge you to train it properly. It’s a demanding breed that needs exercise to stay healthy. They need at least thirty minutes of exercise twice a day. Even though this breed tends to be overweight, if you provide enough exercise and mental stimulation, they’ll be just as happy in an apartment. Despite their intense needs, Norwegian elkhounds make great companions for outdoor exercise.
Training
To train your Norwegian Elkhound dog, you must be firm and persistent. It would always help to give your Norwegian Elkhound plenty of exercise and socialization. This breed is high-energy and should be exercised vigorously daily. If not, your dog might become high-strung. Then again, a dog should always heel beside or behind you and never in front of you. Daily brushing is required, especially if you plan on letting your dog molt since its coat becomes matted and oily. After training, you should give your dog regular and thorough cooling after every molt.
Training a Norwegian Elkhound Dog is no easy feat. Unlike most other dogs, the Norwegian Elkhound is high-energy and requires daily exercise. They need at least an hour of exercise each day. They also require consistent training, regular socialization, and daily brushing to maintain their thick coat. While these traits make them perfect for the family home, they can also be distracting when training.
Socialization
The Norwegian Elkhound is a brilliant, loyal, playful dog. Although devoted to their owners, they can be aggressive toward other dogs and children. As such, the socialization of Norwegian Elkhound dogs should begin from puppyhood, mainly if your family includes children. While this breed is friendly to children, it may not be easy to train, but a consistent, positive approach is critical to training this intelligent dog.
To properly socialize your Norwegian Elkhound dog, take him to as many public places as possible. You can take him to dog parks to meet other dogs and get him used to people. Ideally, he will not have any housebreaking problems, but starting the socialization process as early as possible is a good idea. Most breeders recommend that owners exercise their dogs for at least 30 minutes twice daily.
Norwegian Elkhound Dog Colors
Among the many breeds of dogs, the Norwegian Elkhound is one of the most common. As the National Dog of Norway, it has been used for hunting, guarding, herding, and defending its territory. This breed is known for its courage and ability to track big games. There are a variety of colors available for a Norwegian Elkhound. Here are some of the most common types of Norwegian Elkhounds.
The Norwegian Elkhound has a thick, hard coat with a forming undercoat. Its skin is long enough to protect the dog from the cold but short enough to prevent it from getting caught in marshes or brushes. This breed is dignified and independent, and its square build gives it a distinct look. It is because it was initially bred to hunt elk, not humans.
The CKC recognizes three primary color variations in the Norwegian Elkhound. These are nonstandard, gray, and black. The most common color is gray, which comes in many different tints. The ears of a gray-cream dog are darker. The only unusual hue is black. It can be any color if it matches the coat type. You can choose a Norwegian Elkhound coat type based on the dog’s personality.
You’ll be pleased with the Norwegian Elkhound if you’re looking for an outgoing and loyal dog. Though they are shy with strangers, they are generally affectionate. Unlike some breeds, they don’t seek out new friends quickly. Instead, they enjoy hanging out alone while their humans are busy at work. They’re respectful and easy to adjust to apartment life. And because they’re so loyal, they make good pets for apartment living.
See Also: Norwegian Elkhound – Dog Breeds