Black Norwegian Elkhound
Encyclopedia
The Black Norwegian Elkhound (Norsk Elghund Sort) is a modern variant of the Grey Norwegian Elkhound
. It is a small Spitz
breed
and is very rare outside the Nordic countries
of Scandinavia
. It is bred for the same purpose as the Grey Norwegian Elkhound but is smaller, more agile, and easier to recognize in the snow. Historically, it is a much "younger" breed, first bred in Norway during the early 19th century.
The AKC
breed name "Elkhound," is a direct translation from its original Norwegian name "Elghund," meaning "moose dog." In Norwegian, "elg" means "moose", and "hund" means "dog."
It has a dense, short, thick, course, double coat and is solid black. The dog stands about 46-51 centimeters (18"-20") - 47 cm (+3/-4) for males and 44 cm (+3/-4) for females - and weighs about 18 kilograms (40 lbs).
Norwegian Elkhound
The Norwegian Elkhound is one of the ancient Northern Spitz-type breed of dog and is the National Dog of Norway. The Elkhound has served as a hunter, guardian, herder, and defender. In a land of subzero temperatures, deep snow, thick forests, and rugged mountains, only the hardiest of the breeds...
. It is a small Spitz
Spitz
Spitz-type dogs are a type of dog, characterized by long, thick, and often white fur, and pointed ears and muzzles...
breed
Breed
A breed is a group of domestic animals or plants with a homogeneous appearance, behavior, and other characteristics that distinguish it from other animals or plants of the same species. Despite the centrality of the idea of "breeds" to animal husbandry, there is no scientifically accepted...
and is very rare outside the Nordic countries
Nordic countries
The Nordic countries make up a region in Northern Europe and the North Atlantic which consists of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden and their associated territories, the Faroe Islands, Greenland and Åland...
of Scandinavia
Scandinavia
Scandinavia is a cultural, historical and ethno-linguistic region in northern Europe that includes the three kingdoms of Denmark, Norway and Sweden, characterized by their common ethno-cultural heritage and language. Modern Norway and Sweden proper are situated on the Scandinavian Peninsula,...
. It is bred for the same purpose as the Grey Norwegian Elkhound but is smaller, more agile, and easier to recognize in the snow. Historically, it is a much "younger" breed, first bred in Norway during the early 19th century.
The AKC
American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club is a registry of purebred dog pedigrees in the United States. Beyond maintaining its pedigree registry, this kennel club also promotes and sanctions events for purebred dogs, including the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, an annual event which predates the official...
breed name "Elkhound," is a direct translation from its original Norwegian name "Elghund," meaning "moose dog." In Norwegian, "elg" means "moose", and "hund" means "dog."
Appearance
The Black Norwegian Elkhound is a typical Spitz breed with a short compact body, dark eyes, ears standing straight up, and a curly tail carried over the back. It has a rich coat that does not stand out from the body. This is an all-weather hunting dog and the coat is very important. It must be able to keep out the heavy autumn rain in Scandinavia and endure the cold weather, which it does very well.It has a dense, short, thick, course, double coat and is solid black. The dog stands about 46-51 centimeters (18"-20") - 47 cm (+3/-4) for males and 44 cm (+3/-4) for females - and weighs about 18 kilograms (40 lbs).
Temperament
The Black Norwegian Elkhound is a very robust and hardy dog: very alert and full of power and pride. It is more strong-minded than the Grey Elkhound, and consequently needs a firm master as its leader. It is easy to train, but always needs something to do to be happy. It needs continuous exercise and activity in concert with its superb intelligence to do well. It is an excellent hunting dog and loves to be in the forest.Hunting
The Black Elkhound is used in all types of hunts but excels best in hunting large game such as elk, moose and bear. It is very good at tracking and makes an excellent watch dog. It is a good family dog but can sometimes be a bit contentious in relations with other dogs. The Elkhound has been an important dog for farmers in Scandinavia for hundreds of years.See also
- Karelian Bear DogKarelian Bear DogThe Karelian Bear Dog is a Finnish or Karelian breed of dog. In its home country, it is regarded as a national treasure. KBD will hunt any kind of animal. Its quick reflexes and fearless nature have made it very popular for hunting aggressive game, including bear, moose, and wild boar...
- Norwegian BuhundNorwegian BuhundThe Norwegian Buhund is a breed of dog of the spitz type. It is closely related to the Icelandic Sheepdog and the Jämthund. The name Buhund is derived from the Norwegian word "bu" which means farm, homestead or mountain hut, where the shepherd lived while looking after his herd in the summer...
- Norwegian ElkhoundNorwegian ElkhoundThe Norwegian Elkhound is one of the ancient Northern Spitz-type breed of dog and is the National Dog of Norway. The Elkhound has served as a hunter, guardian, herder, and defender. In a land of subzero temperatures, deep snow, thick forests, and rugged mountains, only the hardiest of the breeds...
- Norwegian LundehundNorwegian LundehundThe Norwegian Lundehund is a small dog breed of the Spitz type that originates from Norway. Its name is composed of the prefix Lunde, from the Norwegian lundefugl , and the suffix hund, meaning dog...
- Swedish Jamthund
- Swedish LapphundSwedish LapphundThe Swedish Lapphund is a breed of dog of the Spitz type from Sweden, one of three Lapphund breeds developed from a type of dog used by the Sami people for herding and guarding their reindeer....
- Swedish VallhundSwedish VallhundThe Swedish vallhund is a breed of dog. It is believed that the Swedish vallhund distinguished itself during the age of Vikings, more than 1,000 years ago. Known as the "Viking dog", the vallhund were bred to herd cattle, catch vermin , and guard the home...
- Tahltan Bear DogTahltan Bear DogThe Tahltan Bear Dog was a breed of dog that was indigenous to Canada. This breed is believed to be extinct by most authorities.-Appearance:The Tahltan was built somewhere between the lines of the spitz and pariah types...
(extinct)
Resources
- Books
- Norwegian Elkhound (Comprehensive Owner's Guide), 2005.
- Norwegian Elkhounds by Anna Katherine Nicholas. TFH, 1997.
- The Norwegian Elkhound (Pure Bred) by Nina P. Ross, PhD. Doral, 1995.
- The Elkhound in the British Isles by Anne Roslin-Williams. Witherby & Co., 1993.
- My 60 Years with Norwegian Elghunds by Olav P. Campbell, 1988.
- The New Complete Norwegian Elkhound, revised edition, by Olav Wallo. Howell, 1987.
- Norwegian Elkhounds by Anna Katherine Nicholas. TFH, 1983.
- Great Gray Dogs: The Norwegian Elkhound Factbook, 2nd edition. Great Gray Dogs, 1980.
- Your Norwegian Elkhound by Helen E. Franciose and Nancy C. Swanson. Denlinger, 1974.
- How to Raise and Train a Norwegian Elkhound by Glenna Clark Crafts. TFH, 1973. Reprint of the 1964 book with a different cover.
- Magazine Articles
- Dearth, Kim D.R. "The Norwegian Elkhound" Dog World September 1999, Vol. 84 Issue 9, p12-17.
- "Dog of the Vikings" Dog Fancy. April 1998.
- "Norwegian Elkhound". Dog World. July 1997, Vol. 82 Issue 7. p86.