Appearance

The Norwegian Elkhound is a rugged and robustly built dog. The square body is well muscled and relatively short, with straight legs and a tail that curls tightly over the back. The head is broad and wedge-shaped, with a black muzzle, dark brown eyes and erect triangular-shaped ears. The thick double-coat consists of a soft wooly undercoat and a hard, straight waterproof topcoat, and the coloring tends to be grey with lighter silver on the underside.

History

An ancient breed, the Norwegian Elkhound dates back more than 6,000 years. These dogs served Scandinavian farmers and Vikings as herders, watchdogs, hunters and companions. The Norwegian Elkhound’s cherished traits—fearlessness, loyalty and versatility—evolved naturally from its many years of exposure to stark climates and close companionship with hunters.