| The Norwegian Elkhound can be traced as far | | | | course now there are established hunting seasons |
| back as the stone ages. Through the study of | | | | for these animals. The Norwegian Elkhound is |
| the fossils from that time it can be determined | | | | generally a versatile farm dog, going after all kinds |
| that there existed the same basic dog that we | | | | of marauding predators and also making himself |
| know of today as the Elkhound. | | | | useful as a herding dog for the livestock. The |
| This breed has such purity of ancestry that it can | | | | Norwegian Elkhound is a medium sized dog with a |
| be considered to be one of the most ancient of | | | | densely furred coat. The color is solid gray in |
| all the dogs. The Norwegian word for the dog", | | | | varying shades, with black tips on the ends of the |
| elghund" actually means "moosedog" however, | | | | hairs. Usually there is a typical whiter band of hair |
| Elkhound is the translation which stuck. Hound is | | | | across the shoulders and around the eyes in a |
| probably not an appropriate term for the dog | | | | spectacle appearance. Also the breeches of the |
| does not have any hound in its genetic makeup. | | | | hind legs and the underside of the tightly curled tail |
| However despite this the dog was brought into | | | | are in lighter shades. Actually, the markings of the |
| the American Kennel club in the Hound group. | | | | breed are similar to those of the Keeshond. |
| Devotees of the breed find that having the dog in | | | | However the Keeshond has a coat which is much |
| this class or group can be a disadvantage since it | | | | longer. The Norwegian Elkhounds of today are |
| bears very little resemblance to the dogs typically | | | | popular as a family pet in most parts of the world |
| entered as "hounds". | | | | and of course are shown in the dog shows. |
| There are three varieties of the Norwegian | | | | One of the most well known judges and |
| Elkhound, all three are close cousins and have | | | | breeders, Patricia Hastings, made the Norwegian |
| remained unchanged through the centuries. The | | | | Elkhound famous in the show rings of the United |
| Gray Elkhound is the one most familiar, then there | | | | States and also at Crufts. She bred and raised |
| is the Black (which is a slightly smaller variety) and | | | | this breed for many years and took several of |
| the Swedish or the Jamthound. | | | | her dogs to the coveted wins of Best of Breed |
| Today the Elkhound still is used in the Northern | | | | and even Best in show at Westminster, later |
| countries to track and follow wild game, including | | | | going on to become a judge of great skill. Her |
| moose, elk, deer, lynx and wolf. Many of the pet | | | | positive influence on the breed has no doubt |
| owners of this breed have no idea that indeed it | | | | increased the numbers of these dogs that are |
| is a hunting dog with unique versatility for it will | | | | now found as family pets. However the dog is |
| bay on the track, or creep in silence behind the | | | | not a dog which is for everyone. It is a dog that |
| animal, or attack with dodging and feinting to bring | | | | must have a purpose and simply lying about the |
| the animal down. Those who do hunt with this | | | | house is not part of its nature. Any dog that has |
| dog will insist that he can pick up the scent of the | | | | solid working or hunting instincts can quickly |
| elk or moose as far away as three miles. He also | | | | become bored and quite destructive if the |
| is used on smaller game because moose and elk | | | | working nature of the breed is not channeled and |
| are not as plentiful as they once were and of | | | | encouraged. |