Norwegian Elkhound

Originating in Scandinavia, the Norwegian Elkhound is believed to have accompanied the Vikings. It is an ancient breed with records suggesting it dates back to 5000 BC. Over the centuries, Elkhounds were considered as prized hunters, guard dogs and companions. They are mostly known to hunt big games such as elks, hence the name Elkhound. However, the dog's hunting skills are not limited to elks. It can also hunt bears, badgers, mountain lions, wolves, reindeer, and rabbits.

Though the Norwegian Elkhound has been known in Norway for centuries, it was only in 1877 that they breed was exhibited in a formal dog show held by the Norwegian Hunters Association. In the same period, owners and breeders started keeping better records of pedigrees and tracing its ancestry as far back as possible. The grand dog named Gamle Bamse Gram was the ideal specimen from which the Norwegian Elkhound breed standard was derived.

In the 1990s, the breed also gained popularity in other countries. The Norwegian Elkhound was accepted and recognised by The Kennel Club in the UK in 1923, the same year that the British Elkhound Society was also founded. The Norwegian Elkhound has become the national dog of Norway.

The Norwegian Elkhound is a medium-size hound dog, weighing 48 to 55 pounds and standing 49 to 52 centimetres. It has a Spitz-type build with the typical northern appearance. It has a square-proportioned body, tightly curled tail, pricked ears, broad wedge-shaped head, and a clearly defined stop. Elkhounds have warm and friendly eyes that are dark brown. Its athletic build is suitable to endure arduous hunting in rough terrain and wet, cold weather.

The Norwegian's thick and smooth double coat offers excellent protection against extreme temperatures. The coat is comprised of a dense, soft, woolly undercoat and straight, short, thick outer coat. Accepted breed colours include shades of grey, grey and black, and wolf grey. Its coat often has black tips to each hair.

Norwegian Elkhounds moderately shed except during autumn and spring. Weekly brushing will control its low shedding, but during the period that it sheds heavily, daily brushing is required. Luckily, this type of dog does not emit any doggie odour so it can be bathed when necessary.

As always, basic grooming regimen should not stop at the coat. Norwegian Elkhounds' ears must be checked and cleaned on a regular basis to stop excess wax build-up which may lead to infection. Brush teeth at least twice a week to keep bad breath and gum disease at bay. Nail trimming is equally important since long nails can be painful or uncomfortable.

Norwegian Elkhounds are known to be empathic dogs. They are sensitive and in tune with the feelings of their owners and instinctively know when to stay quiet or be comical. Separation anxiety is also a concern since Elkhounds form attachments with their families and do not like to be left alone. They are suitable for families with one member staying at home most times. When left alone for too long, Elkhounds tend to be destructive.

As an energetic dog bred to hunt, these dogs naturally love the outdoors especially when an activity involves running. Norwegian Elkhounds are noisy and rowdy with a tendency to jump on people, so training them to obey commands as early as possible is important. With this said, supervision is a must when it comes to interaction between Elkhounds and kids. Although these dogs are good with kids, their rowdy nature may cause unintentional harm. They are friendly with other dogs but small animals they consider prey is another matter unless they grew up together.

• Senior and less active: up to 1165 calories daily
• Typical adults: up to 1310 calories daily
• Physically active/working dogs: up to 1455 calories daily

When you decide to buy a Norwegian Elkhound puppy, prepare to be on the waitlist since only a few puppies are bred and registered each year. Nevertheless, it pays to know how much it costs to buy a well-bred puppy as well as the ongoing costs to raise an Elkhound throughout its lifetime. Norwegian Elkhound puppies from a reputable breeder will cost you anything above £500. While selecting affordable pet insurance will largely depend on your location and the dog's age and health, you will likely spend about £20 to £40 a month on average.

Keeping your Norwegian Elkhound healthy is a must if you want to steer clear of additional costs outside regular vet consultations. With this said, buying healthy dog food will set you back £40 to £50 a month, while regular veterinarian care will cost no lower than £1,000 a year. In a rough estimate, you will have to set aside £50 to £100 a month to raise a Norwegian Elkhound.