Norwegian Elkhound Dog Breed Guide
📍 Origin: Norway
The Norwegian Elkhound is an ancient Scandinavian breed originally developed to hunt moose and other large game in rugged Nordic terrain. It is a sturdy, medium-sized spitz-type dog known for its striking gray coat, curled tail, and spirited yet loyal personality.
| Breed | Norwegian Elkhound |
| Size | Medium (50–60 lbs) |
| Height | 20–20 inches |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
| Temperament | Loyal, Bold, Energetic |
| Energy Level | High●●●●○ |
| Good With Kids | ✅ Yes |
| Grooming | Moderate |
| Training | Good |
| Shedding | Very Heavy |
| Best For | Experienced Owners |
🐕 Norwegian Elkhound Overview
The Norwegian Elkhound combines the boldness of a hunting hound with the devotion of a companion dog, making it a versatile family pet for active households. It is alert and vocal, qualities that made it an effective hunting partner for thousands of years in Norway. The breed thrives with consistent exercise, mental stimulation, and a firm but positive-reinforcement-based owner.
📜 History & Origin
The Norwegian Elkhound is one of the oldest known dog breeds, with remains resembling the breed found at Viking burial sites dating back over 6,000 years. Bred to track and hold moose, bear, and other large game in the forests and mountains of Norway, it worked closely alongside hunters for centuries. The breed was formally recognized by the Norwegian Kennel Club in 1877 and later by the AKC in 1913, cementing its status as Norway's national dog.
👀 Size & Appearance
🐶 Male
- Weight: 50–60 lbs (23–27 kg)
- Height: 20–20 inches (51–51 cm)
🐕 Female
- Weight: 43–55 lbs
- Height: 19–19 inches
Coat type: Dense double coat with a thick, woolly undercoat and a straight, coarse outer coat
🧠 Temperament & Behaviour
With Children
Norwegian Elkhounds are generally excellent with children. Their patient, gentle nature makes them reliable family companions. Always supervise interactions with very young children.
With Other Dogs & Pets
Generally sociable with other dogs and pets when properly socialised from puppyhood. Early introductions are recommended.
🏃 Exercise Needs
Norwegian Elkhounds are high-energy dogs that require at least 60 minutes of vigorous exercise daily. This includes brisk walks, off-leash running, fetch, or swimming. Without adequate exercise, they can become destructive or develop behavioural problems.
⚠️ Apartment living: Not ideal. A house with a garden is strongly preferred.
🍗 Food & Diet Guide
🐶 Puppy (8 weeks – 12 months)
- Feed a large/medium breed puppy formula
- 3–4 small meals per day up to 6 months
- Reduce to 2–3 meals from 6 months onward
- Look for AAFCO "complete and balanced for growth" statement
- Avoid overfeeding — controlled growth prevents joint issues
🐕 Adult (Norwegian Elkhound)
- Daily amount: 2 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food split into two meals of quality dry kibble
- Split into 2 meals per day
- Choose AAFCO-compliant food for adult maintenance
- Monitor weight monthly — adjust portions as needed
- ⚠️ High obesity risk — measure portions carefully
Always consult your veterinarian for a feeding plan specific to your dog's age, weight, and health status.
🏅 Training Guide
Basic Commands
Start sit, stay, come, and leave it from day one. Positive reinforcement with treats works best. Keep sessions to 5–10 minutes.
Toilet Training
Take puppy outside every 2 hours and immediately after meals, play, and sleep. Reward immediately after they go outside.
Leash Training
Start with a flat collar and short sessions. Reward loose-leash walking. A front-clip harness helps dogs that pull.
Socialisation
Expose to different people, sounds, and environments between 8–16 weeks. This is the critical window for confident adult behaviour.
✂️ Grooming
Brushing
Brush 2–3 times per week to manage shedding and coat condition.
Bathing
Bath every 4–6 weeks or when dirty. Over-bathing strips natural coat oils.
Nail Trimming
Trim nails every 3–4 weeks. If you hear clicking on hard floors, they are too long.
Ear Cleaning
Check ears weekly for redness, odour, or discharge. Clean gently with a vet-approved ear cleaner.
🩺 Health Problems
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Preventive Health Tips
- Annual vet checkups (twice yearly for dogs over 7)
- Keep vaccinations and deworming up to date
- Maintain a healthy weight — obesity worsens most conditions
- Ask your breeder for OFA/PennHIP health clearances on parents
⏱ Lifespan
The average Norwegian Elkhound lifespan is 12–15 years. Smaller breeds often live longer than larger breeds. Individual lifespan depends heavily on genetics, diet, exercise, and veterinary care.
Tips for a Longer, Healthier Life
- Feed a balanced, high-quality diet appropriate for age and size
- Maintain a healthy weight throughout life
- Regular exercise matched to age and health status
- Annual vet visits for early detection of health issues
- Dental care — dental disease affects overall health significantly
💷 Puppy Price
United States
Pedigree AKC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Europe
Pedigree FCI-registered puppy from health-tested parents
United Kingdom
Pedigree KC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Estimated Monthly Cost (UK)
Prices vary by breeder, location, and pedigree quality. Always buy from a health-tested, reputable breeder — never from puppy farms.
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Active families with a yard
- Experienced dog owners
- Owners who enjoy hiking and outdoor activities
- Excellent with children
❌ Cons
- First-time dog owners
- Apartment dwellers with limited exercise access
- Owners sensitive to heavy shedding
- Requires significant daily exercise
- Heavy shedding — regular vacuuming needed
- Prone to obesity — portion control essential
🆚 Norwegian Elkhound vs Other Breeds
✅ Norwegian Elkhound wins at
The Norwegian Elkhound is more compact and easier to manage on a leash during trail activities.
✅ Siberian Husky wins at
The Siberian Husky generally has a more sociable, easygoing temperament with strangers and other dogs.
✅ Norwegian Elkhound wins at
The Norwegian Elkhound is a better watchdog and tends to be less demanding of constant human attention.
✅ Samoyed wins at
The Samoyed is notably more people-friendly, gentler with strangers, and has a famously low aggression level.
🏠 Who Should Own a Norwegian Elkhound?
✅ Great Choice If You Are:
- Active families with a yard
- Experienced dog owners
- Owners who enjoy hiking and outdoor activities
- A family with children
❌ Consider Another Breed If:
- First-time dog owners
- Apartment dwellers with limited exercise access
- Owners sensitive to heavy shedding
- You live in a small apartment without outdoor access
- You have a very sedentary lifestyle
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Norwegian Elkhound good for families?
Yes, the Norwegian Elkhound is a loyal and affectionate family dog that bonds closely with all members of the household, including children. It is playful and tolerant with kids, especially when raised alongside them from puppyhood. Supervision around very young children is still recommended, as with any medium-to-large active breed.
How much does a Norwegian Elkhound puppy cost?
In the United Kingdom, a Norwegian Elkhound puppy from a reputable breeder typically costs between 1,000 and 1,800 GBP. In Pakistan, prices range from approximately 80,000 to 150,000 PKR, though the breed is rare and may be difficult to source locally. In India, expect to pay between 60,000 and 120,000 INR depending on breeder reputation and lineage.
Is Norwegian Elkhound easy to train?
The Norwegian Elkhound is intelligent but has an independent, strong-willed streak inherited from centuries of working autonomously as a hunting dog. This makes training rewarding but requires patience, consistency, and positive reinforcement rather than harsh corrections. Early socialization and obedience training from puppyhood are strongly recommended to channel the breed's energy effectively.
What food is best for a Norwegian Elkhound?
A high-quality dry kibble formulated for medium-to-large active breeds works well for the Norwegian Elkhound, ideally with real meat listed as the first ingredient. The breed has a tendency toward weight gain, so portion control and avoiding high-calorie treats are important parts of its diet management. Splitting the daily ration of roughly 2 to 2.5 cups into two meals helps reduce the risk of bloat and maintains steady energy levels.
Does Norwegian Elkhound bark a lot?
Yes, the Norwegian Elkhound is known to be a vocal breed that barks to alert its owners, a trait deeply rooted in its history as a hunting dog that would bay to signal the location of game. Owners should expect regular barking and invest in early training to manage excessive vocalization in suburban or shared-wall living situations.
Can a Norwegian Elkhound live in an apartment?
The Norwegian Elkhound is not well suited to apartment living due to its high energy level, tendency to bark, and need for daily vigorous outdoor exercise. It thrives best in a home with a securely fenced yard where it can move freely and burn off its natural stamina.
🏆 Final Verdict
The Norwegian Elkhound is best suited to experienced dog owners who understand the breed's specific needs. With a lifespan of 12–15 years, high energy demands, and moderate grooming requirements, the Norwegian Elkhound is a wonderful family dog.
If you can meet their exercise, training, and care needs, the Norwegian Elkhound will reward you with years of loyal companionship.