Norwegian Elkhound
About the Norwegian Elkhound
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Medium (25-50 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 19-21" |
| Weight | 48-55 lbs |
| Coat Type | Double |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
High (60-90 min/day)
60 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Regular - 2-3x/week
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $1,000-$2,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,300/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Norwegian Elkhounds may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Active Owners
- Guard Dog
May Not Be Ideal For
- Apartment Living
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Norwegian Elkhound
The story behind the Norwegian Elkhound
The Norwegian Elkhound is an ancient Nordic spitz type associated with Norway, where dogs of similar form appear in archaeological finds alongside human remains dating back thousands of years, indicating a long relationship with Scandinavian hunting cultures. Its work was to locate moose by scent over long distances, then track silently until close before pinning the animal in position by baying steadily until the hunter came up. The dogs also served as farm guardians and, historically, in Norwegian military service. Organised breeding and standards were established in Norway in the later nineteenth century, and the breed was exported to Britain and North America in the twentieth. The FCI, Kennel Club and AKC all recognise it; it remains a working hunting dog in Norway and a companion elsewhere.
Originally bred for: Moose hunting, Bay and hold hunting, Farm guardian. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Norwegian Elkhound
This breed puts on weight easily, so measured portions of a balanced complete diet in two meals work better than free feeding, with treats counted. Working or cold-weather periods justify increases, but idle months require prompt reductions. Assess condition by feel through the coat.
Watch for: No breed-linked ingredient allergy is documented, but obesity is a well-recognised concern in Elkhounds and matters far more than recipe debates. Skin irritation beneath a dense coat is often environmental. Talk to a veterinarian about weight management plans and any persistent digestive problems.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Norwegian Elkhound
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.