![]() ![]() Many folks now realize the benefits of having a housebroken, trained dog that can more readily adjust to new situations. One trend she's seeing in her rescue work is that more people are willing to adopt older dogs, which used to be harder to place. A third rescue dog, Jim, died several years ago. Stovall, a Westport resident, currently owns two rescued elkhounds, KoKoa and Loki. Only one was relinquished because of a temperament problem and that dog went on to have a serene, loving experience with its new family. Almost all were given up because of the family's financial situation or relocation. She estimates that she's placed more than 50 dogs in new homes. Plant first started rescue efforts for the Nordic breed in the early 1980s, under the auspices of the Norwegian Elkhound Minutemen Association. Honored as the First Lady of Elkhounds by the regional rescue group in 2001, Mrs. Females also shed after they have whelped a litter of puppies. She adds that elkhounds shed their gray double coat twice a year, usually in spring and fall. Plant says that elkhounds are easy to groom and require little more than a bath, regular brushing and combing. As a hunter, the elkhound is known for its courage, agility and stamina to hold wild game at bay while dodging attack, and has an ability to hunt in all types of weather over rugged terrain. The breed is known for its distinctive broad head with upright ears and a tightly curled tail that is carried over the back. The Norwegian elkhound is a typical medium-sized northern hunting dog, well-balanced and square in profile. ![]() The modern elkhound is much like its ancient ancestors - fearless and friendly, and devoted to man and the pursuit of prey. These dogs were later used in Norway to guard isolated farms, herd flocks and hunt large game. The Norwegian elkhound first appeared about 5,000 years ago and was a valued companion of the Vikings. However, the rest of the world knows the Norwegian Elkhound as a devoted, loyal, and sporty companion."The person that owns an elkhound needs to be the alpha because the dog has to mind you," she says. ![]() The latter works more silently to lead its owner in pursuit of a scent, Whereas, the Loshund roams ahead of the hunter and keeps the large animals at bay by leaping around it, barking loudly, until their hunting companion arrives. Today two types of Elkhounds are known in Norway, the Loshund and the Bandhund. The dogs often need to face bears, wolves, and occasionally moose. Nowadays, the Norwegian Elkhound is still used as its original function in remote villages in the northern parts of Europe as an all-purpose animal, as herders, guardians, and hunters. In 1901, the UKC (United Kennel Club) recognized the breed, later the AKC also registered them. Shortly after this, breeders started to make efforts to develop a breed standard and documentation, while also shaping the Norwegian Elkhound into a serious competitor in the show rings. After that, the breed became more sought after both on the Scandinavian peninsula and abroad. Even though the breed has a really long history, it remained unknown outside of its native land, until 1877 when it was discovered at the Norwegian Hunters Association Dog Show. Nonetheless, DNA evidence suggests that the Elkhound, such as his cousin the Finnish Elkhound, was influenced by domesticated wolves which were cross-bred with local dogs. Being a Spitz, it is derived from breeds that were domesticated six or seven thousand years ago in the northern parts of Europe. Unfortunately, due to the lack of record and documentation, there are just presumptions about the breed’s true pedigree. The breed specialized in following the scent of these dangerous and large creatures over long distances and holding them at bay while the trailing tribesman and hunters arrived. The name Elkhound derives from the breed’s old quarry, the giant moose, elk, and other big wild animals. According to Viking traditions, when Viking masters died, they were buried alongside their relics, swords, and their devoted companions, thus Elkhound remains were found in Scandinavia from thousands of years ago, as a testament of their importance in the Nordic culture. The Norwegian Elkhound had survived more than six millennia with all his Nordic traits intact.Įven though the Norwegian Elkhound’s exact pedigree is questionable, and their exact history is shredded in Norse history and myths, it is presumable, that this breed is closely intertwined with the history of mankind. The breed was a shipmate of the Vikings, they used them to herd the flocks, protect them from wolves and bear, to guard the remote villages’ tribes, to hunt, and ultimately to be a companion to the tribesman. The breed can be traced back to almost 5000 BC, dogs similar to the Elkhound were used by the Vikings. Check with the breeder for up-to-date information on puppy availability. Number of puppies available at time of publication: 2 puppies available. The Norwegian Elkhound finds its origins in the rugged country of Norway. Puppy Price: 600.00 limited and 750.00 Full AKC. ![]()
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