Elkhound

A very solid dog for a hound, but he needs to be able to cope with his traditional prey the elk. The Norwegian Elkhound is a member of the Spetshunder group. This group includes Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, Finnish Spitz, Greenlanders and Samoyeds. In fact as well as being used for their primary role as a moose hunter they are also used to pull sleds and skiers.". The breed is not a hound ; it doesn't look like a hound, it doesn't hunt like a hound and it doesn't run like a hound "Its true name is Elghund with ELG meaning moose and HUND simply meaning dog.Therefore a more accurate translation would be Norwegian Moose Dog. The Norwegian Elkhound is characterized by its boldness, agility, intelligence and a gregarious nature. A bit of a clown, Elkhounds are dog extrovers. Affectionate and good natured with adults and children alike. Because they have been bred to act as independent scouts of hunting, close obedience work is not their forte.Although quite trainable for basic obedience they rarely display the slavish desire to please that one might find in other breeds The  Golden Retriever for instance  Elkhounds usually need a tangible payoff for their work. Food will do while faint praise will not. They must be stimulated and motivated to perform superior obedience work. Theirs is a partnership with humans. With this in mind they make wonderful companions. He must not be allowed to get too lazy, however, as he is capable, as are most hounds,of putting on weight to exsess.

Characterristics    A hardy hunting Spitz with a bold energetic disposition.

Temperament    Friendly, intelligent and independent without any sign of nervousness.

Eyes    Not prominent, slightly oval, medium size, dark brown, giving frank, fesrless and friendly expression.

Ears    Set high, small, firm and erect, pointed and very mobile; slightly taller than width at base; when alert, outer edge should be vertical.

Mouth    Jaws strong with perfect, regular scissor bite, i.e.  upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to jaws.

ForeQuarters    Legs straight with good, not coarse, bone and strong pasterns; shoulders sloping; elbows closely set in.

Body    Powerful; short, strong back; loin short and wide with very littly tuck - up chest deep and broad; well curved ribs; topline straight and level; distance from brisket to ground not less than half the height at winters.

HindQuarters   Legs firm, strong and powerful;  little but definite bend at stifle and hock; straight when viewed from behind.

Feet   Comparatively small, slightly oval; tigghtly closed, well arched toes with protective hair between thick pads: turning   neither innor out. Nails firm and strong.

Gait / Movement    Demonstrates agility and endurance; stride at the trot even and effortless, back remaining level; as speed of trot increases front and rear legs converge equally in straight lines to wards a centre line beneath body.

Coat   Close, abundant, weather - resistant; soft, dense, woolly undercoat and coarse, straight outer coat; short and smooth on head and front of legs, slightly longer on back of front legs, longest on neck, back of thighs and tail; not trimmed.

Colour   Crey of various shades, with black tips to outer coat; lighter on chest, stomach, legs, underside of tail, buttocks and in a harness mark; ear and foreface dark; a dark line from eye to ear desirable; undercoat pure pale grey. Any pronounced variation from the grey colour, sooty colour on lower legs, spectacles or white markings undesirable.

Faults    Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.

Note   Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

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