Norwegian Elkhound
It holds a moose in place by barking and circling until the hunter arrives, which can take hours. Norway's national dog, and there since the Vikings.
Overview
The Norwegian Elkhound hunts moose by finding one, holding it in place and barking continuously until the hunter arrives, sometimes for hours. The dog dodges and circles while the moose stands, which is dangerous work and requires enormous stamina.
It is an ancient breed, with remains dating back thousands of years in Scandinavia, and it is the national dog of Norway.
Temperament
Bold, independent and loyal. Elkhounds are affectionate with their families, good with children, and confident with strangers.
The barking is the defining trait and it is what the dog was bred for, so it is loud, frequent and difficult to suppress entirely. They are independent thinkers with poor recall and a strong prey drive. They are also famously food obsessed and gain weight easily.
Care and grooming
A thick grey double coat that needs weekly brushing and daily attention during the two enormous moults. It sheds a remarkable amount and should not be shaved.
Progressive retinal atrophy has a DNA test, and hip dysplasia and Fanconi syndrome occur. Obesity is the practical health issue and it drives the joint problems. Twelve to fifteen years.
Living and exercise
An hour and a half a day, and strict weight control, which is harder with this breed than most.
A secure fence and a lead. They are unsuited to close housing because of the voice, and they cope with cold weather better than almost any breed.
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