Grooming
The rugged Norwegian Elkhound breed has fairly average grooming needs, though they do shed a lot. They don’t need to be regularly coiffed by a professional, but you do need to brush them daily. A few minutes a day will do wonders to offset any shedding woes for most of the year. You may find yourself brushing them more frequently in the spring and fall when they blow their coats—they shed it in chunks instead of individual hairs. You can do your best to keep tumbleweeds at bay by back-brushing (brushing backward from how their fur lays) with a slicker brush.
One of the unique characteristics of the Norwegian Elkhound is how their coats keep odors away. That said, they do need the occasional bath, though typically only two or three times annually (unless, of course, your hikes get particularly muddy); baths are beneficial every six months or so when your dog sheds their undercoat. Get expert tips on how to bathe a dog. Note: This breed should never be shaved, even in the summer. That double coat of theirs works as insulation, which helps keep them cool in the summer and warm in the winter and protects them from sunburn.
Trim their nails as needed, which is usually monthly. If they’re getting long, you’ll hear the distinctive clickety-clack warning on hard surfaces.
As for their pearly whites, brush them daily. Start teeth brushing when your Elkhound is a puppy. The task will be much easier if they are used to it. Don’t forget that an annual professional cleaning by your vet is vital for your doggy’s dental health.
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Training
Patience is a virtue, as they say, and you have it in spades. That’s good, as you’ll need to tap into that well when it comes to training your Norwegian Elkhound. Training this breed is important but challenging (for both you and your pup), as these smart dogs sometimes like to think that they know what’s best. (Spoiler: They do not.) Without guidance, they’ll tend to make their own fun. (Spoiler: Hope you didn’t want to wear that pair of shoes again—ever.)
Start training your puppy with the basics, like sit, stay and come and how to walk nicely on a leash. Because Elkhounds are intelligent, they’re eager to learn as long as it’s not routine. (Routine is so boooor-riiinnnng.)
The key is to keep your Elkhound mentally stimulated and make training fun. One way to do that is to use positive reinforcement training methods where you reward good behavior with treats, toys or praise. Pro tip: You may find the help of a certified dog trainer beneficial to keep things engaging and creative.
Socialization is important, too, even for this naturally friendly breed. Start socializing your dog while they’re a puppy and take them on walks to meet the neighbors (both two- and four-legged) and experience new places and things. You may also want to enroll them in puppy preschool, where they’ll learn to play nicely with other puppies and mix and mingle with adults all in one location.
Consistency is key when training any dog, especially when teaching a super smart dog like the Elkhound breed. Work on obedience every day, don’t switch commands up (i.e., using “sit” and “place” interchangeably), and don’t give your pup a day where the rules don’t apply. Inexperienced pet parents may quickly find themselves being trained rather than the other way around.
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Diet
Norwegian Elkhounds, like most breeds, typically do well on a diet of high-quality commercial dog food. Always factor in your dog’s age and choose a food that fits their stage in life, whether they are a puppy, adult or senior dog. Your veterinarian can help you choose the best food for your dog’s lifestyle and provide a feeding chart or schedule to guide you on how much and how often to feed your dog.
Although Norwegian Elkhounds are active dogs, obesity is a concern for this breed. They love food and aren’t likely to miss a meal. Expect them to let you know it’s mealtime. Resist the urge to overfeed them or give them too many treats. Remember, treats equal calories and should make up no more than 10% of their daily diet. Always check with your vet for diet recommendations based on your pet’s needs.
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Exercise
Because Norwegian Elkhounds were bred to hunt in the cold, rugged Nordic climate, they are high-energy dogs who don’t need much persuasion to exercise. Today’s Elkhounds and their pet parents aren’t likely to be tracking moose, so it’s important to give these dogs the physical and mental stimulation they need. Lack of activity can cause them to become anxious, frustrated and destructive. These dogs aren’t suited to life as couch potatoes.
When it comes to exercise styles, Norwegian Elkhounds aren’t really into lacing up their shoes and heading out for a run, and maybe you can relate. These medium-sized dogs are much better suited for exercise that feels like play—again, perhaps you relate—and their high exercise needs make them the ideal breed to enroll in various dog sports, depending on your—and your dog’s—interests. Norwegian Elkhounds excel in activities like conformation trials (aka dog shows), agility, and bikejoring (it’s like sled-pulling without the snow and uses bicycles).
If competition’s not your thing, strenuous hikes will do the trick. Norwegian Elkhounds are known less for their speed and more for their stamina, so be bold and take a long trek—as long as they have the all-clear from your vet. At a minimum, ensure they get 20 to 30 minutes of exercise twice daily. Walking around the neighborhood might not be enough of a challenge for an Elkhound, so mix in tasks like scent work and opportunities for off-leash exercise in a well-fenced-in area. Without that fence, their natural hunting instincts may lead them to take off at first sight of a wandering critter, and no one needs to play chase around the neighborhood.
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Environment
Big house, little house—Norwegian Elkhounds can adapt to a variety of living environments. However, they are physically active dogs prone to barking and sometimes howling, so apartment living or small spaces can be a challenge if you prefer to keep the peace with neighbors and don’t have the time to ensure your Norwegian Elkhound gets enough exercise. They are a northern breed, so they thrive in cold climates, but they can live in warm places, too. Just be sure to keep outdoor activity to the cooler parts of the day when it’s hot out, and always make sure they have access to plenty of fresh, cool water.
A fenced-in yard is ideal, although leaving an Elkhound to roam in the backyard all day isn’t enough activity for them. They will get bored with what’s in their space, potentially leading to mischief. Their activity level must go far beyond a yard and an occasional walk.
Norwegian Elkhounds are good with kids and do best in an active family. This breed is typically OK with another dog in the home, especially if you introduce them to the other dog as a puppy.
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