Frequently asked questions

How much grooming does a Norwegian Elkhound need?

An elkhound's coat is quite easy to maintain - once weekly brushing and once monthly bathing should keep it in great shape under most circumstances. Elkhounds also do not have the typical "doggie" odor that many breeds have.

Elkhounds have a thick double coat which sheds a lot. Twice a year they "blow" their undercoat, which results in LOTS of shedding. More frequent brushing during these times will help some with the shedding and keep their coats healthy, but vacuuming daily still won't keep up with all the fur! The remainder of the year the shedding is not as excessive, though there is still some (some elkhound owners joke that elkies only shed twice a year for 6 months at a time ;)

What are common training challenges with Norwegian Elkhounds?

Elkhounds are wonderfully independent and intelligent. They were bred to work on their own - often at long distances from their handler/owner - and to make decisions on their own. Thus, unlike many other breeds who were bred to work closely with their human and do as directed, they are not considered a biddable breed.

Their free spirited nature is what many of us love most about them, but can also be what others find most frustrating. They are very intelligent and love to learn, but do best when they are treated as part of the team and when they are taught how and why a behavior will benefit them.

Challenges owners may encounter include wandering/running away, not coming when called or responding to other cues, intolerance of restraint or more forceful/commanding methods, and destructive behavior if not provided with breed-appropriate enrichment. Because of their independence and strong sense of self-preservation, they can often be labeled as "stubborn", " hard to train", or "disobedient." However, they are loving, intelligent, sensitive dogs who are amazingly responsive to kind and force-free methods.

I'm not looking for a show dog, just a pet. Why should I get a puppy from a preservation or show breeder?

First of all, show dogs ARE pets! While many people think dog shows are just about looks, that is very far from the truth. Dog shows are about evaluating breeding stock which involves evaluating how each dog measures up to its breed standard. The Breed Standard is more than just beauty or appearance - it's about that breed's purpose, how that dog should be built to perform that purpose, and what its temperament should be considering its purpose. While a breed standard may not explicitly address specific health screenings, generally speaking for a dog to move and stand correctly and perform its purpose effectively, it needs to have proper structure and temperament. A dog with poor structure or health will likely not succeed in the showring; likewise a dog with behavior issues will be unlikely to excel in the showring or succeed in the dog show environment.

All puppies in a litter raised by a preservation breeder have the same parents, same genetics, same health screenings, and receive the same care and attention during their early weeks with their dam and breeder. While some of the pups may go on to have show careers, remember they all carry the same quality and were raised with the same love and care.

So whether you want your pup to go to have a winning show career, cover countless miles in the mountains, or hop effortlessly onto the couch well into old age, responsible show breeders strive to breed dogs with correct structure, temperament, and health to be loving companions for many years to come.

Check out our page About Breeders for more signs of a responsible breeder.

Is there a temperament test to show what a puppy will be like as an adult?

No, currently there are no peer-reviewed tests available for this. There are many temperament tests and evaluations out there, some of which can provide helpful information about a puppy or dog, but none that can accurately predict what the adult temperament or personality will be of a puppy. With the research and information currently available, the best way to predict the adult temperament of a puppy is to look at its parents.

While genetics are only one piece of the puzzle, they are an important piece and can give us a indication of what a puppy's temperament may be like once it grows up. Knowing detailed information about a puppy's parents (and grandparents, great-grandparents, etc.) is another advantage to choosing a purposely bred puppy from a responsible, ethical breeder!

Will getting a puppy from a responsible breeder guarantee that it will be healthy and have a great temperament?

Unfortunately not. While we have more health tests and more research available now than ever before, there are still many things that we cannot test for or prevent. Genetic mutations and other unforeseen circumstances can occur. Furthermore, a puppy's health and temperament are shaped by its environment and life experiences beyond the time it leaves the breeder's home. The best a responsible breeder can do is to stack the deck in the puppy's favor by researching pedigrees, completing available health testing, and providing proper care, nutrition, and enrichment for the dam and puppies.