AKA: Norsk Elghund Gra, Norsk Elghund Sort

Description: The Norwegian Elkhound is a medium-sized dog of the Spitz type. It has a sturdy body and a squarely build. The head is broad and wedge-shaped, and the muzzle and pointed prick ears are black. Its ears are very mobile and its eyes are dark brown. Its strong jaws form a scissors bite. Its body is relatively short, its chest deep and wide. The body ends with a tail rolled tightly over its back. Its forelegs are straight, and its paws are small and tight, with thick pads. The Norwegian Elkhound has no doggie smell.

Dynamics: The Norwegian Elkhound is a friendlt and energetic dog. It is also reliable and fearless. This breed makes a sensible guard dog, being so reserved with strangers and able to alert its family or companions for anything suspicious. The Norwegian Elkhound is generally an independent dog, but it can also be loyal and affectionate to its owners. Training this breed will require the owner to show good pack leadership. Gentle but firm discipline is needed.

The Norwegian is also good at hunting, bred to hold its prey at bay until the hunter arrives to finish the job. This breed can bark a lot and has to be taught when to stop. The Norwegian Elkhound also likes to roam around. This breed may be aggressive with dogs of the same sex. It is also not certain whether this dog gets along with noncanine pets or not. It is best to watch over this breed when it is in the company of smaller pets.

Breed Group: Northern, Hound

Weight: males 50-60 pounds (23-27 kg), females 40-55 pounds (18-25 kg)

Height: males 19-21 inches (48-53 cm.), females 18-20 inches (46-51 cm)

Color: The Norwegian Elkhound has a stand-off double coat that is of a gray color with a lighter undercoat and undersides.

Country of Origin: The Norwegian Elkhound is one of the most ancient breeds, dating back to 4000 to 5000 B.C. It originated in Norway. It was particularly used as a hunter dog in Scandinavia, especially when the game is a moose or an elk. This breed is good at scent tracking and can hold a quarry at bay for its owner. Aside from hunting, the Norwegian Elkhound is also used as a sled dog. Other talents also include herding, watchdogging, guarding, and agility.

Activities: The Norwegian Elkhound is an energetic dog that always needs to be doing something. A long walk or sufficient exercise everyday is important. The Norwegian Elkhound also enjoys running and just roaming around. Be careful that it doesn’t pick up a scent and go after a quarry if you’re not out hunting.

Grooming: The Norwegian Elkhound’s coat is coarse and weatherproof, so it is easy to groom. Just brush regularly. When it is shedding, remove its dead hair with a rubber brush or a wooden comb with a double row of metal teeth. Bathe only when necessary.

Other Info: The Norwegian Elkhound has a life expectancy of about 12 to 15 years. It is prone to hip dysplasia, pyotraumatic dermatitis and PRA. As long as it taken outdoors from time to time and sufficiently exercised, it is all right living in an apartment. Norwegian Elkhounds prefer cool climates.

Photo: Sannse

AKA: Norsk Buhund, Norwegian Sheepdog, Nordiske Sitz-hunde

Description: The Norwegian Buhund is a dog of the Spitz type and is short and lightly built. It has a compact body and has a short- to medium-length coat. It has erect and pointed ears and its jaws form a scissors bite. Its tail is always carried curled over the back.

Dynamics: The Norwegian Buhund a cheerful and active dog. It is very affectionate and even loves to snuggle with people. It is also an intelligent and attentive breed, eager to please and learning very quickly. It is vigilant and is a natural watch dog, courageous, brave, and vocal without being too aggressive. It is a great people lover, and it loves its family and can also get along very well with children.

The Norwegian Buhund needs to be trained with the owner as a leader. Otherwise, it will think it can get away with doing as it pleases and may become aggressive. It can be stubborn if you can’t get it to follow your orders. The Norwegian Buhund is also known to bite or snap when provoked.

Breed Group: Northern

Weight: males 31-40 pounds (14-18 kg), females 26½-35½ pounds (12-16 kg)

Height: males 17-18½ inches (43-47 cm), females 16-17½ inches (41-45 cm)

Color: The coat of the Norwegian Buhund is usually wheaten or biscuit, from light to yellowish red. But there are also Norwegian Buhunds with a black and wolf-sable coat.

Country of Origin: The Norwegian Buhund originated in Norway. The breed lived since ancient times, discovered during the Gokstad excavation in Norway when skeletons from six dogs of various sizes were found.

Activities: The Norwegian Buhund is a very energetic dog and has to be exercised and taken out on a walk everyday. It also enjoys to play and romp around.

Grooming: The coat of the Norwegian Buhund only needs to be regularly brushed in order to prevent matting and tangles. Bathe only when necessary.

Other Info: The Norwegian Buhund has a life expectancy of 13 to 15 years. Eye and hip problems are common occurrences with the breed. The Norwegian Buhund is all right living in an apartment as long as it gets its daily walk and is sufficiently exercised.

Photo: Sannse

AKA: Norwegian Lundehund, Norwegian Puffin Dog, Norsk Lundehund

Description: The Norwegian Lundehund is a spitz type that cn easily be distinguished because of its odd charcteristics. For one, it has six toes on each foot instead of the usual four that dogs have. It also has joints in the nape of its neck, which other dogs don’t have. Other minor but extraordinarily odd features of this breed includes its extremely flexible shoulder joints and its extremely mobile ears.

The Lundehund is rectangularly proportional in shape, and is small and comparatively light. Its head is small The eyes are brown and deeply set, the ears are medium-sized and erect. Its legs are strong and muscled. Its tail is carried in a ring over its back or hanging. Its coat is rough and short, lying flat against its body.

Dynamics: The Norwegian Lundehund is a very friendly and playful dog. It loves people and likes to be close with its family or other dogs. It is also good with children. As long as it is socialized and brought up in a positive environment, the Lundehund will be a great family dog. It is also intelligent and can be very curious. This breed can be trained for agility, and it makes a great hunter. This dog is able to climb steep areas, thanks to its six toes on its foot. It can turn its head in a 180-degree angle because of the extra joints in the nape of its neck.

The Lundehund can be stubborn at times, and can also be manipulative. Because of this, you have to train the dog with consistency and strong stance. As the trainer, you have to be a good leader and show them who is boss. The training has to come with trust between the trainer and the dog, of course. This dog is obstinate and will require patience as it can be difficult to housebreak. This breed is somewhat primitive. Crate training is recommended because the Lundehund has a strong den instinct. It is also better to give the Lundehund freedom to go out whenever it wants to.

Breed Group: Northern, Hounds

Weight: 13-20 pounds (6-9 kg)

Height: 12-15.5 inches (31-39 cm)

Color: The coat of the Norwegian Lundehund can either be reddish brown with black hair tips, black, or grey, all with white markings. It can also be white with dark markings. The adult Lundehund has a more distinct black in its outer coat than the young Lundehund.

Country of Origin: The Norwegian Lundehund is from Vaerog and Rost, in northern Norway. This breed is among the rarest breeds. It was used to hunt puffins. When the puffins became a protected species, the number of Lundehunds decreased.

Activities: The Norwegian Lundehund is an energetic dog, needing a long walk every day and long sessions of play.

Grooming: Regular brushing or combing of the coat is enough to groom the Norwegian Lundehund. Bathe or dry shampoo only when necessary.

Other Info: The Norwegian Lundehund has a life expectancy of 12 years. This breed is prone to the Lundehund Syndrome, which is a series of digestive problems still being studied today. This breed is not suitable when living in an apartment.

Photo: Karen Elise Dahlmo