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

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

Description: The Labrador Husky is a spitz type of breed that is often thought to be a mixed breed but it is actually a purebred. This breed resembles a Siberian Husky, with its round head covered with thick and fluffy hair. The muzzle tapers, narrowing to its nose. The medium-sized body aerodynamic, equipping them with speed and flexibility. Their whole body is covered with fluffy hair and is double-coated.

Dynamics: The Labrador Husky can be unpredictable temperament. With good socialization, this breed can get along well with children. They are reserved with strangers, though, and can even become aggressive with them. It should be watched among small animals and non canine household pets, too.

The Labrador Husky is bred to work well in a pack, and it is happy to work with other dogs. This breed is intelligent and can naturally learn things quickly. The Labrador Husky should not be left alone bored because it may get restless and become destructive.

Breed Group: Northern

Weight: 60 -100 pounds (27-45 kg)

Height: 20-28 inches at the withers

Color: The coat colors of the Labrador Husky range from white, black, red and white, to black and white.

Country of Origin: The Labrador Husky originated in Coastal Labrador in Canada. It is thought that the breed arrived with the Inuit people who cam e to Canada around 1300 AD.

Activities: This breed needs to have a long walk, exercises, or work to do. Its strong body and working energy are used to always be in motion. The Labrador Husky is a sled dog and it is essential for them to go outdoors and make long walks.

Grooming: Regular brushing is needed for grooming the Labrador Husky and to remove loose and dead hair. This breed sheds once a year. Bathe only when necessary.

Photo by: GreatDogSite.com

Description: The Japanese Spitz is a thick and long-haired dog that has its pure white long hair as its distinctive feature. Its whole body is covered with long hair, except on the bottom half of its legs. There are only breeches on the hind legs and feathering on the forelegs.

The ears of the Japanese Spitz are small and stand upright. The muzzle tapers slightly. The large oval eyes are dark and are almond-shaped. The nose and lips are black.

Dynamics: The Japanese Spitz is a very spirited and playful breed. It is always alert, and obedient to its owner. It is also fearless and intelligent. It makes a good watchdog. Training should be consistent, but generally the Japanese Spitz is easy to train as it learns quickly.

The Japanese Spitz is very good with children, and can get along with other dogs and household pets. It like so play, especially with balls and Frisbees. Its affectionate temperament is very evident. But it is also protective of its owner and family and can act as a guardian. It gets suspicious of strangers and will bark at people unless it knows them.

Breed Group: Northern

Weight: 11-20 pounds (5-10 kg)

Height: 12-15 inches (30-38 cm)

Color: The coat and hair of the Japanese Spitz is purely white.

Country of Origin: There is no solid information as to the origins of the Japanese Spitz, although it was claimed to have been descended from the Siberian Samoyed. The creation of the Japanese Spitz started in the late 1800s and became popular in Japan in the 1950s.

Activities: The Japanese Spitz loves to play and needs a daily walk. This breed is mostly used as a companion dog, but it can also be a watchdog and guard dog.

Grooming: Combing and brushing the Japanese Spitz should be done everyday. Bathe only when necessary. Remove loose hair from the under layer by using a comb with a double row of teeth.

Other Info: The Japanese Spitz has a life expectancy of 12 years. This breed will be fine living in an apartment as long as it is taken outdoors form time to time.

Description: The Finnish Spitz looks like a fox, with its pointed muzzle and perked ears. The ears are set high on its head, pointed and openly facing forward. The breed also has a black nose, black lips, and dark almond-shaped eyes. The jaws meet in a scissors bite.

The Finnish Spitz’ body is squarely proportional and has a thick coat, with medium-length hair that makes the breed look a little puffy and feathery. The chest is deep and the tail is carried curled on it back.

Dynamics: The Finnish Spitz is a lively breed with a friendly temperament. It is playful and seeks constant attention and affection. It is also brave and protective of its family. It gets along well with the other family members and the children. It can have problems with other dogs, though, and will try to dominate them. It can also be cautious and reserved with strangers.

The Finnish Spitz can be willful. It is loyal to its owner but may question its owners orders sometimes. Training it requires patience and consistency. The Finnish Spitz is also known for its bark; it is known as the “barking bird dog” in Finland.

Breed Group: Hounds, Northern, Non-sporting

Weight: 31-35 pounds (14-16 kg)

Height: 15-20 inches (38-51 cm)

Color: The Finnish Spitz pup comes out in a dark grey, black, brown, or fawn color. As it grows the coat lightens and becomes either a golder red or a yellowish-red. The shade can range from a pale honey to a dark chestnut. Small white markings is allowed.

Country of Origin: The Finnish Spitz was brought from Central Russia to Finland, where it was bred and popularized. It is the national dog of Finland.

Activities: The Finnish Spitz needs plenty of exercise to accommodate its huge amount of stamina. It makes a good watchdog and guard dog, can be used in hunting, and is a great family companion.

Grooming: The Finnish Spitz has a self-cleaning coat so it will be enough to groom it with just regular brushing and combing.

Other Info: The Finnish Spitz has a life expectancy of 12 to 15 years. It is a healthy breed. Common dog breed health issues like hip dysplasia and PRA are not common for this breed. The Finnish Spitz can live in the city and in an apartment as long as it is sufficiently exercised. It prefers cool climates.

Photo: Sannse