Norwegian Elkhound
挪威獵麋犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Norwegian Elkhound is the national dog of Norway — a hardy, silver-grey spitz with a tightly curled tail that sailed with the Vikings, guarded remote farms and still tracks moose, ranging far ahead of the hunter and trotting for days if it must. Elkhounds are friendly, confident and dependable: famously fine companions and intelligent watchdogs with a deep, resonant bark, reserved until introduced and trustworthy ever after, sensitive souls with a dash of houndy independence. They learn fast but tire of repetition, must be kept on lead because the urge to travel is bred in, and shed their undercoat in 'tumbleweeds' twice a year.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 50–52cm |
| Weight | 22–25kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15years |
| Breed group | AKC: hound FCI: 5 |
| Role | Hound |
| Coat | Double coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 30–120min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 3 hours |
| Companionship need | 5/ 5 |
| Trainability | 4/ 5 |
| Barking | 4/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 2/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 5/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Hip dysplasia
Commonly reported in the breed; breeders screen hips by X-ray. Ask your vet about hip screening and about keeping your dog lean and fit.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
An inherited eye condition reported in the breed; DNA tests and eye examinations are available. Ask your vet or breeder about eye screening.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Cancer
Certain cancers are reported at higher rates in the breed. Ask your vet about regular check-ups and about any new lumps.
Kidney disease
Kidney conditions are reported in the breed. Ask your vet about routine blood and urine checks.
Skeletal dysplasia / dwarfism
A form of skeletal dysplasia is reported in the breed; a DNA test is available. Ask your breeder about testing.
Glaucoma
A DNA test for primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG-2) is on the Royal Kennel Club's Good Practice list for the breed, alongside prcd-PRA. Ask your breeder about POAG status and your vet urgently if an eye becomes cloudy, red or painful.
Behaviour
Friendly, confident, a little independent
The AKC calls Elkhounds famously fine companions and intelligent watchdogs — reserved until introductions are made, then trustworthy friends ever after, strong and confident yet truly sensitive souls with a dash of houndy independence; they learn very quickly but are not star performers in the obedience ring, because after a few repetitions the attitude becomes 'didn't we already do this?'. The CKC describes a bold, energetic dog that is an excellent family pet and guardian noted for being good with children.
Bred to trot for days — keep it on lead
The AKC says Elkhounds track moose in Norway, ranging far ahead of the hunter and trotting for miles for days if necessary, and because they make their own decisions when hunting they are independent lovers of the woods and their freedom — so owners should resist letting them roam off lead; most love swimming, and many enjoy agility and herding trials. The CKC calls it a dog of great endurance and stamina, relatively tireless, that likes having a job and needs plenty of exercise; the Royal Kennel Club suggests up to 1 hour a day.
Energy and exercise
Energy level is rated 4/5 (high) on the AKC breed-trait chart. The Royal Kennel Club puts its exercise need at "up to 1 hour per day".
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 4/5, barking level 4/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Norwegian Elkhound
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Norwegian Elkhound (Hounds)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
The Royal Kennel Club — Norwegian Elkhound
Breed characteristics (size medium, exercise up to 1 hour per day, lifespan over 10 years), plus the recommended pre-breeding health schemes and DNA tests.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Norwegian Elkhound Grey (standard no. 242, group 5)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's 'About Elkhounds' page describes a loving, good-natured dog that is normally friendly even with strangers yet protective of family and property, with a deep bark and an appearance that deter unwanted visitors although it is not aggressive by nature. It says Elkhounds need consistent daily exercise — 20 to 30 minutes twice a day, long walks or bicycling — or behaviour problems follow; that they are remarkably intelligent but headstrong and independent, so unquestioning obedience is unrealistic and training with praise rather than punishment is a lifelong commitment; that they shed profusely twice a year but have no doggy odour and need little beyond nail clipping every six weeks; that the breed avoids many genetic problems but can see eye disorders, hip dysplasia, kidney disease and skin cysts; and that an Elkhound is expected to be an active hunting dog to ten or eleven years old.”
— Norwegian Elkhound Association of America — About Elkhounds via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Norwegian Elkhound — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Norwegian Elkhound — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Norwegian Elkhound — Breeds A to Z — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]Norwegian Elkhound Grey — FCI standard no. 242 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [7]About Elkhounds — Norwegian Elkhound Association of America — Norwegian Elkhound Association of America (public breed information) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
Ask owners on the PawMunity forum — every breed has its own board.
Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.