Norwegian Elkhound

The Norwegian Elkhound does well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially made or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Match the diet to the dog's life stage, whether puppy, adult, or senior, and keep clean, fresh water available at all times.

Most Elkhounds are food hounds rather than picky eaters, and they put on pitiful faces to win extra treats. To gauge weight, watch them eat: the area just behind the ribcage should sink in as they go. A rolling motion across the back or sides at a trot is another sign of an overweight dog, and Elkhounds are prone to obesity, so portion meals with a measuring cup and keep treats to no more than 10 percent of daily calories.

• Adult Elkies: twice a day, morning and night
• Puppies: about three or four times a day
• A slow feeder bowl helps a pup that eats too fast

Skip free-feeding, since it leads to overeating and weight gain. The food bag lists guidelines by weight, but your vet can give a better estimate based on your dog's health and lifestyle. On a complete, balanced diet, these dogs should not need supplements unless your vet recommends them.

The Norwegian Elkhound has a two-ply coat, a top coat over a dense undercoat. During shedding season, tumbleweeds of silver undercoat roll across the house, and the outer coat sheds too, though far less than the undercoat. Brush daily with a slicker brush, working against the way the coat lies. About five minutes of this back-brushing a day handles most of the year, with two minutes a day at quieter times.

Elkhounds blow their coats twice a year, in spring and fall. Step up brushing through those periods to manage the undercoat, and a professional deshedding session helps when the fur really flies. The breed carries little doggy smell thanks to the harsh coat, so two or three baths a year suit a family pet and help dead coat fall out so new hair grows in. Bathe during heavy shedding too.

The coat is close to weatherproof, shielding the dog from cold, wind, snow, and rain. That makes Elkies well-equipped for cold months but prone to overheating in summer, so keep them cool with a swim, air conditioning, and plenty of shade and water when temperatures climb.

Round out the routine with regular nail trims and ear care. Prick ears stand up and expose the ear canal, which resists infection better than floppy ears, but still check for redness, debris, or odor. The skin underneath the coat is usually healthy, though Elkhounds can develop sebaceous cysts, so feel for lumps during grooming and talk to your vet about any change. The breed is also prone to progressive retinal atrophy, so have the eyes checked at the vet regularly and watch at home for cloudiness or trouble seeing at night. Start a dental program early, with at-home teeth brushing and annual professional cleanings, and keep it going for life.

In their native Norway, Norwegian Elkhounds track moose by ranging far ahead of the hunter and trotting many miles over several days when the work demands it. The breed makes independent decisions on the hunt and retains a strong drive to range through wooded areas and investigate its surroundings.

In the absence of long hunting trips, Elkhounds need other fast-paced outlets. Aim for at least 60 minutes of outdoor exercise a day through long walks or runs and off-leash play in a fenced space. Most love swimming, a moose-trailing skill, and many enjoy agility and herding trials that use their speed, stamina, and intelligence. In a hot climate this takes planning, since the thick coat overheats easily.

Mental work matters as much as physical work, since a bored Elkie can turn destructive and noisy. Keep them on leash or inside a secure, fenced area outdoors, because these independent dogs follow their noses and may ignore a recall. Bred over generations to hunt, they can dart after rabbits, squirrels, and even cats, and without that boundary they follow a scent and find trouble.

The Norwegian Elkhound is highly intelligent and learns very fast, but after a few reps comes the attitude of, didn't we already do this 12 times. Their independent nature, shaped by hunting instincts, adds the other challenge, so training can take longer than it does with more eager-to-please breeds. It is far from impossible.

On house manners they do well. They are very clean and respond quickly to well-managed housebreaking. For everything else, hold their interest with short sessions and fast-paced, fun activities, since they bore easily with repetitive obedience drills.

These are sensitive dogs, so favor positive, reward-based methods over harsh criticism or punishment. The breed is food-motivated and responds well to training with favorite treats.

Elkies are friendly, happy dogs who love being beside their people and other dogs. They suit homes with children of all ages and can make good playmates for kids who know how to interact with animals, though every interaction between kids and dogs needs supervision. Early socialization sets that up.