First, did you know that the Norwegian Elkhound dog may have prehistoric origins? That's right, this might be one of the oldest dog breeds in the world! Incidentally, there are records of skeletons in European settlements at the time of the Vikings that are practically identical to this dog.

Furthermore, the Norwegian Elkhound dog breed has an extremely keen sense of smell. It is believed that the main function of this animal was to be a hunting dog. In addition, this dog is quite intelligent, strong and very beautiful. So, do you want to know everything about the Norwegian Elkhound? Well, just keep reading to discover the details of the breed!

First of all, the breed is, as its name says, originally from the region of Norway, in the peatlands. Incidentally, archaeologists found skeletons of dogs very similar to the Elkhound of today, which makes us think that the breed must date from 4,000 to 5,000 BC

Thus, it is believed that these dogs were used as hunters by the Vikings and accompanied them on their travels. With their keen sense of smell, they are capable of hunting elk, bears and have great stamina to chase down their prey. Although nowadays it is an ideal animal as a companion and friendly dog, it is still in great demand for hunting in the Scandinavian region.

Furthermore, the Norwegian Elkhound dog is a very agitated and robust animal. Its body is almost square in shape, solid and has a thick double coat. In this way, the dog can better insulate itself against the excessive cold of the region, with a long and dense layer of hair, and another furrier and softer underlayer.

In this sense, the accepted color of the breed is gray, with some areas of the body in lighter tones such as the legs, belly and chest. In general, it has a darker mask on the muzzle and ears, where the fur is a deeper shade of gray.

Incidentally, its head is medium-sized and wedge-shaped, with large, erect, high ears. The Elkhound's eyes are mostly brown in color and are not very prominent and large. The dogs of the breed are quite pompous in appearance.

First of all, it is important to inform that there is no record of specialized kennels for the breed in Brazil. However, this dog is quite common in the United States and Europe and its value can change according to the sex of the puppy or the Pedigree.

Indeed, it is important to take into account the origin of the place where you intend to acquire your Norwegian Elkhound puppy. In this sense, avoid buying animals over the internet and try to get to know the place and the parents of the puppy in person. That way, you will be able to avoid funding animal cruelty.

Although there is no record of Elkhound kennels in the country, the values found tend to vary between R$2,000.00 and R$3,500.00 depending on the puppy. Factors such as parent participation in competitions, Pedigree, gender and availability tend to influence prices.

Furthermore, precisely because we cannot find specialized kennels for the breed, it is important to carefully check the origin of the animal you are interested in acquiring. If possible, look for recommendations from other people who have bought from the same breeder and do a lot of research before purchasing the puppy.

Well, the Norwegian Elkhound dog is a breed that belongs to the same family as the Spitz. However, this dog has a robust body and can be considered medium to large in size. While the difference in size between males and females can be negligible most of the time, male Elkhounds measure around 45 to 55 centimeters.

Meanwhile, females can measure between 45 and 50 centimeters. Furthermore, the weights also vary little, with males weighing up to 27kg and females up to 25kg. By the way, these dogs look very similar to a wolf, for this reason their size tends to be larger.

Furthermore, Norwegian Elkhounds are very healthy and strong dogs and can boast of their stable health. The breed does not have serious hereditary or congenital problems, but it is important to keep an eye on diseases that may appear with age, such as hip dysplasia and cataracts.

In addition, due to their furry coat, dogs of this breed may have skin problems such as dermatitis or fungus. Therefore, frequent baths are not recommended for these animals, as shampoos and soaps can remove the protective layer of their skin.

Generally speaking, it's important to take your dog to the veterinarian for regular appointments. What's more, routine exams are also important to keep your health up to date. Well cared for Norwegian Elkhound puppies can live up to 15 years.

First of all, as you've already seen, the Norwegian Elkhound is known to be a hunting dog. That is, physical activity is essential for him. Although they are quite adaptable to any climate or environment, these dogs do not do very well in cities, precisely because of the lack of space.

By the way, if you are thinking about adopting a dog of this breed, know that it requires high-intensity physical activity for at least 1 hour a day. Otherwise, these animals tend to become obese and develop unwanted behavior, in addition to becoming aggressive.

In addition, its thick and shaggy coat will also require greater care. In this sense, brushing about 2 to 3 times a week is recommended, although baths cannot be frequent. As we have already mentioned, Norwegian Elkhounds have sensitive skin and frequent bathing can lead to dermatological diseases.

The Norwegian Elkhound puppy is also an independent and courageous dog and can make an excellent guard dog. In addition, they get along very well with children, being especially patient with them. However, they are not very sociable when it comes to other animals.

So, if you like smart and active dogs, have you thought about meeting the Collie breed? The breed is considered to be one of the smartest in the world and they can be very loyal and companionable. See everything about the Collie dog by accessing our content below!