Norwegian Elkhound

These dogs are said to originate from the country of Scandinavia. These dogs are also considered as one of the most ancient breeds and it is said that these dogs have been around since as early as the Stone Age. It is quite safe to say that these dogs have been around since man first started to hunt using the simple tools such as the sling shot and lived in caves. The skeletons of dogs quite similar to these dogs were found in the 5000 BC. These dogs were used for the purpose of hunting and as also for the purpose of being a guard dog. These dogs worked mainly for the Vikings. These dogs were also used as both small and as well as large game hunters. They were used for tracking animals such as elk, bear, mountain lion, and moose and so on.

These dogs would track the quarry and then alert the hunter usually by barking. These dogs then have a technique of holding the animal at bay till the hunter finds them. These dogs usually prefer to work during the night times then the day times. These dogs have a very strong and a very keen sense of smell and have the ability to smell their game even if it is over a mile far away from them. These dogs are also very desirable and very popular as sled dogs. These dogs can also be used for war, that is because, if the country is under threat then the defence minister has the full control over the privately owned Elkhounds and can completely mobilize them.

However, nowadays these dogs have found a place for themselves as family pets. This is mainly because of the fact that it is recently that the reliable and the friendly character of these dogs were recognized. These dogs have a lot of talents. They are quite multi talented animals. Some of their many talents include hunting, watch dog, herding, sledding and guarding. These dogs also have excellent agility. These dogs are very sturdy in nature. They are also medium in size. These dogs are a Spitz type of dog. They have a short body and they are squarely built. They have a very straight and strong back.

They have a wedge shaped head and 6his wedge shaped head of theirs is broad at their ears. They have a thick based muzzle which usually tends to taper towards their nose but not to a point. They have an abrupt yet a very clear and a well developed stop. Their teeth should always meet to form a scissor bite. They have a pair of medium sized eyes. Their eyes are oval in shape and are dark brown in color. They have a pair of high set ears. They are very firm but yet very mobile as well. They have a very deep and a moderately large chest. When looked at from the front, it looks like they have perfectly straight pair of legs.