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Medium breed

Norwegian Elkhound Puppies

The official dog of Norway, the Norwegian Elkhound is a dog that possesses all the qualities people want in a dog. The elkhound got its name from its ability to effectively track and hunt elks. Elkhounds serve not just as hunters, but also as defenders, comforters, and guardians. These impressive qualities earned them the title of the national dog. Discover more about our Norwegian Elkhound puppies for sale below!

  • Great with kids
  • Active breed
  • Alert watchdog
  • Protective

We do not have Norwegian Elkhound puppies on the floor today. Tell us what you are looking for and we will let you know the moment one arrives, or help you find a breed that suits your home just as well.

  • Adult weight 44–51 lbs
  • Height 19–21 in
  • Lifespan 12–15 years
  • Exercise 60 min a day
Norwegian-Elkhound

About the Norwegian Elkhound

The Norwegian Elkhound is a remarkable breed with deep roots in Scandinavian history, where they were originally bred to hunt large game. This majestic dog combines strength, agility, and an intelligent demeanor, making them a wonderful addition to many families. Known for their affectionate nature, they thrive on companionship and are especially good with young children and other dogs, making them an ideal pet for a lively household.

Read more about the Norwegian Elkhound Show less

In terms of energy, Norwegian Elkhounds are moderately active dogs that require regular exercise to keep them healthy and happy. Daily walks, playful outings, and mental stimulation are essential to channel their natural eagerness and zest for life. While they can adapt to various living situations, they are less suited for apartment living due to their barking nature and need for space to roam. Regular grooming sessions, typically once a week, will help manage their shedding and maintain their beautiful double coat.

Trainability is another strong suit for the Norwegian Elkhound. Their intelligence and willingness to please make teaching commands and tricks an enjoyable experience for both pet and owner. With their loyal and affectionate personality, they form strong bonds with their families and eagerly participate in daily activities. If you’re looking for a loving, energetic companion who excels with kids and other dogs, the Norwegian Elkhound might be the perfect fit for you. Consider visiting Petland Lake St. Louis & Fenton, MO, to meet these charming dogs and learn more about what they bring to your home.

Norwegian Elkhound breed profile

Every score below is set by our team for this breed. Higher is simply more of that trait, not better or worse.

Temperament

  • Affection Very affectionate
  • Playfulness Very playful
  • With strangers Warms up
  • Territorial Territorial
  • Prey drive High

Family & other pets

  • Young children Good
  • Older children Good
  • Other dogs Sociable
  • Cats Needs care

Energy & exercise

  • Energy High
  • Mental stimulation High

Training

  • Trainability Quick to learn
  • Intelligence Very bright
  • Stubbornness A stubborn streak

Care & upkeep

  • Shedding Heavy
  • Drooling None to speak of
  • Barking Vocal

Home life

  • Apartment living Prefers a house
  • Time alone A few hours
  • Cold weather Thrives in it
  • Warm weather Average

A good match for

  • First-time owners Manageable
  • Senior owners Suitable
  • Running partner Good
  • Hiking Good
  • Therapy work Possible
  • Guarding Protective

Living with a Norwegian Elkhound

History

The Norwegian Elkhound’s history is deeply rooted in Norway. In the medieval era, they were called ‘Dyrehund’ which means ‘animal dog’. Elkhounds were highly prized during that era because of their impressive hunting skills. Before the 19th century, the dogs were only bred in Norway. 

Later in the 19th century, they made an appearance in England and eventually spread to other parts of the world. In 1901, the Kennel Club recognized the Norwegian Elkhound. 

Temperament

The Norwegian Elkhound has good hunting skills and for that reason, they are majorly bred to hunt large animals such as elk and wolves. They also have very loud barks hence can be used as watchdogs. Despite their ferocity in hunting, elkhounds are loyal dogs that form close ties to their owners. They also make good domestic dogs as they can be playful, independent and intelligent dogs. 

Environment

The Norwegian Elkhounds are playful dogs that can do well in the home and out in the forest. They are very active dogs and generally fare better in an open space. The dog's origin in Norway, a cold region, makes them able to spend time outside in winter. 

They enjoy the snow. The best environment for this breed would be a wide, fenced yard. They do very well on a ranch too as it gives them the freedom to move around. Keeping a Norwegian Elkhound in a closed space might affect their mental health and lead them to depression.    

Exercise

It is important to engage the Norwegian Elkhound with frequent exercise. If you keep Elkhounds indoors and their need for major physical activities aren’t met, they will most likely become destructive. They will chew on shoes, clothes and tear couches. 

This breed of dogs has great stamina so to stay fit, they require daily exercise. They also have a tendency to become overweight when they are overly fed with no exercise. So at least two hours daily, it is important to take them out for walks, runs, ball fetching, farm activities, and obedience exercises. This helps improve their physical and mental health.

Grooming

Despite the fact that the Norwegian Elkhound’s exterior coat sheds off dirt and dust, they need to be brushed frequently to ensure they are clean enough to be kept in the home. 

Brushing their coats daily will keep them tidy enough. They also shed greatly and have at least two major blowouts a year. Bath them thoroughly each week to keep shedding under control.
Our Norwegian Elkhound puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. USDA licensed commercial breeders account for less than 20% of all breeders in the country. 

The unregulated breeders who are selling outside of the USDA regulations and without a license are what we consider to be “Puppy Mills.” We are committed to offering Norwegian Elkhound puppies who will grow up to become important members of your family. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell.

Caring for a Norwegian Elkhound

Grooming
Weekly brushing
Grooming cost
Average
Monthly food
Average
Outdoor space
A yard is recommended
Allergy friendly
Not considered hypoallergenic

Norwegian Elkhound Video

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Norwegian Elkhound easy to train?

The Norwegian Elkhound intelligence level is above the average level for dogs hence they can be strong-willed. Training an Elkhound will require extra effort from you.

Are Norwegian Elkhound good with children?

Elkhounds are very friendly and people-oriented. They are gentle dogs that love children. Once they are loyal to a family, they become protectors of everyone in the family. 

What is the average lifespan of a Norwegian Elkhound?

The Norwegian Elkhound has a lifespan of 13 to 15 years.

Do Norwegian Elkhounds have common health problems?

Dogs of this breed may sometimes be susceptible to retinal atrophy. The large breeds may suffer from a cyst, hip dysplasia, and other renal problems as they age. Generally, they are a strong breed with little health issues. 

What is the average size of a Norwegian Elkhound?

The average size of a male Elkhound is 50-60 lbs., 19-21 in while the average size for the female is 40-55 lbs., 18-20 in. It is important that they are not overfed as they have the tendency to become overweight. 

Are Norwegian Elkhound aggressive?

They can be aggressive to other dogs, cats, and unknown animals. To avoid this, introduce them to various animals as puppies.

Can you teach Norwegian Elkhounds to swim?

Because of their thick coats, swimming is not easy for dogs of this breed. Submerging in water makes their coats very heavy, therefore, makes swimming difficult for them. 

What do you feed the Norwegian Elkhound puppies?

Feed the puppies high-quality dog food to ensure they grow into healthy Elkhounds. You can also mix the dog food with broth and water. As they get older, they may also like boiled eggs, noodles, vegetables and cheese.

Are Norwegian Elkhounds good with cats?

They can be territorial around cats but after months of socializing them with the felines, they can cohabit. 

What is Norwegian Elkhounds temperament?

Norwegian Elkhounds are loyal, bold, playful, independent, sharp and strong-willed. 

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