GENERAL APPEARANCE
Shoulder height: 49-52cm (l9½”-20½”).
Colour: Grey with black tips on the outer hairs, dark foreface and ears.
Coat: Outercoat is close abundant and weather resistant with a soft undercoat.
Gait: Movement is straight and free, and the dogs single track at speed.
The Elkhound is a member the spitz family and, like most in this group, they display a proud carriage. The moderate stop and the oval eyes are set midway in the broad wedge shaped head. Like all members of the spitz family, the ears are erect and pointed. The square strong body ends with a high set tail curled over the centre of the back. The strong legs and well turned stifles finish with tightly closed feet which carry plenty of hair between the pads.
CHARACTERISTICS AND CARE
Elkhounds display courage and reliability with expressions that are frank, friendly and fearless. Originally bred to hunt elk in Scandinavia, they excel in this field due to their highly developed senses and intuition. They make excellent watchdogs but in urban areas, if left outside alone they may bark excessively, disturbing neighbours. A particular virtue is that these dogs have no doggy odours, however regular brushing is needed to remove the dead hair as Elkhounds do shed.
HISTORY
The origin of the Elkhound can be traced back to the days of the Vikings - in fact skeletons of dogs resembling them have been dated back to the Ice Age. They are versatile hunters, not only of elk, but also trailing and hunting bears and mountain lions, either by airborne or ground scent. When their quarry is in sight, Elkhounds bark to alert their master and then proceed to worry and keep the attention of the animal by nimbly bouncing around it like a rubber ball. Although rarely used for hunting purposes
today, these dogs have such attractive characters and natures that they are always be popular.