Post by DogGoneGood on Mar 10, 2009 16:10:34 GMT -5
Group: II - Hounds
Origin: Norway
Date of Origin: Antiquity/1800s
Purpose: Hunting Big Game (Elk)
Other Name(s): Norsk Elghund (Gra), Elkhound, Grahund, Swedish Gray Dog
Robust, vigorous, athletic, and with a strong voice, which it willingly uses when it sees its prey, this is the most popular of the three Scandinavian Elkhounds. It is a classic spitz breed, and Stone Age fossils from Norway confirm its antiquity. When working as a gundog it does not chase, but follows its prey in a hound-like manner. An extremely versatile breed, it has been used to hunt lynx and wolf, as well as elk, and is a sucessful retriever of small game such as rabbit and fox. Norwegian farmers also use it to herd farmyard chickens and ducks.
Breed Standards
General Appearance:
The Norwegian Elkhound is a typical northern dog, of medium size, with a compact, proportionately short body, with a thick and rich, but not bristling, grey coat, with prick ears, and with a tail that is curled and carried over the back.
Coat and Colour:
Coat thick, rich and hard, but rather smooth lying. On head and front of legs, short and even; longest on neck and chest, on buttocks, on hind side of forelegs and on underside of tail. It is made of longer and harder covering hairs, dark at the tips, and of a light, soft, woolly undercoat. Colour grey, with black tips to the long covering hairs; somewhat lighter on chest, stomach, legs, underside of tail, and around anus. The colour may be lighter or darker, with a slight shading towards yellow; but a pronounced variation from the grey colour disqualifies. Too dark or too light individuals should be avoided; also, yellow markings or uneven
colouring. There should be no pronounced white markings.
Head:
“Dry” (without any loose skin), broad at the ears; the forehead and back of the head only slightly arched; the stop not large, yet clearly defined. The muzzle is of medium length, thickest at the base and seen from above or from the side, tapers evenly without being pointed. The bridge of the nose is straight; the lips are tightly closed and the teeth meet in a scissors bite. Eyes not protruding, brown in colour, preferably dark, lively, with fearless energetic expression. Ears set high, firm and erect, are higher than they are wide at the base, pointed (not rounded) and very
mobile. When the dog is listening, the orifices are turned forward.
Neck:
Of medium length, “dry” (without any loose skin), strong, and well set up.
Forequarters:
Legs firm, straight, and strong; elbows closely set on.
Hindquarters:
Hind legs with little angulation at knees and hocks. Seen from behind, they are straight. Feet comparatively small, somewhat oblong, with tightly closed toes, not turned out. There should be no dewclaws on hind legs.
Body:
Powerful, compact, and short, with broad, deep chest, well-sprung ribs, straight back, well-developed loins, and stomach very little drawn up.
Tail:
Set high, short, thickly and closely haired, but without brush; tightly curled, not carried too much to one side.
Size:
Dogs, about 20-1/2 inches (52 cm) at the shoulders; Bitches, about 19-1/2 inches (50 cm).
Disqualification:
Pronounced variation from grey colour.
Temperment:
His temperament is bold and energetic.
History:
The national dog of Norway, this breed has existed in Scandinavia for at least 5,000 years. Elkhounds are mentioned in Norse Sagas, where they are at the side of their Viking master, right next to his weapon. Current standards were developed in the late 1800s, when the Norweigian Hunters' Association held its first show.
Sources:
Canadian Kennel Club Official Breed Standards - Norwegian Elkhound
The New Encyclopedia Of the DOG by Bruce Fogle DVM Page 132
Origin: Norway
Date of Origin: Antiquity/1800s
Purpose: Hunting Big Game (Elk)
Other Name(s): Norsk Elghund (Gra), Elkhound, Grahund, Swedish Gray Dog
Robust, vigorous, athletic, and with a strong voice, which it willingly uses when it sees its prey, this is the most popular of the three Scandinavian Elkhounds. It is a classic spitz breed, and Stone Age fossils from Norway confirm its antiquity. When working as a gundog it does not chase, but follows its prey in a hound-like manner. An extremely versatile breed, it has been used to hunt lynx and wolf, as well as elk, and is a sucessful retriever of small game such as rabbit and fox. Norwegian farmers also use it to herd farmyard chickens and ducks.
Breed Standards
General Appearance:
The Norwegian Elkhound is a typical northern dog, of medium size, with a compact, proportionately short body, with a thick and rich, but not bristling, grey coat, with prick ears, and with a tail that is curled and carried over the back.
Coat and Colour:
Coat thick, rich and hard, but rather smooth lying. On head and front of legs, short and even; longest on neck and chest, on buttocks, on hind side of forelegs and on underside of tail. It is made of longer and harder covering hairs, dark at the tips, and of a light, soft, woolly undercoat. Colour grey, with black tips to the long covering hairs; somewhat lighter on chest, stomach, legs, underside of tail, and around anus. The colour may be lighter or darker, with a slight shading towards yellow; but a pronounced variation from the grey colour disqualifies. Too dark or too light individuals should be avoided; also, yellow markings or uneven
colouring. There should be no pronounced white markings.
Head:
“Dry” (without any loose skin), broad at the ears; the forehead and back of the head only slightly arched; the stop not large, yet clearly defined. The muzzle is of medium length, thickest at the base and seen from above or from the side, tapers evenly without being pointed. The bridge of the nose is straight; the lips are tightly closed and the teeth meet in a scissors bite. Eyes not protruding, brown in colour, preferably dark, lively, with fearless energetic expression. Ears set high, firm and erect, are higher than they are wide at the base, pointed (not rounded) and very
mobile. When the dog is listening, the orifices are turned forward.
Neck:
Of medium length, “dry” (without any loose skin), strong, and well set up.
Forequarters:
Legs firm, straight, and strong; elbows closely set on.
Hindquarters:
Hind legs with little angulation at knees and hocks. Seen from behind, they are straight. Feet comparatively small, somewhat oblong, with tightly closed toes, not turned out. There should be no dewclaws on hind legs.
Body:
Powerful, compact, and short, with broad, deep chest, well-sprung ribs, straight back, well-developed loins, and stomach very little drawn up.
Tail:
Set high, short, thickly and closely haired, but without brush; tightly curled, not carried too much to one side.
Size:
Dogs, about 20-1/2 inches (52 cm) at the shoulders; Bitches, about 19-1/2 inches (50 cm).
Disqualification:
Pronounced variation from grey colour.
Temperment:
His temperament is bold and energetic.
History:
The national dog of Norway, this breed has existed in Scandinavia for at least 5,000 years. Elkhounds are mentioned in Norse Sagas, where they are at the side of their Viking master, right next to his weapon. Current standards were developed in the late 1800s, when the Norweigian Hunters' Association held its first show.
Sources:
Canadian Kennel Club Official Breed Standards - Norwegian Elkhound
The New Encyclopedia Of the DOG by Bruce Fogle DVM Page 132
