Norwegian Elkhounds Make Great Pet Dogs
Excerpt : Norwegian Elkhounds are an old breed, dating back to Stone Age times in Scandinavia. Fossil dating confirms its long use as a domesticated hunting companion of man. They are only moderately popular
Norwegian Elkhounds are an old breed, dating back to Stone Age
times in Scandinavia. Fossil dating confirms its long use as a
domesticated hunting companion of man. They are only moderately
popular in the U.S., but as you'll see, this breed has a lot of
desirable traits that make it a good choice as a pet.
Physical Characteristics
Norwegian Elkhounds are beautiful dogs, with medium-sized
bodies, a distinctive Spitz curled tail, and strong, athletic
lines. Bred to hunt a variety of prey, they possess amazing
stamina and can go strong for days at a time. Like all hunting
dogs, Elkhounds have powerful jaw muscles and ears that move
around the head to pick up sounds coming from many directions.
They have wide, deep, muscular chests and front legs designed
for quick bursts of speed.
Not surprisingly, since they evolved in colder climes, Norwegian
Elkhounds possess a thick double coat
Buy this Poster at AllPosters.com
that is darker gray on top
and lighter underneath. It is superbly suited for heat
absorption and retention. They also emit no "doggie" odor -
another common characteristic of hunting dogs. This works to
mask its presence when stalking prey. For us as pet owners, this
makes the Elkhound a very clean dog, even in the hot summer
months when other breeds can become smelly from all the
perspiration.
Elkhounds stand 18-22 inches tall and generally run between
40-55 lbs. Pound for pound, they are one of the fiercest hunting
dogs in existence and make excellent guard dogs for homes and
businesses. They bark loudly and often, which is either a good
or a bad thing, depending on where you live and what job you
give the dog.
From a health perspective, Elkhounds are prone to hip dysplasia,
dermatitis, and Fanconi Syndrome (rare, but can lead to kidney
failure). You should also be careful not to overfeed this
Buy this Photographic Print at AllPosters.com
Also see :
My Dog's Great Escape
Even though I try not to go down memory lane too often, every once in a while something happens that triggers my memory, and I am carried...read more
Dogs From Animal Shelters
from David the Dogman
The ten worst excuses not to spay or neuter a pet are:
Just one litter and then we'll have Fluffy...read more
|
breed,
as it gains weight quickly and doesn't shed pounds efficiently
in a sedentary domestic environment.
Temperament
The Norwegian Elkhound is both friendly and fiercely loyal. This
is a great trait in a pet dog, but care must be taken to
properly socialize the animal to avoid aggression toward
strangers (both other dogs and humans). Having only occasional
visitors can bring out the 'guard dog' tendency. Early
socialization, such as taking the pup to crowded parks or having
lots of family and friends over on a regular basis, can instill
a sense of ease around strange dogs and people that will last
your dog's lifetime. The key is to help your pet Elkhound learn
early on to associate your presence among others as a good thing
- not a situation requiring his/her defensive posturing
(barking, growling, aggressive movements).
Like all arctic dog breeds, Elkhounds have a
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com
Also see :
Dogs In The Cartoons
America loves dogs in films and on television. We also seem to love dogs in the pages of the Sunday funnies and in animation. To list all of the...read more
Dogs And Pets Provide Health Benefits
Do dogs provide health benefits? Believe it or not they do! Did
you know that owning a dog and pet ownership in general, can
help a person in many...read more
|
definite
independent streak. Intelligent and resourceful, they are one of
the best breeds to have as an 'only pet.' They are a bit
resistant to formal training, so you need to be firm (but never
mean) to teach them. They respond well to praise and rewards,
but are very sensitive and will remain aloof for long periods if
you treat them unfairly or punish too much during training. The
key is to be firm, but give lots and lots of praise and love to
reward him/her when the behavior you want to instill is
exhibited.
The most common complaint about Norwegian Elkhound behavior is
the barking. Understand that hunting dogs need to hold the prey
at bay and alert their masters to their location at the same
time. This means that the more boisterous dogs were better at
helping their masters hunt, so they got bred more often. As a
natural result, this breed now features loud barking almost
universally. Don't get an
Buy this Pre-Matted Print at AllPosters.com
Elkhound if this will pose a problem.
Elkhounds as Pets
As you've probably discerned, Norwegians need a lot of activity.
They are tireless runners and need to burn that energy off.
Therefore, they are not good pets for apartment or condominium
dwellers, unless you can provide ample outdoor space for regular
exercise. Ideally, a big fenced yard or local park with a
regularly active owner is the perfect setting for these dogs.
Norwegian Elkhounds are also best suited for a cooler climate.
They can overheat quickly in any region where the temperature
exceeds 90 in the Summer. However, they do very well during cold
winters, even when temps dip into sub-zero readings.
Finally, always exercise caution when taking your Elkhound out
for a walk or jog. Use a leash! They have an independent streak
and are known to ignore their masters when they pick up an
interesting scent. Even
Buy this Photographic Print at AllPosters.com
trained dogs of this breed will
sometimes defy their masters when a really enticing scent comes
along, so don't get complacent!
Overall, the Norwegian Elkhound is an excellent dog to bring
into your home as a pet. Loyal, friendly, intelligent and
energetic, they make wonderful pets for active people or working
dogs for those with property protection needs.
© John Schwartz http://www.puppies-dogs-supplies.com (all rights
reserved)
About the author:
John Schwartz is a freelance writer and dog lover. He has
written many published articles on subjects like safe dog
toys and supplies, pet health issues, and effective dog
training practices. Visit his website at http://www.puppies-do
gs-supplies.com for more information and useful tips.
More Dogs Articles
Coprophagia (Stool-Eating) in Dogs
Why do dogs eat stools?
While most cases of coprophagia appear to be purely behavioral,
there indeed numerous medical problems that can cause...
Can You Handle These Four Common Skin Problems In Dogs?
Dogs are susceptible to various skin problems -- which can be frustrating for owners who want to see Fido comfortable and happy. Does your dog have a...
Buy this Art Print at AllPosters.com
For Dog Lovers Like You and Me
|
sitemap
Partners :
Online Advertising | Advertising | Online Advertising | Web Advertising | Free Advertising
copyright www.knowaboutdogs.com 2006
|
Recently Added Dogs Articles
The History of Dogs
The History of dogs Dogs belong to the Canid family (Canidae). Dogs first appeared about 40 million years ago, before any other carnivore families...read more
Your Dogs Health - The Basics Every Dog Owner Should Know
Your dog is probably stronger and healthier than most humans
that you know. However, by taking him from his natural
environment, where only the...read more
Dog Emergencies - 3 Tips to Help You Save Your Dog's Life
Dogs can also suffer injuries or get sick from a number of diseases, and it can happen at times when a veterinarian is not available and you...read more
Dogs and Chocolates
from David the Dogman
The ten worst excuses not to spay or neuter a pet are:
Just one litter and then we'll have Fluffy...read more
Dogs, Seniors and Young People.
Senior Visiting with Dogs and Young People. I have had the privilege to visit with the seniors now for many years with my Dogs. I have two therapy...read more
.gif)
Rescue Dogs
We have all grown up with at least one hero in our life, but how many people can call their hero Duke or Spot? The answer- anyone who has had their...read more
Heartworms in Dogs
The heartworm ( Dirofilaria immitis ) is a deadly parasite
that is carried by mosquitoes. The highest infection rates are
in areas within 150 miles...read more
Clicker Training for Dogs
What is a ‘clicker’?
A clicker is simply a small plastic box, containing a metal plate which, when pressed, makes a ‘click’ sound.
What is...read more
Dogs Are Gods of Frolic
Dogs are amongst the most amazing creatures because they give unconditional love. Dogs love their masters and the masters reciprocate by providing...read more
Why Dogs Rule
Ever wonder why dogs make such good pets? It’s not something many people seem to give much thought to, but I’ve been pondering it lately. I’ve had...read more
Some News About Dogs
- Dogs rescued in raid arrive in Charlotte
More than 30 dogs – some apparently with severe medical problems – arrived at a Charlotte shelter Tuesday night after being rescued from an alleged puppy mill in Stokes County.
- With a few rules, dogs and offices can mix well
No one at the Ohio chapter of The Nature Conservancy enjoys going to meetings more than Annie. Once, she was even disciplined for attending a meeting to which she was not invited.
- 'Barbaric' hunting dogs kill cat
A Kircubbin woman has called for the hunting laws in Northern Ireland to be changed after her cat was killed by dogs from the North Down hunt.
- Proposed law would help civilians adopt ‘dogs of war’
There are new efforts to help military working dogs find homes after they retire.
- NCBI ROFL: How dogs navigate to catch frisbees.
“Using micro-video cameras attached to the heads of 2 dogs, we examined their optical behavior while catching Frisbees. Our findings reveal that dogs use the same viewer-based navigational heuristics previously found with baseball players (i.e., maintaining the target along a linear optical trajectory, LOT, with optical speed constancy). On trials in which the Frisbee dramatically changed ...
- Dogs can be a welcome addition to the workplace - provided there are rules
No one at the Ohio chapter of The Nature Conservancy enjoys going to meetings more than Annie. Once, she was even disciplined for attending a meeting to which she was not invited.
- Top Dogs
Two of the teams from the Rayburn Correctional Center’s Canine Unit placed in the top ten at a three-day statewide narcotics dog training and competition recently hosted by Dixon Correctional Institute in Jackson.
- Dippity dogs
A Bothell therapist uses a 9-foot-by-6-foot rehabilitation pool to help her canine clients regain mobility and recover from injuries. The therapy pool's for dogs only, because she'd need a chain-mail bathing suit if she tried it out on a cat.
- 4 dogs survive Saturday fire near Benton City
BENTON CITY -- Linda Brown lost her home and virtually all of her possessions Saturday to a fire, bu
- Dogs 're-homed' by owner
RSPCA discovers eight dogs removed from property of man who was allegedly slaughtering dogs for meat.
|