Norwegian Elkhound E-Book

Juliette Cunliffe

• Herausgeber: CompanionHouse Books
• Kategorie: Lebensstil
• Serie: Comprehensive Owner's Guide
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 255

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2012

Beschreibung

One of the world's most ancient pure-bred dogs, the Norwegian Elkhound once trotted alongside the sea-faring Vikings as they voyaged through the Old World. Marked by its boldly energetic personality, the Elkhound of Norway proves to be a versatile companion and hunting dog, whose varied quarry included elk, reindeer, bear and game birds. Today the Elkhound is prized for its natural beauty, friendly temperament and independence of character. This is a dignified Spitz breed that has opinions of its own, many clever and curious ways, and distinct voice to express them all. For the confident, active owner, the Elkhound makes a delightful companion dog. Author Juliette Cunliffe has provided a well-researched, informative chapter about the Norwegian Elkhound's fascinating origins, including a detailed account of the breed's development in the US. She also discusses the breed's characteristics, behavior and temperament. This Special Limited Edition, illustrated with over 135 color photographs, covers the selection and care of the Elkhound puppy as well as house-training, obedience training and competing in dog shows and performance events. An excellent chapter on preventive healthcare by renowned veterinarian Dr. Lowell Ackerman addresses all of the concerns of the responsible owner, from selecting a great vet to controlling parasites and the major infectious diseases.

Leseprobe

Physical Characteristics of the Norwegian Elkhound

(from the American Kennel Club breed standard)

Head: Broad at the ears, wedge shaped, strong and dry.

Eyes: Very dark brown, medium in size, oval.

Stop: Not large, yet clearly defined.

Ears: Set high, firm and erect.

Neck: Of medium length, muscular.

Muzzle: Seen from above or from the side, tapers evenly without being pointed.

Expression: Keen, alert, indicating a dog with great courage.

Chest: Deep and moderately broad.

Forequarters: Shoulders sloping with elbows closely set on. Legs well under body and medium in length; substantial, but not coarse, in bone. Feet—Paws comparatively small, slightly oval with tightly closed toes and thick pads. Pasterns are strong and only slightly bent.

Coat: Thick, hard, weather resisting and smooth lying; made up of soft, dense, woolly undercoat and coarse, straight covering hairs.

Color: Gray, medium preferred, variations in shade determined by the length of black tips and quantity of guard hairs.

Body: Short and close-coupled with the rib cage accounting for most of its length.

Topline: The back is straight and strong from its high point at the withers to the root of the tail.

Tail: Set high, tightly curled, and carried over the centerline of the back.

Hindquarters: Moderate angulation at stifle and hock. Thighs are broad and well muscled. Feet as in front.

Height: At the withers for dogs is 20.5 inches, for bitches 19.5 inches.

Weight: For dogs about 55 pounds, for bitches about 48 pounds.

Contents

History of the Norwegian Elkhound

Survey the ancient beginnings of the Elkhound breed of Norway, tracing its origins as a companion to Stone Age man, as a hunter of large game in Scandinavia, as a shipmate to the Vikings and as a guard dog in its homeland, to its modern history as a prized companion, worker and show dog in countries around the world.

Characteristics of the Norwegian Elkhound

Find out if the Norwegian Elkhound is the right breed for you by learning about its personality, protective nature and independence. Are you able to train this bright spitz-minded canine? Also learn about the breed’s physical characteristics as well as the breed-specific hereditary health concerns for which all responsible breeders screen.

Breed Standard for the Norwegian Elkhound

Learn the requirements of a well-bred Norwegian Elkhound by studying the description of the breed set forth in the American Kennel Club standard. Both show dogs and pets must possess key characteristics as outlined in the breed standard.

Your Puppy Norwegian Elkhound

Find out about how to locate a well-bred Norwegian Elkhound puppy. Discover which questions to ask the breeder and what to expect when visiting the litter. Prepare for your puppy-accessory shopping spree. Also discussed are home safety, the first trip to the vet, socialization and establishing a bond with your new puppy.

Proper Care of Your Norwegian Elkhound

Cover the specifics of taking care of your Norwegian Elkhound every day: feeding for all ages; grooming, including coat care, ears, eyes, nails and bathing; and exercise needs. Also discuss dog ID and traveling safely with your dog.

Training Your Norwegian Elkhound

Begin with the basics of training the puppy and adult dog. Learn the principles of house-training the Norwegian Elkhound, including the use of crates and basic scent instincts. Get started by introducing the pup to his collar and leash and progress to the basic commands. Find out about obedience classes and other activities.

Healthcare of Your Norwegian Elkhound

By Lowell Ackerman DVM, DACVD

Become your dog’s healthcare advocate and a well-educated canine keeper. Select a skilled and able veterinarian. Discuss pet insurance, vaccinations and infectious diseases, the neuter/spay decision and a sensible, effective plan for parasite control, including fleas, ticks and worms.

Showing Your Norwegian Elkhound

Step into the center ring and find out about the world of showing pure-bred dogs. Here are the basics of AKC conformation showing, how shows are organized and what’s required for your dog to become a champion. Take a leap into other competitive sports: obedience, agility and tracking events.

Behavior of Your Norwegian Elkhound

Analyze the canine mind to understand what makes your Norwegian Elkhound tick. Learn how to recognize and handle common behavior issues, including different types of aggression, separation anxiety, chewing, digging, barking, begging and more.

KENNEL CLUB BOOKS®NORWEGIAN ELKHOUND

ISBN 13: 978-1-59378-306-8

eISBN 13: 978-1-62187-004-3

Copyright © 2005 • Kennel Club Books® A Division of BowTie, Inc.

40 Broad Street, Freehold, NJ 07728 USA

Cover Design Patented: US 6,435,559 B2 • Printed in South Korea

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form, by photostat, scanner, microfilm, xerography or any other means, or incorporated into any information retrieval system, electronic or mechanical, without the written permission of the copyright owner.

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Photography by Carol Ann Johnson

with additional photographs by:

Mary Bloom, Paulette Braun, Isabelle Françis, Bill Jonas, Mr. B. T. & Mrs. E. V. Nichols and Prof. Dr. Robert L. Peiffer, Jr.

Illustration by Patricia Peters.

The publisher wishes to thank all of the owners whose dogs are featured in this book, including Robert Greaves and Patricia Trotter.

The Norwegian Elkhound breed dates back many thousands of years. The breed can claim to be one of the oldest dog breeds in existence.

The Norwegian Elkhound is one of the Arctic breeds, all of which have long histories, but the Norwegian Elkhound is said to date back to four or five thousand years before Christ, which by anyone’s standards is a very long while! The period to which the breed dates back was discovered as a result of excavations at Jaeren in western Norway. Here a number of skeletons of both men and animals were found, among them four dogs. Professor Brinchmaun pronounced these skeletons to be undoubtedly of Norwegian Elkhound type. Two were almost identical to the Norwegian Elkhound of recent centuries; the other two were smaller, belonging to Canis palustris, which is similar to the Norwegian Elkhound.

ELK HUNTING

In Scandinavia the hunting of the elk is something of a social occasion. Hunters are dressed in red caps or vests, an obligatory color, so that they are not shot in error in the dense forests. To hunt elk is demanding for the dogs and the men, both of which need to be in excellent physical condition!

Undoubtedly the Norwegian Elkhound can claim to be one of the oldest breeds in the world. The breed was the companion of Stone Age man, and since then it has been the large-game hunter and watchdog of western Scandinavia. Based on the aforementioned and other evidence, it certainly appears that the Norwegian Elkhound has been established since prehistoric times and has been domesticated since written records began. In Norway’s rural districts, the Norwegian Elkhound has long been kept by farmers, hunters and herdsmen. All of them used this dog for outdoor work in a rugged country with harsh climatic conditions.

ELKHOUNDS AND VIKINGS

The “Viking Age” is considered to have commenced in the year 793 AD, and the Norwegian Elkhound was certainly a companion of the Vikings. Norwegian Elkhounds were the first “sea dogs,” accompanying their masters on their journeys through Europe and North America.

Viking commanders were buried on land with their ships, and along with their possessions were often their dogs. Indeed, their dogs were fitting companions for their journey into Valhalla, considered heaven by the Vikings. Bas-relief pictures have depicted Norwegian Elkhounds hunting moose, but Viking life came to an end as a result of closer relations with developing Europe and with Christianity. With the decline of the Vikings, the Norwegian Elkhound also suffered, both in quantity and in quality. However, a small number of dogs, albeit seemingly not of particularly high quality, remained scattered about in villages. These were the dogs that played an integral part in preventing the extinction of the breed.

DIFFERENT NAMES

Over time, the Norwegian Elkhound has acquired different names. In Britain the breed is known simply as “Elkhound.” In Norway and Sweden it is known as “Norrland Spets,” “Grahuynd” and “den Graa Dyrehund,” the latter meaning “gray game dog.” “Elkhound” is actually a mistranslation of the name “Elghund,” which really means “Elk-dog,” and there has long been controversy as to whether or not the Norwegian Elkhound is a hound in the truest sense of the word.

The Norwegian Elkhound was cherished by the Vikings and appears in many of the old Viking sagas. The breed has retained a strong hunting instinct and, in Norway, still cannot compete in conformation classes unless it has earned a hunting certificate.

THE ELKHOUND AT WORK

A versatile dog, the Norwegian Elkhound was used for help in hunting not only elk but also reindeer and bear. Although recognized as one of the spitz breeds, the Norwegian Elkhound finds itself exhibited in the Hound Group at shows. The breed was, though, once known as the Scandinavian Pointer, as it was also used as a gundog for blackcock.

The Norwegian Elkhound is renowned for its power of scent, and under favorable conditions is capable of scenting a bear or an elk as far as three miles’ distance. The Norwegian Elkhound could be used as a “Los-hund,” meaning “loose dog,” or as a “Band-hund,” meaning “lead dog.” Although generally allowed to range free, he could work at the end of a 20-foot leash, attached to the master’s belt.

If unleashed, the dog would quarter the ground, scenting both the ground and the air, and sometimes standing on his hind legs to obtain a better scent. Upon approaching the quarry, the dog would move more slowly and quietly, so as not to startle the animal. The hunter could be several miles distant, so the remarkable Norwegian Elkhound could find himself in the position of having to keep a large and powerful animal at bay for as long as an hour. Such a method of hunting demanded exceptional endurance, courage and intelligence on the part of the hound, not least because the elk would use both feet and antlers to strike at its adversary. It was the Norwegian Elkhound’s compact, short-backed build that allowed him to avoid the elk’s hooves and antlers, and the Norwegians described the Norwegian Elkhound as being able to bounce in an out of range in the manner of a rubber ball. The quarry was held at bay by means of the hound’s barking and dodging, and the Norwegian Elkhound’s bell-like voice, gradually increasing in volume, would alert the hunter to the scene, whereupon the quarry could be dispatched.

A photo from the 1920s shows British fancier Stuart Thompson with a pack of Norwegian Elkhounds that has encountered the trail of an otter.

NATIONAL BREED

The Norwegian Elkhound is the national breed of Norway and was also the national breed of Sweden until being replaced by its relative the Jamthund. When the Norwegian Kennel Club held its first show in 1898, the Norwegian Elkhound was selected k to appear on the club’s medallion.

Until the early years of the 20th century, the Norwegian Elkhound was bred largely for hunting ability, making the hunting instinct still very strong in today’s dog. By the 1920s, a restriction had been placed on the number of elk allowed to be killed. However, the breed was still used for its original purpose at that time, albeit to a modified extent.

Stuart Thompson introduces a rat to his excited hounds. Photo circa 1927.

THE ELKHOUND AS GUARD

In Norway the Norwegian Elkhound was treated as a hardy animal and was left outside even during the harsh winter months. He was rarely kept kenneled or chained, but was allowed to roam at will, allowing this remarkable dog to protect his master and his master’s stock. The Norwegian Elkhound would warn his master of approaching strangers and would drive off any predators. Indeed this was a dog that earned his keep well in Norway.

NINETEENTH-CENTURY BREED REVIVAL

In 1865 the renowned Norwegian hunter and sportsman, Consul Jens Gram of Ask, bred Bamse Gram, believed to be the Norwegian Elkhound to which pedigrees can be traced back the farthest. Breeding from lines back to this hound, the Norwegian Elkhound was revived.

Norwegian postage stamps featuring native breeds: (top) the Norwegian Elkhound, (center) the Norwegian Buhund and (bottom) the Norwegian Lundehund.

It was in 1877 that the Norwegian Hunters’ Association held its first dog show, and, as the years progressed, breeding records and stud books were established. A breed standard having been drawn up, Norwegian breeders began to center their attention on the Norwegian Elkhound. The breed became known as show dogs in addition to their traditional roles as hunters and outdoor workers.

THE NORWEGIAN ELKHOUND IN THE US

The first imports to the United States arrived in 1913. Three dogs named Koik, Bimba and Laila were registered with the American Kennel Club (AKC) by owner Gottlieb Lechner of Idaho. The first decade of activity in the US yielded minimal results, with only 11 dogs being registered and another 12 being imported and registered by the end of the 1920s.

Vindsval kennels, owned by Bayard Boyesen of Winchester, New Hampshire, was established in 1924; it was the first Elkhound kennel to be established in the US. Other kennels from the early period include: Barbara Thayer Hall’s Stonewall kennels; A. Wells Peck’s Pitch Road kennels; F. Wood and V. Hubbard’s Narvikwood kennels; Edith S. Kozak’s Bjorn-Lass kennels and L.F. Smith’s Stonylea kennels. The year 1925 marked the breed’s first entrance into the Westminster Kennel Club show.

Ch. Grimm of Lifjell holds the honor of being the first Norwegian Elkhound to finish his AKC championship. Grimm, a Norwegian import, won the title in 1926. He was owned by Walter Channing of Brixton kennels in Dover, Massachusetts.

THE LEGEND OF THE NORWEGIAN ELKHOUND’S TAIL

There is a charming legend about how the Norwegian Elkhound came to have his distinctively curled tail. The story revolves around a brave hunter and his Norwegian Elkhound, Bram, who was always by his master’s side. Following a fight, the owner killed another man and, in consequence, fled into the forest with his dog. They lived together in mountain caves for years and, in the deep snow, Bram’s tail frequently became encrusted with ice and snow. This caused the dog’s tail to drag behind him like a frozen broom, which made hunting difficult. One day his master decided to tie Bram’s tail over the dog’s back with a leather thong; since then, the Norwegian Elkhound has always had a curled tail.

Ch. Vin-Melca’s Smuggler won 25 Bests in Show for breeder-handler, Pat Craige (Trotter).

In 1934, 89 dogs were registered with the AKC, and in the following year 150 were registered. The year 1934 also marked the foundation of the parent club, the Norwegian Elkhound Association of America (NEEA); the AKC approved the new club in 1936. The gentlemen responsible for organizing the club were Bayard Boyesen, David Wooley and Lawrence Lictfield; during its first year of existence, it had 35 members.

IMPORTANT AMERICAN KENNELS

The most influential long-standing Elkhound kennel in the US is Vin-Melca Elkhounds, owned and operated by breeder/judge Patricia Vincent (Craige). Patricia obtained her first Elkhound in 1949 (at a very young age) from the Joyce Creek kennels in North Carolina, known for their hunting dogs. Her first dog, Ch. Ulf’s Madam Helga, was bred to Ch. Carro of Ardmere, owned by Pitch Road kennels, and got her first Vin-Melca dog: Vin-Melca’s Carro Again. About ten years later, she bought Vin-Melca’s Rebel Rouser (“Vicky”) and bred her to the aging Carro Again, yielding Ch. Vin-Melca’s Astridina. Patricia was fast on track to creating her ideal Elkhound: a cookie-cutter level of perfection that few breeders in dogs have ever achieved. Astridina, bred to Ch. Crafdal Trigvie Vikingsson, produced Ch. Vin-Melca’s Vikina.

NORDIC ANCESTOR

Along with many other Nordic breeds, the Norwegian Elkhound is likely to be descended from the hunting swamp dog, or “Torvmosehund,” used by the itinerant peoples of northern Europe. It appears that these dogs were brought to Scandinavia during the tribes’ migration.

Ch. Windy Cove Rowdy Ringo, out of Tusko and Tona, produced Ch. Vin-Melca’s Howdy Rowdy, a top show dog and sire.

Patricia moved to the West Coast in the 1960s, where she met and married Dr. John Craige. It was in Carmel, California where the Vin-Melca dynasty rooted and prospered. Among the great Vin-Melca dogs was Ch. Vin-Melca’s Vickssen, whelped in 1964, the sire of three Best in Show (BIS) winners and himself a Best in Show and specialty show winner. His BIS offspring include Ch. Vin-Melca’s Vagabond, Valley Forge and Viscount. Following in his uncle Viscount’s pawprints, Ch. Vin-Melca’s Smuggler won 25 Best in Show awards and was Group Two at Westminster Kennel Club in 1984.

THE ELKHOUND’S SHARE

In Norway, credit was invariably given to the dog rather than to the hunter. It has been said that a dog would refuse to work for a hunter whose shot was poor, nor would a dog work for a hunter who would not give him some of the meat.

Ch. Vin-Melca’s Howdy Rowdy, the winner of the 1968 national, became the top-producing sire in the breed, with 166 champions to his name. One of those 166 champions was Ch. Vin-Melca’s Harlow, the top-producing bitch of her time, with 25 champions. Another Vin-Melca bitch, Ch. Vin-Melca’s Last Call, broke the record with 27 champions; she also had 14 BIS wins.

Ch. Vin-Melca’s Last Call, a multiple BIS winner, is the breed’s top dam of all time.

Another great BIS dog for Vin-Melca was Ch. Vin-Melca’s Vagabond, the winner of 24 BIS awards as well as the Group at Westminster in 1970 and 1971. This feat was repeated by Ch. Vin-Melca’s Nimbus, who won the Group at the Garden in 1977 and 1979 and became the top-winning male Elkhound of all time.

Ch. Vin-Melca’s Vagabond, one of many Best in Show champions bred by Patricia Trotter.

A historic winner from the 1970s, Ch. Vin-Melca’s Nimbus was the top-winning Elkhound of all time until unseated by Calista.

Ch. Vin-Melca’s Calista (“Sarah”) also won Westminster Groups twice, in 1989 and 1990. She became the top-winning Elkhound of all time, with 66 Best in Show victories. Her daughter, Ch. Vin-Melca’s Marketta, repeated mom’s Westminster victories in 1994 and 1995 and is the second all-time bitch, playing second fiddle only to her mom. To date, the Elkhound has only won the Group at Westminster 11 times, 10 times by Vin-Melca dogs.

Ch. Vin-Melca’s Calista with Pat Craige (Trotter) in the Group ring at Westminster.

The Vin-Melca prefix continues to be associated with top dogs in the breed. In 2003, for example, four of the five top Elkhounds in the US had Vin-Melca prefixes. Pat Craige (now Trotter, after marrying fellow judge Charles Trotter) has owner-handled most of her winners, and when she’s not judging Best in Show, she’s running around the group ring with a new Vin-Melca superstar, as she was at Westminster in 2005 with Ch. Vin-Melca Bright Image.

Many Vin-Melca dogs became the foundation dogs of other kennels, including the Red Hill kennels of Freeman and Betty Claus and Sirdal kennels of Lee and Diana Korneiliusen, not to mention others that followed.

In the mid-1950s, Joe and Marie Peterson began their Windy Cove kennels from a puppy out of Greenwood kennels of Linda Scott, Ch. Windy’s Tusko of Greenwood. Tusko produced three litters for Windy Cove, yielding nine champions. Ch. Windy Coves Sweda, one of Tusko’s offspring, produced ten champions and became a top-producing dam. In the mid-1960s Windy Cove kennels moved from Spokane, Washington to Atascadero, California. Imports from the Oftenasen kennels in Norway have added to the success of the Windy Cove Elkhounds. Among some of the wonderful imports were Ch. Windy Cove Tass av Oftenasen (1966), Ch. Windy Cove Mona av Oftenasen and Windy Cove Riiser Guy (1968), Windy Cove Surprise of Vardetoppen (1972), Ch. Windy Cove Ruffen (1974), Ch. Tortasen’s Ola of Windy Cove (1978), Windy Cove Silva of Norway and Ch. Windy Cove Gunnar of Norway (1979), Ch. Rasin Kiva (1984) and Ch. Tortasen’s Bjonn O’Windy Cove (1993). In all, there are over 200 American champions and over 30 Canadian champions that bear the Windy Cove prefix. The Petersons are proud of their close association with the “hunting Elkhound” type, and their breeding program has yielded spectacular results over its five decades of operation.

Crafdal Elkhounds of Bob and Glenna Crafts were founded in 1955, based on some great Elkhounds, including future superstar Trygvie Vikingsson, Bamsi Haakonsdotter and Yerta of Greenwood. The Crafts weren’t dog-show people, but they entered the dog game as few people ever have: from the top. At their first show they entered Tryg, and he won Best in Show over 100 puppies. He went on to sire more than 65 champions, and his grandson was none other than Ch. Vin-Melca’s Howdy Rowdy, the top-producing sire of all time. Another great winner for Crafdal was Crafdal Thunder, a BIS winner. Every kennel is only as good as its bitches, and the bitches that led the way for Crafdal include Friochan Rinta, Ch. Yerta of Greenwood, Ch. Crafdal Lillabo Kvinna, Ch. Crafdal Tryg’s Vivla and Ch. Crafdal Tryg’s Ruki. Over 300 Elkhound champions bear the Crafdal name, and, although Crafdal isn’t active any more, their dogs still are found in the pedigrees of many top Elkhounds.

Ch. Crafdal Trugg’n Thor Rollo, one of the best produced by this top kennel.

The Kamgaard Elkhounds of Margaret Mott trace back to a Crafdal bitch purchase in 1963 when Margaret was a young girl. Every Kamgaard champion is related to her foundation bitch, Crafdal Tryglik Tina. Some of the top dogs from this kennel were Ch. Kamgaard Kiss Me Kate CD, Ch. Kamgaard Tryglikk Kristiana, Ch. Kamgaard Keepsake, Ch. Kamgaard Kit N’ Kaboodle, Ch. Kamgaard Korniche, Ch. Kamgaard Kermit and Ch. Kamgaard Kount on Me. Kamgaard also imported a number of excellent Elkhounds from A.M. Lovell’s Ravenstone kennels in England as well as some from Norway. The Kamgaard dogs have done wonders for the British Elkhounds, as Margaret has exported some of her best dogs to the UK as well as their progeny.

A GRAY AREA

In Norway the Norwegian Elkhound is actually the Black Elkhound (or svart elghound). The breed that Americans call Norwegian Elkhound is known in Norway as the Gray Elkhound (or gra elghound). Covered in a shiny black coat that is dense and shiny, the Black breed tends be smaller with a lighter build, similar to another Norwegian hound, the Norwegian Buhund. Historically, the Black has been separately registered since 1903 and is used to hunt moose and bear.

Basing her kennel primarily on Norwegian imports, Mari Misbeek began her Camalot kennels with Ch. Camalot Ruff’s Trogan Av Bella and Ch. Camalot Ruff’s Tryste Av Bella from Norway in 1974. Tryste produced nine champions for Camalot and became the foundation bitch for the kennel. Among Tryste’s champion offspring was Ch. Camalot Tryste’s Totally Hot, who proved an outstanding producer. Mari also imported Ch. Camalot Bella’s Trykk, who sired 21 champions; OTCh. Camalot’s Bella Tigra, the first Elkhound to gain the Obedience Trial Champion title; and Ch. Camalot’s Tigger. Ch. Camalot’s Rebel Yell also sired 21 champions and became a national specialty winner. The second OTCh. in the breed was Ch. Camalot’s Trully Ayla, also owned and shown by Donald and Marilyn Rotier.

Robert and Victoria Lawton began Vikiro kennels in 1976 with their first show Elkhound, Bermarba’s Elske Tara, who became the foundation dam. The Lawtons utilized English and Norwegian lines in their program, and in all racked up 30 champions in their first 10 years of operation. Ch. Roundel’s Gizmo of Vikiro, the 1988 specialty winner, was one of the stars produced at this kennel. Other stars included Ch. Vikiro Tara’s Macho Man and Ch. Camalot Trulle’s Belle Star, two top producers, and Ch. Vikiro Ruby’s Ghostdancer.

NATIONAL SPECIALTY WINNERS AT A GLANCE

The history of the Norwegian Elkhound in the US can be viewed through the lens of the Norwegian Elkhound Association of America’s national specialty, a show that attracts the very best dogs in the country. Although some excellent breeders do not lay claim to having bred a specialty winner, many of the top breeders and kennels have. Here is a retrospective of some important winners, their breeders and owners over the first four decades of the NEAA.

The first NEAA national specialty was held on April 7 and 8, 1962, judged by Johnny Aarflot from Norway. The winner was Ch. Gladjac Royal Oslo, bred by Armine St. Germaine and owned by Susan D. Phillips. Three years later, the second national was held, this time judged by Gerd Berbom, also from Norway. Arctic Storm of Pomfret, bred by Susan D. Phillips, won Best in Specialty. The owner was Doris Gustafson.

The third, fourth and fifth national specialties were dominated by Patricia V. Craige and her superb Vin-Melca Elkhounds. The third show, held in 1968, was won by Ch. Vin-Melca’s Howdy Rowdy, owned by Patricia Craige and bred by Fred and Lois Turner. The fourth national, held in 1972, was won by Vin-Melca’s Huck Finn, judged by the very popular Johnny Aarflot. Also bred and owned by Patricia Craige, Ch. Vin-Melca’s Happy Hour won the fifth national over a record-breaking entry of 243 Elkhounds in 1974.

Attentive to his handler and amenable to the judge’s examination, the Elkhound is a willing performer and a beautiful sight in the show ring.

The sixth national was held in Washington, DC in the bicentennial year 1976, and Dr. Jesper Hallingby (of Norway) selected E.A. Hillman’s Loki of Stormy Lea, bred by Brian and Lynn Riley, as Best in Specialty. At the seventh national, two years later, in 1978, Titanic’s Porcupine Pie quilled the top prize over 256 Elkhounds, under Dr. Arthur E.T. Sneeden, the first non-Norwegian to judge a NEAA national. This bitch was bred by Buzz Sodeman and owned by Joel and Nan Tessin.

The 1980s rolled in with Ch. Vin-Melca’s Matinee Idol, owned by Pat Craige and Peter Eckroat, winning the eighth national in 1980. Idol was bred by Robert Maddox. The 1982 winner, Karin’s Yogi Bear, was bred by Barbara A. Innes and owned by Gary Proudfoot. The tenth national (1984) winner was Windy Cove Chief Cochise, owned and bred by Marie Peterson. Ch. Kirksstead Olav, owned by T. and C. Reese and Robert Ness won the 1986 national. The 1988 show attracted a record entry of 376 dogs, and the Best in Specialty victor was Ch. Roundel’s Gizmo of Vikiro, bred by Bonnie Turner and owned by Robert and Victoria Lawton.

Among the winners from the 1990s forward are Ch. Norelka’s Surfs Up at Ardon’s, Ch. Norelka’s Sky Gazer For Trevin, Ch. Bona Jade’s Leggs Diamond and Windy Cove Norgren Wild Pride.

ELKHOUNDS IN SCANDINAVIA TODAY

In Norway the Norwegian Elkhound is still treated very much as a working and hunting dog, though the hunting season lasts for only about three weeks in the month of October. Depending upon the population of elk in any given area, a hunter is granted a strict license to kill only a certain number, and this figure is broken down into calves and adults, bulls and cows. In Sweden and Finland the hunting season is open, so many Norwegian hunters cross the borders into neighboring countries after their own short season has closed.

The importance of hunting ability in this breed is clear when one takes into consideration that, in Scandinavia, a Norwegian Elkhound cannot gain the title of Show Champion without receiving a first grade in a Hunting Trial. Dog shows in this breed focus on much more than looks.

MEET THE SWEDISH ELKHOUND

Developed to hunt in the deep snows of its homeland, the Jamthund of Sweden is another elkhound breed that is used to hunt moose. In Sweden there is also a White Elkhound that is a variation of the (Gray) Norwegian Elkhound and the Jamthund. This new breed was recognized in 1993 in its homeland.

WHY THE ELKHOUND?

Undoubtedly every Norwegian Elkhound owner and fancier has been drawn to the breed for a slightly different reason, and it is only fair to say that the Norwegian Elkhound is certainly not the breed for everyone. It is, in all respects, a natural and unspoiled dog; those who would like to own an elegantly presented showpiece or those who are happy to sit at home all day by the fireplace had better look elsewhere!

Having said that, a Norwegian Elkhound without a doubt likes to be treated as part of the family. This is not a kennel dog, this is a dog that needs to live in the home and be part of family life. A Norwegian Elkhound needs lots of attention and should be given meaningful activity to keep his mind active and to keep him out of mischief! As a companion and friend, breed enthusiasts say that the Norwegian Elkhound is second to none. He has a tremendous capacity for affection and, not least, a brilliant brain.

PERSONALITY

The Norwegian Elkhound should be a friendly, intelligent and independent dog, one that should display no nervousness. The breed is not generally aggressive by nature; it takes extreme provocation to elicit an aggressive response. However, a Norwegian Elkhound can indeed be protective and can be possessive when it comes to looking after his own family and his family’s property.

HEART-HEALTHY

In this modern age of ever-improving cardio-care, no doctor or scientist can dispute the advantages of owning a dog to lower a person’s risk of heart disease. Studies have proven that petting a dog, walking a dog and grooming a dog all show positive results toward lowering your blood pressure. The simple routine of exercising your dog—going outside with the dog and walking, jogging or playing catch—is heart-healthy in and of itself. If you are normally less active than your physician thinks you should be, adopting a dog may be a smart option to improve your own quality of life as well as that of another creature.

NAUGHTY DOG!

Norwegian Elkhounds can, like other dogs, easily get into bad habits if they are allowed to do so. A Norwegian Elkhound “just being naughty” at the age of eight weeks or so may be charming, or even humorous, but an adult dog who is still just as naughty is quite a different matter! Sensible upbringing is therefore essential.