Black Norwegian Elkhound Dog Breed

As a hunting dog, the Black Norwegian Elkhound is an exceptional breed that requires an experienced trainer. These rare dogs are not at all for first-time families. They can be employed to herd, watch and guard, and they are excellent companions for the right people. Because they come from a hostile environment, you should be aware of the many special traits of this breed:

PROS

• Superb hunter
• Highly intelligent
• Great guard dog
• Extremely strong
• High energy drive
• Few health concerns
• Very good watch dog
• Superior scent hound
• Deals well with solitude
• Great for very active people
• Very high tolerance to cold climates

CONS

• Sheds a lot
• Escape artist
• Loves to roam
• Difficult to train
• Highly dominant
• Jumps very high
• Not hypoallergenic
• Can be dog-aggressive
• Can be remarkably strong
• Requires a lot of grooming
• Not good for apartment living
• Over-eating must be managed
• Expensive to adopt and maintain
• Barks a lot with a high-pitched sound
• Not tolerant of hot weather or climates
• Double-coat has twice-annual blowout that is messy

The Black Norwegian Elkhound is a spitz-type hunting dog whose swiftness and ability to track and quarry prey is exceptional. They are extremely strong dogs for their size and are ever alert as well as always ready for action.

The superb intelligence of this breed should not be underestimated; they are bred to work hard and in extreme environments. They are also very proud dogs that, should you attempt to master them before they get to know you, they will resist. If they don't want to do something, or they find that you are not offering them something substantial, you will not be able to trick them.

Once you have smartly broken the barrier to gain the dog's trust, you will find that the Black Norwegian Elkhound will be highly responsive, extremely devoted and exceptionally loving to you and your family. Still, they have a desire to roam, they jump very high when excited, and they tend to bark a lot.

This dog is extremely energetic. They need a lot of energy to endure their native environment in the Scandinavian regions. A lot of daily exercise is essential lest these dogs start barking, escaping and destroying things to express their demands. Although they make great companions that can be calm, they are only that way after a full day of physical activity that includes plenty of mental stimulation.

Due to the this breed's millennia-old residence in a very cold part of the world, they tend to have few diseases. They do have some of the typical genetic and physical problems that all large dogs have, however. The frigid climate and high-energy drive conspire to drive this dog to seek out any and all food which, if not managed, leads to over-eating. You should supervise your Black Norwegian Hound's diet and exercise as well as have her undergo all the proper vet and health tests to anticipate these problems:

• Cysts
• Obesity
• Eye ailments
• Joint dysplasia
• Renal diseases
• Thyroid problems
• Fanconi Syndrome

These sturdy and robust dogs tend to live about 12 to 15 years of age.