The Norwegian Elkhound is a Spitz breed, which means it has a thick, double-layered coat that protects it from extreme weather. Fortunately, though, these dogs don't require a lot of grooming. See below for details on maintaining a Norwegian Elkhound's coat, including info on brushing, bathing, and the reasons why these dogs' coats should never be shaved.
At first glance, you'd think these dogs' thick, luxurious coats would make Norwegian Elkhound grooming a time-consuming task--but that's not really the case. Norwegians shed moderately for most of the year, so brushing them once or twice a week will be fine. But twice (and sometimes three times) a year they "blow" their coats and shed heavily, so daily brushing during these 2- to 3-week periods is a must. And Norwegians' coats have oils that naturally repel dirt and debris, so they they tend to stay pretty clean; baths are only necessary if the dog gets particularly dirty or stinky. Haircuts aren't required at all.
When brushing a Norwegian Elkhound you'll need both a slicker brush and an undercoat rake. To brush: first wet the coat with mist from a spray bottle, then go through the coat section by section with the brush. Once a week, use the rake first, then the brush. (And make sure you put enough pressure on the rake to reach down to the undercoat to collect dead hairs--but not too much pressure, as you can scrape or tear the dog's skin.) During shedding season you'll need to use both tools daily.
These dogs don't need baths often--and in fact, frequent bathing is not good for their coats, as it removes the water- and dirt-repellent oils from the hair. But if your Norwegian gets especially filthy or smelly and you bathe the dog, make sure to give it a thorough brushing first. Also make sure to use high-quality canine shampoo, as the kind made for humans can irritate a dog's skin--and in the case of Norwegian Elkhounds, human shampoo will further remove those important natural oils. To bathe your Norwegian: use either a bathtub or an outdoor kiddie pool and a garden hose. Lather well, rinse completely, towel-dry, then give the coat another quick brush-through to make it look clean and neat.
Both professional groomers and veterinarians strongly advise against cutting the hair of Northern breeds like the Norwegian Elkhound. Shaving these dogs' coats mistakenly thinking they'll stay cooler in the summer, the experts say, is a terrible idea: when shaved close, the coats suffer irreparable damage, they won't grow back properly, and the coats will have numerous bald spots. And it's important to note that, just as the double-layered coats keep the dogs warm in the winter, they also keep them cool in the summer. The outer coat acts as insulation and traps both warm and cold air near the dog's body, thereby regulating its body temperature. So according to those who know best: don't shave a Norwegian Elkhound!
