Norwegian Elkhound

• Bathing: Norwegian Elkhounds are pretty good about keeping themselves clean, but they do still need a bath a few times a year. Ask your vet how often to bathe your dog. You may need to bathe more often when they’re shedding their coat in the spring and fall.  
• Brushing: Use a slicker brush every day to keep their coat shiny and shedding under control. Norwegian Elkhounds blow their coats in the spring and fall, so they’ll shed a lot more during these times. Never shave this breed—their thick double coat helps protect them from both heat and cold.  
• Ear care: Check their ears every day. Ask your vet if they recommend regular ear cleaning, and be alert for signs of an ear infection.   
• Dental care: Brush your dog’s teeth every day with a dog toothpaste. It’s a good idea to start when your Norwegian Elkhound puppy is young, so they get used to the experience. They’ll also need a pro cleaning at the vet once a year. 
• Nail care: Trim your Norwegian Elkhound’s nails once a month. If you can hear the nails clacking on hard surfaces when they walk, it’s time to pull out the trimmers. 

When it comes to training, Norwegian Elkhounds need a confident pup parent who uses positive reinforcement—praise, treats, and toys. You’ll need to patiently teach them skills, such as how to walk nicely on a leash and come when called.  

Begin training as soon as you bring your Norwegian Elkhound puppy home. That’ll probably be around 8 weeks of age, and you can start with basic cues like sit and stay.  

Consider enrolling in puppy obedience school when they’re 4 months old and fully vaccinated. It’s a great way to help socialize your dog, as they’ll meet new people and make some new canine friends.  

If you adopt your Norwegian Elkhound when they’re older, that’s perfect, too. Begin training and socialization based on your vet’s guidance—it’s never too late to start and learn a lot of new skills.  

After your Norwegian Elkhound has the basics down, keep them engaged by teaching them more complex cues and competitive sports, such as agility courses and flyball. 

Norwegian Elkhounds are very smart dogs, but they can be a bit independent-minded. They learn best from pet parents who are consistent and patient. If you need extra help, consider hiring a certified dog trainer who uses positive reinforcement.  

Norwegian Elkhounds typically do well on a high-quality commercial dog food. Choose a diet that’s AAFCO-compliant for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior). Your vet can recommend the best dog food for your unique pup.  

Although Norwegian Elkhounds are active dogs, obesity is a concern for this breed. They love food and aren’t likely to miss a meal. Expect them to let you know it’s mealtime. Resist the urge to overfeed them or give them too many treats. 

Remember: Treats should make up no more than 10% of their daily diet. Always check with your vet for diet recommendations based on your pet’s needs. 

Norwegian Elkhounds were bred to hunt in cold, frigid climates, so they don’t need much motivation to exercise, even in the middle of winter.  

Today’s Elkhounds and their pet parents aren’t likely to be tracking moose, so it’s important to give these dogs the physical and mental stimulation they need. Lack of activity can cause them to become anxious, frustrated, and destructive. These dogs aren’t suited to life as couch potatoes. 

Their high exercise needs make them the ideal breed to enroll in various dog sports, depending on your—and your dog’s—interests. Norwegian Elkhounds excel in activities like agility and bikejoring (like sled-pulling, but with bicycles and no snow).  

If competition’s not your thing, strenuous hikes will do the trick. At a minimum, ensure they get 20–30 minutes of exercise twice daily.  

The Norwegian Elkhound can adapt to a variety of environments. Little or big house doesn’t matter so much, but they are prone to barking and howling, so you might want to be careful if you live close to neighbors.  

Enough exercise, however, will usually keep them calm at home, and they’re usually welcoming of canine siblings. They’re not big fans of the heat, so if you live in a warmer climate, keep exercise to the cooler parts of the day.    

These canines would love a fenced yard, but it’s OK if you don’t have one as long as their exercise needs are met. And never let them off-leash outside of a fenced area; their prey drive means they might bolt after a squirrel or rabbit.