Norwegian Elkhound: Health and veterinary triage
For a health question about Norwegian Elkhound, use screening records as background and let the individual dog's symptoms and trend guide the next step. Treat the record as background information, not proof of how this individual dog will respond. Keep the named test or screening record with the dog's age, result date, clinician, and any follow-up recommendation. For an active concern, record onset, severity, triggers, appetite, movement, breathing, skin, and recovery so a veterinarian can assess the pattern. Bring the dated pattern and the named record to the veterinary visit rather than trying to interpret the result alone.
What the screening record means
Norwegian Elkhound's recommended parent-club health tests is recorded as ['Hip Evaluation', 'Ophthalmologist Evaluation']. Here, that matters because it identifies a record to verify, not a diagnosis of the dog in front of you.
Prepare useful information for the vet
- Keep the named test or screening record with the dog's age, result date, clinician, and any follow-up recommendation. For an active concern, record onset, severity, triggers, appetite, movement, breathing, skin, and recovery so a veterinarian can assess the pattern.
- Keep the recommended parent-club health tests in view (['Hip Evaluation', 'Ophthalmologist Evaluation']) and make the next step reversible, observable, and easy to stop.
- Bring the dated pattern and the named record to the veterinary visit rather than trying to interpret the result alone.
Seek prompt veterinary care if
Arrange veterinary assessment for pain, breathing difficulty, fainting, repeated vomiting or diarrhoea, sudden weakness, rapid weight change, neurological signs, or a persistent behaviour change; use urgent care for severe or rapidly worsening signs.
If this may be a health problem
This page is not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Do not change food, medication, exercise, or care for an individual dog based on this page alone; contact a veterinarian for symptoms, pain, weight change, skin changes, persistent behaviour change, or any urgent concern.
References
Height: 20.5 inches (male), 19.5 inches (female)
AKC page PageMap DataObject > height
Weight: 55 pounds (male), 48 pounds (female)
AKC page PageMap DataObject > weight
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
AKC page PageMap DataObject > life_expectancy
Grooming: The Norwegian Elkhound has a 'two-ply' coat, with a top coat and an undercoat. Elkhound breeders warn potential puppy buyers of the inevitable'that during shedding season they will have 'tumbleweeds' of silver undercoat rolling around their house. The outer coat will shed as well, but not to the degree that the undercoat will. A slicker brush will…
AKC page Grooming > official section copy
Exercise: These are hunting dogs in their native Norway. They track and follow moose, ranging far ahead of the hunter, and they must be able to trot many miles for several days if necessary. Because they must make their own decisions when hunting, and by virtue of the way they hunt, they are independent and lovers of the woods and their freedom. For that reason, when…
AKC page Exercise > official section copy
Training: This breed does not tend to be a star performer in the obedience ring. The Elkhound learns very quickly, being highly intelligent, but after this learning process it becomes, 'Didn't we already do this 12 times?' The other difficulty in training this breed for activities is their independent nature, inspired by their hunting traits. As far as simple house…
AKC page Training > official section copy
Official breed description: The Norwegian Elkhound is a robust spitz type known for his lush silver-gray coat and dignified but friendly demeanor. The durable Elkhound is among Europe's oldest dogs. They sailed with the Vikings and figure in Norse art and legend.
AKC page About the Breed > official breed description
Recommended parent-club health tests: ['Hip Evaluation', 'Ophthalmologist Evaluation']
AKC page Health > Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club
Official breed standard: http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/NorwegianElkhound.pdf
AKC page The Breed Standard > View Full Breed Standard
Use the tools