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Medium breed

Norwegian Elkhound Puppies

The official dog of Norway, the Norwegian Elkhound is a dog that possesses all the qualities people want in a dog. The elkhound got its name from its ability to effectively track and hunt elks. Elkhounds serve not just as hunters, but also as defenders, comforters, and guardians. These impressive qualities earned them the title of the national dog. Discover more about our Norwegian Elkhound puppies for sale below!

  • Great with kids
  • Active breed
  • Alert watchdog
  • Protective

We do not have Norwegian Elkhound puppies on the floor today. Tell us what you are looking for and we will let you know the moment one arrives, or help you find a breed that suits your home just as well.

  • Exercise 60 min a day
Norwegian-Elkhound

About the Norwegian Elkhound

The Norwegian Elkhound is a spirited and resilient breed with a rich history that dates back over a thousand years, originally bred by the Vikings to assist in hunting large game in the rugged Norwegian wilderness. These medium-sized dogs are not only cherished for their impressive hunting abilities but also for their charming personality, making them wonderful companions for active families. If you’re considering bringing a Norwegian Elkhound into your home, you’ll find that their playful, affectionate nature makes them a delightful fit for families with young children.

Read more about the Norwegian Elkhound Show less

Norwegian Elkhounds possess a moderate energy level, which means they enjoy plenty of exercise but can also adapt to a cozy evening at home. Daily walks and playtime will keep them happy and healthy, ensuring they have the opportunity to express their cheerful disposition. While they are not the best choice for apartment living due to their need for space and activity, they thrive in environments where they have room to roam and explore. Though they may show some level of independence, they are generally good with other dogs and have a solid, social nature, although they may require a bit more effort to get along with cats.

When it comes to grooming, Norwegian Elkhounds need regular attention to their thick, double coat, requiring weekly brushing to manage shedding and keep their fur in top condition. They do tend to shed, particularly during seasonal changes, so be prepared for some fur on your clothes and furniture. Their intelligence and trainability level provide an opportunity for fun and engaging training sessions, though they may occasionally demonstrate a stubborn streak, so a patient, positive approach works best. Overall, this breed bonds closely with their family and brings a hearty blend of love, loyalty, and adventure to any household. If you’re looking to welcome a Norwegian Elkhound into your home, consider visiting Petland Katy & Stafford – Houston, Texas for more information.

Norwegian Elkhound breed profile

Every score below is set by our team for this breed. Higher is simply more of that trait, not better or worse.

Temperament

  • Affection Affectionate
  • Playfulness Playful
  • With strangers Warms up
  • Territorial Territorial
  • Prey drive Moderate

Family & other pets

  • Young children Good
  • Older children Good
  • Other dogs Usually fine
  • Cats Needs care

Energy & exercise

  • Energy High
  • Mental stimulation High

Training

  • Trainability Willing learner
  • Intelligence Very bright
  • Stubbornness A stubborn streak

Care & upkeep

  • Shedding Heavy
  • Drooling Minimal
  • Barking Moderate

Home life

  • Apartment living Prefers a house
  • Time alone A few hours
  • Cold weather Thrives in it
  • Warm weather Needs shade

A good match for

  • First-time owners Manageable
  • Senior owners Suitable
  • Running partner Good
  • Hiking Good
  • Therapy work Possible
  • Guarding Protective

Living with a Norwegian Elkhound

History

The Norwegian Elkhound’s history is deeply rooted in Norway. In the medieval era, they were called ‘Dyrehund’ which means ‘animal dog’. Elkhounds were highly prized during that era because of their impressive hunting skills. Before the 19th century, the dogs were only bred in Norway. 

Later in the 19th century, they made an appearance in England and eventually spread to other parts of the world. In 1901, the Kennel Club recognized the Norwegian Elkhound. 

Temperament

The Norwegian Elkhound has good hunting skills and for that reason, they are majorly bred to hunt large animals such as elk and wolves. They also have very loud barks hence can be used as watchdogs. Despite their ferocity in hunting, elkhounds are loyal dogs that form close ties to their owners. They also make good domestic dogs as they can be playful, independent and intelligent dogs. 

Environment

The Norwegian Elkhounds are playful dogs that can do well in the home and out in the forest. They are very active dogs and generally fare better in an open space. The dog's origin in Norway, a cold region, makes them able to spend time outside in winter. 

They enjoy the snow. The best environment for this breed would be a wide, fenced yard. They do very well on a ranch too as it gives them the freedom to move around. Keeping a Norwegian Elkhound in a closed space might affect their mental health and lead them to depression.    

Exercise

It is important to engage the Norwegian Elkhound with frequent exercise. If you keep Elkhounds indoors and their need for major physical activities aren’t met, they will most likely become destructive. They will chew on shoes, clothes and tear couches. 

This breed of dogs has great stamina so to stay fit, they require daily exercise. They also have a tendency to become overweight when they are overly fed with no exercise. So at least two hours daily, it is important to take them out for walks, runs, ball fetching, farm activities, and obedience exercises. This helps improve their physical and mental health.

Grooming

Despite the fact that the Norwegian Elkhound’s exterior coat sheds off dirt and dust, they need to be brushed frequently to ensure they are clean enough to be kept in the home. 

Brushing their coats daily will keep them tidy enough. They also shed greatly and have at least two major blowouts a year. Bath them thoroughly each week to keep shedding under control.
Our Norwegian Elkhound puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. USDA licensed commercial breeders account for less than 20% of all breeders in the country. 

The unregulated breeders who are selling outside of the USDA regulations and without a license are what we consider to be “Puppy Mills.” We are committed to offering Norwegian Elkhound puppies who will grow up to become important members of your family. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell.

Caring for a Norwegian Elkhound

Grooming
Weekly brushing
Grooming cost
Average
Monthly food
Average
Outdoor space
A yard is recommended
Allergy friendly
Not considered hypoallergenic

Norwegian Elkhound Video

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Norwegian Elkhound easy to train?

The Norwegian Elkhound intelligence level is above the average level for dogs hence they can be strong-willed. Training an Elkhound will require extra effort from you.

Are Norwegian Elkhound good with children?

Elkhounds are very friendly and people-oriented. They are gentle dogs that love children. Once they are loyal to a family, they become protectors of everyone in the family. 

What is the average lifespan of a Norwegian Elkhound?

The Norwegian Elkhound has a lifespan of 13 to 15 years.

Do Norwegian Elkhounds have common health problems?

Dogs of this breed may sometimes be susceptible to retinal atrophy. The large breeds may suffer from a cyst, hip dysplasia, and other renal problems as they age. Generally, they are a strong breed with little health issues. 

What is the average size of a Norwegian Elkhound?

The average size of a male Elkhound is 50-60 lbs., 19-21 in while the average size for the female is 40-55 lbs., 18-20 in. It is important that they are not overfed as they have the tendency to become overweight. 

Are Norwegian Elkhound aggressive?

They can be aggressive to other dogs, cats, and unknown animals. To avoid this, introduce them to various animals as puppies.

Can you teach Norwegian Elkhounds to swim?

Because of their thick coats, swimming is not easy for dogs of this breed. Submerging in water makes their coats very heavy, therefore, makes swimming difficult for them. 

What do you feed the Norwegian Elkhound puppies?

Feed the puppies high-quality dog food to ensure they grow into healthy Elkhounds. You can also mix the dog food with broth and water. As they get older, they may also like boiled eggs, noodles, vegetables and cheese.

Are Norwegian Elkhounds good with cats?

They can be territorial around cats but after months of socializing them with the felines, they can cohabit. 

What is Norwegian Elkhounds temperament?

Norwegian Elkhounds are loyal, bold, playful, independent, sharp and strong-willed. 

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Genesis Gonzalez
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My husband and I went to Petland on Saturday to simply look at the puppies and we ended up falling in love with one so much that we brought her home with us. Jennifer made the process of taking her home super easy and smooth, she answered every question we asked and was very knowledgeable about everything!
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ume rubab
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it was really nice their all the animal were so cute !! The puppy’s and kittens were adorable !!❤️
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Leslie Rivera
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Went to Petland to just browse around and ended up falling in love with our Maltipoo, her fur color and the eyes captivated me. Anthony our counselor, was very informative and friendly. I would greatly recommend this pet store. Can’t wait to start this new journey with our puppy.
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12.xndrik
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recently adopted a cavapool and Christopher helped us out a lot. He was helpfull, respectful , and walked us through the whole process. It was an amazing experience 10/10.
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Chris M
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Best place to work PUPPIES!!!!
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Great time. I was looking around with my family and Chris helped us out found a new family member. Great place to greet and play with dogs.
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We visited Petland today and had an incredible experience choosing our new furry family member — a miniature Goldendoodle! From the moment we walked in, Christopher made us feel welcome, informed, and supported throughout the entire process. He was extremely knowledgeable about the breed, answered all our questions with patience, and never made us feel rushed. You could genuinely tell he cared about both the pets and the people. His friendly attitude and professionalism made the whole experience smooth and enjoyable. We left Petland not just with a puppy, but with total confidence that we were prepared for this new journey — all thanks to Christopher. If you're thinking about getting a pet and want a helpful, knowledgeable guide, ask for Christopher. He made our day. Highly recommend - 10/10!
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Diana Perez
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Kalese and Chris were phenomenal and so attentive. They made me feel so welcome and so happy to be finally going home with our baby
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