The Black Norwegian Elkhound is originated in Norway and is a small-sized Spitz breed dog which is widely used as a guard dog and a watchdog. It is considered one of the oldest dog breeds.
The Black Norwegian Elkhound dog – Facts, Information and Characteristics :
- The other names for this dog are Norsk Elghund Black, Norsk Elghund Sort, Black Elkhound and Norwegian Moose dog (Black).
- The temperament of the dog is strong hearted, intelligent, proud and alert.
- For experienced dog owners, this dog is easy to train and new people may face difficulty in training.
- The Black Norwegian Elkhound is not hypoallergenic.
- It becomes friends with cats in a short time.
- This dog makes other dogs as friends with in a short time.
- It is said to be the best watchdog.
- The average price of this dog is about $500 to $800.
- This dog was used for hunting and tracking animals.
- It is said to be a variant of the Grey Norwegian Elkhound.
- It plays well with the children all the time very actively.
- This dog can bark heavily sometimes which can be controlled by proper training.
Appearance :
The Black Norwegian Elkhound dog belongs to Spitz breed and is small in size. The short body is compact and with square built. It has a wide chest and dark-brown eyes which are oval in shape. The tail is curly over the back and the ears are set high up. It has a double coat which is short, thick and dense. The coat protects the dog from the cold weather conditions.
Generally, this dog is seen in solid black color. The average height of the male dog is about 18-19 inches (46-49 cm) while the height of the female dog varies from 17-18 inches (43-46 cm). Both the male and female dogs may weigh about 35-44 lb (16-20 kg).
Behavior :
The Black Norwegian Elkhound is very intelligent, strong-hearted, robust, and pride dog. It does well with the children and loves to play with them all the day. But, do not handle the dog harshly as it may turn the dog too aggressive. As the dog is strong willed, owners should understand the dog and make it obey the commands. It is an excellent hunter and it entertains all the family members with its activeness and funny attitude.
Health Issues :
The Black Norwegian Elkhound is healthy most of the times but like other bog breeds, it also executes few health disorders. The common health issues in this dog are hypothyroidism, Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Fanconi syndrome, sebaceous cysts, glaucoma, hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, renal disease, entropion, pyotraumatic dermatitis and over-weight.
The properly supervised dogs are generally healthy and don’t show any health-disorders. In case of medical emergencies, consult the vet as early as possible and take required precautions.
Diet :
No special diet is required for this dog, feed it with high-quality and healthy food regularly two to three times a day. This dog is a food lover and always wants to eat food, so take a proper care and do not over feed the dog as it may gain excess weight.Try to use clean drinking water and always keep the surroundings clean for the dog.
Habitat :
The Black Norwegian Elkhound dog will do well in the apartments but the owners should meet the exercise requirements of the dog regularly. The dog tolerates the cold weather and it can live happily in colder climates.
Lifestyle :
This dog needs regular exercise and daily walks to keep it fit and healthy. It loves to be active all the time and is said to be very intelligent dog. The physical and mental exercise will benefit the dog in all the ways and helps the dog to be energetic.
Lifecycle :
The Black Norwegian Elkhoundcan give birth to average of 3 to 7 puppies. Proper attention and care is required for the small puppies.
Predators :
This dog is independent on its own mind and sometimes may possess danger from other big animals. So, owners should supervise the dog on the daily walks and don’t let any other animals to come near the dog as it is in small size and may hurt itself.
Breeding :
The dog should attain a certain age for the breeding and up on attaining a proper age, breeding by professional is recommended.
Images, Pics, Photos and Pictures of Black Norwegian Elkhound :
Life Span :
The average lifespan of the dog is up to 10 to 14 years. Few dogs will live up to 15 years if the dog is raised with proper care and healthy food.
Grooming :
This dog requires weekly brushing so as to keep it clean and fresh. Clean the teeth regularly and make the dog bathe occasionally. Also check and clean the ears regularly and trim his nails whenever necessary.
Shedding :
Every year, two to three times, the Black Norwegian Elkhound dog sheds heavily. During the time of shedding, brush the dog regularly to keep it clean.
Suggestible names for the Black Norwegian Elkhound :
- For Males –Pal, Rex, Gog, Larras, Epsion
- For Females –Filt, Gilly, Darlie, Happy, Exer