Norwegian Elkhound Guide: Size, Temperament, Care and Adoption
Norwegian Elkhound overview
The Norwegian Elkhound belongs to the Spitz family of Northern breeds and comes from Norway. The American Kennel Club places it in the Hound Group. It has historically worked as a herding dog, sled dog, guardian and hunter of elk and other big game.
History of the breed
The breed is believed to be very ancient, with ancestors known in Viking times.
Norwegian Elkhound size and weight
The Norwegian Elkhound is a compact, square-profiled dog of medium size. The American Kennel Club gives a height of 20.5 inches for males and 19.5 inches for females, and a weight of 55 pounds for males and 48 pounds for females. VCA Animal Hospitals instead describes a height of about 20 inches and a weight between 50 and 60 pounds.
Norwegian Elkhound temperament and personality: are Norwegian Elkhounds aggressive?
The American Kennel Club describes the breed's temperament as friendly, confident and dependable. The United Kennel Club calls it bold and energetic, an effective yet friendly guardian and a devoted family pet. Its watchdog and herding background has given it a protective nature, and it is known to be at least a bit of a barker. Some Norwegian Elkhounds are not thrilled about sharing their people or possessions with other dogs.
Exercise needs
This energetic dog benefits from vigorous exercise every day.
Grooming and Norwegian Elkhound shedding
The coat is a double coat with a coarse, straight outer layer over a soft, dense, woolly undercoat. Shedding is light for much of the year and heavy at certain seasonal periods, so brushing with a pin brush at least weekly, and more often during heavy sheds, helps keep loose hair under control. Bred for the cold, it needs a cool retreat in warm climates, ideally with air conditioning.
Norwegian Elkhound training
This breed is an independent thinker rather than an eager-to-please obedience star, and it does best with a confident, decisive and consistent trainer. Barking and leash-pulling are often the biggest challenges, and tasty treats can motivate it to learn basic manners.
Norwegian Elkhound lifespan and health
The American Kennel Club gives a general life expectancy of 12 to 15 years for the Norwegian Elkhound. VCA Animal Hospitals lists hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, cataracts, hypothyroidism and Fanconi's Syndrome, a degeneration of the kidney tubes, among the more common health issues. A veterinarian can explain what these conditions could mean for an individual dog.
Norwegian Elkhound rescue and adoption
People weighing Norwegian Elkhound rescue or elkhound rescue may want to consider the breed's independent streak, tendency to bark, and need for daily exercise. Lily's Second Chance lists dogs cared for by other organizations, so ask the listing organization about an individual dog's history and needs.
AKC breed facts
These are the American Kennel Club’s general facts and 1 to 5 ratings for the Norwegian Elkhound as a breed. General tendencies don’t establish any one dog’s ancestry, personality or health; ask the listing organization about the dog you are considering.
- AKC group
- Hound Group
- AKC recognition year
- 1913
- Height (AKC published)
- 20.5 inches (male), 19.5 inches (female)
- Weight (AKC published)
- 55 pounds (male), 48 pounds (female)
- General life expectancy
- 12-15 years
- AKC size category
- Medium
AKC general breed ratings (1 to 5)
- Energy: 4 of 5
- Mental enrichment: 4 of 5
- Trainability: 4 of 5
- Grooming frequency: 2 of 5
- Shedding: 3 of 5
- Vocalization: 4 of 5
- Drooling: 2 of 5
- Adaptability: 4 of 5
- Playfulness: 4 of 5
- Watchful or protective tendency: 5 of 5
- Affection toward family: 5 of 5
- Openness toward strangers: 4 of 5
- AKC child compatibility rating: 3 of 5
- AKC dog compatibility rating: 3 of 5
Health screenings AKC lists for the breed
Breeding evaluations AKC names for the breed; they are not a diagnosis or a testing plan for any one dog.
- Hip Evaluation
- Ophthalmologist Evaluation
Source: American Kennel Club breed profile (opens in a new tab), retrieved November 4, 2026 (snapshot akc-2026-11-04).
Written by Lily's Second Chance with AI assistance from the sources listed under References. Facts were checked automatically against those sources on November 7, 2026.
References
- Breed Standards : Norwegian Elkhound | United Kennel Club (UKC) (opens in a new tab), United Kennel Club, checked November 7, 2026
- Norwegian Elkhound | VCA Animal Hospitals (opens in a new tab), VCA Animal Hospitals, checked November 7, 2026
- Norwegian Elkhound - AKC breed profile (snapshot akc-2026-11-04) (opens in a new tab), American Kennel Club, checked November 4, 2026
