Country/Date of Origin: Norway/11th Century
This is the dog of the Vikings. It has existed almost unchanged since the Stone Age. The Norwegian Elkhound is a specialist hunter of the largest member of the deer family, the moose. A member of the spitz group of dogs, they are versatile animals, hunting, guarding and even pulling sleds.
The Elkhound's powers of scent are legendary. They can detect a moose from five or six miles and will whimper to alert the accompanying hunter. Also of mythic proportions is its endurance in subfreezing weather.
In 1913, the first Norwegian Elkhounds were registered in the American Kennel Club Stud Book.