History and Origins of the Norwegian ElkhoundThe History and Origins of the Norwegian Elkhound is really interesting as this particular dog was used to assist the Vikings! The history of the Norwegian Elkhound began more than 6000 years ago in Scandinavia. This breed is ancient and was used by the Viking as both and guard dog and hunter; this breed was used to hunt wild animals such as elk and bear. The Norwegian Elkhound has a hard, weather resistant coat which enabled it to hunt through different terrains and weather conditions. This loyal and protective breed has great stamina, it is versatile, confident and alert which are all great personality traits which contributed highly towards the dog's outstanding hunting abilities. The Norwegian Elkhound got its name firstly from its Norwegian origin and secondly from it being a hound that was used to hunt elk. This breed was first shown in 1877 by the Norwegian Hunters' Association and it was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1913. | |