Norwegian Elkhound
Also known as Norwegian Elkhound, Norsk Elghund
The Norwegian Elkhound is a hardy Nordic hound whose dense stand-off double coat needs regular brushing, deshedding, and professional grooming to stay light, clean, and free of loose undercoat.
Overview
The Norwegian Elkhound is a medium-sized Nordic hound with a dense double coat in shades of gray, black, and tan. Correct maintenance emphasizes bath-and-brush work, curry brushing, line brushing, and high-velocity drying to remove loose undercoat. The coat should finish fresh smelling, light, and standing off the body with no loose hair. Thick coat areas behind the ears, ruff, and thighs need extra attention during brushing and drying.
Characteristics & Traits
Breed Traits
Physical Traits
Drooling level
Shedding level
Coat grooming frequency
Social & Family
Playfulness level
Adaptability level
Openness to strangers
Watchdog protective nature
Good with other dogs
Good with young children
Affectionate with family
Personality
Energy level
Barking level
Trainability level
Mental stimulation needs
For Pet Parents
The Norwegian Elkhound is a hardy Nordic hound whose dense stand-off double coat needs regular brushing, deshedding, and professional grooming to stay light, clean, and free of loose undercoat.
Grooming Commitment
Stand-off coat needs deshedding, not shaving — especially during seasonal blows.
The Norwegian Elkhound's stand-off coat needs regular deshedding — especially during seasonal blows. Shaving damages the coat's natural function.
- Heavy seasonal shedding is normal — increased brushing helps.
- Never shave the double coat.
- Professional deshedding every four to twelve weeks keeps the coat light.
- Thick areas need extra attention at home and in the salon.
At-Home Basics
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Shedding
- Moderate to high
- Brushing
- 2–4 times per week; daily during heavy shedding
- Pro Grooming?
- Yes
- Pro Frequency
- Every 4–12 weeks
Caring for Your Norwegian Elkhound at Home
Brushing feathering & ears
Line brush in thick areas behind ears, ruff, and thighs.
Brushing
Increase brushing during seasonal blow.
Never shave the coat
Never shave the coat.
Professional grooming schedule
Schedule professional deshedding before undercoat compacts.
Ownership Profile
- First-time Owner
- Good with commitment
- Alone Time Tolerance
- Low to moderate
- Handling Sensitivity
- Moderate
- Apartment Friendly
- No
- City Friendly
- Yes
Best Suited For
- Active owners in cooler climates
- Owners committed to regular deshedding
- Families comfortable with a vocal breed
- Homes with outdoor access
May Not Suit
- Owners seeking a quiet low-shedding breed
- Hot climates without cooling support
- Owners unable to maintain brushing between appointments
- Sedentary households
Mistakes to Avoid
- Shaving the stand-off double coat and damaging natural insulation and texture.
- Brushing only the outer coat without removing compacted undercoat.
- Finishing while thick areas remain damp close to the skin.
- Skipping extra attention behind ears, ruff, and thighs.
When to Call in a Professional
Leave full grooming — bathing, complete drying, deshedding, and any trimming — to a professional groomer every 4–12 weeks. It keeps the coat healthy and comfortable between visits.
History
The Norwegian Elkhound is among the oldest European breeds, used for centuries in Scandinavia to hunt elk and other large game. The dense stand-off coat protected the dog in harsh Nordic weather. The breed's gray coat, curled tail, and erect ears reflect its spitz heritage within the Hound Group. Modern grooming focuses on deshedding and maintaining the coat's natural stand-off quality.
Temperament
Bold, friendly, loyal, and hardy with strong hunting instincts.
Norwegian Elkhound Coat
The Norwegian Elkhound has a dense double coat that stands off the body.
Colors include deep gray, black, tan, and brindle shades with dark masks and ears typical on lighter dogs.
The grooming goal is a fresh, light coat standing off the body with no loose hair.
Use high-velocity drying both before and after the bath to blow out loose coat, tangles, and dirt.
- Type
- Double
- Family
- Double coat
- Structure
- Double
- Density
- High
- Undercoat
- Yes
- Shedding
- Moderate to high
- Seasonal Change
- Yes
- Matting Risk
- Moderate
- Drying Difficulty
- Moderate to high
- Water Retention
- Moderate to high
- Growth Pattern
- Seasonal and continuous
- Breakage Risk
- Low
Common Problem Areas
Groomer's Guide
Technical reference for professional groomers — specifications and standard operating procedures intended for certified groomers.
Goal: Remove loose undercoat completely
Tools Required
- Slicker brush
- Greyhound comb
- Rubber curry
- Undercoat rake
- De-shedding tool
- Carding tool
- High-velocity dryer
- Professional clippers
- #10 blade
- Thinning shears
- Small detailing shears
- Nail clippers or grinder
- Ear cleaning solution
- Cotton balls
- Coat polish
Pre-Bath Prep
- Trim or grind nails every four to six weeks.
- Clean ears with mild ear-cleaning solution.
- Use high-velocity dryer on dry coat to loosen shedding coat.
- Curry brush all over plus line brush in thick areas.
- Confirm whisker removal preference.
Before Grooming
- Undercoat compaction
- Matting in thick areas
- Seasonal blow status
- Ear condition
- Coat density by touch
- Owner preference for ear edging
Consultation Notes
- Explain seasonal shedding expectations.
- Discuss thick-area brushing needs.
- Confirm whisker removal preference.
- Set expectations for stand-off finish after deshedding.
Preparation Objectives
- Remove loose undercoat before bathing
- Identify thick or matted areas
- Maintain healthy foot structure
Recommended Actions
- Trim or grind nails every four to six weeks.
- Clean ears with mild ear-cleaning solution.
- Use high-velocity dryer on dry coat to loosen shedding coat.
- Curry brush all over plus line brush in thick areas.
- Confirm whisker removal preference.
Preparation Warnings
- Do not shave the double coat.
- Refer persistent skin or ear concerns to a veterinarian.
Objectives
- Clean thoroughly
- Prepare coat for complete drying and deshedding
- Remove odor and debris
Process
- Follow double-coated bathing protocols.
- Fully saturate to the skin.
- Rinse completely.
- Use damp towel on muzzle after bathing when needed.
Product Guidance
- Choose products for coat density and skin condition.
- Finish with light coat polish for shine when appropriate.
Breed Specifics
- Dense coat holds moisture — complete drying is critical.
- Refer to double-coated bathing and drying instructions.
Drying Objectives
- Dry completely to the skin
- Blow out loose undercoat
- Achieve light stand-off finish
Drying Methods
- High-velocity drying before and after bath
- Line brushing during drying
- Comb check when fully dry
Drying — Breed Specifics
- Thick areas behind ears, ruff, and thighs need extra attention.
- Feel for density differences — rework heavy areas.
- Do not finish until coat is cool and dry to the skin.
Drying Quality Standard
Coat should be fresh smelling, light, standing off the body, with no loose hair.
Techniques
- Bath and brush
- Rubber curry
- Line brushing
- Deshedding
- High-velocity drying
- Pad trimming
- Light ear edging
Common Trims
- Natural Deshed Finish
- Seasonal Blow Out
Clipper Areas
- Pad trimming
- Light ear edging
- Neaten pads and feet
- Neaten hocks
- Sanitary trimming when needed
Scissor Areas
- Ear edges
- Foot edges
- Hocks
Scissoring — Primary Areas
- Ear edges
- Foot edges
- Hocks
Scissoring — Finish Goals
- Natural stand-off outline
- Lightly edged ears
- Neat feet with well-arched toes
Scissoring — Breed Specifics
- Thinning shears create natural ear edges.
- Feet should look neat and natural, not overly rounded.
Clipper Work — Common Uses
- Pad trimming
- Light ear edging
- Neaten pads and feet
- Neaten hocks
- Sanitary trimming when needed
Clipper Safety Notes
- Use a #10 blade for pad trimming regardless of other blade choices.
- Confirm blade temperature if repeated passes are needed.
- Do not shave the double coat.
- Lightly edge ears only when needed for a neat natural look.
- Optional #4F in reverse for feet and hocks on some dogs.
Equipment
- #10 blade for pads
- #4F blade for feet and hocks optional in reverse
- Thinning shears for ear edging
Blade & Length Selection
- Undercoat density
- Ear edging preference
- Pad and foot coat length
Common Pet Trim Styles
- Natural Deshed Finish — Bath, curry, line brush, and high-velocity dry for a light stand-off coat with neat feet and optional ear edging.
- Seasonal Blow Out — Intensive deshedding during heavy seasonal coat release.
Style Selection Factors
- Seasonal shedding
- Home brushing frequency
- Ear edging preference
- Activity level
Head
Use damp towel on muzzle after bathing Remove whiskers only when requested Preserve natural spitz expression
Over-trimming and losing breed character
Ears
Lightly edge ears with thinning shears when needed. Inspect and clean during each service.
Refer persistent ear concerns to a veterinarian.
Feet
Trim pads with a #10 blade. Back-brush between toes when needed. Neaten hocks with thinning shears. Trim nails short or grind.
Moisture between toes if not dried thoroughly
Tail
Keep clean and natural Remove loose undercoat through drying
Sanitary Area
Maintain hygiene with minimal trimming Blend naturally into stand-off coat
ears
moderateMaintenance
- -Lightly edge ears with thinning shears when needed.
- -Inspect and clean during each service.
Styles
- -Natural ears with light edging
Risks & Warnings
- -Refer persistent ear concerns to a veterinarian.
feet
highMaintenance
- -Trim pads with a #10 blade.
- -Back-brush between toes when needed.
- -Neaten hocks with thinning shears.
- -Trim nails short or grind.
Styles
- -Natural neat feet with well-arched toes
Risks & Warnings
- -Moisture between toes if not dried thoroughly
head
moderateGoals
- -Use damp towel on muzzle after bathing
- -Remove whiskers only when requested
- -Preserve natural spitz expression
Styles
- -Natural head with gray mask
Risks & Warnings
- -Over-trimming and losing breed character
tail
lowGoals
- -Keep clean and natural
- -Remove loose undercoat through drying
Styles
- -Natural curled tail
sanitary Area
moderateGoals
- -Maintain hygiene with minimal trimming
- -Blend naturally into stand-off coat
High-Risk Areas
- Behind the ears
- Ruff
- Thighs
- Armpits
- Tail
Challenges
- Heavy seasonal undercoat blow
- Compacted undercoat in thick areas
- Owner requests for shaving
- Incomplete drying in dense coat
- Using blades other than #10 for pad trimming.
Management Principles
- Deshed before cosmetic work.
- Use hands to feel density differences.
- Never shave the double coat.
- High-velocity dry before and after bath.
Pro Tips
- Curry brush all over plus line brush in thick areas.
- High-velocity dry before and after bathing.
- Feel for heavier density areas and rework them.
- Trim pads with a #10 blade.
- Lightly edge ears only when needed.
- Finish with coat polish for shine.
- Never shave this double coat.
Assessment Priority
Remove undercoat while preserving natural stand-off quality
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