Description:
Oh, look at Zuma!  I'm having a fit here ~ I LOVE Norwegian Elkhounds!!!!  They are rather uncommon but so striking in appearance and personality.  And that is Zuma, gorgeous and loving.  A wonderful family that had always had Huskies got Zuma from a North Carolina breeder when he was three months old.  Since they had had great success with Huskies, they figured their allergies would be fine with Norwegian Elkhounds.  Sadly, that did not prove to be the case.  After almost a year of sneezing, watery eyes and dull headaches, they were forced to admit that it wasn't going to work.  There is no doubt that they loved Zuma ~ you can tell from his personality.  Zuma is playful, verbal, gentle and athletic, yet he holds back when he first meets a stranger, allowing them to make the first overture.  Then he is all kisses.  His owners told us he is so well behaved that they have never had to crate him.  Really, if I didn't already have two dogs, two cats, one bird, and two teenagers, you would never know about Zuma because he would be mine!!!  In fact, my husband's willpower is weakening.  I have hope.....

According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, the Norwegian Elkhound is fearless and friendly, with a life expectancy of 12-15 years. Although some may be somewhat reserved with strangers, it will greet family and friends it knows with enthusiasm. They are reliable, energetic and alert companions for children and make sensible guard dogs. It is clean and docile with an outstanding character. They are affectionate and loyal, engaging and sensitive. Like other Arctic dogs, the Norwegian Elkhound has a mind of its own and is fairly independent. It may be somewhat resistant to obedience training. It is important to be firm with this dog, showing good pack leadership. Puppies need firm but gentle discipline. Be fair when training this breed, and understand it is a canine, not a human and treat the dog accordingly. They have been bred to hold prey at bay, barking constantly until the hunter arrives. Some Norwegian Elkhounds bark a great deal and must be taught enough is enough after they alert you once, it's time to quiet down. They also have a tendency to roam. It is best to pair sled dogs in teams of one male and one female, as males have a tendency to fight if harnessed together if they are not 100% sure of their follower place in the world. They may also be aggressive with same sex dogs in the household, if owners are not showing strong pack leadership skills with the dog, but this tends to be the exception rather then the rule. Some sources say Elkhounds are usually good with non-canine pets, others say they shouldn't be trusted so use caution. Without enough mental and or physical exercise they can become high strung. Be sure to make the dog heel when on a walk beside or behind you, never in front, to reinforce the human is alpha over the dog. (Pack leader goes first) The Norwegian Elkhound is a very energetic dog that thrives on strenuous activity. They need to be taken on a daily, long, brisk walk or jog. It should have at least an hour of exercise a day. It will enjoy a running beside your bike or a really good run in the woods, but remember that these dogs like to roam. If it picks up an interesting scent, it may ignore you when you call it. The hard, coarse, weatherproof coat is easy to groom. It should be brushed regularly, with extra care given while the dog is shedding its dense undercoat. When the dog is shedding, the dead hair clings to the new hair. The dead hair should be removed with a rubber brush or a wooden comb with a double row of metal teeth. Brushes and combs just for this purpose are sold in pet stores. Bathe only when necessary, as it removes the natural oils in the skin. Like other Arctic dogs, they do not have the usual smell of dog hair. The coat is both water and dirt resistant. This breed is a seasonally heavy shedder. One of the most ancient breeds, it is thousands of years old. These dogs have been b