Grooming requirements
    The Elkhound is a rather profuse shedder. A Norwegian Elkhound should be brushed every other day, and daily when they are in the shedding season. Their thick guard hairs are very coarse, but the soft downy undercoat mats very easily if not cared for properly. They need to be brushed with a coat rake with long fingers, a shedding blade, a metal comb, and a slicker brush. First run the slicker all over the body to loosen the coat and get off any topical dirt, then use the coat rake and rake through the entire body. Use the shedding blade next to remove the rest of the coat, and finally the metal comb to be sure there are no lumps of dead coat. You will not be able to see them, or feel them, so you must comb all the way to the skin to ensure there is no matting.

Health considerations
    The Norwegian Elkhound is prone to several eye and skin problems.

Breed characteristics and personality
    The Elkhound prefers to live outdoors. He's absolutely dependable and trustworthy. He's easily trained and a very clean dog. This is an athletic dog that requires lots of exercise.
    He is loyal, affectionate, trainable, clean, docile, and intelligent. The Elkhound is bold and energetic, a good guardian, yet friendly. He has great dignity and independence of character. His friendly disposition, intelligence, staunchness, absolute dependability, trustworthiness, eagerness to please, sensitivity, and fearless confidence have earned him a reputation as a superior companion, even greater than his reputation as a hunter.
    Because of the Norwegian Elkhound's outstanding character, adaptability, and intelligence, he can be a perfect companion dog, especially for children.

Uses
    The Norwegian Elkhound, as his name suggests, specializes in hunting elk, which he is able to scent from several miles. He is also used as a sled dog.

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