Norwegian Elkhound Lifespan: Average Life Expectancy and More!

The extremely friendly Norwegian Elkhound (Canis lupus familiaris) is a wonderful companion to anyone who wants an active, boisterous pet. These dogs are known for their kind demeanor, but will also be ready to protect and care for their owner. The Norwegian Elkhound lifespan ranges from 12-15 years, about 69-80 years old in dog years! 

Norwegian Elkhound Origin

The Norwegian Elkhound is the national dog of Norway, where it was first found. These dogs are also known as Viking Dogs, as they’ve been found buried amongst Viking grave sites. Since Viking times, the Norwegian Elkhound has acted as a guard dog, hunter, and gatherer for the Vikings. In 1877, the Norwegian Elkhound was presented at a Norwegian dog exhibit, and was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1913.

The name is a mistranslation of a Norwegian word. These pups were known as the Norsk elghund, which roughly translates to Norwegian moose dog. However, the “elg” part of the name was misunderstood as elk, hence the Norwegian Elkhound name. 

Norwegian Elkhound Personality

The Norwegian Elkhound is a great pup for people who want an active, fun, and excited pet. They are extremely friendly animals and they love to exercise. These dogs require at least 20-30 minutes of exercise per day and need exercise that is both physically and mentally challenging. 

They are also incredibly loyal pet, which is a result of their wolf lineage. DNA research has concluded that these dogs are of gray wolf descent. They originated in western Russia and central Europe and can be found in Norway today. 

As long as these canines have a goal and can recognize their leader, they will be happy. They require mental and physical stimulation almost daily. This can be met by taking them for a walk or a run, by playing fetch with them, or by taking them swimming–they are notoriously good swimmers.

Exercise and Care for Norwegian Elkhounds

The Norwegian Elkhound, as mentioned previously, is an exceptionally active dog breed. These dogs are wired to hunt moose and other game. They require a lot of exercise when they’re domesticated, as they still need to meet these basic physiological needs. So how can you take care of the Norwegian Elkhound and make sure it’s getting the exercise it needs? 

In order to do this, engage and play with them. They love to move, so you can take them for a run around the neighborhood. Additionally, you can take them to a nearby park and play fetch with them. However, as they are naturally curious and exploratory canine, owners should keep a close eye on them. In the Norwegian Elkhound’s native Norway, these dogs track and hunt moose, which is instinctual and may cause them to go off exploring. 

A good way to exercise a Norwegian Elkhound mentally is to play Find the Treat. This allows them to get into the hunting mindset without actually going out and hunting moose. Let them catch a scent of what they should be looking for, and then go and hide it and let them search the house for it. Some dogs will take to this game easily, others it will take time–find what’s best for your pup!

As these dogs require so much exercise, if these needs aren’t met, it can lead to a variety of health problems in the long term. 

Fun Facts About Norwegian Elkhounds

Perhaps the most famous of all the Norwegian Elkhounds is President Herbert Hoover’s canine, Weegie. The presidential pup’s full name was Ronnie Av Glitre, and had the nicknames “Norway” and “Norrie”. The name Weegie came from Hoover’s granddaughter, Peggy Anne. When Hoover’s German shepherd King Tut passed, the American Elkhound Association presented the Great Depression-era president with Weegie. 

Another interesting fact about the “Dog of the Vikings”: they are on call and at the ready to serve their native country. One of the powers that the Norwegian Defense Minister has is the ability to mobilize all of the Elkhounds in the country. Now, it’s not exactly clear in what capacity they can organize these energetic canines. It’s said that they are on call and ready to pull troops into battle on sleds as sled dogs during wartime. 

Conclusion

To summarize, the Norwegian Elkhound has a life expectancy of 12-15 years. They are extremely active and mobile dogs and require lots of different kinds of exercise. These dogs require mental and physical stimulation, at least 20-30 minutes per day. The Norwegian Elkhound is a friendly, fiercely loyal dog that is the perfect pet for anyone who is active and wants a canine friend.