Elkhound Shepherd: Your Complete Guide

The Elkhound shepherd is an intensely likable crossbreed of a German shepherd and the Norwegian elkhound. A relative mystery to many, the mix has a small following of owners who have found a special place in their hearts for the sharp-eyed companion. The elkhound has an astonishing intellect and tremendous stamina, making them great for active owners.

They can also be bullheaded and self-assured, which can be challenging for prospective dog parents who can’t put in the time to work on obedience training. Similarly, they won’t be fit for people who live sedentary lifestyles or are in an area with little room for them to move around.

If you have been lucky enough to lay eyes on the lovably large lapdog, you are likely wondering what goes into caring for the clever canines. Rest assured, the following sections will be an extensive and complete guide to owning an elkhound shepherd.

Quick Look at the Elkhound Shepherd

Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of its physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.

What Is the History of Elkhound Shepherds?

The truth about the history of the elkhound shepherd is very little is known about it. It is a reasonably recent crossbreed, and like several mixes, their origins are rarely well-documented. Alternatively, the backgrounds of their ancestral breeds are much more extensive and paint a picture of what the elkhound is capable of.

The Norwegian elkhound is a breed that had to acclimate to the harsh conditions of Northern Europe and was brought up as a hunting dog. The brave breed would chase down animals far larger than themselves, aiding humans in taking down elk and other sizable game. The intense and unforgiving lifestyle brought forth a uniquely capable dog that held a lot of potential.

The breed was accepted into the Kennel Club in 1901 and is Norway’s national dog. They are commonly associated with Vikings and believed to have sailed with the northern people, making them one of the oldest European breeds.

German shepherds are incredibly useful animals that have become well-sought after for their unmatched abilities in several sectors of canine service. Initially, their purpose was to become the best herding animal that German farmers could come up with. As cities arose and animal populations dwindled, the demand for livestock protectors rapidly declined.

Despite this, a gentleman named Max von Stephanitz had found a particularly bright canine that had been selectively bred. This animal became the first official German shepherd, and within a couple of decades, the breed’s popularity had spread throughout Europe. Fast forward to today, they are widely recognized as an intelligent and attentive breed.

What Do Elkhound Shepherds Look Like?

The elkhound shepherd is a broad, muscular dog with a thick layer of well-insulated fur that can come in various patterns and colors. The most common hues found along the coat of an elkhound are black, fawn, red, silver, and white. While uniform coloring is uncommon, the mixed breed can display an impressive variation of the listed colors with beautiful results.

What Size Is an Elkhound Shepherd?

While some will sit on the more manageable size, there are pretty big dogs. They are not St. Bernard-sized but will run closer to triple-digits on average and sit around 50 – 90 pounds. Their size is more compact and wide, with their height ranging from 20 to 26 inches.

What is an Elkhound Shepherd’s Coat Type and Length?

If you live in a colder area and are worried about whether or not a dog can live comfortably with you, you should strongly consider an elkhound shepherd. They have a soft, dense layer of fur that is double-insulated and well-suited to colder climates. While some will have shorter coats, the elkhound usually has straight, medium-length fur.

Because of how thick their coat is, the breed should not be in arid, dry environments. They will be uncomfortable and are not suited for the hotter parts of the world.

What Is an Elkhound Shepherd’s Temperament?

Elkhound shepherds are wildly capable and intelligent, and the breed seems very aware of this gift. They are self-assured, independent, and sincerely proficient at most tasks you set them to. Unfortunately, they will not always be willing to listen when you give them a task, and training must be mandatory and consistent for any potential owner.

They are incredibly energetic, which can prove problematic for people unable or unwilling to give them a generous amount of exercise. If a dog gets bored or restless, it can often result in unwanted property damage. When a canine is as bright and active as the elkhound shepherd, it must get exercise and stimulation.

Are Elkhound Shepherds Good With Kids?

Families looking for a fuzzy friend to grow up alongside their kid will be more than satisfied with the elkhound shepherd. The canines are great with kids and typically genuinely enjoy their company. That does not mean that all will immediately get along, and parents should continually monitor young children around a dog when the two are meeting one another.

If the elkhound is raised with a child, they will be unforgettable friends. If an elkhound comes into a house with a kid, meetings should be slow, cautious, and deliberate. While the breed has some eccentricities that will be concerning for some, their attitude towards kids is not one of them.

Are Elkhound Shepherds Good With Other Animals?

While they won’t win any awards for animal amiability, the mixed breed is not super aggressive to other animals. For dogs, they must get socialized early to make sure that they can handle being around other pooches. For cats, critters, and birds, training the dog not to run after them will take some time, especially if the other animal is overly skittish.

If you want a house with multiple pets including the elkhound, it should grow up with the other animals. If that is not possible, having a dog used to being around pets can make the transition easier. Otherwise, the shepherd may butt heads with other canines or terrorize cats for the foreseeable future.

Are Elkhound Shepherds Aggressive?

They can be overprotective and prone to snapping or relatively docile and easily affable; the breed has a lot of variation in personality. Ideally, owners should focus on obedience training and allow the dog to understand when to turn on their watchdog tendencies and when it is inappropriate.

Take time to watch a dog before adopting it to understand its temperament. If a dog is willing to snap on its brothers and sisters, it may be willing to snap on strangers and friends.

Do Elkhound Shepherds Bark?

They will not make good dogs for small homes with nearby neighbors, nor will they be suitable for someone unable to deal with a vocal dog. Until they are trained, they are perfectly happy to shout the house down whenever they perceive a threat. This doesn’t mean the elkhound will be barky forever, but they will be at first.

Like most negative aspects of a dog, endless barking is not set in stone, and some may be quieter than others. Similarly, dogs will tend to calm down and behave better as they grow familiar with their surroundings.

Are Elkhound Shepherds Affectionate?

Any dog as cute and comfortable as the elkhound is bound to be affectionate, and the shepherd mix is no exception. They are lovely family dogs due to their kind personality, and even when they are difficult, they are hard not to love. If you want a friend who can run out some energy with you and then kick back for a film, this breed is an exceptional pick.

Are Elkhound Shepherds Intelligent?

They are shockingly bright dogs with keen senses and a surprising ability to adapt to most positions. Whether you are looking for a watchdog or are considering an animal for service positions, the Elkhound shepherd is unbelievably proficient at all of the above.

They can be headstrong at first, but patient, deliberate training is necessary to ensure the dog grows into its enormous potential.

Mixed breeds like the elkhound shepherd are reasonably new, so it is understandable that people aren’t familiar with them and what they can offer. Once the good news arrives regarding the durable breed, they will be well-sought after for their enormous cognitive ability. Owners should provide toys and activities that can work the dog’s brain to avoid poor habits.

Are Elkhound Shepherds Energetic?

Never happy with being one-dimensional, the Elkhound Shepherd has a tremendous motor to top off their impressive mental aptitude. If you are a person who wants a dog that can keep up with you, the elkhound shepherd is a beautiful choice. They adore exercise and physical activities and will happily join you on walks, runs, or treks up snowy mountainsides.

Because of their energetic nature, they can terrorize a house if the owners cannot give them time outside. These dogs come from two of the most physically fit breeds you can find and will need daily time to get their energy out. If they cannot, they will discover more devious and damaging ways to get their daily workout in.

Are Elkhound Shepherds Easy to Train?

When you first take to training, these guys will give you a tough time, and their bullheaded nature will frustrate newer and impatient owners. Because of this, they are heavily recommended for people with time and experience owning and training dogs. Once you get past their initial independent attitude, they quickly become happy to please.

As we have said before, these pooches are brilliant animals. If an owner can invest time into getting the dogs compliant, they will be genuinely shocked at how apt a pupil they can be. So, while the dogs are not the easiest to train, an experienced owner can teach these four-legged phenoms many advanced tricks and commands.

Are Elkhound Shepherds Good Watchdogs?

You will struggle to find a task that these canines are not well-suited for. The elkhound shepherd is a jack of all trades and makes a wonderful watchdog, and a valuable protector should the need arise. They are big dogs with powerful bodies and loud, intimidating barks. To top it off, they are alert, clear-eyed, and attentive and will quickly notice any disturbances.

However, owners should take time to make sure that their diligent buddy knows the difference between an intruder and a family friend. While they are not known to be mean dogs by any stretch, they can do a considerable amount of damage if they perceive danger.

Are Elkhound Shepherds Good Service Dogs?

Like all canines, individual temperament and a dog’s aptitude will be the main factor when choosing it for a service position. Speaking generally, the elkhound shepherd could perform the position as well as any labrador, boxer, or other popular service breed. They are intelligent, loyal, and dependent on companionship, making them admirable workers.

Observe a dog that might be suited for service positions and see how they respond to objective-driven jobs and external stimuli. If the dog really zeros in when given a task, they are probably great for service roles.

Emotional service animals are creatures that provide comfort and therapy to people who have mental or emotional ailments. An ESA does not need to be trained to serve in the position, though people should ensure they get an animal that is emotionally intuitive and attentive to an owner’s needs. The elkhound is a solid choice because of its loyalty and affectionate nature.

How to Care for an Elkhound Shepherd?

The elkhound shepherd should be given regular exercise of one hour a day, if not more. They are intelligent, energetic animals that will require toys and playtime to engage their minds and bodies to help keep them occupied. They are not low-maintenance dogs, and while they are exceedingly competent, they can also be needier than some folks can handle.

They should avoid warmer climates, which will prove hard for them to contend with. Additionally, they will not fit into smaller homes or urban areas that prevent exercise. Check ahead to ensure that your home or neighborhood has a nearby dog park, trail, or worthwhile sidewalks to exercise your prospective pup.

Do You Need to Groom an Elkhound Shepherd?

The elkhound shepherd has a brilliant coat that is soft, deep, and double-layered. Unfortunately, beauty comes at a price, and the coat must be brushed thoroughly at least twice a week. Grooming will increase when shedding seasons hit, and fitting in a third brushing a week can save your furniture and clothes going forward.

They will need infrequent baths that are in-depth and comprehensive enough to get into the deeper layers of their thick fur. As with all canines, their ears need to be checked when they come inside to avoid dirt and germ buildup. Similarly, regular dental care will prevent your Elkhound from getting tooth and gum diseases.

Do Elkhound Shepherds Shed?

They shed a fair bit throughout the year, with certain months causing a startling number of fur trails. However, folks can minimize the amount of hair in their home with an infrequent bath and brushing the dog two to three times a week. Failure to do so will make your shirts look like they were made entirely out of dog hair.

What Health Problems Do Elkhound Shepherds Have?

There is not a large file on the elkhound shepherd, and very little is known about the cross-breed individual medical problems. Because of this, it is hard to say which medical issues they have inherited more commonly from their ancestors. Instead, we will look at the common health issues of the Norwegian elkhound and German shepherd.

The health issues that plague their ancestral breeds are:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy
• Cysts
• Osteochondritis

Those planning on getting the breed should not be hearing alarm bells yet. While the elkhound could get any of the previous medical ailments, they are far from set in stone. Mutts tend to be generally healthy, and an active lifestyle with good nutrition can avoid several potential health issues.

How Long Do Elkhound Shepherds Live?

With proper care, regular veterinary checkups, and a dog with a clean bill of health, it is well within reason to expect anywhere from twelve to fifteen years with the elkhound shepherd. They live long lives for larger dogs and can be expected to see at least a decade or more on average.

What Should an Elkhound Shepherd Eat?

While a local vet can give you more refined information for an individual dog, try to find high-quality dog food for medium-to-large breeds with active lifestyles. Four cups of food split between two meals should be a reasonable estimate for most elkhound shepherds.

Is an Elkhound Shepherd the Right Dog for Me?

The elkhound shepherd is a bright-eyed dog with a clever mind, unique personality, and incredible energy. They will run through newer owners and be hard to reign in for those with apartments. Conversely, they make excellent companions for active people who want to spend a few hours a day with their protective pooch.

While the elkhound shepherd will not be a good fit for everyone, they are incredibly talented animals that can fill several positions, from herding livestock to watching over your home.