Spitz hound Medium size 20-27 kg

Norwegian Elkhound Grey

A robust, weather-hardy Nordic hunter; loyal and healthy but strong-willed and a serious shedder.

Compare
Find out how this breed matches your household

Quick overview

Medium
Size
20-27 kg, 49-52 cm at the shoulder
High
Activity
High; needs vigorous daily exercise
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Handles moderate alone time
Moderate
Trainability
Smart but independent, keep it engaging
High
Coat care
Dense double coat sheds heavily
Good
Fit with kids
Good, sturdy family dog
Moderate
Other pets
Generally fine; strong prey drive to wildlife
Light
Health burden
Generally a hardy breed

The Norwegian Elkhound Grey typically weighs 20-27 kg, stands 49-52 cm, and lives 12-15 years.

Consider this breed if…

you want a hardy, healthy, weather-tough hunting spitz,
you can give vigorous daily exercise year-round,
you can stay consistent with a smart, independent dog,
you can manage a thick coat and heavy seasonal shedding.

Do not consider this breed if…

you want a low-shedding, tidy house dog,
you expect easy off-leash reliability near wildlife,
you live in a small apartment with no outdoor routine,
you want a soft, biddable first dog.

A typical day with a Norwegian Elkhound Grey

  1. 6:30 · Morning
    Long walk, run, or hike
  2. 9:00 · Midmorning
    Rest after exercise
  3. 12:30 · Noon
    Short walk with sniffing
  4. 16:00 · Afternoon
    Training or active play, kept engaging
  5. 18:30 · Evening
    Another good walk or outdoor time
  6. 21:00 · Night
    A well-exercised dog settles down

Temperament and training

Energy High
Independence High
Trainability Moderate
Watchfulness High
Prey drive High
Loyalty High
Common owner mistakes
Underestimating how much this coat sheds · Assuming reliable off-leash recall despite a strong prey drive · Under-exercising a stamina-built hunting dog

Family and environment

Kids Good
Sturdy and loyal; supervise with young children.
Dogs Moderate
Generally fine with early socialization; can be bold.
Cats Conditional
Prey drive means small pets are a risk.
Apartment Poor
Too much coat, voice and energy for flat living.
House with a yard Suitable
A secure yard suits it; the fence must be solid.
City Conditional
Workable only with a very active routine.
Countryside Ideal
Space and cold-weather work it was built for.
Health data provided by RealVetCost
Overall health burden Light

Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.

View the full health profile
Top health concerns
Hip dysplasia Screen breeding stock and manage weight and activity
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Gradual vision loss; reputable breeders screen for it
Hypothyroidism Low thyroid, managed with daily medication

Similar breeds - by reason

Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.

The smaller black variety, same type
Norwegian Elkhound Black
A bold, hardy Nordic hunting spitz; robust and healthy but a heavy shedder that needs firm, consistent handling.
View profile →
Larger Swedish elkhound with similar drive
Jamthund
A hardy Swedish elkhound built for cold-weather work that suits rural, active owners - the trade-off is high stamina, an independent hunting mind, and heavy seasonal shedding.
View profile →
Related Nordic hunting spitz
Finnish Spitz
A bright, foxy spitz and a famously vocal barker, rewarding for an active owner who can manage the noise and independence.
View profile →

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Norwegian Elkhound cost in the US?
The grey Elkhound is the more common variety but still uncommon in the US, so expect breeder waitlists; puppies from health-tested lines commonly run into the low-to-mid thousands. Over a 12-15 year life, food, routine vet care and supplies for a medium, generally hardy dog typically add $12,000-$20,000 or more.
How much does this breed shed?
Heavily. The dense double coat sheds year-round and blows out in large seasonal moults, usually twice a year. Regular brushing keeps it manageable, but there will be fur around the house; be honest about whether that works for you.
Is it good with kids and other pets?
It is generally good with children, sturdy and loyal, and does best with older kids who respect it. Around other pets it can be fine with socialization, but its strong prey drive makes it a risk with cats and other small animals.
How much exercise does it need?
A lot. This is a stamina-built hunting spitz that needs vigorous daily exercise; a bored, under-worked one becomes stubborn and vocal. Keep it leashed or securely fenced, since the prey drive can override recall.