Breed History
Archaeological evidence from Scandinavia suggests that the Norwegian Elkhound was domesticated during the late Stone Age, roughly 6000 years ago....
From that time to the present, the breeds development has been virtually unaltered by man. The people of Scandinavia have employed the Elkhound as a herder, guardian and hunter for thousands of years. A skilled scenthound, the Norwegian Elkhound has hunted various types of big game, but it was most commonly used to hunt moose one wonders why it is not called the Norwegian Moosehound. Elkhounds are not meant to take down a moose, but rather to sniff out and locate a moose, and then hold it at bay and alert their gun-toting masters of the mooses presence. Despite the Norwegian Elkhounds millennia of domestication and service, it was not considered as a show breed until 1877. Around this time, the dog was introduced to England and the United States, where it was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1930. The Norwegian Elkhound is a breed of average popularity in the United States today, and is considerably more popular in its native Scandinavia. Though most often seen as a pet, the Elkhound is still used by many moose hunters.