Black Norwegian Elkhound vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison

Black Norwegian Elkhound vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed ComparisonBlack Norwegian Elkhound is originated from Norway but Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) is originated from Belgium. Black Norwegian Elkhound may grow 17 cm / 6 inches shorter than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael). Black Norwegian Elkhound may weigh 10 kg / 22 pounds lesser than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael). Both Black Norwegian Elkhound and Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) has almost same life span. Black Norwegian Elkhound may have less litter size than Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael). Black Norwegian Elkhound requires Low maintenance. But Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) requires High maintenance

History

black norwegian elkhound - historyThe Black Norwegian Elkhound was first bred in Norway in the early part of the 19th century as a smaller version of the Grey Norwegian Elkhound. The Black version is a Spitz and is very seldom seen anywhere in world but Norway. He is designed for the same job that the Grey Norwegian Elkhound performed. The difference is that the Black Norwegian is smaller, easier to see in the snow and ice of Norway and smaller than the Grey. It is a hunter, a herder, a guard dog and a watch dog. Because of the temperatures in Norway it was very important to have a hunting dog that was able to deal with the cold, the snow and the heavy fall rains in Norway and Scandinavia. The Black Norwegian Elkhound is a powerful and prideful dog. Much more so than the grey, he is independent and strongminded. It is highly intelligent and is one of the most ancient of breeds. He is more durable and more quarrelsome than his cousin the Grey Norwegian Elkhound or the more familiar Swedish Elkhound.

Ancestors of the Black date back to the first days human kind went hunting around 4000-5000BC. There have been skeletons of dogs very much like the Black Norwegian Elkhound found that dated back to that time period. They hunted and guarded for the Vikings and pulled sleds as well. They hunted deer, moose, badger, elk, mountain lions, bears, wolves, lynx, rabbit and reindeer. They are trackers who hold their quarry at bay by barking until the hunter can find them. Today they serve as loved family pets and guard dogs. In a National Emergency the leader of Norway can call up all the privately-owned elkhounds of any kind and assign them to work in a variety of sledding duties. Within the FCI, the Black Norwegian Elkhound is classified as a primitive Nordic hunting dog.

belgian shepherd dog groenendael - historyLooking much like a pitch black German Shepherd dog, the Belgian Shepherd is a beautiful looking dog. Their roots go back to the 1800s to Groenendael, Belgium. This is where they were bred by a certain Nicolas Rose in 1910. The Groenendael is one of four different Belgian Sheepdog varieties but the Groenendael is sometimes treated as a distinct breed.

They have always been used for their intelligence, serving for instance in the police force and being message carriers in war situations. Originally, Belgian Shepherds were used to herd livestock. It was in 1911 that the Groenendael was registered in the United States, and not much later the first Belgian Sheepdog Club of America formed. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1912.

Description

black norwegian elkhound puppy - descriptionThe Black Norwegian Elkhound is a short compact Spitz with dark eyes and a curly tail. It is the coat that sets this dog apart. It is an all-weather coat suitable for the cold, the snow and the rain of Norway. Ears are pointed and erect while the head is wedged and broad. His head is almost like that of a wolf. Its body is strong and compact. Its coat is coarse, short and double. He has a broad black nose with a straight bridge and with black lips and dark brown oval eyes. His legs and withers are strong boned and powerful with well padded feet to protect it from the freezing temperatures of Scandinavia.

Large, Strong and Well Proportioned

belgian shepherd dog groenendael puppy - descriptionWith his alert, bright brown eyes, the Groenendael, referred to often as the Belgian Sheepdog, has erect ears with a long, feathered tail. The straight, strong legs are also feathered. He is well proportioned, athletic and strong. He has a dense double coat, and this working dog’s coat is black, but you sometimes find some small white markings around his paws and muzzle. The size of the Groenendael is roughly 60-66cm at the withers with the females sometimes being slightly smaller. The weight of the dog is roughly 25–30 kilograms.

He’s a Social Dog who Craves Companionship

The Groenendael is an active, intelligent breed and training and socializing will be necessary to ensure he knows how to behave around his human family. He is a big, social dog and won’t do well when left alone day after day in the back yard. In fact he may even show signs of separation anxiety if you leave him indefinitely. He makes for an excellent family dog, just loving their companionship and he becomes very protective of them.

An Intelligent, Alert Breed

He is used to making use of his intelligence and therefore he will need mental stimulation as opposed to lying around all day. He gets on well with adults, children and other pets, but he needs to grow up with children and not be put among children when he is already an adult. He is loyal and loving to his human family, forming a deep bond, especially with just one member of the family.

Characteristics

black norwegian elkhound dog - characteristicsThis dog was made for families. He loves children and is not a one person dogs. He gets attached to everyone in the family. However, he is smart and stubborn. He loves to join in with whatever the family is doing but he does it to please himself not his owner. He loves, loves, loves to play and has the stamina to do so all day long. He is agile, bold, independent, strong, curious and loyal. His loyalty can be territorial, and he can become protective of his home and his family. This makes him an excellent watchdog until your friends come to visit and he won’t let them in the house. You need a high fence to keep him safe in your own yard and away from strangers and even guests till he gets to know them.He tends to be dominant and aggressive with other dogs. They also have strong hunting instincts.

belgian shepherd dog groenendael dog - characteristicsYour Belgian Shepherd is an intelligent, active, loyal companion for you. He is highly intelligent too, and will need the right owner who can meet his energetic needs. He therefore wouldn’t do well with in a small place where the owners are couch potatoes. He is a working dog and will require being kept busy.

Provide him with good food, look after that thick, lustrous coat of his, provide him with a warm, dry place to sleep and plenty of exercise, love and attention and he will turn out to be the wonderful pet that makes him such a popular breed.

Health Problems

black norwegian elkhound puppies - health problemsThe Black Norwegian Elkhound is a strong and hardy dog, though he is susceptible to some of the problems many breeds face. These include issues with luxating patella, optical entropion, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and Fanconi syndrome. The most serious of these is the Fanconi Syndrome which is an abnormal functioning in the tubules of the kidneys. This can be a life-threatening situation.

belgian shepherd dog groenendael puppies - health problemsThe Belgian Groenendael is a healthy, strong breed with no major health problems and with an average lifespan of 12-14 years.

As with every dog breed, there will be some health issues to be aware of. Skin allergies, epilepsy, eye problems and hip- and joint dysplasia are some areas to look out for

Dental disease for instance, is a common problem with pets, and your Belgian Shepherd can have serious problems with their teeth. Tartar build-up on the teeth ca take you down a trail of infections and gum disease. If you don’t want to make use of a special canine toothbrush and toothpaste, your vet will do it for you.

Your Groenendael will also be susceptible to ticks, fleas and bacterial and viral infections. As a puppy of 6 – 8 weeks, vaccinations for parvo, rabies, and distemper will be necessary. You’ll also need to be generally watching your pet’s health and to get him to the vet when he shows signs of being run-down and ill.

Caring The Pet

black norwegian elkhound dogs - caringThis is an energetic active dog, or she should be. Feed her high nutritious food twice a day. Do not overfeed.

The most potentially troublesome health issue is Fanconi Syndrome. This kidney disorder can impact the of the body’s absorption of electrolytes, water and nutrients. These nutrients include Sodium, Potassium, Glucose, Phosphate, Amino Acids and Phosphate

The Black Norwegian Elkhound loves to play, and they love to work. Exercise is vital, but it must be one of those two things – play or work. Don’t leave him alone to figure it out for himself or you wont like what this intelligent dog decides to do. She needs a large yard, a long walk daily but jogging with you is even better. Make him heel when on leash or he will think he oversees you. These are roaming dogs who will follow a scent anywhere and ignore your commands for her to come to you. They are better off on a leash unless you are in a dog park or a fenced yard.

The Black Norwegian Elkhound is great at all dog athletics, games and sports such as agility, rally obedience, flyball, tracking, herding.

belgian shepherd dog groenendael dogs - caringThe Groenendael has a double coat and because it is also fairly long, his black coat may well be high maintenance and brushing every 2nd day will be necessary to keep the coat unmatted and to also get rid of those loose hairs. In fact, heavy shedding is part of this breed’s life and while heavy shedding happens twice a year, light shedding continues throughout the year. Sometimes is may be necessary to send him to a dog grooming parlour to snip his hair and to wash it.

Other care routines to watch for -

A healthy, quality diet it absolutely imperative. Speak to your vet about the best kind of wet- or dry food suited to an energetic breed like this and appropriate to his age. You need to include raw meat into your pets diet every day now and then to avoid skin problems. Always ensure a bowl of clean, cool water is available, The bowl will need to be washed out every other day.

make sure his ears are cleaned. Once again you have to be careful when prodding in a dog’s ear and your veterinarian will show you how.

keep him well exercised with long walks and ball games.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Working dog
Origin:
Norway
Belgium
Height Male:
44 - 49 cm
17 - 20 inches
60 - 66 cm
23 - 26 inches
Height Female:
43 - 46 cm
16 - 19 inches
56 - 62 cm
22 - 25 inches
Weight Male:
16 - 20 kg
35 - 45 pounds
25 - 30 kg
55 - 67 pounds
Weight Female:
16 - 19 kg
35 - 42 pounds
23 - 30 kg
50 - 67 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
4 - 6
6 - 10
Size:
Medium dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Norsk Elghund Svart Norsk Elghund Black Black Elkhound Norwegian Moose Dog (black)
Belgian Groenendael, Belgian Shepherd, AKC: Belgian Sheepdog
Colors Available:
black
Black
Coat:
Dense, short double coat
Dense double coat
Shedding:
Seasonal
Constant, Seasonal
Temperament:
Alert, Curious, Intelligent, Loyal, Stubborn
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
High maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  2. Alaskan Malamute vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  3. Bullmastiff vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  4. Great Pyrenees vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  5. Boerboel vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  6. Presa Canario vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  7. Labrador Husky vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  8. Argentine Dogo vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  9. Giant Schnauzer vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  10. Goldador vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  11. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  12. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  13. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  14. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  15. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  16. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  17. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  18. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  19. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  20. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  21. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Alano Espanol - Breed Comparison
  22. Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) vs Antebellum Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  23. Dogo Cubano vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  24. Dogo Sardesco vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  25. Central Asian Shepherd vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  26. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  27. Collie vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  28. Dutch Shepherd vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  29. English Shepherd vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  30. Catahoula Cur vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  31. Catalan Sheepdog vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  32. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  33. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  34. Queensland Heeler vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  35. German Coolie vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  36. Croatian Sheepdog vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  37. Red Heeler vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  38. New Zealand Huntaway vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  39. Norwegian Buhund vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  40. Polish Lowland Sheepdog vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  41. Mudi vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  42. Schapendoes vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  43. Nenets Herding Laika vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  44. Scotch Collie vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  45. Smithfield vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  46. Smooth Collie vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  47. Spanish Water Dog vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  48. Swedish Lapphund vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  49. Swedish Vallhund vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  50. Thai Bangkaew vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds