North Country Beagle vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison

North Country Beagle is originated from United Kingdom but Black Norwegian Elkhound is originated from Norway. Both North Country Beagle and Black Norwegian Elkhound are having almost same height. North Country Beagle may weigh 9 kg / 19 pounds lesser than Black Norwegian Elkhound. Both North Country Beagle and Black Norwegian Elkhound has almost same life span. Both North Country Beagle and Black Norwegian Elkhound has almost same litter size. Both North Country Beagle and Black Norwegian Elkhound requires Low maintenance.

History

Known also as the Northern Hound or the Northern Beagle, the North Country Beagle hailed from Britain and is extinct.

It hailed more specifically from- and was native to the Yorkshire and Northumberland regions of England. As a scenthound it was known for its hunting skills.

There isn’t much known about the dog but it is one of England’s oldest hound breeds, with much of its ancestry been lost. There are many theories surrounding the origins of this dog. Also, the date at which the North Country Beagle was developed is also debatable but it has always been a good hunter.

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.

Description

The North Country Beagle seemed to vary quite a bit in size and because there isn’t much information on this extinct dog, we can assume he was much the same size of the Beagle we know today which is roughly 33 – 45cm in height and weighing between 9 and 11kg.

Not much is known about the dog’s appearance but it is believed that it looked much like the Southern Hound and English Foxhound. It was likely a medium sized dog with longish ears, thick bones but always agile and athletic.

Temperament:

There is very little known on what this dog’s temperament was like. He was strong willed and if you owned such a dog you would have had to have him trained and socialized. It was a dog that showed very little signs of aggression. It seemed the dog was friendly, social and loving to his human family.

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.

Characteristics

The North Country Beagle was a social, energetic dog who loved spending time with his human family. They were intelligent too, so training and socialization were possibly easy for him.

They weren't regarded as raucous kind of dogs and were fairly quiet. They were quite social and didn't like being left alone for too long. They were adaptable too, slotting quite easily into country- or city life.

Coolish with strangers, the North Country Beagle made a good pet and companion with a generally happy, contented disposition.

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.

Health Problems

The North Country Beagle had a lifespan of 12 to 15 years, and while he was a fairly healthy dog breed, there were some common health issues to look out for. Some of these were patellar luxation, epilepsy and glaucoma.

Glaucoma:

This is a condition where there is pressure in the eye and where there is inadequate fluid drainage as well. Left untreated, it can lead to permanent damage to the optic nerve which can lead to blindness.

It is fairly common in certain breeds. There is primary and secondary glaucoma and symptoms for instance with primary glaucoma can be this high pressure within the eye and also a cloudy appearance in front of the eye along with redness of the blood vessels and dilated pupils. There can also be headaches and loss of appetite.

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.

Caring The Pet

Your North Country Beagle was a social animal and he always had a whole lot of love and friendship to offer his human family.

Today, if you bring such a dog into your home, its your responsibility to care for him and provide him with love.

Diet:

A puppy such as this would have been fed 4 times a day. As he got older he would have had his meals cut down to one or two a day. His owners would have chosen a dog food according to age and activity levels, but always made sure that the food was rich in vitamins and minerals.

Dry kibble has the advantage of keeping your dogs teeth clean. Home-made food was and is always a welcome treat and can occasionally be added to the dry kibble. Keep the food consistent and simple to avoid stomach upsets.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and some cooked vegetables such as carrots, sweet potato and spinach would have kept the Beagle happy and healthy and is an excellent diet today for modern dogs. Sometimes you can also give a little bit of raw meat. Never leave any dog without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Exercise:

Your North Country Beagle would have required lots of energy and will have required being exercised. His owners may have taken him for walks every day, and modern Beagles today would require ball games and games that also provide him with the chance to think and work things out.

Veterinary Care:

If you bring a pet home such as what the North Country Beagle was like, as a puppy, you would have had to make a vet appointment to ensure he had his vaccinations to protect him from deadly diseases.

Grooming:

General grooming of your North Country Beagle would have required you brushing him twice a week, checking inside and outside his ears for infection. This is particularly of importance with floppy eared dogs like this. Check his eyes and teeth too. His nails couldn't be neglected either, as left long, they could have hooked onto objects, tearing and causing pain and bleeding.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Herding dogs
Origin:
United Kingdom
Norway
Height Male:
33 - 45 cm
12 - 18 inches
44 - 49 cm
17 - 20 inches
Height Female:
33 - 45 cm
12 - 18 inches
43 - 46 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
9 - 11 kg
19 - 25 pounds
16 - 20 kg
35 - 45 pounds
Weight Female:
9 - 11 kg
19 - 25 pounds
16 - 19 kg
35 - 42 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 7
4 - 6
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Northern Hound, Northern Beagle
Norsk Elghund Svart Norsk Elghund Black Black Elkhound Norwegian Moose Dog (black)
Colors Available:
black, orange, Mainly white, perhaps tan
black
Coat:
Short and smoothish
Dense, short double coat
Shedding:
Moderate
Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Alert, Curious, Intelligent, Loyal, Stubborn
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
No

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  2. Collie vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  3. Dutch Shepherd vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  4. English Shepherd vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  5. Catahoula Cur vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  6. Catalan Sheepdog vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  7. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  8. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  9. Queensland Heeler vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  10. German Coolie vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  11. Croatian Sheepdog vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  12. Red Heeler vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  13. New Zealand Huntaway vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  14. Norwegian Buhund vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  15. Polish Lowland Sheepdog vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  16. Mudi vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  17. Schapendoes vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  18. Nenets Herding Laika vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  19. Scotch Collie vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  20. Smithfield vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  21. Smooth Collie vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  22. Spanish Water Dog vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  23. Swedish Lapphund vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  24. Swedish Vallhund vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  25. Thai Bangkaew vs Black Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  26. Pharaoh Hound vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  27. Redbone Coonhound vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  28. Norwegian Elkhound vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  29. Santal Hound vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  30. Podenco Canario vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  31. Podenco Andaluz vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  32. Podenco Galego vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Polish Hound vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  34. Russian Harlequin Hound vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  35. Russian Hound vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  36. Sabueso Espanol vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  37. Schillerstovare vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  38. Schweizer Laufhund vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  39. Schweizer Niederlaufhund vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  40. Serbian Hound vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  41. Silken Windhound vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  42. Smalandsstovare vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  43. Stephens Stock vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  44. Thai Ridgeback vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  45. Walker Hound vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  46. Whippet vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison
  47. North Country Beagle vs Basset Hound - Breed Comparison
  48. North Country Beagle vs Basenji - Breed Comparison
  49. North Country Beagle vs Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla - Breed Comparison
  50. North Country Beagle vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds