Norwegian Elkhound vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison

Norwegian Elkhound vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed ComparisonNorwegian Elkhound is originated from Norway but Flat-Coated Retriever is originated from United Kingdom. Norwegian Elkhound may grow 6 cm / 2 inches shorter than Flat-Coated Retriever. Norwegian Elkhound may weigh 11 kg / 24 pounds lesser than Flat-Coated Retriever. Norwegian Elkhound may live 5 years more than Flat-Coated Retriever. Both Norwegian Elkhound and Flat-Coated Retriever has almost same litter size. Both Norwegian Elkhound and Flat-Coated Retriever requires Moderate maintenance.

History

norwegian elkhound - historyThe Norwegian Elkhound is an ancient spitz-type dog breed hailing from Norway and with a history that goes back thousands of years.

These dogs have been used as hunting dogs and have been able to bring down game such as Elk, bears, wolves, badgers and reindeer. They have also been used to guard livestock.

The Norwegian Elkhound was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1913.

flat coated retriever - historyThe Flat-Coated Retriever traces its heritage to 19th century England. A popular gamekeepers’ dog, the actual descendants of the breed are not entirely known. Like so many well-established breeds, there are many lines of thought about the breed line. There is an unverified line of ancestry that includes the St. Johns Water Dog – an extinct breed from North America. Another story has Canadian sailors bringing their Newfoundlands to England and mixing them with Colliers and Setters. This story has more truth to it and it took 20 years to establish the final breed type.

The breed was originally a retriever with two purposes – to retrieve the hunters’ bounty on land and on water.

The Flat-Coated Retriever was then introduced to the United States as a gun dog. By 1873 it was a “stable type” and in 1915 the AKC recognized the breed. After this, their popularity grew quickly until the American public fell in love with the Golden Retriever and the Labrador Retriever. Then the Flat-Coated Retriever’s numbers and popularity fell. The irony was that both the Golden and the Labrador credited the Flat-Coated Retriever as an ancestor. The survival of the breed was questionable following World War Two. They were brought back by a specific breeding program in the 1960’s.

Breeders in the ‘60s made sure they bred for both show dogs and companion animals. The Flat-Coated Retriever survived and is less popular than other retrievers, but he has his fans. The breed is more popular in the United Kingdom than it is in the United States in part because of Best in Show wins at Crufts

Description

norwegian elkhound puppy - descriptionThe Norwegian Elkhound is a medium to large sized dog standing at roughly 45 to 55cm in height and weighing anything fro 18 to 25 kilogams.

People love this dog because of his beautiful wolf-like face and bright eyes. The head is broad and wedge-shaped, the eyes dark brown, the ears stand erect and the bush tail curls over the dog's back.

The double coat has different shades of gray and silver with cream and white shades on the undercoat.

He is a moderate shedder with some seasonal shedding.

Temperament:

The Norwegian Elkhound is a high energy dog who loves to be busy and he also makes a loving and loyal companion towards his human family. He tends to be a little bit reserved around strangers.

He is an independent dog so so its a good idea to have him trained and socialized so that he is always obedient. He is an intelligent dog so you won’t battle to teach him.

He gets on well with children in the home. He however, can be a little bit aggressive with other dogs, but not if he was brought up with them as a puppy. Adventurous and active, he just loves spending time outdoors. It's why he is best suited to life in the countryside as opposed to the city and also prefers cooler climates.

flat coated retriever puppy - descriptionThe Flat-Coated Retriever has a straight and strong topline with unique head, strong jaws, a long muzzle and small ears. His eyes are dark brown almonds with a friendly and intelligent expression. He has an arched neck and a moderately long tail. The Flat-Coated Retriever is more of an athlete, lighter and certainly more elegant than any other type or breed of retriever.

Characteristics

norwegian elkhound dog - characteristicsYour Norwegian Elkhound makes an awesome pet. He is full of the joys of living and wants to be an active member of his human family.

He is active and always ready for some fun and games. He is also intelligent and will make an even better pet when he has been trained and socialized.

Those who have owned one of these beautiful dogs will always say how they adore this beautiful, smart, loving canine friend of theirs.

Children friendliness

flat coated retriever dog - characteristicsThe Flat-Coated Retriever is great with children. Just be careful they don’t knock over small children in their enthusiasm.

Special talents

They are confident great family dogs. They are “thinking dogs” and need something to work for or they will work for themselves. They can be clowns.

Adaptability

They are adaptable although their size might preclude small locations without yards.

Learning ability

Smart, thinking all the time, they are very trainable. However, they are considered the “Peter Pan” of dogs – they never grow up.

Health Problems

norwegian elkhound puppies - health problemsYour beautiful Norwegian Elkhound can reach 15 years of age if you look after him well and he manages to avoid some of the common dog diseases there are.

There are some dog illnesses that are good to be aware of -

Glaucoma:

This is an eye condition where there is pressure that builds up in the eye. There is a problem with the drainage of fluid in the eye and this is what causes the pressure and there can be damage to the optic nerve.

Pyotraumatic Dermatitis:

This is a skin condition that causes inflammation and is often seen in dogs like the Norwegian Elkhound who have thick coats.

Hip Dysplasia:

A common disease seen in many dog breeds, young and old, and which is a malfunction of the hip joints, causing problems with your dog’s mobility.

flat coated retriever puppies - health problemsFlat-Coated Retrievers have their share of health concerns from dysplasia to cancer. The breeds problems include:

  1. Hip Dysplasia – not very common
  2. PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy) – can result in blindness
  3. Glaucoma - an eye disease that can result in blindness
  4. Epilepsy – very rare but still seen
  5. Bloat (Gastric Dilatation and volvulus) – fatal if not treated immediately

Cancers

Hemangiosarcoma, Osteosarcoma, Malignant Histiocytosis, and Fibrosarcoma. Studies show that about half of all Flat-Coated Retrievers die of cancer.

Caring The Pet

norwegian elkhound dogs - caringAs a spitz type dog, the Norwegian Elkhound is an energetic dog who will need lots of physical activity.

He has a very thick coat so make sure he doesn’t overheat during exercise as he has been used to living in wintry climates.

Brush and Check for Ticks:

Your pet will shed some of that thick hair so he will need to be brushed at least twice a week to keep the coat in tip top condition. At the same time check him over for ticks and fleas. How often you see ticks on your dog will depend on where you live. These parasites attach to your dog and feed on his blood.They are capable of causing many diseases in your pet, one of which is Lyme disease, a disease which can lead to arthritis and swelling with your dog’s joints.

The best way to prevent any disease from weakening your pet is to get him to the vet as soon as possible. A good way to prevent ticks is to speak to your vet about tick control products.

Diet:

Make sure he has the best food to ensure health and happiness. Keep his meals simple – no exotic, spicy foods that can upset his stomach.

A high quality kibble brand for energetic dogs is a wise choice and some tasty home-made food added in occasionally. This can be boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables. Never leave him without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Feeding the puppy

flat coated retriever dogs - caringHe will be a medium size dog. Feed puppies 3-4 times a day about a 1/8 cup of high-quality food. Feed a puppy food designed for medium size dogs or specifically for retrievers.

Feeding the adult

Feed 2 times a day about !/2 cups of dry food per meal. Do not overfeed. They have a tendency to be obese.

Points for Good Health

Maintain a healthy weight and avoid exercise before and after meals. The good news is dysplasia and epilepsy are rare in the breed.

Games and Exercises

They are very energetic and need good exercise. Long walks and a yard to run in. Remember they are hunting dogs and will chase to retrieve things so don’t let them off leash outside your yard. They will excel at agility, tracking. Rally, obedience, swimming, hunting, and jogging. They make great therapy dogs.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Sporting dog
Origin:
Norway
United Kingdom
Height Male:
45 - 55 cm
17 - 22 inches
59 - 61 cm
23 - 25 inches
Height Female:
45 - 55 cm
17 - 22 inches
56 - 59 cm
22 - 24 inches
Weight Male:
18 - 25 kg
39 - 56 pounds
27 - 36 kg
59 - 80 pounds
Weight Female:
18 - 25 kg
39 - 56 pounds
25 - 32 kg
55 - 71 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
8 - 10 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
4 - 8
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Norsk Elghund, Gray Norwegian Elkhound, Elk Dog, Norwegian Moose Dog
Flatcoat, flatt, Flattie Flatte (Sweden)
Colors Available:
silver, white, Grey, cream
liver and yellow (blonde, black
Coat:
Short to medium length, dense
double, glossy and smooth
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Constant
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loyal, Outgoing
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Pharaoh Hound vs Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  2. Redbone Coonhound vs Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  3. Norwegian Elkhound vs Basset Hound - Breed Comparison
  4. Norwegian Elkhound vs Basenji - Breed Comparison
  5. Norwegian Elkhound vs Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla - Breed Comparison
  6. Norwegian Elkhound vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  7. Norwegian Elkhound vs Hungarian Vizsla - Breed Comparison
  8. Norwegian Elkhound vs Bluetick Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  9. Norwegian Elkhound vs Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  10. Norwegian Elkhound vs Bavarian Mountain Hound - Breed Comparison
  11. Norwegian Elkhound vs Basset Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  12. Norwegian Elkhound vs Beagle-Harrier - Breed Comparison
  13. Norwegian Elkhound vs English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  14. Norwegian Elkhound vs Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie - Breed Comparison
  15. Norwegian Elkhound vs Alpine Dachsbracke - Breed Comparison
  16. Norwegian Elkhound vs Basset Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  17. Norwegian Elkhound vs Dunker - Breed Comparison
  18. Norwegian Elkhound vs Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  19. Norwegian Elkhound vs Chippiparai - Breed Comparison
  20. Norwegian Elkhound vs English Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  21. Norwegian Elkhound vs Estonian Hound - Breed Comparison
  22. Norwegian Elkhound vs Grand Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  23. Norwegian Elkhound vs Hamiltonstovare - Breed Comparison
  24. Norwegian Elkhound vs Beago - Breed Comparison
  25. Norwegian Elkhound vs Kanni - Breed Comparison
  26. French Spaniel vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  27. Flat-Coated Retriever vs East Siberian Laika - Breed Comparison
  28. Flat-Coated Retriever vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  29. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Finnish Spitz - Breed Comparison
  30. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Ariegeois - Breed Comparison
  31. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Beagador - Breed Comparison
  32. Flat-Coated Retriever vs English Water Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  33. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Field Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  34. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Artois Hound - Breed Comparison
  35. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Curly Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  36. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Braque Francais - Breed Comparison
  37. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Braque Francais (Pyrenean Type) - Breed Comparison
  38. Flat-Coated Retriever vs Braque Saint-Germain - Breed Comparison
  39. Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  40. Lagotto Romagnolo vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  41. Formosan Mountain Dog vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  42. Shikoku vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  43. Slovakian Hound vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  44. Small Munsterlander vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  45. Sussex Spaniel vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  46. Kooikerhondje vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  47. Welsh Springer Spaniel vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  48. West Siberian Laika vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  49. Wetterhoun vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison
  50. Wirehaired Pointing Griffon vs Flat-Coated Retriever - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds