Norwegian Elkhound vs North Country Beagle - Breed Comparison

Norwegian Elkhound is originated from Norway but North Country Beagle is originated from United Kingdom. Norwegian Elkhound may grow 10 cm / 4 inches higher than North Country Beagle. Norwegian Elkhound may weigh 14 kg / 31 pounds more than North Country Beagle. Both Norwegian Elkhound and North Country Beagle has almost same life span. Norwegian Elkhound may have more litter size than North Country Beagle. Norwegian Elkhound requires Moderate maintenance. But North Country Beagle requires Low 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Hound dog
Origin:
Norway
United Kingdom
Height Male:
45 - 55 cm
17 - 22 inches
33 - 45 cm
12 - 18 inches
Height Female:
45 - 55 cm
17 - 22 inches
33 - 45 cm
12 - 18 inches
Weight Male:
18 - 25 kg
39 - 56 pounds
9 - 11 kg
19 - 25 pounds
Weight Female:
18 - 25 kg
39 - 56 pounds
9 - 11 kg
19 - 25 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
2 - 7
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Norsk Elghund, Gray Norwegian Elkhound, Elk Dog, Norwegian Moose Dog
Northern Hound, Northern Beagle
Colors Available:
silver, white, Grey, cream
black, orange, Mainly white, perhaps tan
Coat:
Short to medium length, dense
Short and smoothish
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low 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. 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