Polish Hound vs Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison

Polish Hound vs Norwegian Elkhound - Breed ComparisonPolish Hound is originated from Poland but Norwegian Elkhound is originated from Norway. Polish Hound may grow 10 cm / 4 inches higher than Norwegian Elkhound. Polish Hound may weigh 7 kg / 16 pounds more than Norwegian Elkhound. Both Polish Hound and Norwegian Elkhound has almost same life span. Both Polish Hound and Norwegian Elkhound has almost same litter size. Both Polish Hound and Norwegian Elkhound requires Moderate maintenance.

History

polish hound - historyIt is thought that Polish Hounds descended from the Kostroma Hound. Other experts believe that the dogs were developed through crossbreeding of Bloodhounds with local Polish hounds.

The idea was to get a more lighter-boned, more athletic Bloodhound type of dog. In fact, this new standard was adopted in 1983 as the guide for the ideal Polish Hound.

The World Wars caused the numbers of these dogs to be drastically reduced, and attempts were made to revive the breed. The dog is rare outside his native country.

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.

Description

polish hound puppy - descriptionThe Polish Hound is a nice, big, solid looking dog. He stands at between 55–65 cm in height and weighs between 20 to 32kg, both male and female. If you were to try and think of him, you could think of a Labrador/Beagle/Bloodhound mix.

He is a medium to large sized dog. The coat is short to medium in length and is thick and hard with a soft, dense undercoat. The color of the coat is brown and tan and black and tan. The dog’s tail is set low and is thick and long.

Temperament:

This dog is a wonderful dog known to be clever and eager to please. He also has other attractive characteristics such as being energetic, gentle and he has an urge to protect his human family.

He is also loved because he is reliable and gentle around children who know how to treat dogs with respect. Some people who have owed this dog say that there is just one small fault – the dog’s bark – it is deep and mellow – and its why he isn’t suited to life in the city.

He is a rural dog, loving wide open spaces. It is why the dog will be an excellent pet if he is trained and socialized, becoming obedient and well balanced.

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.

Characteristics

polish hound dog - characteristicsAs a family pet, the Polish Hound just loves his human family, particularly when they are outdoor, active types. Your Polish Hound just loves spending time with his human family.

This is a wonderful dog as a family pet. More so when he has been trained and socialized. In exchange for the the wonderful companionship this dog offers you, you owe it to him to keep him happy and content.

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.

Health Problems

polish hound puppies - health problemsThe Polish Hound has a reputation for good health. That doesn’t mean you can just leave your pet. Good preventative healthcare is still vital if you want to prevent your pet being attacked by fleas, ticks, worms and mosquitoes.

You need to be careful with the Polish Hound because it's a deep chested dog, and these kinds of dogs are more prone to bloat. This is a deadly disease when the stomach twists and gas can’t escape. Untreated, bloat can be a killer. Take immediate action when you see your dog with a swollen stomach, restlessness and drooling.

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.

Caring The Pet

Exercise:

polish hound dogs - caringAs a working dog, the Polish Hound is used to being busy and will be relying on you for a good dose of exercise. He loves the chance of a walk or a run and will be happy to run alongside you while you cycle or jog. Don’t forget ball games too.

Grooming:

The thick coat of the dog will need to be brushed twice a week to remove all that loose hairs. He is a moderate shedder so the coat becomes dull if not regularly brushed.

During the brushing session, check your dog over for fleas and ticks, and any odd lumps that weren’t there before. Trim your pets nails if they don’t wear down naturally. This is a floppy eared breed, so you will need to check the inside of his ears for dirt, wax and bacteria.

Pay close attention to your dog’s teeth.Bad teeth can cause a lot of pain but also be very detrimental to your dog’s health.

Diet:

Just like humans, dogs rely on quality food for good health and longevity. There are many good commercially manufactured dog foods, but avoid the ones with low quality ingredients as these can make your dog ill.

Check the ingredients-list carefully so that you can be sure your pet is getting the right balances of vitamins and minerals. Home-made food is also important as it is nutritious and tasty. You can add it into the dry kibble as a treat sometimes. The simpler the better as dogs don’t like spicy, exotic foods.

Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta, sweet potatoes, spinach and carrot can be chopped up and given to your pet. Also try and include some raw meat as this is beneficial for health. Fresh, cool water must be made constantly available.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Hound dog
Origin:
Poland
Norway
Height Male:
55 - 65 cm
21 - 26 inches
45 - 55 cm
17 - 22 inches
Height Female:
55 - 65 cm
21 - 26 inches
45 - 55 cm
17 - 22 inches
Weight Male:
20 - 32 kg
44 - 71 pounds
18 - 25 kg
39 - 56 pounds
Weight Female:
20 - 32 kg
44 - 71 pounds
18 - 25 kg
39 - 56 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 14 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 12
5 - 10
Size:
Medium dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Ogar Polksi
Norsk Elghund, Gray Norwegian Elkhound, Elk Dog, Norwegian Moose Dog
Colors Available:
black and tan, Brown and tan
silver, white, Grey, cream
Coat:
Short to medium length, dense
Short to medium length, dense
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
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. Redbone Coonhound vs Polish Hound - Breed Comparison
  27. Santal Hound vs Polish Hound - Breed Comparison
  28. Polish Hound vs Basset Hound - Breed Comparison
  29. Polish Hound vs Pharaoh Hound - Breed Comparison
  30. Polish Hound vs Basenji - Breed Comparison
  31. Polish Hound vs Hungarian Wirehaired Vizsla - Breed Comparison
  32. Polish Hound vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  33. Polish Hound vs Hungarian Vizsla - Breed Comparison
  34. Polish Hound vs Bluetick Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  35. Polish Hound vs Norwegian Elkhound - Breed Comparison
  36. Polish Hound vs Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  37. Polish Hound vs Bavarian Mountain Hound - Breed Comparison
  38. Polish Hound vs Basset Fauve de Bretagne - Breed Comparison
  39. Polish Hound vs Beagle-Harrier - Breed Comparison
  40. Polish Hound vs English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  41. Polish Hound vs Anglo-Francais de Petite Venerie - Breed Comparison
  42. Polish Hound vs Alpine Dachsbracke - Breed Comparison
  43. Polish Hound vs Basset Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  44. Polish Hound vs Podenco Canario - Breed Comparison
  45. Polish Hound vs Dunker - Breed Comparison
  46. Polish Hound vs Grand Basset Griffon Vendeen - Breed Comparison
  47. Polish Hound vs Chippiparai - Breed Comparison
  48. Polish Hound vs Podenco Andaluz - Breed Comparison
  49. Polish Hound vs Podenco Galego - Breed Comparison
  50. Polish Hound vs English Foxhound - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds