Norwegian Elkhound

Patellar Luxation

Legg-Perthes Disease

Hip Dysplasia

Heart murmurs

3 to 6-month-old Norwegian elkhound puppies should be fed three times a day. Puppies aged six months to one year should be fed two meals a day. When the Norwegian Elkhound reaches his first birthday, he only needs one providing a day.

Adult Norwegian elkhounds, on the other hand, consume two smaller meals. A well-balanced diet should include a meat-based protein such as fish, beef, or poultry, which should be identified first on the bottle. To aid your Norwegian Elkhound's absorption of vital vitamins and nutrients from his diet, look for various natural fruits and vegetables.

In conformation, the Elkhound is seen in its normal state, with no trimming. He doesn't shed much of the year, but two to three times a year, he ''blows coat'' and sheds a lot. He requires grooming at least once a week and perhaps more when shedding, but his coat is relatively easy to maintain.

So, if you decide to foster an Elkhound, be prepared to brush often and, even then, to find at least some fur floating about the house much of the time. This is especially true during the shedding season.

The coat of the Norwegian Elkhound is ''two-ply,'' meaning it has a top coat and an undercoat. Elkhound breeders alert prospective puppy owners that they might have ''tumbleweeds'' with silver undercoats rolling around their house during shedding season. The outer coat will shed as well, but not as much as the undercoat. A slicker brush will assist you in controlling the fur storm.

For most of the year, five minutes of regular ''back-brushing'' (brushing in the opposite direction of the coat) are likely to solve the dilemma. At all times, two minutes of daily cleaning will keep the coat looking great and give your vacuum a new lease on life.

Levels of Exercise and Activity Elkhounds have incredible endurance and prosper significantly from extended hours of activity, in addition to being lively, bouncy dogs. And in very hot conditions, they make excellent running and hiking partners, but they should be allowed at least one hour of daily lead walking.

They still enjoy spending time outside and should have access to a lawn. If you don't meet this competitive breed's desire for exercise, you'll end up with aggressive behavior and constant barking.

Norwegian Elkhound is, on the whole, a very healthy breed. The average lifespan is 12?14 years, and the majority of people lose their pets to cancer or heart disease. Just a few cases of PRA have been discovered, but they can all be traced back to foreign dogs. While Hip Dysplasia occurs, most dogs that OFA examines receive a ''good'' or ''fair'' rating, with many receiving an ''excellent'' rating. Renal (kidney) problems have been recorded, although they seem to be unrelated to the breed's current state of health.

These dogs may be shy around newcomers, but they will enthusiastically welcome families and other people they meet. This proud, articulate, stubborn, yet affectionate animal thrives in a family of older children who are well-behaved or no children at all. An owner of a Norwegian elkhound must have the time, experience, and commitment to carry out the dog's intellect, loyalty, and talent.

First-time dog owners should think carefully before taking in this problematic breed. Life with a Norwegian elkhound, on the other hand, can be delightful for the knowledgeable guardian who can afford this dog the care and exercise it needs.

In the obedience ring, this breed isn't known for being a standout performer. Being highly intellectual, the Elkhound learns quickly, but after this learning process, it becomes, ''Didn't we already do this 12 times?'' Another challenge in preparing this breed for sports is their self-reliant disposition, which stems from their hunting instincts. They are very tidy and adapt quickly to well-handled housebreaking when it comes to basic house etiquette.

While the Norwegian Elkhound gets along well with other dogs, including cats, keep in mind his prey drive and ability to chase big game. Since he may be violent toward other dogs and animals, it's important to socialize the Elkhound from when he's a puppy to a multitude of new encounters and dogs.