Norwegian Elkhound Black

FCI:

Norwegian Elkhound Black - Group V. - Spitz and  primitive types, Section 2 - Nordic hunting dogs. Recognized in the year 1877th.

General Appearance:

Norwegian Elkhound Black is extremely courageous, energetic and friendly dog . It is known for its industriousness and independence, without these characteristics it could not handle the demanding job hunting, for which it is primarily intended. Compared to Norwegian Elkhound Grey dog it is more independent, more agile, but also furious. Like most Spitz´s dogs it is also vigilant watchdog. As well as for hunting it behaves well when performing this work with extraordinary emphasis. It is versatile, mostly used as hunting dogs lately it became increasingly also a companion breed.

Training/Behaviour:

Owner needs to be  decisive, calm and patient enough, that owner can deal with dog at all times consistently, owner must have natural authority, owner, who is  also able to peacefully exercise, and it has plenty of experience during education. It is not suitable for beginners.

To owner and family members it is totally committed and it joins very firmly to them. This link is understandably seen only by those individuals that can live together with "its" people who work with them, who have constant contact, not when males and females are held throughout life in an outdoor kennel. Due to its hardiness it could well be held all year in outdoor kennel, due to psychological reasons it is not suitable.

Like other Elk´s dogs it is very important for this breed early and widest socialization and familiarization with strangers and unfamiliar dogs, eventually with other animals. During its congenitally contentious foundation it cannot be in this direction really anything neglected, after owner can avoid any conflicts in dog´s adulthood. Equally important is the kind, but unyielding consistency during its upbringing that must begin at an early age. After all it can actually be enjoyable, although quirky and unusual man´s companion.

Body:

This is a typical lobster spike square body frame. Height at the withers male is from 46 to 49 cm and for females is from 43 to 46 cm. The ideal is considered to be 47 cm male and 44 cm for females.

The head should have an overall wedge shape toward the nose is pointed. It should be dry and rather lightweight, the earlobes appropriately broad. The skull is almost flat from above the front slope has to be clear, not too steep. Nose must be black, nasal bridge straight.

Lips are tightly fitting to the jaws and teeth. Teeth are required to complete, scissor bite.

Eyes must not act too (not bulging). Preference is given to dark brown coloured iris. The earlobes are high, erect, pointed at the tops. Their length is slightly greater than the width at the base.

The neck should be moderately long, firm, proudly carried upward. Topline body runs straight from withers to croup. Withers are evident, back straight and strong. Loins should be well formed, wide and straight. Croup is too broad, well muscled.

The tail should be set high, short, thick, densely covered with close fitting coat. It never should be called from below-flag. It is carried upward, tightly curled over the back and does not lead to one or the other side, but in the middle.

The chest must be fairly deep, ribs are properly sprung. The abdomen is slightly tucked. The forelegs should be strong, sinewy and strong, but never gross. Shoulders are oblique, which means that their peaks upwards and backwards. Shoulder bones must be due to the blades moderate angulations. The elbows must not be turned in or out. Forearms are straight pasterns when viewed from the side slightly askew, feet relatively small, extremely short oval shaped, enclosed (s tightly clenched fingers) must never be out.

The hindquarters must be adequately bent both knees and hocks in and be parallel to each other. Thighs should be muscular and broad, moderately long tibia. Hock when viewed from the side and slightly inclined when viewed from the rear parallel. Dewclaws are undesirable. Feet should be rather small, extremely short oval-shaped, closed.

Coat consists of a longer and harder topcoat and undercoat shorter and softer. The outer coat is thick and coarse, and fits tightly to the skin. On the head and front legs hair shall be short and smoothly fitting. Longer hairs are on the chest and neck, back of forelegs, thighs and underneath the tail, which shall never be a "flag". The undercoat must be woolly, coloured black. Colour of coat is glossy black. Small white marks on the front of the chest and at the end portions of the limbs can be tolerated.

All faults from the requirements of the standard are considered as defects and evaluate exactly according to the seriousness with regard to the health and welfare of the dog or bitch. Defects include even bite, lack of undercoat, larger white markings on the front chest, on the distal portions of the extremities (i.e. socks) and on the tail, nervousness, stress, barking. Bobtail (brachyurie) is included into the serious defects.

Among the disqualifying defects belong aggression and fearfulness, overshot and undershot jaw and shoulder height of 3 cm or smaller 4 cm larger than the ideal value set.