Harmaa norjanhirvikoira
FCI:
Norwegian Elkhond Grey -Group V. - Spitz and primitive types, Section 2 - Nordic hunting dogs. Recognized in 1948.
General Appearance:
This breed is absolutely fearless, self-confident, very independent and very energetic, which are characteristics stemming from its original hunting exercise. It is friendly and always optimistic. It has a completely natural tendency to rapid weight gain, which is to be remembered when feeding.
Training/Behaviour:
The owner should be a person with at least minimal experience, absolutely consistent, persistent and patient, who knows exactly what the dog wants and who is able to tell the dog, without resorting to any violence or drastic methods of training. Slavish obedience nobody can accept but we cannot say that breed s disobedient. The calling dog can do at once after it satisfies its momentary interest.
Due to heavy coat it could very well be permanently housed in an outdoor kennel, but mentally it suffers. It loves by its whole soul the owner and members of his family and it needs to live with them in constant contact, only then it is truly happy. It likes staying close to them. It it is modest, utterly dedicated and loyal. To known persons it is welcoming. It is joyful barking to unknown it is reserved, but never aggressive. To the children it is usually friendly, but not all of them, and therefore it is suitable companion for elderly children and well instructed.
To strange dogs should be accustomed from puppy early age then it gets well. Early socialization is essential. It is versatile dog to hunt elk is now used almost only in Norway. Lately, it also becomes a companion dog.
It has developed strong hunting instinct and is vigilant watchdog. During the hunt it is looking carefully scent trail of a moose once when it finds. It follows the track, without waiting for hunter´s instruction. If the animal is in sight, it begins a bit like greyhounds, bugging animal on sight, unlike most greyhounds are on the trail of a lot of loud, powerful voice.
It is intelligent and lively, not necessarily because everyday needs some work to be let go due to frustration if it stays at home alone it can destroy your home.
Excellent job for this breed there are trainings and competitions in agility and good is also applicable in a purely sporting competitions in tracking. On outings we cannot forget its powerful hunting instinct, in the countryside, where they might encounter on the trail of animals. It is advisable to have it on a leash.
It can feel owner’s status and mood.
Body:
This is a typical Norwegian Spitz with compact body, short torso and a square body frame with a high-carried neck, raised ears, thick and rich coat, which must not be too long or may stick out, as the tail upward set, coiled tightly over the back and shoulders. Under ideal height at the withers is considered, male is 52 cm, 49 cm for females.
The head should be dry, generally wedge-shaped, between the auricles relatively wide. The skull is slightly arched above. The front slope has to be clear, but not too steep. Muzzle facial region toward the nose gradually narrowing. Nose must be black, nasal bridge straight. Lips are tightly fitting to the jaws and teeth. It requires the full dentition and scissor bite.
Eyes should be dark brown and not too stand out. The earlobes are set high, relatively small, firm and strong on the tops pointed and very mobile. The length of the auricle is greater than its width at the base.
The neck should be moderately long, firm, carried high, heavily furred. Body should be strong, short, called tightly tied. Topline of body from withers to the tail straight. Withers should be clearly visible, back strong, muscular and straight. Loin well developed, the croup is strong and broad.
Tail high, thick, relatively short, thick hair but the hair on its underside does not form a flag. They must be tightly coiled in the middle and rear of the shoulder and not fall to the side. For adults should not be the end of the straight and must face outwards.
The chest should be broad and deep, formed properly sprung ribs. Belly must be only slightly tucked. The forelegs should be strong, firm and level. Shoulders are oblique, shoulder bones to be moderate angulations. Forearms are straight pasterns must be straight when viewed from the front and from the side slightly askew. Feet are rather small, tight, toes are pointing straight ahead.
The hindquarters should be strong, dryly muscled and parallel, moderately angulated. Broad thighs are muscular and knees bent correctly. Lower thigh should be moderately long.
The outer coat is moderately long, thick, coarse, abundant, should never be crimped. On the head and front of legs must be short and smooth fitting. On the neck, the back to the front of the legs and thighs and on the tail is longer. The undercoat should be soft.
Colour is grey, lighter or darker, which determines the amount of black coloured ends of the hair of top coat. The bottom of the chest abdomen, on the distal parts of the legs, on the underside of the tail and around the anus the hair is of lighter colour. Roughly from the withers down to the elbow facing two bright, slightly divergent strips, one of which passes in front of the shoulder and the other behind. When it is viewed from the side it is giving a typical drawing resembling a harness on the dog. The stripes are wide about 5 cm, and have a light colour, because in these areas completely lacking hairs with black ends. In the face there is a dark mask and extending up the earlobes. The dark line extending from the outer corners of your eyes to the bases of ears delimits the mask on the sides of the head. The undercoat is light gray.
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 male and female.
