Norwegian Elkhound Puppies Guide

Are you considering adding a Norwegian Elkhound puppy to your family? Look no further! Here's a brief insite into what you need to know before bringing one home.

Sabie playing in the UK

Originating from Norway, Norwegian Elkhounds are a unique breed known for their wolf-like appearance, endurance, and keen sense of smell. They are used for hunting in Norway. These pups make excellent companions for active individuals or families looking for a loyal and energetic pet.

When considering a Norwegian Elkhound puppy, it's essential to find a reputable breeder. By choosing a trusted breeder, you can ensure that you are getting a healthy and well-bred puppy.

Before your puppy comes home, it's a good idea to puppy-proof your space. Norwegian Elkhounds are curious and clever, so keep anything dangerous or chewable (like cords, shoes, or chocolate) out of reach. Set up a safe, cozy area where your puppy can rest undisturbed—this helps them feel secure and gives them a place to relax. Baby gates are great for teaching boundaries early and keeping curious noses out of trouble. You can create a puppy pen and include a cosy crate for them to rest in.

Norwegian Elkhound puppies are intelligent and playful, making them wonderful companions for many homes, including families with children. However, it's important to provide them with proper training and socialisation from an early age to ensure they mature into well-behaved adults. Norwegian Elkhounds excel with clear and structured training, which helps them become the best dogs they can be throughout their lives. Socialisation is introducing them to various environments, people and other dogs/animals, always in a careful and supervised manner. You want to set them up for success and ensure that every interaction is positive at this young age. Even before they are fully vaccinated, we often carry our puppies to different places, allowing them to experience new surroundings while keeping them safe. For example, take them along to a dog-friendly Bunnings in a trolley to see different surroundings and meet new humans!

Puppies thrive on routine. Having a consistent schedule for feeding, toileting, playtime, training, and naps can help them settle in faster. Elkhound puppies need lots of sleep as they grow so quickly! Make sure their day includes enough downtime between all the exciting new things they’ll be experiencing.

In terms of exercise, the best advice for Norwegian Elkhound (or any) puppies is to walk them for only 5 minutes per month of age. Once they have had all their vaccinations, start walking slowly and do not over-walk your puppy as this can cause issues in growth and development that will affect them later in life.

Physical exercise is often thought of as the only way to tire a puppy—but this isn't 100% true. Mental stimulation is one of the best ways to tire a puppy. Things like training or puppy puzzles, snuffle mats, KONGs and the like are a great way to tire them out and teach them important lessons. Playtime and mental stimulation are also essential to prevent boredom and unwanted behaviours.

We encourage new owners to begin basic training straight away. Puppies are like little sponges and thrive with short, fun lessons. Start with simple commands like sit, stay, come, and leave it. We encourage teaching by positive reinforcement to build confidence and trust. Treats, praise, and patience go a long way. Dog trainers can also be utilised. If you are going to a puppy school, do your research and look into what and how that puppy school teaches - not all are alike!

Norwegian Elkhounds have a dense double coat that sheds moderately throughout the year and generally more heavily during two seasonal periods, requiring additional grooming during these times. We introduce puppies to brushing before they leave our care. Regular brushing helps minimise the amount of fur in the house, though it won't eliminate it entirely. This breed does not require frequent baths, but we also get them used to being handled—paws touched, ears and teeth checked, even short sessions to desensitise them to having a check over at the vets or in the show ring. Early positive experiences make a big difference when they’re older.

Arrange a vet check-up as soon as you bring your puppy home with your regular vet. We always ensure our puppies have a very positive experience at the vet from the beginning—go prepared with plenty of treats, and sometimes when you're out and about with your new puppy, stop by your regular vet just to have them fussed over by the staff and then leave. You might want to call your vet and check beforehand, but they are usually more than happy to enjoy some puppy cuddles! This also helps your puppy associate the vet with being a positive place.

Continue introducing your puppy to new experiences in a calm and supervised manner, ensuring they always have positive encounters to prepare them for success! We will provide you with a list of the various experiences your puppy has had while in our care before they leave us. However, keep introducing them to new textures, sounds, car rides, and different people (and animals once they are fully vaccinated). The key is to take it slow, remain positive, and make everything feel like a safe, fun and enjoyable adventure.

In conclusion, Norwegian Elkhound puppies make fantastic companions and members of the family. By doing your research, and providing them with love, care and training from the very start, you can enjoy many happy years with your new furry companion. If you're interested in adding a Norwegian Elkhound puppy to your family, consider reaching out to Sanucu Norwegian Elkhounds for more information—we're here to help you every step of the way. This is just a brief rundown, and we are always happy to chat further.

Blog by Sanucu Elkhounds