Black Norwegian Elkhound

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Black Norwegian Elkhound
1 year old Black Norwegian Elkhound
Other names	Norsk Elghund Svart Norsk Elghund Black Black Elkhound Norwegian Moose Dog (black)
Origin	Norway
Traits Height Males 46–49 cm (18–19 in) Females 43–46 cm (17–18 in) Weight 16–20 kg (35–44 lb) Coat Dense, short double coat Colour Black
Kennel club standards Fédération Cynologique Internationale standard
Dog (domestic dog)

The Black Norwegian Elkhound (Norwegian Elghund Sort (NES) in Norwegian) is a small Spitz breed classified by the FCI as a hunting dog.^[1] It is currently an uncommon breed in Norway and very rare outside the Nordic countries of Scandinavia. It is a sibling breed to a Grey Norwegian Elkhound, but is smaller, more agile, doesn't bark and was bred explicitly for on-leash dog hunting.

Historically, the Black Norwegian Elkhound has originated from local spitz dog population in the border areas between Norway and Sweden, and has existed as its own breed since the mid-19th century. The breed name "Elkhound" comes directly from its original Norwegian name "Elghund," meaning ""elk dog" or "moose dog." In Norwegian, "elg" refers to the animal English speakers know as an "elk" (in Eurasia) or "moose" (in the United States), and "hund" means "dog."^[2]

In literature the breed is mentioned by the Englishman Llewelyn Lloyd. In 1828, he hunted bear game near the border areas between Norway and Sweden. He was particularly pleased with two dogs he borrowed: "Hector was black, had upright ears and a curled tail, and Pajas, for whom 13 bears had been shot, was coal black with a bushy tail".^[3]

The Black Norwegian Elkhound has previously been threatened with extinction. The breed has retained its good utility properties and characteristic exterior for over 100 years. There is now increasing demand for black elkhounds and it is difficult to reach a number of offspring per year that saturates this market. The number of litters and the number of puppies have remained stable over the past 20 years. ^[4]