The Norwegian Elkhound has been dated back to the stone age. This stocky breed was known to hunt and be faithful companions to legendary nomads. The Elkhound is a hardy breed with a beautiful stand-off coat that protects it from the elements. The most unique attribute of the Norwegian Elkhound is that it has no "doggie" odor which is one of the reasons this has become a popular breed among dog owners.
The coat is hard and coarse but is easy to groom if maintained regularly. Daily brushing is required to keep the coat in magnificent form especially when the Elkhound is shedding the undercoat. This dead hair needs to be removed so it will not cling to the new hair that is growing in. Since the Elkhound is a seasonal shedder and will go through this process twice a year, brushing will need to be done on a regular basis. To be blunt, the Elkhound will shed a lot and if you do not keep the coat brushed regularly, you may find yourself with mounds of hair on and in everything.
Many breeders and Elkhound owner's agree that bathing the Elkhound on a regular basis is not required. Regular bathing can remove the natural oils in the skin and since the dog does not have an odor and the coat actually repels dirt, bathing is rarely needed.
For grooming the coat, a comb or brush with double metal teeth, a slicker brush or some prefer a hound-glove is all that is needed. A detangling conditioner will help during grooming if there are any mats. The Elkhound enjoys the great outdoors and their coat tends to pick up matter during their ventures. Make sure that the brush or comb gets through all layers of the coat. This may need to be done in layers, picking up the outer coat and getting down to the skin. If the Elkhound needs bathing insure that the coat is free of mats and tangles before bathing.
Have your tools handy before starting the bathing process:
-Shampoo
-Sponge (optional)
-Heavy Towel
-Dryers
-Brushes and combs
The ideal water temperature for bathing is approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit. A spray hose connected to a faucet will make the bathing process go smoothly. Start with the hindquarters and completely soak the Elkhound. Don't allow the excess water to be left in the tub, let the water flow down the drain. Wearing a plastic apron will help keep you dry if the dog decides to shake.
After the Elkhound is soaked, place shampoo on the sponge and on the dog, from rear to front. I prefer to use my hands rather than a sponge since the fingers work well getting into the long hairs. Keep shampoo clear of the eyes even if the shampoo claims to be tearless. Work the shampoo into the coat not forgetting any areas including the bottoms of the feet. Rinse the shampoo thoroughly, letting the water rinse until it runs clear from the coat.
Squeeze any excess water from the coat and then use a heavy towel to remove as much water as possible. A cage dryer can be used to get the coat damp-dry and a hand blow-dryer should be used to get the coat fully dry. Working from the rear to the head, allow the blow-dryer to separate the hairs. Dry one area at a time and using a brush will help keep the hairs from tangles.
To make the coat stand away from the body, brush against the grain while the coat is still damp. Using the dryer and carefully brushing until the coat is fluffed and then ending by brushing the coat back down around the body.
Some groomers prefer to groom the ears, teeth and nails before bathing. I prefer to do these tasks after but this is a choice of the dog owner/groomer. Cleaning the ears is a simple process of using a cotton ball dampened in some water. Some individuals use mineral oil and ear powder. Do not clean into the ear canals and Q-tips are best avoided. Overgrown hairs in the ears can be trimmed with small scissors. Hemostat scissors are the safest alternative because of their bent shape, keeping the dog safe if it happens to move.
Trimming the nails should be approached with caution for the novice groomer. Inside the toenail is a "quick" that can hurt if cut and even bleed. Trimming the nails a little at a time is the best method for those who are not comfortable with this process. There are new tools available for nail trimming that have made this process much simpler for pet owners.
The eyes can also be wiped down with a cotton ball dampened with water and the teeth should be brushed to remove any plaque build-up. Clean in between the pads on the underside of the paws and trim any long hairs that may be growing in the pads. This will help keep debris from being packed in the hairs of the paws.
Basic grooming of the Norwegian Elkhound is simple-keep the coat brushed on a regular basis and bathe the dog only when needed, which is rarely. Because of the shedding process of the Elkhound, he will normally groom himself which keeps his coat clean. Brushing the coat regularly, especially when shedding will keep the Elkhound's coat in proper condition and help prevent matting and tangles.