The Jamthund, also known as the Swedish Elkhound, is a breed that is native to the land of Sweden, where they are today the national dog breed of the country. These dogs were bred from the mating of the large Spitzes of Russia and Scandinavia. Their original purpose was the hunting of bear, wolf, moose, and lynx, however, today they are used for other things as well. They are wonderful as companions for the elk hunter as the elk become mesmerized by the barking of the dogs and come to a standstill, thus allowing the hunter the best shot possible. They are also used in the hunting of grouse and ermine. The Jamthund is acquired for service in the military and for sledding. They are watchdogs and they are family pets. As you can see, the breed is quite versatile.

This breed is not yet eligible for registry with the American Kennel Club, but they are eligible with the F.C.I. and the Swedish Kennel Club. They are accepted in the "hunting Spitz dog breed" category. While registry may hold little importance to the hunter or average family, it is important for the breeder or those who are interested in competing with the dogs. It will give the dog far greater value in these areas.

According to breed standards, the Jamthund should be between 20.5 and 25.5 inches tall, when measured from the ground to the withers, with males almost always being taller than females. Their weight should be around 66 pounds. They should be well-proportioned and muscled in appearance, but not look heavy in build. The ears are triangular, rather large, and held in the upright position. The almond-shaped eyes are alert and keen in expression, holding an intensity that is absolutely obvious. The nose is black, and the muzzle on the slightly long side of average in length. The tail curves up over the back and is rather bushy. This breed is very wolf-like in appearance and it is also extremely beautiful, having a rather regal bearing.

The coat of the Jamthund is medium length. The accepted colors of the Jamthund are wolf gray, with light gray or cream markings on the nose, cheeks, and throat. They are average to heavy shedders and their grooming is fairly easy, but must be maintained regularly. They need a thorough brushing a couple of times per week with a stiff brush to ensure that there is no matting, nothing stuck in the fur, and to remove loose hairs. This will also keep the coat looking shiny and healthy.

The Jamthund is a breed that will need a moderate amount of exercise in order to burn off the energy that they have. The high level of intelligence that the breed possesses means that they should have plenty of mental and physical stimulation to prevent boredom. If they are not kept busy enough, they will be prone to obsessive barking or destructiveness. When provided all that they need to thrive, the Jamthund is a wonderful companion, having a lively and friendly personality with a typically stable temperament. They are almost always good with children and can be fine with other pets as long as they are well-socialized, preferably early in their lives.

They are extremely loyal to their human owners, willing to protect the ones that they love at any cost. This, combined with their alert and intelligent minds, makes them ideal as watchdogs. Training should be consistent, with the human establishing his or her position as "pack leader" from the start. If you are firm, stable, and calm, the dog will respond well to training and learn quickly, especially regarding the natural hunting instincts that they have, but also regarding their position and the expectations of them in the family.

source: http://www.dogsindepth.com/spi tz_dog_breeds/swedish_elkhound .html

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