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What’s an Arctic dog doing in Florida?  Looking for the perfect home, of course! Bain is a one and a half year old Norwegian Elkhound/Shiba Inu mix, smart as a whip and ready to play. How smart is he? He knows several commands including sit, stay and belly crawl.  Not impressed yet? He can open a simple gate latch without a locking mechanism on it!  Yeah, that’s smart!  Sure, he can take a cat nap with the best of them, but he would much rather play.  Bain does REALLY well with children.  He thinks kids were made for licking so no worries there.  Big dogs? No problem! Even though he is just 40 pounds, Bain has no problem romping round with the big guys.  Bain has lived with cats and does very well with them as well.  He loves to go in the car, so it’s a good thing he is such a perfect size.  He is a sensitive dog whose feelings are easily hurt. He responds well to a strong “No!” with your hand raised as if you’re going to swat his nose; no need to do it – he understands and wants to please. He loves to show love and attention.  He reads body language very well and feels appropriately protective of his people, especially if someone is crying.  Bain is still a puppy at heart, with all the love and energy that go with it.  All he asks for in life is a chew toy and a family to love.  I think we can do that, don’t you?

According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, the Norwegian Elkhound is fearless and friendly, with a life expectancy of 12-15 years. Although some may be somewhat reserved with strangers, it will greet family and friends it knows with enthusiasm. They are reliable, energetic and alert companions for children and make sensible guard dogs. It is clean and docile with an outstanding character. They are affectionate and loyal, engaging and sensitive. Like other Arctic dogs, the Norwegian Elkhound has a mind of its own and is fairly independent. It may be somewhat resistant to obedience training. It is important to be firm with this dog, showing good pack leadership. Puppies need firm but gentle discipline. Be fair when training this breed, and understand it is a canine, not a human and treat the dog accordingly. They have been bred to hold prey at bay, barking constantly until the hunter arrives. Some Norwegian Elkhounds bark a great deal and must be taught enough is enough after they alert you once, it's time to quiet down. They also have a tendency to roam. It is best to pair sled dogs in teams of one male and one female, as males have a tendency to fight if harnessed together if they are not 100% sure of their follower place in the world. They may also be aggressive with same sex dogs in the household, if owners are not showing strong pack leadership skills with the dog, but this tends to be the exception rather then the rule. Some sources say Elkhounds are usually good with non-canine pets, others say they shouldn't be trusted so use caution. Without enough mental and or physical exercise they can become high strung. Be sure to make the dog heel when on a walk beside or behind you, never in front, to reinforce the human is alpha over the dog. (Pack leader goes first) The Norwegian Elkhound is a very energetic dog that thrives on strenuous activity. They need to be taken on a daily, long, brisk walk or jog. It should have at least an hour of exercise a day. It will enjoy a running beside your bike or a really good run in the woods, but remember that these dogs like to roam. If it picks up an interesting scent, it may ignore you when you call it. The hard, coarse, weatherproof coat is easy to groom. It should be brushed regularly, with extra care given while the dog is shedding its dense undercoat. When the dog is shedding, the dead hair clings to the new hair. The dead hair should be removed with a rubber brush or a wooden comb with a double row of metal teeth. Brushes and combs just for this purpose are sold in pet stores. Bathe only when necessary, as it removes the natural oils in the skin. Like other Arctic dogs, they do not have the usual smell of dog hair. The coat is both water and dirt resistant. This breed is a seasonally heavy shedder. One of the most ancient breeds, it is thousands of years old. These dogs have been by man's side since the time he hunted with slingshots. A skeleton similar to today's Norwegian Elkhound has been found dating from 4000 to 5000 BC. Historically, the dog was used in Scandinavia as a hunter of big game, especially moose ("Elg" in Norwegian) and elk. The dog can scent game from a distance of several Kilometers. He tracks the quarry and attracts its attention by barking. Then he holds the animal at bay until the hunter arrives to make the kill. Over the centuries, Elkhounds have also successfully hunted badger, lynx, mountain lion, bear, wolf, reindeer, elk and even rabbit. The Elkhounds is particularly well-suited to badger hunting since he works better at night than in the daytime. It is also highly prized as a sled dog. In case of war, the Norwegian Defense Minister has the power to mobilize all privately owned Elkhounds. In more recent times, the friendly and reliable character of the Elkhound has helped win him a place in many homes as a cherished family pet. The breed was first exhibited in 1877 when the Norwegian Hunters Association began holding shows. In 1923, the Elkhound Club was formed and the breed was officially recognized by the British Kennel Club. The Norwegian Elkhound Association of America was recognized by the AKC in about 1930. Some of the Elkhound's talents include: hunting, tracking, herding, watchdogging, guarding, sledding, and agility.

Good with Dogs, Good with Cats, Good with Kids