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["Fred Enga, Astechman" <fenga AT astechman.com>]

Hi Bev et al,

No, I do not raise them unfortunately.

I totally agree with your comments and summary on your Elkhound.  Yes, they
are great companions as well as working dogs, and I have always enjoyed
their company.  My girls have frequently been towed around on the snow by
'Elkhound powered' kiddy sleds.

They are also very bright, if somewhat unconventional in their problem
solving.  When mine are in the house, they worked out that scratching doors
to go out was not efficient....so they scratch me instead....it gets quicker
responses.

They also can form alliances with cats.  When we got a bat in the house, the
standard team work was for the cat to climb up the furniture to where they
could swot down the bat to the Elkhound patiently sitting bellow to deal
with it.  Much more effective than a Fred with a tennis racket.

They are very good watch dogs.  No one gets near our place without us being
loudly warned, and door to door sales type folk do not even try.

They also tolerate children well and apart from their belief that they are
short hairy people, are very good with animals that they know.

I have also had Keeshonds, but Elkhounds are infinitely my favourite

Regards

Fred

-----Original Message-----
From: EarthNSky [mailto:erthnsky AT bellsouth.net] 
Sent: October-06-08 10:15 AM
To: fenga AT astechman.com; homestead AT lists.ibiblio.org
Subject: Re: [Homestead] Homestead Dog

I loved my Elkhound...He saved my life by taking snakebites meant for 
me.  They are awesome dogs, and Fred has them pegged as to their 
wandering tendency, especially when they are under year old. 
Historically they were indeed sent out to round up and bring/herd/drive 
moose to the hunter.  I lost my Hector to cancer, the tumor appearing at 
the exact location, ironically, as the snakebite years before.  He was 
the sweetest, the most maternal, male dog I have ever owned.  He would 
allow the goat kids to lay next to him, and any chicks, ducklings or 
baby rabbits were his charges.  He would keep them underneath him.  I 
think they would make great LGD's especially for poultry.  It is a 
travesty of justice that the AKC considers these dogs as hounds.  They 
are working dogs..  I suppose that goes with the other thread of 
ignorant people making decisions.. 
Elghund...Elg=Moose...Hund=Dog...Elghund became Elkhoud.
While they do have a great nose for hunting, I think they should be in 
the working class.  They will pull just like Malamutes, too.  I guess I 
am grossly biased on 'em, tho.
Do you raise them, Fred?
Bev


Fred Enga, Astechman wrote:
> Hello all,
> 
> Excuse me coming out from 'lurker mode' to join this thread.
> 
> I have had great success with Norwegian Elkhounds as working dogs, in
> Norway, Northern Ontario and in BC, Canada.  They are intensely protective
> of their 'owners' and their 'territory' and, if properly socialised,
really
> do become one of the family with a great temperament and very intelligent.
> 
> They are compact, but all muscle, and have one of the most commanding
barks
> you will ever come across, especially if anyone trespasses on 'their
> territory'.
> 
> The down side is that they are fiercely independent, and inclined to
exhibit
> their Viking genes by always looking to see what is on the other side of
the
> hill.  Training them to come when called is a challenge.
> 
> They will herd cattle, when persuaded that this is a required thing to do,
> but I do not trust them too near sheep as lamb is definitely very high on
> their menu of choice, although they will adopt 'your sheep' as part of the
> pack, and therefore to be protected.
> 
> Oh, one other thing.....don't be surprised if they track and herd back a
> moose for you to 'handle'.....it is what they were bred for.
> 
> Thanks for the time
> 
> Cheers
> 
> Fred Enga
> 
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"What Luck for Rulers that Men do not Think"             Adolf Hitler
erthnsky AT bellsouth.net