02.07.11
Norwegian Elkhounds – Bigger is not Better, and Smaller is not Super
NORWEGIAN ELKHOUNDS – BIGGER IS NOT BETTER: ARE WE CREATING AN “AMERICAN” ELKHOUND?
Blogged by Amy Peterson
In a recent article in Sight & Scent magazine, a Norwegian Elkhound breeder wrote that our breed is at a crossroads.
INDEED IT IS. The assumptions and thinly-veiled accusations in that article were set forth solely to influence judges, and do not accurately describe the state of the Elkhound in America today.
The Elkhound is, according to all standards including those in the United States, Norway, the UK, Australian, and New Zealand, a hardy gray hunting dog. In appearance, a typical northern dog of medium size and substance, square in profile, close coupled and balanced in proportions.
As far as type, there is only one type – the Elkhound type. There should NOT be a difference between “show” dogs and “hunting” dogs. Norway, the country of origin of our noble breed, ensures that there is not a distinction between “field type” and “show type” by requiring that to get a show Championship, a dog must qualify at a hunting trial in addition to receiving a first grade at an “exterior” (conformation) show. Further, dogs are wicketed in Norway – they must fall within the breed standard for height.
Height for bitches is 19.5 inches and for dogs, 20.5 inches. Bone should be substantial but not coarse. Angulation should be balanced and moderate. When perpendicular to the ground, the hocks should be in a straight line with the rump. Head should be broad and wedge-shaped with relatively small ears.
Accurate assessment of structure while moving can only be made while the Elkhound is moving at a reasonable gait. Speed is not of the essence at the trot. The dog that least attracts your attention while moving in the ring is most likely the one that is moving better than the rest – that is, it is not flapping, pounding, racing, or prancing. The Elkhound should single-track and give the impression of an effortless gait.
Many of the dogs in the United States stray far from the breed standard. These dogs come in all types, from the too-small, too-fragile dog to the overdone, overcoarse dog. However, in the United States, it seems that, with all things, bigger must be better. We are approaching the point at which a 20.5 inch dog looks out of place amongst the 22 and 23 inch dogs that are being rewarded in the ring. BOTH the undersized dog AND the oversized dog should be penalized. Flashy movement should not be rewarded over correct, effortless movement. Rears should not cross, nor should they be cowhocked; both result in inefficient movement that would cause the dog to tire quickly during a hunt. Fronts should not be pinched, nor should the chest be so wide that the front legs cannot converge at a trot.
To only lightly broach the subject of ears and tails – ears are – and have been – a problem in that they are too large, and many either are too low-set, causing a muley appearance, or stand too high, with their tips facing the center. Tails are becoming far too loose, sometimes not even curling over the back.
The Elkhound was bred to hunt moose. Hunt them, not bring them down. The Elkhound need not be large and powerful to do his job. Rather, he should be athletic in type. All standards refer to the athleticism of the breed. He must not be too low on leg since in his function he must maneuver rough terrain. On the other hand, the Elkhound should not be too slight or small, as a slighter dog risks injury at the hunt.
The temperament of the Elkhound is described as bold and energetic with great dignity and independence of character. Many times dogs are rewarded for what amounts to misbehavior in the ring. A well-trained Elkhound can and should stand still for examination. Leaping and spinning and other antics may be eye-catching but the elkhound should be a dignified dog. Further, any dog being brought to the show ring – and therefore considered as breeding stock – should have a temperament such that it does not present a danger to other dogs or people. The Elkhound temperament should NOT be one in which a dog cannot stand politely at ringside without growling at other dogs and people.
At a crossroads? Yes. The Norwegians go to great lengths to ensure that the breed does not diverge into the “show” dogs and the “hunting” dogs. We in the United States simply must make the commitment to breed to the standard that has for centuries produced dogs capable of performing the work for which they were bred.
Some of the presumptions and/or thinly veiled accusations appearing in Mrs. Rhoden’s article last month were decidedly disconcerting and further divisive to a parent club already suffering from bitter emotions.
One would hope that judges and exhibitors alike can understand that the Elkhound is still primarily an owner-handled breed – even at the Breed and Group level. I hope this never changes. However, many owner-handlers work full-time jobs and are unable to attend every single day of a cluster – I’m certain my employer would not continue to employ me if I were absent from work 2 or more days every week. Therefore, many of us are not able to make the commitment to attending shows that professional handlers are able to make. Could we hire a handler? Possibly; however, for some that option is financially prohibitive, and for others – and I hope this never changes – we simply enjoy owner-handling our dogs.
The economy has further impacted the ability of owner-handlers to enter their dogs in shows. Entry fees, gas prices, and motel rooms cost more than they ever have. We don’t have clients to whom to pass these increasing expenses, and we must make judgment calls regarding what shows we are realistically able to attend.
Along those lines, the references to “specialty specialists” can also be construed as further dividing our already divided parent club membership. Many owner/handlers DO prefer specialties simply because we know that there will be points available, and we do feel that a win at a specialty is – well – special! One would hope that judges from our breed’s country of origin would have an in-depth knowledge of the breed!
The “circle of friends” mentality exists on so many levels and NOT just a few breeders. And quite frankly, after hearing the way some of our members speak to and treat other members, I cannot blame them. It would be in the breed’s best interests if our members could set their differences aside, rather than continuing to dwell on them and veil accusations under the guise of an article. It would be best for our dogs if we could look at our dogs and determine which dog and bitch should be bred, rather than who owns them.
As far as breed type vs hunting type…there should be no difference. In Norway, the dogs must complete both a hunting and a show championship before becoming Norwegian champions. The dog must be – well – athletic. A coarse, overdone dog lacks the agility to dodge the hooves of the moose. A small, frail dog risks injury in the field. There’s only one type of Elkhound – and that is the Elkhound as the Norwegians have bred them for centuries.
Overgrooming – well this is a problem, however there are some of the top Elkhounds whose coats/faces/tails/undersides have been altered/overgroomed. The win-at-all-costs mentality has indeed taken over – but at all levels. Tails and rumps have been trimmed to cover a poor tail. Mascara lines are being drawn in. Bellies are being overtrimmed to make a shorter leg look longer. I do hope breeders will stop for a moment and realize that no matter how good this might look in the ring, these artificial enhancements sure won’t show up in the offspring. Established breeders need to remember that newer breeders look to them for acceptability…
It’s great to wish for another print forum for the Elkhound. It’s also a huge, time-consuming, and often thankless responsibility. Contributions to the current NEAA newsletter might fill this void and bring everyone to the same page, so to speak.
All in all, what our breed seems to need is just two things:
The ability to communicate and get along with each other
The ability to breed our dogs to the standard.
