Rich in folklore is the saga of the Norwegian Elghund. In Denmark's flat woods, where the Veidefolket (gypsy people) hunted and roamed, the Torvmosehund (swamp dog) was found. It is generally believed that he was the forerunner of our Northern breeds, including the Norwegian Elghund. After the time of the Veidefolket came the Viking period, when the norsemen sailed the open sea, and the dog was the steady companion of the hardy man. In battle on land or sea, the dog was an honored member of the crew. Should the commander be wounded in battle, he would be carried on board his Viking ship. His dog, dead of course, would accompany him as the burning ship set full sail on a straight course far out to sea to Odin's and Thor's kingdom, the Valhalla, home to all brave and courageous Vikings. No leader would be welcome to Valhalla if he came with scant earthly possessions. Odin is quoted as saying that they should come to Valhalla with the same amount of wealth as they had on the pyre. Thus they have become known as the Viking Dog. They are used in Norway to hunt moose.

"An Elghund's Humble Request"

My saga in the US goes back more than five decades, from a slow start with a few secluded breeders and owners who cherished my outstanding qualitities to the rank I enjoy today - 35th in popularity (1975) of all breeds registered by the AKC. This is where I like to be, not too high up on the scale, and not too far down.
Above all else, I resent the stupid translation of my name that has unfortunately been imposed upon me from my beginnings in this land. They call me an ELKHOUND. I am not a hound. I don't look like a hound; I don't hunt like a hound; and I don't run like a hound.
I am smart, and for hunting, I am second to none. But I am a big game hunter, and my breed in the Scandinavian countries helps to harvest over 40,000 Elg every fall. (Note that I hunt Elg, not Elk. Elg translates in English to Moose.)
In other dog shows in Scandinavia, I am a member of Group I, the Northern Breeds (Spisshunder). This Group consists of Alaskan Malamutes, Siberian Huskies, Finnish Spitz, Greenlanders, Samoyeds, and many more. Although the countries of Northern Europe are not big and impressive, they have created in the Spisshunder a simple, true and healthy strain of dogs that make a beautiful sight in any show.
They belong together. Perhaps someday the AKC Club will recognize the injustice that has been done through the years in not recognizing these breeds as a Group to themselves. The members of the strain are scattered, lost and strangers in the regular Groups.
For the judges, putting these dogs as a Group would certainly make strong sense, and make deciding among them more equitable. For the breeders and owners, it would be a grand homecoming-a family reunion. It is something for the leaders and protectors of purebred dogs in the US to think about."

A LEGEND

One of the most interesting legends is the story of Tore Ullin and his Elghund, Bram. It all started at a midsummer dance on Myrvold Mountain, where young and old came to dance, play, and drink for two days. From Kvernbro Valley came Kransen, a raw-boned fighter. Tore, from the neighboring valley, was a handsome friendly young man. In a fight the second day Tore killed Kransen and from that time on he was a hunted man.
Tore sped northward at night, alone except for Bram. They came to a beautiful valley, where they lived in a hole in the mountain for many years. In the deep snow and the frost, Bram's tail became filled with ice and snow, and he dragged it after him like a broom. Then Tore the hunted, took Bram's tail, curled it on the dog's back and tied it with a leather thong. From that time on, according to the story, the Elghund has a curly tail.

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Just when the Elghund first came to America is not definitely known, but the earliest record of the breed in this country apparently is the registration of three Elghunds in the 1913 American Kennel Club Stud Book. The late President Herbert Hoover was presented with a dog by the people of Norway as an expression of appreciation for what he had done for them in their World War I time of need.

Excerpts from "The New Complete Norwegian Elkhound" by Olav Wallo

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