[trumpetjock]

[ChrissyBz]

Awww, what a sweetie. OT I know, but, how's he doing these days?

[trumpetjock]

Originally Posted by ChrissyBz

Awww, what a sweetie. OT I know, but, how's he doing these days?

Doing wonderfully, I posted a full update on him in that thread about his UTI. Basically I had a vet that was totally screwing with my head and my wallet, when there was nothing wrong with him.

[chul3l3ies1126]

Sleepy puppy, so cute. Guera has a pink octopus and loves it just as much hehe.
Nessa

[LMH]

How are there personalities?

[trumpetjock]

Originally Posted by LMH

How are there personalities?

Not sure what you mean here, like how are Elkhound personalities?

[LMH]

Yes, how are Elkhounds temperment and so forth? Are they easy to train, do they like to snuggle or are they more independent?

[trumpetjock]

Independent would be a good word for them. Not quite as bad as siberians, but it's still there. Until recently, they weren't shown in conformation because of their independence. Basically, it can be summed up in the fact that they are extremely intelligent, very easy to train, BUT they will only do things that they see a reason for doing. Most don't see a reason to run around the ring and stand still while someone inspects their coat and measurements. To give you an example, this is my first time ever training a dog, and Rocky is only 12 weeks, but he knows sit, lay down, shake, spin, leave it, drop it and come with no problems, and is very close to having loose leash walking down.

As far as snuggling, I would say they do enjoy it, but the problem comes in the fact that they overheat very easily. If Rocky lays with me it'll only be for like 20 minutes til he wants back in his crate where it is significantly cooler. This will probably get better when he puts his summer coat on though.

They shed very little, and molt sort of like birds twice a year. During these periods they make up for the little bit they shed the rest of the year tenfold.

The one thing I could do without though, is the barking. They were bred to hunt moose with the vikings. The Viking would let the elkhound out in a moose filled area, and the dog would hunt on it's own for up to a few hours. Once it found a moose, it would bark at it, taunting and teasing it. Once it got the moose to chase it, the elkhound would lead it back to the hunter, or the hunter would follow the extremely loud barking.

They can hunt birds and moose, pull sleds, be therapy dogs, and just about anything else you throw at them. They are the decathletes of the dog world, but unfortunately, it's a world that favors specialism. They don't retrieve as well as a lab, or pull as well as a husky - but they can do it all.