Sporting Dogs

The Norwegian Elkhound. Archaeological findings indicate that this stocky, powerful hunter of Scandinavia possibly existed in the Stone Age, and it is noted in the history of the breed that the Elkhound hunted bear for its Viking masters before the days when it was used to hunt European elk. A highly intelligent dog, the Norwegian Elkhound has been adapted to a variety of other uses, which include serving as a sled dog, a useful farm dog, and a guardian of the home and family. A member of the Spitz group, it is a striking-looking dog of medium size (19-20 inches), whose very dense, straight coat is grey in colour with the ends of the hairs tipped with black. Any marked deviation from the grey colouring is considered to be a disqualifying fault in the show ring. Body short and strong; tightly curled tail.

The Otterhound. As the pollution of British streams increased, fish died and the otters left, an environmental problem that drastically affected the Otterhound, whose job for centuries was to track the otter to its "home". This big, web-footed descendant of the bloodhound is a superb water dog with a mild and gentle disposition, but it is, apparently, too specialized to gain universal popularity. The dogs range from 22 to 27 inches. The dog's coat, crisp and water-repellent, is typically a sandy colour or grey with somewhat defined black-and-tan markings.