That the Norwegian Elkhound is an ancient breed is undisputed. Its ancestors date back as far as 6,000 years and possibly further when peat dogs known as “Torvmosehund” were used by Romani/Gypsies of Denmark to hunt small game. We know this because bones found preserved in peat bogs and at the famous Viste Cave at Jaeren in southwestern Norway were identified by Professor Brinchmann of the Bergen Museum as being of definite Elkhound type.

And yet it wasn’t until 1865 that a pedigree for any Elkhound existed, and it started with a dog named “Bamse.”

The Norsk Jeger og Fiskerforening (a Norwegian hunting and fishing club) held a benched dog show in 1877  which was entered by 124 hunting dogs including 15 “Bear and Moose Dogs.” There were no standards at that time, dogs were judged by hunting men on their ability to hunt. It wasn’t long after this show that a studbook was assembled and a breed standard created, and that standard was based on the qualities of Gamle Bamse Gram, an Elkhound owned by Consul Jens Gram of Ask, Ringeerike, a renowned hunters and sportsman. Bamse was considered to have all the qualities essential to his breed.

Although the standard had been formulated based on Bamse in the late 1870’s, it wasn’t until 1901 that a separate standard was considered for grey Elkhounds, and that wasn’t finalised for several years, but that’s the subject for another post. Suffice it to say that no pedigree for Elkhounds goes back further than Bamse. One could say that he led the way to recognition by both the Norwegian and Swedish Kennel Clubs.

Insert image found on Pinterest and happily credited upon receipt of information. Top image: Norwegian Elkhound Dog on Sand/Depositphotos