Norwegian Elkhound Puppies: Adopt or Buy?

Should you adopt or buy a Norwegian Elkhound?

It depends on whether it has to be a puppy. If you want an eight-week-old Elkhound from health-checked parents, or one for showing, tracking or obedience, a Dogs Australia registered breeder is the realistic route. If what you want is the dog (the bold, friendly nature, the nose, the watchfulness), an adult Elkhound or Elkhound cross from rescue comes with a known energy level and known habits, which matters in a breed the Dogs Australia breed page calls a vigilant watchdog.

Rescue is not right for everyone, and buying from a good breeder is a reasonable choice. Our guide to adopting a dog in Australia covers the rescue process step by step.

Reference only, not quotes. The RSPCA NSW fee was read on 13 November 2026. Breeders and rescues set their own prices and change them, so check with them.

Is the Norwegian Elkhound a Dogs Australia breed?

Yes. The Dogs Australia breed listing we read on 13 November 2026 places the Norwegian Elkhound in Group 4, the Hounds. That surprises people who expect it among the spitz breeds. The Dogs Australia breed page explains: “Although its roots lie in Spitz-type breeds (as its appearance demonstrates), it is categorised as a Hound due to its superior hunting ability and is well known for its endurance and agility.”

Because it is a recognised breed, a breeder who is a member of a Dogs Australia state body can register Elkhound litters and issue certified pedigree papers. Dogs Australia says it issues two types of registration, the Main Register and the Limited Register, and that “All other registries such as the MDBA, ABR, Australian Canine registry, ICBS etc are NOT affiliated with Dogs Australia and CANNOT issue Certified Pedigrees.” If you doubt a breeder is registered, it says to contact your state office to confirm.

What is a Norwegian Elkhound like?

A sturdy, confident hunting dog in a compact grey package. The Dogs Australia breed standard (last updated 23 January 2015) calls it “A hardy hunting Spitz with a bold energetic disposition” and sets the temperament as “Friendly, intelligent and independent without any sign of nervousness.”

Source: Dogs Australia Norwegian Elkhound breed standard, read 13 November 2026.

The Dogs Australia breed page says the breed was bred “predominantly to hunt big game such as the elk and to survive harsh conditions of deep snow and dense forest”, and that it is “a friendly and playful breed that is also naturally independent and extremely intelligent. It would make an ideal family companion provided it is well exercised and disciplined.” It adds that the Elkhound “would also make for a vigilant watchdog”. Dogs Victoria says it gets on well with other dogs, that training should be firm and consistent, and that it can get bored without some interactive activity.

If you live close to neighbours, ask a breeder or rescue how much the dog barks, and read our guide to barking dogs in Australia before you commit.

How much exercise and grooming does an Elkhound need?

Daily exercise and twice-weekly brushing, more in the shedding season. The Dogs Australia breed page says: “Built to hunt all day, the Elkhound needs daily exercise to keep healthy and happy. Taking it for a long walk or varied play session will ensure it doesn't get bored or, worse still, destructive.” The Royal Kennel Club in the UK rates the breed at “Up to 1 hour per day” of exercise and lists a large garden.

On coat, the Dogs Australia breed page says brushing twice a week normally and then daily during the shedding season should be enough, and Dogs Victoria says the coat “sheds quite profusely twice a year.” The standard says the coat is not trimmed, so plan on brushing, not clipping.

The breed was developed for deep snow and dense forest, with a dense, woolly undercoat, so in an Australian summer move walks to the cool of early morning or evening and give shade and water. Our dogs in hot weather guide lists the heatstroke signs; any of them means calling or going to your nearest vet now. The dog exercise calculator shows Kennel Club breed ratings side by side.

Which health tests should an Elkhound breeder show you?

Hips and eyes first, then DNA. The Dogs Australia breed page says: “Probably the most common problem is hip displaysia (HD). Hip scoring is voluntary but may give indication of whether the condition is likely to develop. Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) has been seen in the Norwegian Elkhound as has Fanconi syndrome, however neither have surfaced in the breed in Australia.” The Royal Kennel Club in the UK and the US OFA CHIC program (set with the US parent club) each set out the tests they want breeders to complete. Both are overseas lists; no Australian body publishes a test list for the breed that we found.

Sources: Dogs Australia breed page, the Royal Kennel Club breed health section (United Kingdom) and the OFA CHIC requirements for the Norwegian Elkhound (United States), all read 13 November 2026. The OFA list also names elbow, thyroid and kneecap checks as optional. This is a buying checklist, not veterinary advice.

A careful breeder will explain which of these it does and why, and show you the paperwork. A seller who says the parents are “clear of everything” but cannot name the tests is not giving you the same assurance.

How much is a Norwegian Elkhound puppy from a registered breeder?

There is no published figure we can quote. Our breed price surveys use only the prices that breeders who are members of a Dogs Australia state body publish on their own websites, and only where the page shows the price is current in 2026. In November 2026 we looked for the own websites of Elkhound breeders and found none that published a current puppy price, and we found no guide price from Dogs Australia or a state body. Prices for Elkhound puppies do appear on listing and marketplace sites, which we leave out because we cannot check who is selling or when the price was set.

Reference only, not quotes. These are the fees RSPCA NSW published on the date shown; fees change and other rescues set their own, so check with the rescue. RSPCA NSW says its fees help ensure pets are desexed, microchipped, vaccinated and health-checked.

When you ask a breeder for a price, get it in writing and compare what it includes: both parents' health results, vaccination and microchip, Main or Limited Register, desexing terms, and whether the breeder will take the dog back if it does not work out. The dog cost calculator gives a first-year budget beyond the purchase.

What about a Norwegian Elkhound from rescue?

Our Norwegian Elkhound breed page shows the Elkhounds and Elkhound crosses listed by the rescues, shelters and council pounds we aggregate. Numbers change daily, so check the live listings and set an alert: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide.

With an independent, vocal breed, the rescue's notes are worth reading closely. Ask how the dog is left alone, how much it barks, how it is with other dogs, cats and children, and how it handles fences. A rescue has watched the adult dog; a puppy buyer is guessing. If no Elkhound suits, the family dogs listed in your city are worth a look: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide.

How do Elkhound puppy scams work?

The Queensland Government's puppy farm page says puppy sale scams are on the rise and lists low prices for popular or pedigree breeds, being asked for payment before you have met the puppy, a breeder who cannot give a valid breeder identification number (BIN), and a seller who only communicates by email or text. Scamwatch says scammers set up fake websites and fake social media and marketplace profiles to sell pets that do not exist, and advises viewing the pet in person or by video call, checking the breeder is legitimate and accredited, and comparing prices, because a very cheap pet is likely a scam.

• A membership number you cannot check. Ask for the breeder's Dogs Australia state body membership number and check it with the state body yourself.
• No breeder number. Where your state requires one in ads, look it up on the official register, not through a link the seller sends.
• “Health tested” with no papers. A registered breeder can show hip scores, eye certificates and named DNA results.
• A colour sold as rare. The Dogs Australia standard describes grey of various shades and says any pronounced variation from the grey colour is undesirable. Be wary of a premium for an unusual colour.

Our guide to puppies for sale in Australia has the state-by-state table of breeder numbers, how to check each one, and what to do if you have already paid.

When is a registered breeder the better choice?

A registered breeder makes sense if you want a puppy from health-tested parents with a known family history, if you want to show or trial your dog, or if you have watched the rescue listings for months and no adult has suited your home. Before any deposit, check:

1. Registration. The breeder's membership number with your Dogs Australia state body, and your state's breeder number on the official register.
2. Health results for both parents: hips, eyes and DNA.
3. The mother, in person, and where the puppies are raised.
4. Questions about you. A careful breeder asks about your fencing, time at home and neighbours.
5. A written contract covering register type, desexing, health problems and whether the breeder will take the dog back.

Is a Norwegian Elkhound the right dog for you?

It suits an active home that enjoys a dog with opinions. Be honest about four things: daily exercise, a lot of hair twice a year, a vigilant watchdog, and an independent mind that needs firm, consistent training. Dogs Victoria says the Elkhound will suit individuals and families who enjoy an active lifestyle, and that children and dogs should always be supervised together.

Not sure? Try the what dog breed is right for me quiz and the adoption readiness check, and compare other spitz and northern breeds in our Keeshond, Samoyed, Shiba Inu, Siberian Husky and Alaskan Klee Kai guides. Our medium-sized dog breeds guide compares the Elkhound with other dogs its size.

Find a Norwegian Elkhound near you

Elkhounds and Elkhound crosses listed by rescues, by city:

• Norwegian Elkhounds for adoption in Sydney
• Norwegian Elkhounds for adoption in Melbourne
• Norwegian Elkhounds for adoption in Brisbane
• Norwegian Elkhounds for adoption in Perth
• Norwegian Elkhounds for adoption in Adelaide