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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+2
Dogs
# The Swedish Elkhound: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Sweden
A large Swedish Spitz, courageous, calm and hardy, historically selected for moose hunting.
Size LargeLife expectancy 12–14 yearsBudget ≈ €140/monthPuppy €900 – €1,100
[Find a breeder 6](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-swedish-elkhound) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=swedish-elkhound)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Good
Daily exercise needs Very high
Apartment living Limited
First-time owners Fair
Other pets Good
Tolerance of being alone Good
Guarding instinct Good
Strengths and weaknesses
- Robust: Its solid build and double coat protect it well from the cold and bad weather.
- Enduring: It has the energy and stamina needed for long outdoor activities.
- Calm and courageous: It combines great composure with real bravery.
- Good guard dog: Its attentiveness and wariness toward strangers support its guarding abilities.
- High activity needs: One to two long outings per day are necessary for its balance.
- Strong hunting instinct: Recall and off-leash outings require rigorous training.
- Heavy shedding: Brushing must become daily in spring and autumn.
- Not well suited to heat: Its thick coat requires precautions when temperatures rise.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Active owners: He readily accompanies a daily life rich in long outings and outdoor activities.
- House with a large fenced garden: The secure space meets his need for movement without replacing walks.
- Experienced owners: His independence and hunting instinct require consistency, patience and mastery of positive reinforcement.
Not recommended for
- Apartment living: Its need for space and activity makes this living environment unsuitable.
- Inactive people: A sedentary daily routine does not allow it to meet its physical needs.
- Owners seeking immediate obedience: Its independent temperament requires regular and patient training.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
59 cmSwedish Elkhound
- Height at the withers
- 52–65 cm
- Weight
- 25–30 kg
- Coat
- Medium-length, double and dense
- FCI group
- 5
- Origin
- Sweden
- Grooming
- Moderate grooming needs
## Photos and videos
See the Swedish Elkhound in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
Despite its long history, the Swedish Elkhound breed was only recognized in the aftermath of the Second World War. Originating from northern Sweden, it had to be distinguished from the Norwegian Elkhound, some having once considered that it was one and the same breed. Besides the moose, this dog was traditionally used for hunting bear and lynx.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Swedish Elkhound is a large Spitz-type hunting dog, strong, solid and agile, able to fit into a rectangle without an impression of heaviness. Its body, slightly longer than tall, shows a straight topline and slightly sloping between the withers and the croup, a broad loin, a broad and very slightly sloping croup, a well let-down chest, well-sprung ribs and a slightly tucked-up belly. Its rather long head is broad between the ears, with a slightly domed skull, a distinct but moderate stop, a broad nose, a straight and broad bridge of the nose, a muzzle that tapers gradually, close-fitting lips, scissor jaws and clean cheeks. The ears are erect, pointed and set high. The oval, brown eyes express both alertness and calm. The tail, of medium length and even thickness, is set high, bushy without fringes and curled over or against the back. The coat lies close without being flat, shorter on the head and the front of the limbs, longer on the neck, the forechest, the thighs, the back of the limbs and on the tail; the topcoat is accompanied by a short, soft and light undercoat. The coat combines light grey and dark grey, with cream or light grey markings on the sides of the muzzle, the cheeks, the throat, the chest, the belly and under the tail.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Courageous, very energetic and endowed with great endurance, the Swedish Elkhound is also extremely calm and unflappable. Attentive and wary of strangers, it has good guarding abilities. Its hunting instinct is very pronounced and its temperament includes a degree of independence.
Playful
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
This active dog needs to get a lot of exercise on a daily basis. One to two long outings per day allow him to move freely and express his energy. He can be playful, maintains generally good relations with children and other animals when he is well socialized, but remains not very welcoming toward strangers. Despite his calmness at home, he is not suited to apartment living and thrives more in a house with a large fenced garden.
Training
## Training and socialization
His training must combine firmness and gentleness. Positive reinforcement, consistency and quality socialization give better results than brutality, which must be totally excluded. As his obedience is not spontaneous and his hunting instinct is pronounced, recall and remote control require regular work.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Swedish Elkhound
The purchase price varies notably depending on the breeder, the line, the pedigree and the health guarantees. The annual maintenance budget indicated by the source is between 600 and 800 euros.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/swedish-elkhound/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
The Swedish Elkhound has a solid constitution and good overall health when it receives appropriate care. Its thick double coat protects it effectively from cold and bad weather. Orthopedic and ophthalmological monitoring remains recommended.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/swedish-elkhound/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
Its diet must be of good quality and provide the nutrients and vitamins necessary for its health. It must be adapted to its size, its age and its level of physical activity.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/swedish-elkhound/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The breed is also known under the names Jämthund, Major Grey Elkhound and Swedish Elkhound. It bears the number 42 of the FCI, within group 5 of Spitz-type and primitive-type dogs, and its recognition dates from 1954. It is recognized by the FCI and the UKC.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Swedish Elkhound
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Can the Swedish Elkhound live in an apartment?
No, this energetic breed needs space and long daily outings. A house with a large fenced garden better suits its needs.
### Is the Swedish Elkhound suitable for a first-time owner?
It is rather intended for an active and experienced owner, capable of providing firm, gentle and consistent training as well as quality socialization.
### What grooming does its coat require?
Brushing twice a week is generally sufficient outside of shedding. In spring and autumn, hair loss can be significant and daily brushing is recommended.
## Find a Swedish Elkhound breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Swedish Elkhound breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
### Swedish Elkhound breeders by country
[6 breeders of Swedish Elkhound in Finland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-swedish-elkhound/finland)
[All breeders of Swedish Elkhound in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-swedish-elkhound)
## Ready to welcome a Swedish Elkhound?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-swedish-elkhound)
## Discover other breeds
[Norwegian Elkhound
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/norwegian-elkhound)
[Norwegian Elkhound, Black
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/norwegian-elkhound-black)
[Finnish Hound
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/finnish-hound)
[Norwegian Hound
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/norwegian-hound)
[Swedish Lapphund
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/swedish-lapphund)
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