Norwegian Elkhound vs Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic - Breed Comparison

Norwegian Elkhound vs Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic - Breed ComparisonIstarski Ostrodlaki Gonic is originated from Croatia but Norwegian Elkhound is originated from Norway. Both Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic and Norwegian Elkhound are having almost same height. Both Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic and Norwegian Elkhound are having almost same weight. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic may live 3 years less than Norwegian Elkhound. Both Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic and Norwegian Elkhound has almost same litter size. Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic requires Low Maintenance. But Norwegian Elkhound requires Moderate Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Hound dog
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Croatia
Norway
Height Male:
43 - 60 cm
16 - 24 inches
45 - 55 cm
17 - 22 inches
Height Female:
43 - 60 cm
16 - 24 inches
45 - 55 cm
17 - 22 inches
Weight Male:
12 - 27 kg
26 - 60 pounds
18 - 25 kg
39 - 56 pounds
Weight Female:
12 - 27 kg
26 - 60 pounds
18 - 25 kg
39 - 56 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 12 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
6 - 12
5 - 10
Size:
Medium
Medium
Other Names:
Istrian wire-haired or short-haired scenthound
Norsk Elghund, Gray Norwegian Elkhound, Elk Dog, Norwegian Moose Dog
Colors Available:
White with orange markings
silver, white, Grey, cream
Coat:
Short and smooth or medium length and wiry
Short to medium length, dense
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate, Seasonal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low Maintenance
Moderate Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

istarski ostrodlaki gonicThe Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic, also referred to as the Istrian wire-haired or short-haired scenthound is a very ancient dog breed. Apparently the dog has been found in paintings that go way back to the early 1700s.

The dog can either have a short, smooth coat or a rough, wiry longer coat. He has always been popular with hunters, used for hunting rabbits and fox.

An interesting fact with this dog is the correlation between the Dalmatian dog and the Istrian short-haired hound. According to veterinary investigations, there are strong likenesses between the two breeds.

The truth is, the origin of the Istrian has been a matter of dispute for some time but in 2003 the Federation Cynologique Internationale recognized the breed as hailing from Croatia.

norwegian elkhoundThe Norwegian Elkhound is an ancient spitz-type dog breed hailing from Norway and with a history that goes back thousands of years.

These dogs have been used as hunting dogs and have been able to bring down game such as Elk, bears, wolves, badgers and reindeer. They have also been used to guard livestock.

The Norwegian Elkhound was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1913.

Description

istarski ostrodlaki gonic puppy - descriptionMedium in size, the Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic stands at roughly 43 to 60cm at the withers and weighs roughly 12 to 27kg. The chest of the dog is broad and deep, the skull slightly rounded while the muzzle is strong and rectangular shaped. The nose is dark brown or black.

The ears are floppy and are nearly always in the orange color while the tail is long and is carried low. The coat of the rough haired dog is of medium length. In fact the coat can either be short and smooth or longish and wiry with a woolly undercoat. The color of the coat is white with orange markings.

Temperament:

This breed of dog is sought after for his cheerful personality. He is loyal to his human family and is a social dog, loving to spend time around his family.

He is energetic, confident and strong-willed and this is why, as with most other dogs, he will benefit from training and socialization, as this makes him obedient and responsive to his owner. He is evenly tempered, being gentle and docile.

norwegian elkhound puppy - descriptionThe Norwegian Elkhound is a medium to large sized dog standing at roughly 45 to 55cm in height and weighing anything fro 18 to 25 kilogams.

People love this dog because of his beautiful wolf-like face and bright eyes. The head is broad and wedge-shaped, the eyes dark brown, the ears stand erect and the bush tail curls over the dog's back.

The double coat has different shades of gray and silver with cream and white shades on the undercoat.

He is a moderate shedder with some seasonal shedding.

Temperament:

The Norwegian Elkhound is a high energy dog who loves to be busy and he also makes a loving and loyal companion towards his human family. He tends to be a little bit reserved around strangers.

He is an independent dog so so its a good idea to have him trained and socialized so that he is always obedient. He is an intelligent dog so you won’t battle to teach him.

He gets on well with children in the home. He however, can be a little bit aggressive with other dogs, but not if he was brought up with them as a puppy. Adventurous and active, he just loves spending time outdoors. It's why he is best suited to life in the countryside as opposed to the city and also prefers cooler climates.

Characteristics

istarski ostrodlaki gonic dog - characteristicsThe Istrian Wire-haired Scenthound or Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic as he is also referred to is a strong, well built hound which is elegant in appearance.

He has a remarkably striking coat - bright white with orange markings. He has always been an excellent hunting dog, even to this day. This background hunting of his will require that he receives ongoing exercise as well as mental stimulation.

Treat this beautiful dog well - exercise him, groom him, feed him well and love him and you will be rewarded with the loyal and devoted friendship of an amazing dog.

norwegian elkhound dog - characteristicsYour Norwegian Elkhound makes an awesome pet. He is full of the joys of living and wants to be an active member of his human family.

He is active and always ready for some fun and games. He is also intelligent and will make an even better pet when he has been trained and socialized.

Those who have owned one of these beautiful dogs will always say how they adore this beautiful, smart, loving canine friend of theirs.

Health Problems

Dental Disease:

istarski ostrodlaki gonic puppies - health problemsThere are people who don’t take dental disease seriously in dogs as they think that it simply affects the teeth, when in fact dental disease can affect the dog’s entire body.

Dental- and gum disease is to be regarded with concern as it can be painful and even life threatening. It affects many dogs, and unfortunately your Istarski is also likely to have problems with his teeth. Tartar build-up and infection of the gums can lead to tooth loss but also damage to the kidneys, heart and joints.

Dogs need to have their teeth attended to regularly and if this is something new to you, speak to your vet and find out about special canine toothpaste and toothbrush and how to use them.

Infections:

Dogs can be susceptible to bacterial and viral infections such as rabies, distemper and parvo, and that is why visits to your vet are so important. These life-threatening diseases for your Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic are preventable through vaccinations.

norwegian elkhound puppies - health problemsYour beautiful Norwegian Elkhound can reach 15 years of age if you look after him well and he manages to avoid some of the common dog diseases there are.

There are some dog illnesses that are good to be aware of -

Glaucoma:

This is an eye condition where there is pressure that builds up in the eye. There is a problem with the drainage of fluid in the eye and this is what causes the pressure and there can be damage to the optic nerve.

Pyotraumatic Dermatitis:

This is a skin condition that causes inflammation and is often seen in dogs like the Norwegian Elkhound who have thick coats.

Hip Dysplasia:

A common disease seen in many dog breeds, young and old, and which is a malfunction of the hip joints, causing problems with your dog’s mobility.

Caring The Pet

istarski ostrodlaki gonic dogs - caringTaking care of an Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic dog is much like caring for a child – doing everything you can to keep him healthy and happy, after all, he is a member of your family.

You want to be watching his diet and making sure that it is the best quality there is, full of vitamins and minerals to keep his eyes bright, his nose wet and his tail wagging.

There are excellent commercially manufactured dog foods on the market today and the best ones ensure excellent nutrition for your dog to keep him in optimal condition through each stage that he goes through. Try to include some home-made food into this kibble such as cooked chicken, brown rice and vegetables and it can be to his benefit to just to include some raw meat from time to time.

Make sure your Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonic is well exercised, that you check his teeth and ears to ensure there are no infections and to call the vet immediately you suspect something is wrong. Make sure you have him examined as a puppy and that he gets his necessary injections as there are diseases that can kill your dog.

norwegian elkhound dogs - caringAs a spitz type dog, the Norwegian Elkhound is an energetic dog who will need lots of physical activity.

He has a very thick coat so make sure he doesn’t overheat during exercise as he has been used to living in wintry climates.

Brush and Check for Ticks:

Your pet will shed some of that thick hair so he will need to be brushed at least twice a week to keep the coat in tip top condition. At the same time check him over for ticks and fleas. How often you see ticks on your dog will depend on where you live. These parasites attach to your dog and feed on his blood.They are capable of causing many diseases in your pet, one of which is Lyme disease, a disease which can lead to arthritis and swelling with your dog’s joints.

The best way to prevent any disease from weakening your pet is to get him to the vet as soon as possible. A good way to prevent ticks is to speak to your vet about tick control products.

Diet:

Make sure he has the best food to ensure health and happiness. Keep his meals simple – no exotic, spicy foods that can upset his stomach.

A high quality kibble brand for energetic dogs is a wise choice and some tasty home-made food added in occasionally. This can be boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables. Never leave him without a constant supply of fresh, cool water.

Comparison with other breeds

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  27. Norwegian Elkhound vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Norwegian Elkhound vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Norwegian Elkhound vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Norwegian Elkhound vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Norwegian Elkhound vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Norwegian Elkhound vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Norwegian Elkhound vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Norwegian Elkhound vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Norwegian Elkhound vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Norwegian Elkhound vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Norwegian Elkhound vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Norwegian Elkhound vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Norwegian Elkhound vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Norwegian Elkhound vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Norwegian Elkhound vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Norwegian Elkhound vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Norwegian Elkhound vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Norwegian Elkhound vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Norwegian Elkhound vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Norwegian Elkhound vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Norwegian Elkhound vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Norwegian Elkhound vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Norwegian Elkhound vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Norwegian Elkhound vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison