MyDogBreeds
Black Norwegian Elkhound is originated from Norway but Bavarian Mountain Hound is originated from Germany. Both Black Norwegian Elkhound and Bavarian Mountain Hound are having almost same height. Both Black Norwegian Elkhound and Bavarian Mountain Hound are having almost same weight. Both Black Norwegian Elkhound and Bavarian Mountain Hound has almost same life span. Black Norwegian Elkhound may have less litter size than Bavarian Mountain Hound. Black Norwegian Elkhound requires Low maintenance. But Bavarian Mountain Hound requires Moderate maintenance
The Black Norwegian Elkhound was first bred in Norway in the early part of the 19th century as a smaller version of the Grey Norwegian Elkhound. The Black version is a Spitz and is very seldom seen anywhere in world but Norway. He is designed for the same job that the Grey Norwegian Elkhound performed. The difference is that the Black Norwegian is smaller, easier to see in the snow and ice of Norway and smaller than the Grey. It is a hunter, a herder, a guard dog and a watch dog. Because of the temperatures in Norway it was very important to have a hunting dog that was able to deal with the cold, the snow and the heavy fall rains in Norway and Scandinavia. The Black Norwegian Elkhound is a powerful and prideful dog. Much more so than the grey, he is independent and strongminded. It is highly intelligent and is one of the most ancient of breeds. He is more durable and more quarrelsome than his cousin the Grey Norwegian Elkhound or the more familiar Swedish Elkhound.
Ancestors of the Black date back to the first days human kind went hunting around 4000-5000BC. There have been skeletons of dogs very much like the Black Norwegian Elkhound found that dated back to that time period. They hunted and guarded for the Vikings and pulled sleds as well. They hunted deer, moose, badger, elk, mountain lions, bears, wolves, lynx, rabbit and reindeer. They are trackers who hold their quarry at bay by barking until the hunter can find them. Today they serve as loved family pets and guard dogs. In a National Emergency the leader of Norway can call up all the privately-owned elkhounds of any kind and assign them to work in a variety of sledding duties. Within the FCI, the Black Norwegian Elkhound is classified as a primitive Nordic hunting dog.
The Bavarian Mountain Hound was originally bred mixing the Bavarian Hound and the Hanover Hound. They decided to mix these breeds in a hope that the new breed will have the best of the parents. Actually, it turned out better than they could even imagine, since they created a great family dog, with magnificent stamina, quiet temperament and supersensitive nose that made them great hunters.
The Black Norwegian Elkhound is a short compact Spitz with dark eyes and a curly tail. It is the coat that sets this dog apart. It is an all-weather coat suitable for the cold, the snow and the rain of Norway. Ears are pointed and erect while the head is wedged and broad. His head is almost like that of a wolf. Its body is strong and compact. Its coat is coarse, short and double. He has a broad black nose with a straight bridge and with black lips and dark brown oval eyes. His legs and withers are strong boned and powerful with well padded feet to protect it from the freezing temperatures of Scandinavia.
The Bavarian Mountain Hound is a medium sized breed of a dog. They have larger bones, but there is a very low risk of obesity. This is a very active dog, with a very muscular body. Their bone structure defines in a wide chest, and their back legs set a little bit higher than the front legs. They have strong necks and pear-shaped heads. They have strong jaws, ideal for a hunting dog. They are very specific because of their big brown eyes. The Bavarian Mountain Hound is a perfect pet. First of all, he is not a pack dog. He gets attached to his family and he is not very friendly with strangers. If they are trained well, they will never attack a stranger but they will bark and let you know that something isn’t right.
This dog was made for families. He loves children and is not a one person dogs. He gets attached to everyone in the family. However, he is smart and stubborn. He loves to join in with whatever the family is doing but he does it to please himself not his owner. He loves, loves, loves to play and has the stamina to do so all day long. He is agile, bold, independent, strong, curious and loyal. His loyalty can be territorial, and he can become protective of his home and his family. This makes him an excellent watchdog until your friends come to visit and he won’t let them in the house. You need a high fence to keep him safe in your own yard and away from strangers and even guests till he gets to know them.He tends to be dominant and aggressive with other dogs. They also have strong hunting instincts.
Special talents: Since the Bavarian Mountain Hound is born with a strong scent, they are great for hunting. They can be trained to be search dogs.
If you live slow and quiet life indoors, maybe the Bavarian Mountain Hound is not the best choice for you. They are a calm breed, they do not bark a lot, but they need daily outdoor activity. They usually get attached to the owner, but in case you raise this dog in a family, they will be attached to adults and the children. They are very good while playing and living with the children, but if you usually have a lot of other children or strangers in a house, he will adapt to that kind of social life very easy.
It is very important that you start an early socialization of your Bavarian Mountain Hound. In situations where you raise this breed without the social life, they will have difficulties when they find themselves in situations with other animals. If you raise this breed with other animals in the same home, they will learn to play with other dogs, cats etc.
Bavarian Mountain Hound is not easy to train because they get easy distracted with smelling something more interesting than listening to your commands. It is not advised to have this breed as your first pet because they need an experienced trainer with a lot of patience and understanding.
The Black Norwegian Elkhound is a strong and hardy dog, though he is susceptible to some of the problems many breeds face. These include issues with luxating patella, optical entropion, hip dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and Fanconi syndrome. The most serious of these is the Fanconi Syndrome which is an abnormal functioning in the tubules of the kidneys. This can be a life-threatening situation.
The Bavarian Mountain Hound is a quiet type of the dog. They don’t ask for a lot of attention and even if they develop some health issues you will have a hard time finding it out. So, the regular vet checks are a necessity. They usually suffer from an ear infection. The vet will usually check for a hip or an elbow dysplasia since those diseases occur with highly active breeds. Some irritations with eyelids are also found in the medical history of this breed but they are generally very rare.
This is an energetic active dog, or she should be. Feed her high nutritious food twice a day. Do not overfeed.
The most potentially troublesome health issue is Fanconi Syndrome. This kidney disorder can impact the of the body’s absorption of electrolytes, water and nutrients. These nutrients include Sodium, Potassium, Glucose, Phosphate, Amino Acids and Phosphate
The Black Norwegian Elkhound loves to play, and they love to work. Exercise is vital, but it must be one of those two things – play or work. Don’t leave him alone to figure it out for himself or you wont like what this intelligent dog decides to do. She needs a large yard, a long walk daily but jogging with you is even better. Make him heel when on leash or he will think he oversees you. These are roaming dogs who will follow a scent anywhere and ignore your commands for her to come to you. They are better off on a leash unless you are in a dog park or a fenced yard.
The Black Norwegian Elkhound is great at all dog athletics, games and sports such as agility, rally obedience, flyball, tracking, herding.
There is a big difference in feeding the Bavarian Mountain Hound since you can raise him to be a pet or a dog for hunting. If you decided to keep this breed as a pet, they will do just fine with one of the dry foods that are good quality. If you want to raise them as a hunting dog, an active dog, then they will need a high-quality dry food and occasionally some raw minced meat.
High-quality food for puppies with a lot of nutrients that will help in growing the healthy bones and beautiful coat.
Since they have a short coat, the Bavarian Mountain Hounds don’t need a regular or any special kind of grooming. They will do just fine with occasional brushing. They don’t shed a lot, but in a season when they do you are free to brush them more regularly. They enjoy the brushings, cuddles, scratching, belly rubs - they are very lovable breed. But, as advised, take them to regular vet check because they can be very quiet even when they feel the pain.
The Bavarian Mountain Hound has a gene of a working dog and that is the reason why they need a lot of the activity on a daily basis. No matter if you take him to walk, run or a bike ride, they will love it. They do not like being on the leash since they love to use their nose to play. If you socialise them well, the dog park will be a great thing for them.