Different veteran bitch side gait
Th e Elkhound’s back should be straight and strong with a slight slope to the root of the tail. If the top line rolls when the dog moves, something is amiss in its structure creating ine ffi cient movement. The Correct Coat An elkhound should come equipped with the equivalent of Mother Nature’s Gore-Tex®—a weather proof, double coat with dense undercoat covered by course, fl at laying guard hairs. Th is all-weather coat with distinctive silver, grey, and black markings, protects against temperature extremes and inclement conditions. While a soft, fl u ff y, open coat may be a groom- er’s delight, it will not withstand the rig- ors of the hunt and is incorrect. Speaking of grooming, the standard is unequivo- cal. “Presentation in a natural, unaltered condition is essential.” Could this be any clearer? Smooth Moves Correct movement is not complicated. If the dog is proportioned correctly and in condition, it will move correctly—the whole equals the sum of its parts. Th e Elkhound’s balanced design enables it to bounce, spin, and turn without having to engage in extra movement to propel its body. When viewing the Elkhound in motion, look for e ff ortless side gait that is e ffi cient, smooth, and covers ground. Th e gait must not be labored, awk- ward, choppy or stilted. To quote the standard, “ Th e Elkhound is constructed for agility and endurance. At a trot the stride is even and e ff ortless, the back remains level. As the speed of the trot increases, front and rear legs converge
equally in straight lines toward a center line beneath the body so that the pads appear to follow in the same tracks. Single track— front and rear quarters are well balanced in angulation and muscular development— the balance of the front and rear assemblies cannot be overstressed.” An Elkhound that does not move e ff ortlessly and purposefully will not make the grade as a hunting dog. Th roughout this article the empha- sis has been on the Norwegian Elkhound as an athletic, courageous hunting dog. Th e breed standard, fi rst codi fi ed in 1906, serves as a blueprint for selecting the cor- rect representatives of the breed. Breed- ers and judges must be mindful of what is right for the breed honoring the past, guarding the present, and looking to the future. Author’s Note The Norwegian Elkhound Association of America encourages current and prospective judges to visit www.neaa.net for further information on upcoming specialties and judges’ education opportunities approved by the NEAA. Bibliography Clark, Anne Rogers, “Type.” http://www. vizsladogs.com.Articles/type.htm (accessed July 30, 2013). Norway Travel Guide, Norway. http://www. switchbacktravel.com/norway (accessed August 1, 2013). Norwegian Elkhound Association of America, Norwegian Elkhound A Comprehensive Study - Judges Study Material, 2010. Ross, Dr. Nina P, The Norwegian Elkhound. Doral Publishing, Inc. Wilsonville, Oregon, 1995. Trotter, Patricia, “Norwegian Elkhound Breed Seminar.” Lecture, Norwegian Elkhound Association of America, Friendship, MD, 2003. Wallo, Olav O, The New Complete Norwegian Elkhound. New York: Howell Book House, Inc, 1987. BIO Pat and Leslie each acquired their first Elkhounds in 1972, coincidentally from the
same litter. Th ey became acquainted through work in the Northeastern Illinois Norwegian Elkhound Association. Th ey are extremely involved with the regional club having held virtually every o ffi ce for several terms and co- chairing too many specialties to count. On the national level both have been elected to the Board of Directors for the Norwegian Elkhound Club of America. Each has served as Corresponding Secretary and Vice-President at di ff erent times over the years. Pat is the current NEAA Vice- president and in charge of Judges Educa- tion. Leslie chaired NEAA’s Canine Health and Research Committee and still serves as a member. Th ey co-chaired the NEAA National Specialty show in 1992 - the infa- mous specialty where wind destroyed the venue and lightening struck the hotel. Leslie has been honored by NEAA receiving the Schleslinger Outstanding Service Award in 2010 and the AKC Good Sportsman- ship Award in 2013. Vikrest (“Vik” from Viken and “rest” from Forrest) Norwegian Elkhounds was born in 1986 when they co- bred their first litter. In limited breeding they have produced more than 70 champi- ons, twenty with dual titles in everything from Agility, Obedience, Tracking and Freestyle. Several of their dogs have quali- fied for Westminster, been invited to the AKC/Eukanuba National, and won region- al specialty shows. Professionally, Pat works as an accoun- tant executive for USA Mobility while Leslie is a retired educator having taught music and having been elected to the local school board for three terms. Pat, Leslie, and George, Leslie’s long su ff ering husband, live in the greater Chicagoland.
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