Norwegian Elkhound vs Finnish Spitz: Which Is Right for You?

Two Nordic spitz breeds, both vocal, hardy and affectionate—but different sizes, energy and hunting styles. This guide helps match each breed to your lifestyle.

Quick Comparison Table

Introduction

Norwegian Elkhound and Finnish Spitz are two classic Nordic spitz breeds with similar roots but different hunting roles, sizes and daily demands. Both are sturdy, vocal, and built for cold climates. This guide walks through temperament, hunting ability, vocalization, grooming and health so you can decide which breed better matches your home and lifestyle.

Sources referenced include the American Kennel Club (AKC) breed pages, breed clubs and veterinary resources (see Sources at the end).

Breed histories & hunting ability

Norwegian Elkhound

• Traditional role: large-game hunter. Bred to track, hold and bay big ungulates (moose, elk) and to lead hunters to the quarry. Elkhounds combine tracking skill with courage — they do not usually attack the game but keep it at bay with loud vocalization until the hunter arrives.
• Modern relevance: still used by some hunters, but more commonly kept as a companion and working/obedience trial dog.

Finnish Spitz

• Traditional role: “Bark-pointer” for birds. Finnish Spitz locate birds, go upwind, and bark persistently so the hunter knows the game’s position. They don’t point with a frozen stance as a pointer retriever does; rather their bark and tail carriage indicate location.
• Modern relevance: popular as a companion and show dog; retains strong bird-chasing/pointing instincts and needs outlets for scent/sound-driven behaviors.

Temperament — side-by-side

Norwegian Elkhound

• Loyal, affectionate and typically good with families and children.
• Independent and sometimes stubborn — bred to make decisions in the field.
• Protective; can be reserved with strangers but seldom aggressive if well-socialised.

• Alert, lively and highly playful.
• Independent thinker with a lively prey drive; can be more anxious if isolated.
• Friendly and affectionate with family; sometimes aloof with strangers.

Vocalization and how to manage it

This is a critical difference for many owners.

• Norwegian Elkhound: Loud, deep barking and baying used when tracking or alerting. They will bark to communicate and can be choosy about when they are quiet.
• Finnish Spitz: Famous for a rapid, high-pitched, melody-like bark. Historically bred to vocalize to show hunters the location of birds. Their bark is persistent and can be hard to stop once started.

• Early socialization and consistent training (reward-based) to teach quiet cues.
• Provide sufficient exercise and mental tasks — vocalizing often rises from boredom or pent-up energy.
• If you live in shared-wall apartments or close neighborhoods, be realistic: both breeds can be vocal and may not be ideal unless you can manage training and provide adequate stimulation.

Exercise & mental stimulation (minutes/day)

• Norwegian Elkhound: 60–90 minutes/day recommended. Activities: brisk walks, scent work, tracking games, off-leash play in secure areas, hiking. They enjoy challenging tasks and will benefit from agility or nose-work.
• Finnish Spitz: 45–60 minutes/day, often in shorter, more intense bursts. Activities: play fetch, agility, scent trails, and supervised off-leash running. They love games that let them use their nose and voice.

Grooming & shedding

Both are double-coated spitz types and require regular grooming:

• Routine brushing: 2–3 times per week to remove loose hair.
• Heavy shedding: Both “blow” their undercoats seasonally (typically twice a year). During those periods, daily brushing is recommended until the loose undercoat is gone.
• Bathing: Only as needed — roughly every 2–3 months unless dirty. Over-bathing can damage coat oils.

• Norwegian Elkhound: Thick, weather-resistant coat — brush 2–3×/week normally; daily during seasonal blow. Expect hair around the house year-round.
• Finnish Spitz: Slightly finer and shorter than Elkhound but still heavy shedding; same brush schedule and daily touch-ups in blow seasons.

Health issues & longevity

Lifespan: both breeds commonly live 12–15 years with good care.

Common health concerns (breed-prone):

Norwegian Elkhound

• Hip dysplasia (screening recommended via OFA or PennHIP)
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and other eye disorders (regular ophthalmologist checks recommended)
• Glaucoma
• Hypothyroidism
• Inherited conditions vary by lines — reputable breeders will health-test parents.

• Patellar luxation (kneecap issues)
• Hip dysplasia (less common than in heavier breeds but possible)
• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
• Epilepsy in some lines

• Buy from a responsible breeder who provides health clearances (hips, eyes, cardiac where applicable).
• Consider pet health insurance (premiums vary; starting around $25–$60/month depending on coverage and age).
• Keep annual veterinary checks, dental care and weight management — both breeds gain weight if under-exercised, worsening joint risks.

Cold tolerance

Both breeds are exceptionally cold-tolerant:

• Norwegian Elkhound: Thick double coat, dense undercoat and weatherproof outer coat — bred for harsh Norwegian winters.
• Finnish Spitz: Also built for Finnish winters with a weather-resistant double coat; they handle cold very well.

Costs — purchase and ongoing

• Puppy purchase (from a reputable breeder): $800–$2,000+ depending on pedigree, location and breeder reputation. Show or performance lines can be pricier.
• Annual ownership costs: $1,200–$2,500 typical. This includes food, routine vet care, parasite prevention, vaccines, grooming supplies and training. Health issues or emergencies raise that figure.
• Training classes, performance trials, and specialized gear can add costs but are highly recommended for both breeds.

Which breed is right for you? (Lifestyle scenarios)

• Active hiker or hunter who wants a working partner: Norwegian Elkhound. Their size, strength and tracking/baying instincts fit big-game or long-trail activities.

• Bird hunter or field-sports enthusiast who values a vocal pointer: Finnish Spitz. Their historical role as a bark-pointer makes them a better match for bird work.

• Family with children wanting a sturdy family dog: Norwegian Elkhound often handles family life well, though supervision and training are essential.

• Apartment dweller or neighbor-sensitive environment: Both can be vocal, so a quiet apartment may be challenging. If you have strong training chops and time for stimulation, Finnish Spitz (smaller size) might be slightly easier on space but barking remains a major caveat.

• First-time dog owner: Both breeds are independent and can be stubborn. If you’re a confident, committed new owner willing to learn positive training techniques, either can do well. Otherwise consider a more compliant breed.

• Owner who wants a low-maintenance groomer: Neither — both shed and require regular brushing. They’re not high-maintenance like poodles but expect regular work.

Pros and Cons

Norwegian Elkhound — Pros

• Hardy and extremely cold-tolerant
• Loyal, protective family companion
• Strong tracking instincts and versatility for outdoor sports
• Long lifespan for a medium-large breed (12–15 years)

• Large size requires space and exercise
• Can be loud (baying) and stubborn
• Heavy seasonal shedding
• Some breed-specific health risks (hips, eyes)

• Lively, playful and excellent at birdwork
• Smaller, lighter on food costs and space than Elkhound
• Distinctive, charming vocalizations and personality
• Cold-hardy and long-lived (12–15 years)

• Very vocal — barking can be a problem in close neighborhoods
• Independent and can be challenging to recall off-leash around small animals
• Seasonal heavy shedding
• Certain breed health issues (knees, eyes, potential epilepsy)

Training & socialization tips

• Start early: socialization with people, dogs and different environments between 8–16 weeks.
• Use reward-based training; spitz breeds respond better to positive reinforcement than harsh corrections.
• Provide consistent boundaries and regular mental tasks (nose work, puzzle feeders) to reduce boredom-driven barking or digging.

Key Takeaways

• Both Norwegian Elkhound and Finnish Spitz are intelligent, vocal and extremely cold-hardy spitz breeds with long histories as hunting dogs.
• Choose Elkhound if you want a sturdier, bigger working partner for tracking/baying and a protective family companion.
• Choose Finnish Spitz if you prefer a smaller, high-energy, bird-oriented bark-pointer with quick bursts of activity and a very vocal nature.
• Neither breed is ideal if you need a quiet apartment dog without a plan to manage vocalization and exercise.
• Prioritize reputable breeders, health screening and early training; both breeds reward owners who provide structure, exercise and mental enrichment.

Sources

• American Kennel Club (AKC) — Norwegian Elkhound: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/norwegian-elkhound/
• American Kennel Club (AKC) — Finnish Spitz: https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/finnish-spitz/
• Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) — hip and health screening guidance: https://www.ofa.org/
• Finnish Spitz Club / Norwegian Elkhound breed clubs (national breed club resources and health recommendations)

Frequently Asked Questions