Our NE was with us for 16 years. From the beginning she had a bit of an attitude but was never aggressive. We actually found it endearing. Our family appreciated her intelligence and love for attention. She always begged for food, a bit too much at times, but never to the point where it was offensive. She was the best dog ever. Highly recommended. *As for the digging of the previous review, we never had any of those problems with Ilsa. Sometimes she would bark at people outside, but if we told her to hush, she would.

Pros: smart, sweet, great with children, lots of personality, not a pushover

Cons: shedding

Tucker and I have been inseparable for almost two years. In that time I've nursed him back to health from heartworms and have moved several times. He takes everything in stride and is always along for the ride. Over the past two years we adopted another dog (a blue heeler) and began living with another (a pit mix). He is often playful with them, but also likely to find a place to be on his own. Tucker is incredibly self-contained but never aloof or avoidant. I'd say he's the best dog you could ever ask for as a companion...if he didn't shed, but that's a small minus to a whole world of pluses for this dog.

Pros: Laid-back, friendly, adaptable, loyal

Cons: Sheds A LOT

Be careful to keep these dogs indoors during hot weather. My Elkhound died from heat stroke after being outside for a very brief walk of only five minutes during an August heat wave. They also bark a lot!

Pros: Very loving temperament, good with kids

Cons: Easily prone to heat stroke; Nonstop barking

we got trooper when he was only 5 weeks old, and to be honest I didnt want him, we already had 2 dogs. He was supposed to be the kids and their dads dog but he is mine, from my point of view and his lol, and he has been the best mannered, sweet, loving, and most obediant dog I have ever had and I would have to say Trooper is my fav. He trained very easily and early we started at 6 weeks he does many tricks even though he is an outside dog he is house trained. He likes to be inside with the family for a little while but really prefers the outside. So far he isnt leary of strangers he seems to like everyone and just wants attention. he is about to turn 1. Looking forward to many years of companionship with him.

Pros: very gentle, playfull, loving, smart, loyal

Cons: does do some digging only when bored, some barking, high shedding.

We got Jake when he was 18 mos old. Was the best family dog and great in the house. Loved to go for walks and enjoyed people. Very loyal to children. We had him for over 14 years and he lived to about 17. Miss him greatly!! Highly recommend this bred.

Pros: gentle, active, smart, loving

Cons: barks, sheds

My oldest NE is named Mama. She thinks that she must "mother" every animal that is smaller than her, even if it is full grown. She is well trained and very obedient. Recently we got a NE puppy. He is very playful and great with the kids. He does well with cats and dogs, but needs to be watched around our ducks. He likes to chase them and sit on them if he catches them but he's never harmed one. We have a major coyote problem and both dogs are very good at alerting me when they are near and even chased a few off that got too close. They make a huge fuss when anyone comes to the house, but as soon as you pet them the quiet and calm down. They both desire a lot of attention, but do not bark to get it. They will just come and sit next to you and wait to be petted.

Pros: Loyal, good with other dogs, good with children, patient

Cons: loud barking, shedding

I've grown up with these dogs and could NOT imagine having any other; and I've been around almost every other breed out there being at shows for many years. They are very loyal and protective (especially of my 3 children) and want to be a part of the family. We live in Ga. and they do fine in the heat. They are indoor dogs (as all should be) and do need some exercise yet you don't need to be fanatical about it. Keep them brushed and bathed (every 2 months) and the shedding is not bad. Elkhounds love food (rare is the one who does not eat - I'd do testing) so watch the food intake, especially if the exercise is on the low side. You should feel their rib cage yet they need a little meat on them. It's easiest to tell when wet since the double coat makes it hard to judge.They get along fine with other animals yet, like any other dog, need to be introduced on neutral ground and taught when out of line.These dogs are so sweet and smart and a beauty to look at. You should count yourself fortunate to know one!

Pros: Loyal, protective, beautiful inside and out, smart! (almost too smart!)

Cons: Shedding yet that's what vacuums are for!

My dog Bailey is a NE mix (we think German Shepherd). She is a great family dog. From what other's have said about barking - they do have a VERY loud bark, but the only time she barked constantly (I didn't hear but the guy next door did - he was okay with it and loves our dogs), she had a racoon up in one of the trees. She has never barked just because, it has always been because of something. She does dig - but she digs after moles, so they are like trenches because she digs and chases them at the same time. Needless to say, we don't have moles in our backyard anymore - they all moved to other yards and to our front yard. She has even caught a couple moles and a rabbit. She is very fast and loves to chase balls and go swimming. She loves meeting new people and LOVES kids. Anytime there are kids around she is in heaven. The only thing that I would change is the shedding - summer or winter - all year long, she is shedding. If I bring her to the groomers, she will be great for a couple of weeks, but even in the middle of the winter she sheds. I can brush her for 45 minutes and there is still fur in the brush (alot of it too). So, besides the fur - everything about my dog is great! (Maybe except for the very long tongue that always wants to give kisses to un-suspecting "victims".)

Pros: Very affectionate and intelligent

Cons: Fur everywhere, all the time

I found Dasha not long ago wandering around the parking lot of a grocery store - trying to drink from puddles. I've placed ads and flyers all over, but have not been able to find her family. (She is also not microchipped.) At first, I thought she might be a shepherd/husky mix, but a gentleman at Petsmart suggested Norwegian Elkhound. After reading all about them and studying lots of photos - yes, I think that's what Dasha is. The heavy, dark-tipped coat, the height, the brown eyes, the curled tail . . . it all fits. She also has the stereotypical traits of independence, intelligence, etc. The only disconnect I've found with the descriptions is that Dasha doesn't bark much (and I don't consider this a bad thing.) She's perfectly capable of barking, but just chooses not to very often. She has no problem with my cats, although she will chase one - briefly - if it's walking across the yard. She's not out to hurt it - I think she just likes the chase. If a cat isn't moving, she completely ignores it. Dasha is affectionate, but not overly so. She's very, very well-mannered and gentle and calm. She just adores going for walks and I discovered this morning - quite by accident - that she loves the water! So I've bought her a "kiddie pool" for the backyard, as we don't have easy access to bodies of water around here. I love having her around and hope we enjoy many years with her.

Pros: Independence, low-key, well-manned

Cons: Independence!

Hoban "Wash" Washburne has been in our home for nearly two years, since we rescued him from the Humane Society as a stray when he was about a year old. I never had an NE before, but now I am in love with the breed. Wash was so happy to have a forever home, and like most NEs, he LOVES people. Few things in life make him happier than being at the side or feet of a human. He loves his mom and dad (us) the most, but he'll gladly play or hang out with nearly everyone who is willing to give him attention (which might be how he became a stray in the first place - LOL). Wash's best friend is a chocolate lab who is twice his size, and he's very much a big dog in a medium sized dog's body. However, he never antagonizes smaller animals, and tends instead to be wary of smaller dogs and cats, although he thinks squirrels are quite interesting. I have never had a single worry in my head that Wash would bite someone or another animal. It's just not in his disposition to do so. If you live in a warm climate, I wouldn't recommend this dog. NEs were bred for cold Nordic life, and Wash is no exception. He drinks copious amounts of water in the summer, and needs shade and cool places or his double coat makes him overheat quickly. But here in Wisconsin, winter is his GLORY! I have never seen a dog make snow angels before, but Wash does! Walks take us 3 times longer in the winter, because he absolutely must play in every fresh snowbank he sees! This dog is playful, good-natured, friendly, and so loyal. He barks when people come by, but once they are in the house, he loves them as much as he loves us. The barking can be sharp, and if they think you want them to be alarm dogs, trust me, they'll live up to it. They also need training to learn that they are not the alpha. Wash has been trained to heel on walks, but if he thinks we aren't paying attention, he will push his luck. NEs are very intelligent and have a mischievous streak. They also need lots of stimulation or time to play...when they're bored, they chew! I learned that the hard way after losing a few books left on the coffee table and a few pairs of designer shoes! This dog is not right for you if you can't stand or have allergies to shedding. They have a very thick double coat for those winters and they are CONSTANTLY shedding. Forget twice a year - I could groom Wash twice a day every day, and he will still cast balls of hair all over the place. It is a fact of life with an NE. I have Wash and a Maine Coon cat. My house and clothes are never free of fur. Ever. Basically, this is a sweet, smart, loving dog breed that is good in just about every situation. Just make sure you have the time to do gentle consistent training, lots of attention and love, and plenty of rawhides, and you will be the center of this dog's universe for his entire life!

Pros: Smart, loyal, devoted, active, great with all kinds of people, enthusiastic.

Cons: Can be overly-excited, VERY heavy shedder, loud persistent barking, need training to establish their place in the "pack". If they see something interesting that isn't you, good luck!