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Location: Lancashire
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,187
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ELKHOUNDS...FOR CBT
<<<<<As regards Archers breed, I believe she breeds elkhounds?
Now, that breed may have pulled down elk in the past but I tell you something there is not a hope in hell that they would pull elk nowadays unless you had a pack of them!! If a good bull cross lurcher has a job pulling a red stag singlehanded then imagine how much harder it would be for a dog like an elkhound which is only bred as a show dog nowadays!
How were elkhound originally used archer? were they used in packs to hunt the elk and bring it to bay so it could be shot or were they used to pull the beast down?
Im sorry but when you get past roe and sika deer and onto the bigger classes of beast, it takes a very tough and determined dog to bring its quarry to a standstill - an elk being twice the size of a red deer, Im having a lot of difficulty picturing elkhounds being able to do this job.
Are there any breeders who still work their dogs in Norway or any other countries? Cant say its a breed Ive heard of being used with any success.
Im not having a go, genuinely interested. (move this to a different section if you like as it is a bit off topic from staffords)>>>>
Hi CBT
You're right I own elkhounds...although I have owned up until 18 months ago staffys....more Irish type than 'english'
Elkhounds ARE NOT berd for show only.Reputable breeders still breed for a type which is capable of hunting...in fact my 2 year old is by a male who by a male who is a Norwegian import.YES they still hunt in Norway...Elkhounds still hunt Elks...yes those HUGE moose things...and they do it one on one.No they do not bring them down...they track them and then use their noise and agility to iritate them and stay out of the way of its antlers and hooves until the hunter comes and shoots the elk.
If you look at
www.varjdalen.com and click on english text you will see the kennels my boys sire was imported from and his ancestors.
My boys,as with many still possess a very strong hunt drive....now mainly directed at squirrels!! They have NEVER been taught but react and hunt squirrels the same as they would have done elks.
There are some lines being introduced into elkhounds which are not hunting type...but thats not for public discussion I'm afraid as I am not willing to voice an opinion on other peoples dogs as we have a very 'close' community' and its just not done.
Hope this helps