Norwegian Elkhound vs Siberian Husky

A Norwegian Elkhound
Photo: Canarian
A Siberian Husky
Photo: Lorie Shaull / Lorie Shaull

Side by side

Norwegian Elkhound
Siberian Husky
Adult weight
Males 21–25 kg (46–56 lb); females 18–22 kg (40–49 lb) (estimated: ±10% around the Royal Kennel Club's approximate ideal weights of 23 kg for dogs and 20 kg for bitches)
Males 20–27 kg (45–60 lb); females 16–23 kg (35–50 lb) (breed club figure)1
Height
No sourced figure
Males 53.3–59.7 cm; females 50.8–55.9 cm (breed club figure)1
Lifespan
Median 12.9 years2
Median 11.9 years2
Fully grown
11 months, both sexes3
Group
Spitz & primitive4
Spitz & primitive5
Coat
Coat of medium length4
Coat of medium length5
Shedding
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
Brushing a few times a week
Exercise
Plenty
Health
No sourced figure
Underactive thyroid (more likely)6
Class
Field
Sport

Which suits you

Lifespan
In UK vet records the Norwegian Elkhound lives longer: a median of 12.9 years, against 11.9 for the Siberian Husky.
Temperament
They differ most on sensitivity (Norwegian Elkhound: hardy, takes a busy home in its stride; Siberian Husky: needs a calm, predictable home) and on loyalty (Norwegian Elkhound: bonded to its family; Siberian Husky: friendly with everyone).
Alike
They are much the same size as adults, about 22 kg (47 lb) for the Norwegian Elkhound and 22 kg (48 lb) for the Siberian Husky.
Alike
Both are rated the same on independence: decides for itself.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Norwegian Elkhound
Spitz & primitive · Medium

Friendly, bold and dependable, the Elkhound is confident with people and independent at work, where it was expected to make its own decisions out of the hunter's sight.

Siberian Husky
Spitz & primitive · Medium

The Siberian Husky is friendly, gentle and outgoing, with an independent streak and a name for mischief. It greets strangers rather than warning them off, and many are determined escape artists.

The Norwegian Elkhound page →The Siberian Husky page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Norwegian Elkhound
Siberian Husky
Activity
Needs lots of exercise
Needs lots of exercise
Intelligence
Learns readily, likes games
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Needs an experienced owner
Needs an experienced owner
With people
Norwegian Elkhound
Siberian Husky
Affection
Affectionate on its own terms
Affectionate on its own terms
Loyalty
Differs
Bonded to its family
Friendly with everyone
Independence
Decides for itself
Decides for itself
Around the home
Norwegian Elkhound
Siberian Husky
Sensitivity
Differs
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Needs a calm, predictable home
Voice
Very vocal
Very vocal
Prey drive
Likely to chase small pets
Likely to chase small pets
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour7. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home8,9.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
Both grow to much the same adult weight, about 22 kg. The Norwegian Elkhound's weight is not a published figure.
Norwegian Elkhound
Siberian Husky
01020302m4m6m9m12m18m
01020302m3m4m6m9m12m18m

More comparisons

Compare the Norwegian Elkhound with
Alaskan Malamute vs Siberian HuskyAlaskan Klee Kai vs Siberian HuskyGerman Shepherd vs Siberian HuskySamoyed vs Siberian HuskyKeeshond vs Norwegian ElkhoundNorwegian Elkhound vs Swedish VallhundAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·