Norwegian Elkhound vs Swedish Vallhund

A Norwegian Elkhound
Photo: Canarian
A Swedish Vallhund
Photo: TS Eriksson

Side by side

Norwegian Elkhound
Swedish Vallhund
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)
9.1–16 kg (20–35 lb) (breed club figure)1
Height
No sourced figure
Males 31.8–34.9 cm; females 29.2–32.4 cm (breed club figure)1
Lifespan
Median 12.9 years2
No sourced figure
Fully grown
11 months, both sexes3
10 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
A moderate amount
Class
Field
Working

Which suits you

Size
The Norwegian Elkhound is much larger: about 22 kg (47 lb) as an adult, against 13 kg (28 lb) for the Swedish Vallhund.
Exercise
Plan for plenty of exercise with the Norwegian Elkhound, and a moderate amount with the Swedish Vallhund.
Temperament
They differ most on independence (Norwegian Elkhound: decides for itself; Swedish Vallhund: cooperative, with its own ideas) and on intelligence (Norwegian Elkhound: learns readily, likes games; Swedish Vallhund: needs daily brain work).
Alike
Both are rated the same on voice: very vocal.
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.

Swedish Vallhund
Spitz & primitive · Medium

In temperament the Vallhund is friendly, energetic and alert, with a herder's quick reactions. It is watchful with strangers and known for being vocal, using a wide range of barks and other sounds.

The Norwegian Elkhound page →The Swedish Vallhund page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Norwegian Elkhound
Swedish Vallhund
Activity
Needs lots of exercise
Needs lots of exercise
Intelligence
Differs
Learns readily, likes games
Needs daily brain work
Handler demand
Differs
Needs an experienced owner
Needs steady training
With people
Norwegian Elkhound
Swedish Vallhund
Affection
Affectionate on its own terms
Affectionate on its own terms
Loyalty
Bonded to its family
Bonded to its family
Independence
Differs
Decides for itself
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Norwegian Elkhound
Swedish Vallhund
Sensitivity
Differs
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Average
Voice
Very vocal
Very vocal
Prey drive
Differs
Likely to chase small pets
Chases; needs managing
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour6. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home7,8.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Norwegian Elkhound grows to the heavier adult, about 22 kg against the Swedish Vallhund's 13 kg. The Norwegian Elkhound's weight is not a published figure.
Norwegian Elkhound
Swedish Vallhund
01020302m4m6m9m12m18m
01020302m3m4m6m9m12m18m

More comparisons

Compare the Norwegian Elkhound with
Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Swedish VallhundNorwegian Elkhound vs Siberian HuskyKeeshond vs Norwegian ElkhoundAkita vs Norwegian ElkhoundAll breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·