hi brainless, i have just looked at your piccs of your elkhounds,and you know it brought back so many memories my grandma had a elkhound when i was a kid she was in the local news papers with him and what a bonny lad he was his name was jodie of vickerjel and i just wanted to say they are a gorgeoud dog and he live till a good age but sadly died when i was still young and ive never forgot im,it just brought loads of memories back when i saw your dogs nice memories though i think its because there is not many where i live and when you see one it takes my breath away

Sadly there are not very many anywhere.  Only 51 registered in the first 3 quarters of 2006, yet sadly there are people exploiting the breed and selling them through commercial outlets, and these are the main source of rescue Elkhounds (around 25 this year).

We desperately need new people to get actively involved in the breed.

As one puppy owners vet said they seem to be a well kept secret.

I am glad you enjoyed looking at the website, few people write in the Guestbook so I rarely know how people view the site.  Also pleased that you have fond memories of the breed.  What do you own now?

i have a shih tzu, i did have the english mastiffs but my husband lost his job and there was no way we could afford to feed them they was enormous but my freind as got them and i see them most of the time, but the lil shih tzu is a cutie

Much more hairy, but I bet don't shed as much as my grey jobs :D

I had a nosy on the website the other day as well as I had never had anything to do with them and wanted to find out more!!!! I am currently looking for a breed for my daughter to do junior handling with so am enjoying finding out so much about all the breeds!!

Just wanted to say as well how gorgeous all your dogs are!! I am so pleased I went for a nosy because I fell in love with them!! Like I said a breed I had never come across so I'm pleased I have discovered them!!

I hope they get more support throughout the UK.

I think maybe if people did more research than just the popular breeds they see on the street that may would find a better match than they have with what is in fashion.

Perhaps this would take the stain off the over exploited breeds and give some much needed support for breeds in the doldrums for no good reason.

Of course this only works if people go to reputable sources for pups and are prepared to wait as numerically small breeds are not off the peg, as no dog should be.

For example I believe Smooth Fox Terriers were a popular family pet between the wars.  A friend ought one for her husband who had a JRT when they married.  She is quite taken with her temperament.  Yes she is a terrier but a very likable one that gets on well with the Elkhounds, yet you hardly see the outside the showring and the registrations are very low.  By contrast the ubiquitous terrier often bearing not much resemblance to a JRT is very popular, despite some appalling health and construction issues, not to mention foul temperament to man and beast.

yee she is very hairy i remember my nans elkhound bless him he really did moult bless i remember brushing him when i was a kid we used to spend hours on him then used to growl and talk to us when we stopped for us to carry on

Hi Cheryl - I'm guessing your grandma's surname began with a W? I looked him up in our Club journal.  Jodi of Vikafjell was born in 1978.  We never met, but I did know his niece, Jori, because she used to go to shows, back in the day...

Try putting a counter on your site - I have attached a link to a free provider. Quite easy to do and it's really helpful to keep an eye on how many people are actually looking at your site.  http://www.amazingcounters.com/?ref=gad024

I have a counter on 3 of my pages and it is very interesting to see how people came to the site, but I like to see what people think from the Guestbook entries.

If I did'nt have Belgians I would certainly go for Elkhounds - I just love them ! ..and don't understand why they are not more popular ......however as I have 7 (soon to be 8 ) hairy Belgian beasties then I guess I'll have to wait a while !.

Yvonne

When I had by Belgian (black one) I bought black clothes to hide the hair, now you need light colours, but I still prefer dark, so have to pick off or put up with the hairs.  One advantage with the Elkhound coat is it isn't long enough on the neck etc to tangle, as there is no feathering, just more around the head rear end.  So when you come back with your soaked Elkhound, a quick rub down and they are good as new.

My Friend always moaned that her Elkhound would return home pristine and her collies looked like bedraggled wretches.  She says the moulting is about the same as for a Border Collie.

Also it is amazing how dry double coated breeds stay if they ahve the correct weasther resisiting top coat.

I get mine to shake by the front door before going into the house.  Interestngly I find the coats becoem less waterproof after the girls have been spayed.