How many generations back influence my pup? Thinking about getting a new companion dog. Considering the breeders who have Norwegian Elkhounds? Are you wondering how much influence each generation still contributes?

These are questions more and more people are now asking and seeking answers to as the genetic pool is getting smaller. Other breeds have long since past the point of having diverse genetics, breeds like the German Shephards, Dobermans, Golden Retrievers, they are all facing diversity issues.

So many families and individuals are going back to the old dogs, the ancient lineages like the Norwegian Elkhounds. What they now find themselves faced with is having to look back a few generations now to see what lies in the background.

The more generations you can view, witness, research in your upcoming pups background the better the picture of what your dog will become. As a generational breeder I can easily tell you without a shadow of a doubt I see traits and behaviors identical to dogs from 4 and 5 generations and now reaching into 6.

When you are looking at a new pup it’s almost imperative today to be able to see at minimum 3 generations, but if you really want health and longevity, real true diverse bloodlines which mean no inbreeding and no linebreeding, you have to look back 3 to 4 for sure. The further you can go the better off you are in knowing the diversity.

Vet costs are the single biggest cost by far in dog ownership. Genetic defects and issues related to breeding are a portion of the overall costs. Food and lifestyle another huge factor and of course, over vaccination a major player in illness in dogs.

So to prevent and mediate most genetic and defect issues folks are turning in droves now to preservation lineages that have no known defects. By going back in the generations before this gives you the knowledge that the lines are clean as the breeders have the genetics there to see.

Preservation breeders like Kamia Kennels strive to protect the genetics so as to have these dogs for future generations.

I have illustrated the Great Grandmother of little Odin, who was just born to Varja and Pretty Boy Leif. The future of little Odin only a few days old as I write this is incredible. He has more Champions and proven bloodlines in his heritage than any other pup nursing in North America right now. The genetic prowess of this lineage and the quality goes back many decades as this is the famous Ravenstone Bloodline. Ravenstone breeding program ran for 50 years with some of the very best Norwegian Elkhounds ever. Little Odin carries many 50 year breeders of Norwegian Elkhounds in his background. 50 Year breeders from at minimum, 3 different countries.

These old ancient heritage lineages are proven over decades and centuries before that to be sound, produce outstanding Elkhounds and family companions. This particular lineage proliferates our breeding program as it continues each generation to produce outstanding pup after outstanding pup.

Many of our families that have our dogs have multiple Elkhounds from this lineage. A lady contacted me just a few days ago, she asked to be placed on a list for her third in 2025. She wants this lineage as the two she has are totally flawless.

Generational influence can no longer be ignored when looking at a new pup and a dog for life. Study the great lineages we have at Kamia Kennels, you will not find a better representation of preservation genetics anywhere in North America.

To see little Odin a couple days old, visit Michael and Sarah’s Instagram for Odin’s Video