In it’s simplest form, the answer is as follows:

Purebred means to breed a selected and controlled group of genetics confined to a group. No breeding outside the confined group. Limited Genetics only to what is in the group.

Full Blood means to use all known and previously utilized genetics from the broadest possible genetic base of Elkhounds and not limited to a segregated group or controlled genetic base. Much stronger genetic diversity and health is achieved in Full Blood breeding operations versus Purebred.

A broader definition is as follows:

Purebred as it relates to dogs that are “Registered” in the AKC or CKC those types of organizations such as Norwegian Elkhounds that are “Registered” are in a select group of genetics that are finite. Meaning they only can use what was in the registered group to begin with. It’s a finite amount of genetics. It gets progressively smaller and smaller as time goes by. Genetic diversity gets weaker and weaker every time a female or a male is taken out of breeding. There are no possible options to bring genetic diversity back into this breeding concept. Eventually the genetics come down to very limited diversity with the end result being all dogs related at some point. No possible outcome other than zero diversity at some point. Purebred breeders allow a few select individuals to confine the breeding to a shrinking gene pool based on a very limited supply of genetic material to begin with. A system destined to fail.

Full Blood dogs utilize the entire genetic base of the dogs creating many times more options for diversity and based on the unique structure of the “Elgund” group of dogs, it’s literally endless as to genetic material. As all Spitz dogs originate from the original “Elghund” or “Norrland” dogs the potential for genetic diversity is incredibly vast. Much healthier dogs exist as a result of genetics that are very distant, almost complete different make ups, yet the same base of dogs. Full Blood dog breeders “DO NOT” conform to artificial limitations prescribed by select individuals to “Limit” the genetics to just a few genetic base dogs. Full Blood breeders utilize a much wider, vast base of genetic bloodlines to continue the heritage of the dog. A system designed to thrive and succeed.

In Europe Full Blood breeders have been fighting for the survival of the genetic base for centuries, it’s an ongoing battle and they are working to ensure that the base of genetics is maintained, vast and diversified. Purebred breeders also work to follow guidelines established again, by a few individuals that lock the genetic breeding pool to a shrinking genetic base. The base of genetics in the Purebred system is shrinking and getting less diversified as predicted.

In North America the Purebred breeders are all starting to realize the dire predicament they are facing following the closed genetic system they have been following. They now routinely resort to Inbreeding as a way to continue to raise dogs, knowing full well the damaging effects of doing this to future dogs. They simply have little to no choice in that system.

Kamia Kennels currently is the only breeder who is a Full Blood breeder, utilizing the entire range of genetic material available and choosing to breed for maximum health and vigor using absolute diverse genetic pairs. The breeding program that Kamia Kennels is on means strong and healthy dogs for decades, literally centuries if this system were maintained and followed. The strongest and healthiest model of this breed was of course this system for thousands of years, proven to be successful.

Before the creation of the systems where genetic pools were created and only limited genetics were allowed, before this happened dogs were bred using the full genetic makeup, this was thousands of years. No problems, no defects, no inbreeding, no running out of genetics. Simply strong healthy dogs for thousands of years.

In North America literally 100 years of breeding using the “Limited gene pool theory” the dogs are becoming in bred and weak and will almost entirely be related in short order. Take a close look at some of the very well established older breeders in North America and study the dogs they are breeding. Look back at the pedigree and analyze how many are inbred already. What will occur in 10 years, or perhaps in 5. Most females are retired in 5 to 7 years. So in 5 to 7 years that would effectively take 50% of the genetic material out of the gene pool of what is remaining in North America.

North American Elkhound purebred breeders need to evaluate quickly the road they are on with the genetic plan they are following to breed dogs. They all have followed ideals and beliefs that have been extremely hard on genetics.

Purebred breeders for the last hundred years have been hard on genetics meaning, quick to cull genetics based on factors that should never have been considered. A very simple example is the culling of dogs with color patterns that do not conform to the so called “New Breeding Standard”. This 1 example has culled more genetics out of the gene pool than any other item. It’s a complete disaster for all of them now. They are all going to have to evaluate this concept and utilize every single genetic they have, with almost zero culling for anything other than a absolute obvious health concern of great importance. They need to keep every single genetic they have at this point. But, it still won’t be enough. It’s too late.

Any one that loves the Elkhound also needs to begin to focus on where they are supporting breeders and what concepts they are supporting. We need to all as a greater group, not just breeders begin to realize that hey, all of us need to be a better steward of the Elkhound than just breeders. Your next Elkhound, your children’s next Elkhound, what about your Grand Children? The Elkhound they get? Will it exist? Will it be there, healthy, diverse, strong and powerful like the one you have now? Time to look and understand the concepts and principles in play in the breeding world.

For us at Kamia Kennels we are going to strive to breed the healthiest most diverse group of bloodlines we can get and strive to keep the Elkhound strong for generations and generations. We are proud to be a Full Blood Breeder of the greatest dogs on the planet!

I have attached some of our Fullblood dogs for you, Jaegar and his two older brothers Loki-Bear and Nanook as an example of the phenomenal quality of Full Blood Dogs.