Somewhere in around the 1924 time frame the big greys, original Elghund hunting dogs, now known as Swedish Elkhounds or Jämthunds were starting to disappear. The breeders in certain areas had been keeping these strains alive and this was a purely working family dog at that time. They did not “Call them Swedish Elkhounds” nor did they call them “Norwegian Elkhounds”. Earlier the smaller grey had been set aside in Norway, classed as a “Norwegian Elkhound”, although they wished for Sweden and Finland to also class the bigger larger grey, the old hunters declined. They felt the two should not be classed the same, although of course they agreed they all referenced back to the original Norrland region dogs.

So what transpired is for 30 or more years there was no class segregation for the big greys, they remained as they were, the Norwegian Elkhounds proceeded to establish good lineages and a strong following of breeders who took this particular strain of the old dogs forward.

It’s only a hundred years since the big greys were literally Norrland dogs and only a short time span has occurred as them placed into an association and recognized as a separate lineage and type of Elkhound, around the 70 year mark or so.

Today Kamia Kennels is one of the Premier breeders of Elkhounds, the only breeder with Norrland bloodlines, Norwegian Elkhounds and Swedish Elkhounds ( Jämthunds). As the only breeder of Swedish Elkhounds in North America we are proud to carry this very distinguished lineage forward. Our Norwegian Elkhounds are the elite of the breeding world in North America.

All Elkhounds, Norrland, Norwegian, or Swedish are very, very old dogs. They go back centuries before the time frames of the Associations. This 1924-29 time frame I speak of is but a miniscule time in the life of this great breed. Before these associations the dogs existed as hunting dogs, basically the terrain is what began separation of type. Taller dogs went to deeper snow regions, shorter compact dogs to coastal and rugged rock style and inland.

The separation was for safety of the dogs in both regions and the dogs excelled in those aspects. Much easier for a taller longer dog to dodge the hoofs of a Moose in deep snow than a shorter companion. Less snow, dense brush, rocks, the shorter dog excelled.

They were the same dog, just separated by type is all that occurred. Today of course after many years of careful breeding of types we have great representations of Norwegian Elkhounds the shorter more compact and the Swedish Elkhound the longer taller larger Elkhound.

Today hunters and families can contact Kamia Kennels and get a Full Blood Elkhound, Norwegian Elkhound and or the Phenom Swedish Elkhound or Jämthund as they are formally known today.

All are exceptional hunting, hiking and working dogs. They thrive in a family environment and love adequate exercise and attention. They excel if trained with Positive training methods, they respond so well to this.

I have a video showcase 12 pups that are the pinnacle of excellence in our program. These are up at Michael and Sarah’s, our Alberta co-breeders. Dale and Wendy also have pups on the ground and more coming. We are pleased to say, the original Elkhound is thriving in Canada.

Please contact us today about these great family dogs. This video of these pups in nature is so Awesome! Many Thanks to Michael for capturing these Rock Star Original Elkhounds out in the wilderness so young!