JämthundCharacteristics, history, training and care
Jämthund. · Canarian / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0. Cropped and resized.
The Jämthund (Swedish Elkhound) is a large, strong, agile spitz from the Swedish province of Jämtland, used mainly to hunt elk, but also bear and wild boar. It is a very old type of dog, known since northern Sweden was first settled. It is courageous and energetic, but also stoically calm.
Quick facts
| Common name | Jämthund (Swedish Elkhound) |
| Scientific name | Canis lupus familiaris |
| Country of origin | Sweden (Jämtland) |
| Official recognition | FCI, definitively since 1954 (group 5, Nordic hunting dogs, with working trial; standard no. 42); recognised in Sweden since 1946 |
| Lifespan | No published data for the breed; large breeds usually live 10–12 years |
| Size (males) | 57–65 cm at the withers, ideally 61 cm |
| Size (females) | 52–60 cm at the withers, ideally 56 cm |
| Coat type | Fairly close-lying topcoat, short, soft, light undercoat |
| Common colours | Light or dark grey, with light grey or cream markings |
| Energy level | High |
| Suited to an apartment? | No |
| Temperament | Courageous, energetic, stoically calm |
| Tendency to aggression | Low |
| Good with children | No specific data |
| Good with other animals | Poor with small animals; strong hunting instinct |
| Genetic predispositions | No breed-specific diseases are known |
- Primary category:Dog breeds
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History and origin
The FCI standard says the Jämthund was officially recognised only in 1946, although it is a very old type of dog, known since northern Sweden was first settled. Recognition was delayed because the smaller Norwegian Elkhound and the Jämthund were considered the same breed, a situation that eventually proved impossible.
Wikipedia says recognition came thanks to the work of Aksel Lindström and other breeders. The dog must hold game at bay by barking intensely for a long time, which demands great strength and stamina.
How the breed developed
- Since northern Sweden was settled – Dogs of this type hunt in Jämtland.
- 1946 – The Jämthund is officially recognised as a separate breed.
- 1954 – The FCI recognises the breed.
- 4 September 2019 – The current FCI standard is published.
Breed rating
| Feature | Stars |
|---|---|
| Training and intelligence | ★★★☆☆ |
| Easy to train | ★★★☆☆ |
| Intelligence | ★★★★☆ |
| Independence | ★★★★☆ |
| Stubbornness | ★★★★☆ |
| Behaviour and temperament | ★★★★☆ |
| Affectionate with family | ★★★★☆ |
| Friendly with children | ★★★☆☆ |
| Good with other dogs | ★★★☆☆ |
| Good with cats and other animals | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Loyalty | ★★★★★ |
| Tendency to be aggressive | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Tendency to bark | ★★★★☆ |
| Needs and care | ★★★★☆ |
| Shedding | ★★★☆☆ |
| Needs frequent grooming | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Activity and lifestyle | ★★★★☆ |
| Energy level | ★★★★★ |
| Daily exercise needs | ★★★★★ |
| Suited to apartment life | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Health and longevity | ★★★★☆ |
| Life expectancy | ★★★★☆ |
| Predisposition to genetic diseases | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Working abilities and uses | ★★★★☆ |
| Good hunting dog | ★★★★★ |
| Good companion dog | ★★★☆☆ |
Indicative rating: 5 stars means the highest level. The breed has no AKC profile; the rating is based on the FCI standard (“courageous and energetic, but also stoically calm”).
Physical characteristics
The standard describes it as a large, rectangular, cleanly built, strong, solid spitz, yet agile and with good bearing. The body must not look long or too heavy.
General appearance
The head is clean and fairly long. The coat is smooth on the head and the front of the legs and longer on the neck, chest, tail and back of the legs. The undercoat is short, soft and light, preferably cream.
| Feature | Jämthund |
|---|---|
| Size | Large |
| Height at the withers | males: 57–65 cm; females: 52–60 cm |
| Coat | Close-lying, with a cream undercoat |
| Colour | Grey, with cream markings |
| Tail | Carried over the back |
| Shape | Rectangular |
The colour is light or dark grey, with characteristic light grey or cream markings on the sides of the muzzle, cheeks, throat, chest, belly, legs and under the tail.
Training and socialisation
The standard describes it as courageous and energetic, but also stoically calm. It is used mainly to hunt elk, but also bear and wild boar.
A dog that holds game at bay by barking needs strength, stamina and independence. Training requires patience and consistency.
Tips for effective training
- Be patient. It is an independent hunter.
- Practise the recall. On a scent, it can forget about you.
- Be careful with small animals. It has a strong hunting instinct.
- Think of the neighbours. It barks intensely when hunting.
Activity needs and lifestyle
It is a strong, hardy hunting dog that needs a lot of exercise and space every day.
| Activity | How often | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Long walks in the forest | daily | Great stamina |
| Tracking work | several times a week | Hunting instinct |
| Running in a fenced area | several times a week | Uses up energy |
Tips for a balanced life
- It copes very well with cold.
- In summer, give it shade.
- It is best suited to hunters.
Care and health
Coat and skin care
The double coat is brushed once a week, and daily during moulting periods.
Common health problems
There are no published health studies for the breed and no known breed-specific diseases. As with any large, active dog, it is worth watching for:
| Condition | Description | Common symptoms |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | The hip joint forms incorrectly and, over time, arthritis develops | Limping, difficulty getting up or jumping, hip pain |
Other care
- Check its paws after hunting.
- Check for ticks after outings in the woods.
- Trim the nails if they do not wear down on their own.
Diet and nutrition
A large, active hunting dog needs plenty of energy, especially during the season and in cold weather.
Tips for a healthy diet
The table gives a starting estimate, calculated with the formula from the Merck Veterinary Manual. The first two calorie columns show the calories per day for a healthy adult dog. The last column shows what this means in dry food with 3,500–4,000 kcal per kilogram.
| Dog's weight | Calories per day (neutered) | Calories per day (not neutered) | Dry food per day (approximate) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 25 kg | 1,250 kcal | 1,410 kcal | 310–400 g |
| 30 kg | 1,440 kcal | 1,620 kcal | 360–460 g |
| 35 kg | 1,610 kcal | 1,810 kcal | 400–520 g |
- Split the food into two meals a day.
- Fresh water should always be available.
- A dog is at the right weight when you can feel its ribs under the coat without pressing hard.
Foods to avoid
Some human foods are dangerous for dogs: chocolate, coffee, grapes and raisins, onions, garlic, xylitol (a sweetener used in chewing gum), macadamia nuts and alcohol.
Reproduction and development
Physical and emotional maturity
In dogs, sexual maturity usually comes between 6 and 12 months, but in large breeds it can be delayed until about two years. The body also reaches its adult form later than in small breeds.
Mating and pregnancy
Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, counted from ovulation. Mating a female on her first heat is not recommended. The FCI standard requires that only healthy dogs of typical breed appearance are used for breeding.
Caring for the puppies
In large breeds, a litter has around 7 puppies on average. Socialisation starts in the first weeks: gentle handling, everyday noises and new people.
Interesting facts
- The elk hunter. It is used mainly to hunt elk.
- Confused with the Norwegian dog. For a long time it was considered the same breed as the Norwegian Elkhound.
- Named after a province. Jämtland is a province in central Sweden.
- Stoically calm. The standard describes it as courageous, but stoically calm.
- It also hunts bears. It is also used on bear and wild boar.
Frequently asked questions
What does the Jämthund hunt?
Mainly elk, but also bear and wild boar.
How big does it get?
Males measure 57–65 cm and females 52–60 cm at the withers.
How does it differ from the Norwegian Elkhound?
It is larger; for a long time they were considered the same breed.
Is it suited to an apartment?
No. It needs a lot of space and exercise.
