Norwegian Elkhound Grooming Guide

The Double Coat

Understanding the Norwegian Elkhound Coat

The Norwegian Elkhound's coat is a dense, two-layer system: a thick, woolly grey undercoat and a coarser, slightly harsher outer coat of grey with lighter and darker shadings. This structure provides insulation in both cold and heat, repels water, and protects the skin from external irritation. It was engineered over thousands of years for the Norwegian climate.

Grooming Tools You Need

• Undercoat rake — the primary tool. Nothing removes dense Nordic undercoat more effectively
• Slicker brush — for the outer coat and finishing work
• Wide-tooth steel comb — for checking thoroughness and finding remaining tangles
• Deshedding tool (Furminator or similar) — especially useful during coat blows
• High-velocity dryer — not required but dramatically speeds coat blow management
• Dog shampoo appropriate for double coats

NEVER Shave the Coat

This must be said clearly because well-meaning people sometimes shave double-coated dogs in summer, believing it will help the dog stay cool. It does the opposite. The double coat is a thermoregulation system: the outer coat blocks direct solar radiation while the undercoat creates an insulating air layer near the skin. Removing the coat eliminates this protection, exposes the skin to direct sun, and impairs the dog's ability to thermoregulate in both heat and cold. Shaving also risks post-clipping alopecia — permanent patchy or abnormal coat regrowth. If the dog is hot, provide shade, cool water, and limit exercise to cooler hours. Do not shave.

Regular Routine

Weekly, Monthly, and Seasonal Grooming

Weekly (Normal Periods)

• Work through the entire coat with an undercoat rake — section by section, neck to tail, down each leg. Go slowly and thoroughly. The undercoat compacts if not regularly thinned
• Follow with a slicker brush to smooth the outer coat
• Check ears: lift and inspect for odor or redness; wipe with a dampened cotton ball if needed
• Quick paw check for debris or cracking between pads

Monthly

• Bathe every 6–8 weeks. Use a double-coat appropriate shampoo (avoid heavy moisturizers that can soften the outer coat's texture)
• Dry thoroughly and completely. The dense undercoat holds moisture for hours. Towel dry first, then a stand or high-velocity dryer works through the undercoat. Without complete drying, moisture trapped near the skin risks hot spots — moist dermatitis in the neck, armpit, or groin
• Nail trim: monthly, or whenever clicking on floors

Coat Blows: Twice Per Year

The semi-annual coat blow is the major event. The undercoat releases in dense clumps over 2–4 weeks — typically in spring and fall. During this period, daily brushing with the undercoat rake is required. The most efficient approach: a thorough deshedding bath (soak, undercoat-release shampoo, rinse, blow out with high-velocity dryer while brushing) in the first week removes the majority of loose undercoat in one session and shortens the overall blow period significantly.

Managing the Shedding

Practical Strategies for Heavy Shedding

Norwegian Elkhound shedding requires an honest household strategy. Hair will be on furniture, clothing, and floors. There is no workaround to this — management, not elimination, is the goal.

Vacuum Requirements

A vacuum with a motorized brush roll and a HEPA filter handles double-coat shedding better than standard vacuums. Robot vacuums on a daily schedule significantly reduce visible accumulation between manual vacuum sessions. Pet hair rollers and lint brushes for clothing are standard tools in Elkhound households.

Furniture and Bedding

Machine-washable slipcovers or throws on furniture where the dog is allowed simplify cleanup. Dedicated dog beds (replaced or washed regularly) reduce hair accumulation in other areas of the house.

Grooming Outdoors

During coat blows, groom outdoors when possible. The amount of undercoat released in a single session is substantial — dealing with it outside rather than inside a bathroom significantly reduces the cleanup involved.