Elk-Kee
Hybrid Breed Description
The Elk-Kee is a cross between the Keeshond and the Norwegian Elkhound. Because each hybrid inherits a unique combination of traits from both parents, we recommend thoroughly researching both breeds before choosing an Elk-Kee. Pay special attention to temperament, health issues, and care requirements, as your dog may express characteristics from either parent breed.
Keeshond
The Keeshond presents as a medium-sized, sturdily built Spitz-type dog with a distinctive square appearance and well-balanced proportions. Males typically stand eighteen inches at the withers while females measure seventeen inches, with both sexes weighing between thirty-five and forty-five pounds. Their bone structure provides strength without coarseness, creating an athletic yet substantial frame ideal for their historical role as working companions on Dutch barges. The breed's most striking feature is its luxuriant double coat, consisting of a dense, woolly pale gray or cream undercoat beneath longer, straight guard hairs with black tips that create the characteristic shaded appearance. The coat stands out from the body rather than lying flat, with profuse manes around the neck that are particularly pronounced in males. The hair is shortest and smoothest on the head, muzzle, skull, and ears with a velvety texture, while the body displays abundant longer hair with feathering on the front legs and distinctive trousers on the hind legs. The richly plumed tail curves elegantly over the back. Distinctive markings set the Keeshond apart from other Spitz breeds, most notably the spectacles - dark lines slanting from the outer corners of the eyes toward the lower ears combined with expressive eyebrows that create an alert, intelligent expression. The muzzle and ears are dark in color, and the breed displays lighter shoulder line markings and harness patterns. Their medium-sized, dark brown, almond-shaped eyes are set obliquely, contributing to their fox-like appearance and keen expression.
Key Characteristics
Keeshonden are known for their outgoing, affectionate, and intelligent personalities, making them exceptional family companions and adaptable to various living situations. Their easygoing dispositions and friendly nature mean they thrive on human interaction and companionship, preferring to be included in all family activities rather than left alone. These dogs form strong bonds with their families and are utterly devoted, often described as Velcro dogs that follow their owners throughout the house seeking attention and affection. As natural watchdogs bred to alert their owners on Dutch barges, Keeshonden possess an inherent alertness and will bark to announce strangers or unusual occurrences, though they are neither aggressive nor timid once visitors are welcomed into the home. Their intelligence and eagerness to please make them quick learners who excel in obedience training, agility, and other canine sports, though this same intelligence means they can quickly learn unintended behaviors if not properly directed. The breed demonstrates remarkable intuition and empathy, qualities that have made them successful as therapy and comfort dogs. While friendly with other dogs and generally patient with children, Keeshonden can be reserved with strangers initially and require early socialization to develop into well-rounded adults. Their playful, silly nature shines through in familiar environments, and they're known for their delightful habit of spinning in circles when excited or happy. Despite their moderate energy levels requiring daily exercise, they adapt well to various activity levels and living situations, from apartments to houses with yards, as long as they receive adequate mental stimulation and quality time with their families.
Keeshonden are generally healthy dogs with an impressive lifespan of twelve to fifteen years, though like all breeds, they have predispositions to certain health conditions that prospective owners should understand. Hip dysplasia, a malformation of the hip joint causing grinding and deterioration, affects the breed and can be screened through X-rays, with treatment ranging from weight management and supplements to surgery in severe cases. Patellar luxation, where one or both kneecaps slip out of place, is another inherited orthopedic concern that may cause limping or favoring of one leg and can predispose dogs to other knee injuries and arthritis. The most significant breed-specific concern is primary hyperparathyroidism, an inherited condition caused by tumors in the parathyroid gland that leads to dangerously elevated blood calcium levels. This condition typically affects adult dogs and initially presents with increased thirst and urination, progressing to weakness, lethargy, weight loss, and potentially organ damage if untreated. Genetic testing is available to identify carriers, and surgical removal of the affected gland offers an excellent prognosis when caught early. Progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy, and hypothyroidism occur less frequently but should be monitored. Regular veterinary checkups are essential for early detection of health issues, and responsible breeders should provide health clearances for both parents including OFA certifications for hips, elbows, and patellas, plus eye clearances from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation. The breed can be prone to weight gain if overfed, so maintaining a healthy weight through proper diet and regular exercise is crucial for preventing exacerbation of orthopedic issues and ensuring a long, quality life.
Norwegian Elkhound
The Norwegian Elkhound is a typical Spitz-type breed displaying a compact, square profile with medium size and substantial bone structure without coarseness. Males typically stand nineteen and a half to twenty inches at the shoulder and weigh fifty to sixty pounds, while females measure slightly smaller at eighteen to twenty inches with weights ranging from forty to fifty-five pounds. Their well-balanced proportions, muscular neck, straight topline, and sturdy frame reflect centuries of breeding for endurance and strength in harsh Norwegian terrain and climate. The breed's most distinctive feature is its thick, weather-resistant double coat consisting of a dense, soft, woolly undercoat and coarse, straight outer guard hairs that stand away from the body. The coat appears in shades of gray created by black-tipped guard hairs over a pale silver undercoat, with the darkest coloring on the saddle area and lighter shading on the chest, legs, stomach, and underside of the tail. The muzzle, ears, and tail tip are characteristically black, with the black on the muzzle fading to lighter gray over the forehead and skull. The coat is shortest on the head, ears, and front of legs, with longer hair on the back of the neck, buttocks, and underside of the tail. Norwegian Elkhounds possess a distinctive wedge-shaped head that is broad between the ears with a clearly defined but not abrupt stop, and their medium-sized, dark brown, oval eyes convey a keen, alert, and intelligent expression. The triangular ears are mobile and set high on the head, typically with black tips that enhance their attentive appearance. Their tightly curled tail, carried over the centerline of the back, completes the characteristic Spitz silhouette and adds to their wolf-like appearance despite being a distinctly different breed.
Key Characteristics
Norwegian Elkhounds are known for their fearless, reliable, and energetic personalities combined with extreme loyalty to their families, though they maintain a degree of independence bred from centuries of working as solitary hunters. These intelligent dogs are independent thinkers who see themselves as equals rather than subordinates, which can present training challenges for inexperienced owners but makes them excellent problem-solvers when properly motivated. Their bold, energetic temperament and strong work ethic reflect their heritage as big-game hunters capable of tracking and holding moose and bears at bay through stamina and courage. While devoted and affectionate with family members they know well, Norwegian Elkhounds tend to be reserved and appropriately wary around strangers, making them natural watchdogs who will alert to any perceived threats with their distinctive, powerful bark. This protective instinct and territorial nature means early socialization is crucial to prevent excessive wariness or guarding behaviors. The breed generally gets along well with children in the family when raised together, though their rambunctious nature and dominant tendencies mean they do best with older children who understand how to interact respectfully with dogs. Norwegian Elkhounds possess high energy levels requiring substantial daily exercise of at least one hour, including vigorous activities like long hikes, runs, or challenging play sessions that engage both mind and body. Without adequate physical and mental stimulation, they can become destructive or develop behavioral problems including excessive barking. Their strong prey drive and independent nature mean they may ignore recall commands when they pick up an interesting scent, so secure fencing and leashed walks are essential. Despite their working background, they adapt surprisingly well to various living situations including apartments, provided their substantial exercise needs are consistently met.
Norwegian Elkhounds are generally healthy and robust dogs with an average lifespan of twelve to fifteen years, though they are predisposed to several hereditary conditions that responsible breeders screen for and owners should monitor. Hip dysplasia, a malformation of the hip joint causing pain and mobility issues, affects the breed and can be managed through weight control, physical therapy, joint supplements, and surgery in severe cases. Progressive retinal atrophy, an inherited degenerative eye disease that leads to progressive vision loss and eventual blindness, typically begins with night blindness and has no cure, though genetic testing can identify carriers and affected dogs adapt well to vision loss with proper care. Fanconi syndrome represents one of the more serious breed-specific concerns - an inherited kidney disorder affecting the renal tubules' ability to reabsorb nutrients, leading to excessive loss of glucose, proteins, and electrolytes in the urine. Without treatment, affected dogs fail to thrive and experience excessive drinking and urination, weight loss, and ultimately kidney failure and premature death. Early detection through regular veterinary monitoring is crucial, as the condition can be managed with medications, dietary adjustments, and increased water intake when caught in time. Primary open angle glaucoma, caused by an autosomal recessive mutation, is another serious condition that increases intraocular pressure and causes pain and vision loss, typically appearing in middle age. The breed can also develop sebaceous cysts, epilepsy, hypothyroidism, and elbow dysplasia, though these occur less frequently. Norwegian Elkhounds have a tendency toward obesity if allowed to free-feed, which can exacerbate joint problems and other health issues, so portion control and regular exercise are essential for maintaining optimal health. Regular veterinary checkups, health screenings for breeding stock, and maintaining dogs at a healthy weight contribute significantly to longevity and quality of life for this generally hardy breed.
Important to Remember
Each hybrid dog is unique and may inherit any combination of traits from either parent breed. The information above represents the characteristics of the purebred parent breeds. Your Elk-Kee may favor one parent over the other or display a blend of both. We strongly encourage you to read the complete breed profiles for both the Keeshond and Norwegian Elkhound to fully understand the range of possible temperaments, health concerns, and care requirements.