South Wales Kennel Association

Thursday, 8 October 2026

Norwegian Elkhound

              I would like to thank the South Wales Kennel Association on inviting me to award Challenge Certificates in Norwegian Elkhounds for the first time. As a long-term owner of their sister breed in the hound group, Finnish Spitz, this is a breed I have a strong interest in, as although different breeds, their similarities are undeniable. I was delighted with my entry of 23 considering it was a weekday judging in Wales. I feel quality in the breed is very good at the moment with some examples of excellent type. A couple of points to watch are there are several with ears larger than you would hope, and although I wasn’t going to throw the baby out with the bath water as ultimately, it would not affect the working ability of an Elkhound, the ones with smaller ears did have the edge on correct expression. There were also a few that were longer in loin, or with a touch more hind angulation which detracted from the moderate square outline I was looking for. Remember the Elkhound is a hunting dog, capable of nimble action running through the forest, it does not require the drive of a sled dog. That being said, overall, I felt the breed is in a very good place, and had several dogs I felt were worthy of higher awards. I was most impressed with the sportsmanship of the exhibitors and was delighted with my CC winners, two Elkhounds who I have never seen before, and first CCs for both. I wish their owners all the best in trying to achieve their titles. Finally, thanks, must go to my excellent steward, who had been let down by her second steward and did an excellent job managing the ring on her own.

DCC Laakso Esko at Elskerdeg (Ms M C Hennessey)

RDCC Whittimere Spexy Beast (Ms N D Callow)

BCC Barbelka Dauntless Spirit (ai) (Ms B M Barganska)

RBCC Cealdstan Ancestral Voices of Barbelka (ai) (Ms B M Barganska)

BOB Laakso Esko at Elskerdeg (Ms M C Hennessey)

BP Whittimere Spexy Beast (Ms N D Callow)

BV Bowerhinton Bombette VW (Ms M C Hennessey)

Norwegian Elkhound - Minor Puppy Dog

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1ST Lochlannach An Seaigair (Mr D & Miss L Horvath & Traylor)

Very nice 7-month-old with a strong masculine head, good wedge, lovely expression and well set ears which he still needs to grow into. Good neck going into well laid shoulders, sufficient bone for age and excellent feet. Lovely square outline in profile with ribs sufficiently curved and nice short loin, Well angulated hindquarters which still need to strengthen. Well set tail with good curl and nice coat texture and colour. Still plenty of maturing to do as to be expected but a puppy showing plenty of promise with lovely profile movement. Once everything drops into his frame, one who will challenge the best.

Norwegian Elkhound - Puppy Dog

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1ST Whittimere Spexy Beast (Ms N D Callow)

 Quality 8-month-old male who was very full of himself today. Superb head with correct wedge, slight stop and beautiful expression with well set ears and going into a strong neck. Well laid shoulders with balanced return of upper arm and super bone and feet. Lovely spring of rib for age with strong short loin and moderate balanced hindquarters and well-set tail with good curl. Lovely coat colour and texture coming though. Super light effortless movement with correct convergence when going away. A lovely combination of type and quality and one who will do well, I am sure. Delighted to award him the RCC today and Best Puppy in Breed, it was fantastic to see him win a lovely puppy group.

Norwegian Elkhound - Junior Dog

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1ST Laakso Moerketid (Mrs S Huynh)

Another good puppy, this time a 9 month old male with a lovely masculine head of good wedge shape. Eyes are a touch rounder than ideal, and he still needs to grow into his ears. Lovely strong neck going into well laid shoulders with good bone and feet. Still quite raw in body, I imagine this lad will be a slow maturer and still a bit bum high when stood and his well angulated hindquarters need to strengthen. Well set tail with good curl and nice coat colour and texture. Moved well in profile, needs to come together front and back but has the ingredients to be quality dog, just needs time.

Norwegian Elkhound - Open Dog

Entries: 3 Absentees: 0

1ST Laakso Esko at Elskerdeg (Ms M C Hennessey)

 This ultra square male caught my eye on the first go round in the class for his super type and masculinity, Handsome wedge-shaped head, strong underjaw with lovely dark oval eye and super expression and well-set ears. Strong crested neck going into an excellent front with strong bone and super feet. Ribs of good depth and sufficient spring with strong short loin and an excellent tail. Moderate balanced well-muscled hindquarters which showed strength when stood and on the move. Lovely light movement, super in profile holding an excellent top line and converging on the up and back. Excellent colour and texture of coat and in hard working condition. Perhaps not the flashiest of Elkhounds, but a super example of type and balance and in today’s entry an easy Challenge Certificate winner and best of breed. At 7 years old I was surprised to hear that this was his first CC, after several reserves. In a long-lasting breed like this, hopefully there is still plenty of time for him to gain his title.

2ND Ch Bowerhinton Bassanio (Mrs T Maun)

 A favourite of mine who I have judged when he was younger. He has the most beautiful masculine head with superb expression and good ears. He has a very good front to go over with a well laid shoulder, excellent bone and feet and a well curved ribs of good depth. A touch longer in loin he is slightly longer than square when stood. Excellent tail set and curl and super coat colour and texture. Carrying a touch more weight today than I’d like which seems to impact his movement with him being quite lazy on his front action, and not the effortless action of the open winner or the puppy dog, after bringing him back in for consideration for the RCC. He is a sound dog however with many super breed specific qualities and more than worthy of his title, sadly not his day, today.

3RD Ch Kamgaard Kyffin for Brawdor (Mr M & Mrs L Stephenson)

Norwegian Elkhound - Veteran Bitch

Entries: 4 Absentees: 1

1ST Bowerhinton Bombette VW (Ms M C Hennessey)

 Nearly 11 year old bitch with a super square outline and excellent type. Loved her wedge shaped head and excellent expression. Strong neck going into a very good front with excellent feet and good depth and spring of rib. Nice short strong loin with a well balanced moderate hindquarters. Well set tail with good curl and lovely light, free movement, especially in profile. A real Laster, and delighted to award her best veteran today.

2ND Ch Laakso Dana (Miss T Mortimer)

 Another lovely veteran although preferred the head of the first as her ears are a touch larger than I’d prefer. Strong neck with a very good front and bone, and excellent feet. A touch longer bodied than the winner, although some allowance made for a bitch, and carrying a couple of extra pounds. Very good hindquarters for her age and excellent coat and colour. Another good mover with soundness and convergence on the up and back.

3RD Whittimere No Matter What (Mr T Croxford)

Norwegian Elkhound - Puppy Bitch

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1ST Laakso Reinstorm (Miss T Mortimer)

 Very feminine puppy with a super head and eye shape, however needs to grow into her ears. Strong neck going into a super front with good lay of shoulder, balanced return of upper arm and good bone and feet. A touch bum high at the moment and needs to strengthen in her hindquarters and her tail needs to settle, however moved well for her age. Happy to award best puppy bitch, not quite as forward as the male, although another with good breed type and plenty of promise.

Norwegian Elkhound - Junior Bitch

Entries: 2 Absentees: 0

1ST Treskha Veuve Clicquot (Ms K H & Mrs H Tress)

 Quality bitch who I considered for higher awards, beautiful square outline with excellent breed type. Loved her head with a super wedge and correct amount of stop, lovely eye shape and expression although ears could be a shade smaller. Very good neck going into a well laid shoulder with balanced return of upper arm and super bone and feet. Still needs to mature in chest however has correct amount of rib and lovely short loin. Excellent tail and balanced moderate hindquarters in good muscle tone and coat. Lovely profile movement, still a touch loose in front but excellent convergence at the rear when going away. I felt the Open winner and second had the edge on maturity however a really lovely bitch who will have a promising future.

2ND Laakso Lumi (Miss T Mortimer)

 Feminine bitch with a good wedge and nice expression. Ears a touch bigger but good neck going into a very good front with excellent bone and feet. A touch longer in body than the winner and needs to strengthen in her hindquarters. Lovely tail set and excellent coat texture. Nice mover in profile and sound up and back, just at that teenager stage of development and needs some time.

Norwegian Elkhound - Post Graduate Bitch

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1ST Bowerhinton Ball of Fire (Mrs T Maun)

 Bitch of lovely type who was being a minx for her handler today. Super feminine thoughout with lovely head and expression and nice small ears. Strong neck going into a very good front with good return of upper arm and nice feet. Good spring of rib and short loin giving a nice square outline. Well angulated hindquarters than need to strengthen, however still a young bitch with plenty of maturing to do. Excellent tail and coat texture and moved well when settled.

Norwegian Elkhound - Limit Bitch

Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

I thought the first two in this class were both excellent bitches, litter sisters, however still young, their day will come. A close decision between the two.

1ST Laakso Kaunis at Akritiko (Mr Mj & Mrs Jg Williams)

 Very square bitch of super breed type with lovely feminne wedge shaped head, excellent expression and nice small ears. Strong neck going into excellent lay of shoulder with balanced return of upper arm and super bone and feet. Ribs of good depth and spring with strong short loin and super tail set and curl. Excellent coat texture and condition and balanced moderate hindquarters. Lovely light effortless movement in profile with sound converging action on the up and back giving an excellent outline. Not quite as settled in the challenge, and lacking the maturity of the Open winners, but a quality bitch and in consideration for higher awards.

2ND Laakso Katja JW (Mrs W A & Mr K A Threadgold)

 Litter sister to the winner and another quality bitch of excellent breed type. Lovely feminine head with small ears and excellent expression. Strong neck going into well laid shoulders with excellent bone and feet. Lovely depth of rib with nice short loin and excellent tail set and curl. Balanced moderate hindquarters with lovely coat and colour. Another excellent mover in profile but not quite as strong in hindquarters as her litter sister. A close decision between these two beautiful bitches and another who I am sure will be winning CCs soon.

3RD Bowerhinton Bonny Beth at Rothenborg (Mrs J E & Mrs B Cowper & Stokes)

RES Kamgaard Kariad (Ms S & Ms M Simmonds & Mott)

Norwegian Elkhound - Open Bitch

Entries: 5 Absentees: 0

1ST Barbelka Dauntless Spirit (ai) (Ms B M Barganska)

 3 year old bitch who I felt had super balance and type. Superb wedge shaped head with excellent expression, and lovely small ears. Strong neck going into well laid shoulders with balanced return of upper arm and excellent bone and feet. Ribs of good depth and spring with strong short loin and balanced moderate hindquarters. Excellent coat and colour and in super condition. Beautiful tail set and curl. Lovely easy mover, super in profile with soundness, moderation and convergence when going away. Nothing exaggerated about this bitch I thought she exuded breed type and was an excellent example of an Elkhound who is not only beautiful but could happily work all day. Delighted to award her the Bitch Challenge Certificate, her first. I felt the male had the edge on overall presence in the challenge but one I would happily own and hopefully her title wont be too far away.  

2ND Cealdstan Ancestral Voices of Barbelka (ai) (Ms B M Barganska)

 Another bitch of excellent type and dam of the CC winner. Super square proportions with excellent head and expression, lovely eye shape and ears. Strong neck going into a very good front with well laid shoulder, balanced return of upper arm and excellent feet. Good depth of rib with short strong loin and excellent tail set and curl. Lovely moderate hindquarters and super light easy movement being sound up and back and lovely in profile. I thought she exuded breed type and although perhaps not the flashiest of Elkhounds, has excellent quality throughout. She had the edge on maturity of the limit and junior winners who were much younger bitches and I was delighted to award her the RCC today.

3RD Ch/am Ch Kamgaard Klementina (Imp Usa) (Ms S & Ms M Simmonds & Mott)

RES Ch Bowerhinton Bright Flame at Starceylon JW (Mr C & Mrs L & Miss A Tyson)

VHC Treskha Just The One (Ms K H & Mrs H Tress)

David Knights (Lelaps)