Norwegian Elkhound Association Of Scotland

Norwegian Elkhound Association of Scotland

Friday 15th May 2026 

Many thanks to the Officers and Committee of the Norwegian Elkhound Association of Scotland for their kind invitation to judge the Association’s open show. The warm welcome and hospitality I received throughout the day was second to none. I enjoyed the day and was quite impressed with the quality throughout, so thank you to the exhibitors for their support. Indeed, the support I have received from the breed as a whole in my judging progression has been so encouraging, particularly from Marjory Magregor (Breed Education Coordinator) and Vanessa McHugh (Breed Council Secretary). They happened to be wearing the hats of Chairman and ring steward, respectively, on the day which made it all the better.

Norwegian Elkhound Baby Puppy Dog/Bitch (1,0)

1. Mortimer’s Laakso Reinstorm. 4 month old bitch. A sturdy and compact bitch with good bone to grow into. Would like to see her a bit more up on the leg but has time. Good head proportions and dark eyes, still needs to grow into her ears. Strong neck and well angled fore and aft. Well developed through the body for her age. Moved soundly in all directions. Best Baby Puppy in Show.

Norwegian Elkhound Post Graduate Dog (1,0)

1. McPeake’s Laakso Joulu. I thought this male had excellent proportions, he is great for leg length and has a compact, strong back. Masculine head with good length to foreface, though perhaps could have a bit more fill under his eyes. Ears of good size and shape. Good neck and shoulder, but he could have a touch more infill of forechest and spring of rib, as he stands a little narrow at the elbow. Excellent pasterns and feet. Moderate rear with good width of thigh. A balanced and moderate profile mover, could be more true up and down.

Norwegian Elkhound Limit Dog (3,1)

1. McPeake’s Treskha Tork. Immediately pleases the eye for his overall balance, proportions and correct coat structure. Totally masculine throughout without being overdone or coarse. Excellent wedge shaped head, pleasing expression and small, thick ears. To be critical, I would like a more level topline both standing and moving. Super tail set and tight curl. A positive mover with a sound and free stride. Pushed hard for RBD.

2. McHugh’s Kamgaard Kloudberry Jam for Conrick. These two were like chalk and cheese really, this male, still just 2 years old, gave so much away in maturity and on the day, lack of coat. However, his super frame was there for all to see. I thought he had ideal proportions with excellent length of leg and was totally balanced in angulation fore and aft. Pleasing head and dark eyes. Small, thick ears, well set. Excellent front construction, with a rear to match. Good coat colour. Tail set on high. As his angles would suggest, he was one of the better profile movers of the day and pleasing in the rear too.

Norwegian Elkhound Open Dog (4,1)

1. Maun’s Ch Bowerhinton Bassanio. Instantly impressive, masculine male. Very well put together and compact dog, though to be very critical, I wouldn’t like any less leg length. Wonderful head, skull broad and ever so slightly arched with correct tapering, dark and expressive eyes, well set, small and mobile ears. Excellent neck and front construction. Compact and well-padded feet. In super body with a firm topline. Balanced rear with super width of thigh and strong hocks. Tail set on high and tightly curled. A sound and efficient mover from any angle, holding his outline with a super natural carriage. An overall package which stood away today, thank you for allowing me to judge him. Best in Show.

2. Gold’s Ch Graythor At The Venetian with Llassah. Another impressive male, though he is as big and strong as you would like. Strong head, in keeping with his overall structure, but it is well proportioned and he has well shaped, dark eyes. Strong neck and really super front angulation, superb return of upper arm. Excellent depth and spring of rib, though a touch long in the loin and so, not as compact in the back as 1. Well angulated rear quarters which he really uses on the move. He has a lengthy profile stride and a very easy overall action, which clinched him Reserve Best Dog.

Norwegian Elkhound Veteran Dog (1,0)

1. Mortimer’s Ch Laakso Canute. Ideal proportions on this male, super length of leg. Pleasing head with good length to foreface, dark eyes and ears. Strong neck and well laid shoulders, would like a touch more return of upper arm. My notes state a little ‘waisty’, he could perhaps carry a touch more condition. Super rear. He is most impressive when moving, where he is true and sound in all directions and has a lovely carriage about him. Super temperament.  

Norwegian Elkhound Minor Puppy Bitch (1,0)

1. Tress’ Treskha Veuve Clicquot. Really attractive puppy, super for size, proportions and outline. Feminine head with plenty length of foreface, though wouldn’t like any less strength to it. Well shaped eyes with a bright expression. Good length of neck and very well made through the front with pleasing layback. Super compact body with a firm, level topline. Tightly curled tail, set on high. Compact feet. Lovely coat and colour. A very active mover with a super stride, just needs to settle coming towards as she is a touch wide and ‘springy’. Best Puppy in Show.

Norwegian Elkhound Puppy Bitch (2,0)

1. Tress’ Treskha Veuve Clicquot.

2. Mortimer’s Laakso Lumi. Another pleasing feminine bitch of good size but not quite the compact proportions of 1. Lovely head and expression, liked her small ears. Neck of good length and strength. Balanced, if more moderate, in angulation fore and aft. Pleasing depth and infill. Needs to firm up in topline. In good coat. More true coming and going but lacked the stride of 1 in profile.

Norwegian Elkhound Junior Bitch (3,1)

1. Gold’s Ravenheim Blue Mystique of Llassah. Attractive youngster who quite literally demands to be seen (and heard!), certainly has a bold, energetic disposition which I admired a lot. She is very good for proportions with ideal leg length and compact enough through the body. Feminine head of good shape, lovely dark eyes and erect ears, though wouldn’t like them any larger. Medium neck and good lay of shoulder. Still young and has time to drop a little more in chest. Not in full coat today but lovely colouring. Impressed on the move, she is true up and down and has a powerful and free profile stride.

2. Maun’s Bowerhinton Ball Of Fire. Another lovely youngster with many qualities, but unfortunately due to an unfamiliar handler on the move, did not make a great account of herself today. Scores for size and substance, still retaining femininity. Wouldn’t like any less leg length. Liked her head a lot which had a lovely shape and fill with correct stop and tapering. Super ear shape and size. Well made through the body and compact, which I preferred over 1. Really difficult to assess movement on the day unfortunately.

Norwegian Elkhound Yearling Bitch (3,1)

1. Gold’s Ravenheim Blue Mystique of Llassah.

2. Simmonds & Mott’s Kamgaard Kariad. Pleased to be able to write a critique for this bitch, who has so many obvious qualities but unfortunately, wasn’t keen on the floor in the venue today and therefore, moving far from her best. She is instantly attractive for her proportions with super leg length and firm, short back. Correct wedge shaped head and the darkest of eyes, ears a little big but they are erect and mobile and she uses them well. A pleasure to go over, so well made all through but with particularly super shoulders, strong in the rear too. Beautiful coat colour and condition. Would love to see her in an outdoor, grassed ring.

Norwegian Elkhound Post Graduate Bitch (1,0)

1. Gold’s Ravenheim Blue Mystique of Llassah.

Norwegian Elkhound Limit Bitch (1,0)

1. Mortimer’s Laakso Julaften. The overall construction, balance in angulation and sound, efficient and powerful movement are very pleasing and carry this bitch a long way. I would like a better head, perhaps some more fill of her muzzle for a better wedge shape. Good strength of neck and very well angulated in front. Good depth and firm in topline. She is ever so slightly longer cast than preferred but still retained overall balance. She has strength and width in her rear quarters. Tail is well set and curled. Good coat texture. Reserve Best Bitch.

Norwegian Elkhound Open Bitch (2,1)

1. Mortimer’s Laakso Gunni. A feminine bitch of lovely size and just enough substance. She is compact and balanced throughout. Pleasing, feminine head with good length to foreface, however wouldn’t like any less width through, dark eyes and small ears. Very good depth and spring of rib, short loin and well set tail. Balanced in angulation fore and aft, though would like a touch more strength in rear. Went on a super profile stride and had good footfall coming and going.

Norwegian Elkhound Veteran Bitch (3,1)

1. Hennessey’s Bowerhinton Bombette VW. Was quite taken with this lovely veteran bitch who is described in my notes as a ‘little pocket rocket’. She is spot on for proportions and balance, with good length of leg and a compact body of excellent depth. Super head shape and dark eyes giving a lovely expression. Ears are well set and mobile, but as big as I would like. Well made fore and aft, and in excellent body and condition. Overall, she presented a mature, balanced and compact picture and powered around the ring on a sound and functional stride, to take Best Bitch, Reserve Best in Show and Best Veteran in Show.

2. McHugh, Simmonds & Mott’s Am Ch Kamgaard Kounterpoint (Imp USA). Another lovely veteran girl, perhaps not quite as compact in overall picture as 1, being slightly longer cast. Feminine head, slightly arched skull, correct stop and good length of foreface. Lovely dark eyes and expression. This bitch scores in front, super layback of shoulder, balanced return of upper arm, neat elbows and straight forelegs. Super depth and length of ribcage. A little out of coat. She is a sound mover, if not able to match the power and activity of 1 on the day.

Mr L A Johnston