Which breed was used by Vikings to hunt moose and bear in Scandinavia?

The Norwegian Elkhound was the breed used by Vikings to hunt moose and bear in Scandinavia. Despite its name, “elkhound” refers to its traditional role hunting elk, or moose, rather than chasing the North American elk species.

This sturdy Norwegian spitz breed tracks large game independently, then keeps the animal at bay by darting around it and barking loudly. The noise alerts hunters to the animal’s location and helps hold its attention until they arrive. Norwegian Elkhounds have also been used against wolves and other dangerous game.

The breed is closely associated with Norway and is recognized as the country’s national dog. It has a compact, square build, a dense gray double coat, pointed ears, and the tightly curled tail typical of northern spitz breeds. The modern breed was first presented at a Norwegian dog exhibition in 1877.

A common mix-up is with the Jämthund and Swedish Elkhound, which are also Scandinavian hunting dogs. However, the Norwegian Elkhound is the standard answer for this Viking-era moose-and-bear trivia question.