Hunting

Gun dogs

Norwegian and international gun-dog breeds — elkhounds, hare hounds, pointing and driving dogs. How to choose a breed, how training works, and why the gun dog is central to much of Norwegian hunting tradition.

The gun dog is central to much of Norwegian hunting tradition — both culturally and in law. On the moose hunt, the driving hound or bandhund (leashed hound) is the driving force that finds and moves the game. On the ptarmigan hunt, the pointing gun dog is the one that spots the game before the hunter sees it. In tracking of wounded game (ettersøk), an approved tracking dog (ettersøkshund) is a statutory duty for moose, red deer and roe deer. For many a jaktlag (hunting team), the dog work is as central as the shooting.

The Norwegian breeds have their own history and role. The Norwegian Elkhound, grey (NEG) is the country’s most popular gun dog, developed for moose hunting over generations and still the core of Norwegian hunting teams. The Halden Hound (haldenstøver), the Dunker and the Hygen Hound (hygenhund) are classic Norwegian hare-hound breeds. The Norwegian Lundehund has a history all of its own tied to puffin hunting, and is known for its six toes per foot and extreme joint flexibility.

For anyone considering a gun dog, the choice is not only about breed — it is about how the dog is to be used, how much training you are willing to put in, and which type of hunting is the main activity. A dog is a considerable commitment that gives you 10–14 years together, and gun-dog training takes consistent work over months or years.

Norwegian gun-dog breeds

The Norwegian Elkhound, grey (NEG) is the most popular gun-dog breed in Norway. Medium-sized, with a grey-speckled coat and a robust build. Used both as a bandhund (on the leash, in tracking of wounded game or in quiet hunting) and as an LDH (løs på drevet halsende — loose-on-the-drive, baying) for moose hunting. Also good for other big game and can be trained for tracking of wounded game. Independent, but needs training and a fairly firm hand.

The Black Norwegian Elkhound (NES) is less common but used in the same role. Black coat, smaller than the grey.

The Halden Hound (haldenstøver) is a hare-hound breed from the Halden area. A classic driving dog. Energetic, long-lived, requiring a great deal of physical activity. In recent years it has seen a worrying decline in its population owing to low popularity.

The Dunker is another Norwegian hare hound. A classic driver, often used for hare hunting and fox. Less common than the Halden Hound.

The Hygen Hound (hygenhund) is a third Norwegian hare-hound breed, more regional than the other two.

The Norwegian Lundehund has a quite special history. Originally used to catch puffins in their nests on mountainsides and islets in Northern Norway. Small, agile, with 6 toes on each foot and extreme joint flexibility (it can bend its head backwards until it touches its back). Today more a conservation breed than an active gun dog — the population is critically low.

International breeds in Norwegian hunting

Many Norwegian hunters also use international breeds:

Pointing gun dogs for bird hunting:

  • The English Setter and the Irish Setter — classic British bird dogs
  • The Pointer — another British variant
  • The Drahthaar (German wirehaired) — an all-round gun dog that is also good for tracking of wounded game
  • The Vorsteh (German longhaired) — similar to the Drahthaar
  • The Münsterländer — German, popular in northern European hunting
  • The Weimaraner — German, more for sport-oriented use

Driving dogs for hare and small game:

  • The Beagle — British, popular for hare hunting
  • The Foxhound — British, most used in the fox-hunting tradition

Specialised tracking dogs:

  • The Bavarian Mountain Hound (bayersk fjellhund) — German, specialised for tracking of wounded game
  • The Hanoverian Scenthound (hannoveransk fjellhund) — German, similar to the Bavarian
  • The Drahthaar — also used as a tracking dog

Elkhounds from other countries:

  • The Jämthund (Swedish Elkhound) — popular in Norway as well
  • The Karelian Bear Dog (karelsk bjørnhund) — Finnish, also used for bear training
  • The East/West Siberian Laika — Russian, an all-round gun dog
  • The Russo-European Laika — another Russian variant

For anyone considering a breed: a need-specific choice matters more than breed tradition. What kind of hunting is the dog to be used for, and how much training will you put in?

Pointing vs driving vs retrieving

The three main functions of a gun dog:

The pointing dog for bird hunting — points when it finds game and lets you move up before the game flushes. Classic for ptarmigan, woodland grouse and other bird species. Requires firm instinct and training.

The driving dog for hare hunting and the like — drives game towards you or through a terrain pattern. Classic for hare, fox and parts of the moose hunt. Requires endurance and the ability to give tongue.

Retrieving — fetches downed game. Often in combination with pointing dogs, but also dedicated breeds (retrievers, spaniels). Common for bird hunting on water or in dense terrain.

The bandhund for moose hunting — on the leash, finding the game quietly and leading the hunter to a position for the shot without scaring the game off. A hunting technique of its own.

The LDH (løs på drevet halsende) for moose hunting — a loose dog that drives moose towards posts. The classic Norwegian approach to the moose hunt.

The tracking dog (ettersøkshund) — trails wounded game after the shot. Required by law in big-game hunting for moose, red deer and roe deer.

For anyone choosing a breed: some breeds are specialised for one function (tracking of wounded game, bird hunting), while others are all-round. The NEG (Norwegian Elkhound, grey), for example, is capable across several functions; a Pointer is primarily a pointing bird dog.

Training — what actually makes the dog usable

A gun dog is trained over months or years. The classic phases:

Puppy phase (0–6 months) — socialisation, basic training (sit, down, here). Exposure to hunting-relevant stimuli (gunfire, hare skins, birds). Builds the foundation.

Young dog (6–18 months) — formal hunting training. Positioning control, leash work, command response. Exposure to real hunting situations under control.

Adult dog (18+ months) — testing and consolidation. The dog takes trials — a bird-dog trial, a hare-hound trial, or tracking-dog approval.

For a tracking dog: blood-tracking and fresh-track trials under the NKK and the breed clubs’ rules. Approval gives the N J(B) CH (Norwegian leashed-hunting-hound champion) or N J(L) CH (Norwegian loose-hunting-hound champion) titles.

For anyone wanting to build skill: join a local NJFF hunting association or a breed club. The training community makes a considerable difference to how quickly and how well the dog learns.

Where to find a puppy

For anyone wanting a puppy:

The Norwegian Kennel Club (NKK) keeps the official breeders’ register. Quality breeders are certified and follow the breed clubs’ standards.

Breed clubs — Norsk Elghund Klub, Norsk Fuglehund Klubbers Forbund, and others — have their own breeders’ registers and offer advice. They know which lines have good hunting qualities, not just good show form.

Local hunting associations — often have an overview of local breeders and can give a recommendation.

On price: a good gun-dog puppy typically runs to 15,000–30,000 kr from an established breeder. Do not buy from ‘lost owner’ adverts if you do not know the history — hunting ability is genetic and requires a solid breeding background.

Health and insurance

Gun dogs are active breeds and have specific health challenges:

Hip dysplasia — common in many larger breeds. Check the breeding history.

Injuries from hunting activity — cuts from the terrain, chafing sores, and often wear on the paws over long hunting days.

Bite injuries — in bear hunting and moose hunting, and occasionally from predators out in the terrain.

Animal insurance — recommended for a gun dog. Classic providers such as Agria and If have their own dog insurance policies.

For first aid: pack first aid for the dog as well. Cut injuries are common on long day trips in the terrain. Local vets are often available during the hunting season too.

Ethics

Gun-dog ethics is about both dog welfare and the appropriateness of the use:

Training methods — build training on positive reinforcement and consistency. Harsh, force-based methods are old-fashioned and give the dog poor well-being.

Strain in the field — consider the dog’s capacity. Long days in extreme cold, deep snow, or steep terrain are hard even on robust breeds.

Rest — give the dog fixed rest days. Daily hunting over many days is not sustainable.

Dispatching — an older or seriously injured gun dog must be dispatched by the right method and at the right time. It is part of the commitment.

For anyone wanting to do gun-dog work: become part of a local hunting association or a breed club. These communities have established norms and let you learn from experienced dog handlers.

Next steps

If you are considering a gun dog: join a local NJFF hunting association and talk to experienced dog handlers before you buy a puppy. Understand which hunting function you will primarily use the dog for, and match the breed choice to it.

If you have a dog and want to start hunting training: sign up for a local puppy course through a breed club or the NKK. Build the foundation before you move on to hunting-specific training.

For tracking of wounded game: tracking of wounded game goes through the blood-tracking trial, equipage approval, and the handler’s role.

For a specific form of hunting: big-game hunting requires a tracking dog. Ptarmigan hunting often uses a pointing gun dog.

Learn more

Text: Snuitide (2026).