DogMatchUp

Slovensky Cuvac vs Norwegian Elkhound

Comprehensive comparison of two popular breeds to help you decide which one might be the better fit for your lifestyle and preferences.

Slovensky Cuvac
Medium

Slovensky Cuvac

Foundation Stock Service

Norwegian Elkhound
Medium

Norwegian Elkhound

Hound Group

Quick Comparison

Size

Slovensky Cuvac Medium
Norwegian Elkhound Medium

Lifespan

Slovensky Cuvac 11-13 years
Norwegian Elkhound 12-15 years

Exercise Needs

Slovensky Cuvac 2/5
Norwegian Elkhound 3/5

Grooming Needs

Slovensky Cuvac 3/5
Norwegian Elkhound 3/5

Breed Overview

Slovensky Cuvac Overview

Majestic and powerful, the Slovensky Cuvac displays a robust build with a distinctive pure white double coat. Standing up to 27.5 inches at the shoulder, this mountain dog breed exhibits strong bones and muscular development. Their alert expression, coupled with a well-proportioned head and dark eyes, reflects their vigilant nature and protective instincts.

Origin: Unknown
Life Expectancy: 11-13 years
Size: Medium
Temperament: Courageous, Alert, Faithful

Norwegian Elkhound Overview

Norwegian Elkhounds possess a robust, square-built frame with distinctive gray and black double coat. Their alert expression, wedge-shaped head, and tightly curled tail reflect their ancient Nordic heritage. Standing proudly with balanced proportions, these medium-sized dogs combine strength with agility. Their temperament blends confidence and friendliness with a dependable nature, making them excellent companions and watchdogs.

Origin: Unknown
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
Size: Medium
Temperament: Friendly, Confident, Dependable

Key Differences

  • Energy Level: Slovensky Cuvacs are less energetic than Norwegian Elkhounds, requiring less daily exercise.
  • Grooming: Slovensky Cuvacs require less grooming attention compared to Norwegian Elkhounds.
  • Temperament: While both breeds are intelligent, Slovensky Cuvacs tend to be more reserved with strangers than Norwegian Elkhounds.
  • Trainability: Norwegian Elkhounds may be slightly easier to train due to their Norwegian Elkhound's higher intelligence ranking.
  • Living Situation: Slovensky Cuvacs adapt better to apartment living, while Norwegian Elkhounds typically prefer homes with more space.

Detailed Comparison

Below is a comprehensive side-by-side comparison of the Slovensky Cuvac and Norwegian Elkhound, covering everything from physical characteristics to care requirements.

Basic Information

Feature Slovensky Cuvac Norwegian Elkhound
Size Medium Medium
Life Expectancy 11-13 years 12-15 years
Country of Origin Unknown Unknown
Breed Group Foundation Stock Service Hound Group

Physical Characteristics

Feature Slovensky Cuvac Norwegian Elkhound
Height
23-27 inches
58-70 cm
20-21 inches
50-52 cm
Weight
68-97 lbs
31-44 kg
48-55 lbs
22-25 kg
Coat Type Short, dense coat Short, dense coat
Coat Length Short Short
Shedding Regularly Seasonal

Temperament & Behavior

Feature Slovensky Cuvac Norwegian Elkhound
Temperament Courageous, Alert, Faithful Friendly, Confident, Dependable
Energy Level
2/5
3/5
Intelligence
2/5
2/5

Compatibility

Feature Slovensky Cuvac Norwegian Elkhound
Good with Children
3/5
3/5
Good with Other Dogs
3/5
3/5
Apartment Friendly
3/5
2/5

Temperament & Personality

Slovensky Cuvac Temperament

Courageous Alert Faithful

The Slovensky Cuvac is known for being courageous, alert, faithful, making them better suited for homes without young children. Their moderate intelligence means they can be trained with consistent effort. They tend to be reserved with strangers, which makes them good watchdogs. Their moderate energy level makes them adaptable to different lifestyles, though they still need regular exercise.

Norwegian Elkhound Temperament

Friendly Confident Dependable

The Norwegian Elkhound is characterized by being friendly, confident, dependable, which makes them better for households without small children. With their moderate intelligence, they can learn with consistent training methods. They generally welcome strangers, making them sociable companions rather than protective guardians. Their moderate energy level makes them versatile companions that can adapt to your activity level, though regular exercise is still important.

Temperament Comparison

When comparing the Slovensky Cuvac and Norwegian Elkhound, there are notable differences in their temperaments that potential owners should consider:

Sociability with Strangers

Slovensky Cuvac
2/5
Norwegian Elkhound
4/5

Good with Children

Slovensky Cuvac
3/5
Norwegian Elkhound
3/5

Side-by-Side Trait Ratings

GOOD WITH YOUNG CHILDREN

Slovensky Cuvac

Not Recommended Good With Children

Rating: 3/5

Norwegian Elkhound

Not Recommended Good With Children

Rating: 3/5

GOOD WITH OTHER DOGS

Slovensky Cuvac

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs

Rating: 3/5

Norwegian Elkhound

Not Recommended Good With Other Dogs

Rating: 3/5

ENERGY LEVEL

Slovensky Cuvac

Low High

Rating: 2/5

Norwegian Elkhound

Low High

Rating: 3/5

TRAINABILITY / INTELLIGENCE

Slovensky Cuvac

Challenging Easy to Train

Rating: 2/5

Norwegian Elkhound

Challenging Easy to Train

Rating: 2/5

GROOMING NEEDS

Slovensky Cuvac

Low High

Rating: 3/5

Norwegian Elkhound

Low High

Rating: 3/5

Care & Maintenance

Slovensky Cuvac Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

2/5

Slovensky Cuvacs require moderate daily exercise, including about 30-60 minutes of physical activity. This can include walks, play sessions, and moderate activities like walking and interactive play.

Grooming Requirements

3/5

With their short, dense coat coat, Slovensky Cuvacs require moderate grooming. This includes regular brushing to prevent matting and reduce shedding. Occasional professional grooming may be beneficial.

Norwegian Elkhound Care Requirements

Exercise Needs

3/5

Norwegian Elkhounds need regular daily exercise, including about 30-60 minutes of physical activity. This should include walks, play sessions, and moderate activities like walking and interactive play.

Grooming Requirements

3/5

With their short, dense coat coat, Norwegian Elkhounds require moderate grooming. This includes regular brushing to maintain coat health and reduce shedding. Occasional professional grooming may be helpful.

Health & Lifespan

Slovensky Cuvac Health Profile

Average Lifespan: 11-13 years

Common Health Issues:

  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Problems
  • Heart Issues
  • Bloat

Norwegian Elkhound Health Profile

Average Lifespan: 12-15 years

Common Health Issues:

  • Hip Dysplasia
  • PRA
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Sebaceous Cysts
  • Fanconi Syndrome

Pros & Cons

Slovensky Cuvac

Pros

  • Excellent guardian breed
  • Loyal to family
  • Good with children
  • Weather-resistant coat

Cons

  • Heavy shedding
  • Needs space
  • Strong-willed nature
  • Regular grooming required

Norwegian Elkhound

Pros

  • Loyal and dependable
  • Good with families
  • Excellent watchdog
  • Weather-resistant coat

Cons

  • Heavy shedding
  • Strong hunting instincts
  • Can be stubborn
  • Requires regular exercise

Ready to Find Your Perfect Match?

Now that you've compared the Slovensky Cuvac and Norwegian Elkhound, explore more breeds or use our breed matching tool to find the perfect dog for your lifestyle.