Interview with 2022 AKC Hound Group Honoree, Margaret “Maggie” K. Mott and Sally P. Simmonds of Kamgaard Norwegian Elkhounds.
The Weekly Brief
The best of SHOWSIGHT editorials, weekly wins, and breeder commentary — delivered to your inbox every Sunday morning.
We love this breed for its intelligence, uniqueness, independent yet loyal nature, adaptability, hardiness, and overall good health.
We are definitely a combination of all three as well as students always looking for ways to improve our stock, and gamblers willing to take chances and try different approaches, and all of this is bundled up with a large dose of patience!
Our selection of breeding combinations is multi-faceted; a careful study of pedigrees, hands-on inspection of individual candidates, investigating similar breedings which have “clicked,” and generally knowing the strengths and weaknesses of the various individuals under consideration.
Regarding puppy selection, after an ongoing grading process which starts early on in the whelping box, puppies are kept for as long as it takes for us to feel confident about placing the individuals that are not retained here for our own program. After a half century-plus of developing and working with this bloodline we generally have a very good idea of which venue a puppy will be headed for, and which could be domestic or foreign (and not necessarily just for the Conformation ring) as many of our dogs excel in Agility, Obedience, FastCAT, Barn Hunt, etc. as well.
For us, there is no other way to go other than to breed to the Standard. Yet, we recognize that everyone has their own interpretation of it. We also feel very lucky to have a breed with a more or less universal Standard around the world which has allowed our exported and imported stock to contribute both at breeding and show levels. As for presentation of the breed in the ring according to the Standard, we have noted that there can be a bit of a disconnect here as we see too many dogs presented in a fashion which does not represent the Standard in the ways of movement or the directive to be shown in a natural state.
This is probably the hardest question of all! Beyond trying to educate the public at every chance about the value of owning a purebred dog and trying to change ill-founded perceptions, we need to be more observant of AKC alerts from their Legislative Action Center. Be proactive and either write or visit with your assembly representative when threatening legislative proposals are on the table.
The best way to ensure a long and happy relationship with a purebred dog is to purchase one from a responsible breeder. Not sure where to begin finding a breeder? Contact the National Parent Club’s Breeder Referral person, which you can find on the AKC Breeder Referral Contacts page.
Did you know nearly every recognized AKC purebred has a dedicated rescue group? Find your new best friend on the AKC Rescue Network Listing.
Showsight Magazine is the only publication to offer dedicated Digital Breed Magazines for ALL recognized AKC Breeds.
Read and learn more about the friendly Norwegian Elkhound dog breed with articles and information in our Norwegian Elkhound Dog Breed Magazine.
American Kennel Club (AKC)
