Hälleforshund

Dog breed · Sweden

Overview

Hällefors Elkhound (Swedish: Hälleforshund) is a Swedish dog breed.

Temperament

Behaviour: The Hällefors Elkhound is an energetic, courageous, and persistent dog with a strong character.

Appearance

Appearance: The Hällefors Elkhound is a medium-sized, rectangular Spitz with either a sickle or curly tail. Thick, harsh, and dense coat should always be yellow, ranging from fawn to reddish. The colour shade is lighter in chest, belly, legs, and below the tail. The average height for males is 55 to 63 cm and for females 52 to 60 cm.

History

History: The breed was developed in Svealand, but its more detailed area of origin has been argued. It is stated that despite its name, it was not created in Hällefors, but in Fredriksberg village located in neighbouring Ludvika Municipality. It has mainly been used as a deer-hunting dog and its most remarkable ancestors are the Finnish Spitz and the Ostyak Laika. The Swedish Kennel Club, Svenska Kennelklubben, recognized the breed in 2000 and nowadays it is also recognized in several other Nordic countries, such as Finland and Norway.

Every pet is one of a kind. This guide covers what's typical for the breed, but your own dog or cat will have their own personality, quirks and needs — think of it as a friendly starting point, not the final word. Whenever you'd like advice tailored to your companion, the team at OC Pets is always happy to help.
Sources (reused under open licences, with thanks): Wikipedia — “Hälleforshund” (CC BY-SA 4.0) · Wikidata (CC0) · image (CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons) · Compiled by OC Pets Veterinary Clinic, updated 15-06-2026.