Elkhound

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A medium to large dog breed originating in Scandinavia, valued for its herding skills and sturdy build
2. This breed of dog is recognized for its dense coat and is often employed in hunting and guard roles
3. A sturdy dog breed from northern Europe known for its hunting abilities and thick fur

Etymology: The name is about as literal as dog names get. "Elkhound" combines "elk," the large deer, with "hound," an old word for a hunting dog, and the dogs were bred in Scandinavia to hunt elk. The elk in question is the Eurasian elk, which Americans call the moose, so a Norwegian elkhound and a moose-hunting dog are the same job described in two languages. The compound is English in its construction, but the word "elk" itself is a notable case of two meanings for one name. In Britain "elk" is the name of the deer, while in North America the same name was given to the wapiti, a different and smaller deer, which is why the Scandinavian dog's name can sound puzzling to a North American reader expecting a wapiti hunter.

Synonyms: Norwegian Elkhound