Printed from www.skk.se © Svenska Kennelklubben, SE-163 85 Spånga, Sweden   e-mail info@skk.se

Jämthund

Hunting spitz, F.C.I. Group 5, standard no 42

The Jämthund derives from a large hunting spitz found in the Forest region of the North barrier of Scandinavia and Russia. These spitzs’ probably came with the hunting tribes that migrated to Sweden thousands of years ago. Two types of wolf coloured spitz have been recognised in Scandinavia. The Norwegians decided in 1877 that the smaller was to be called Norwegian Elkhound.
The large variety that was mainly known in the Swedish county of Jämtland did not match the standard for Elkhound on several points, especially not for size. During the 1930’s this was a hot topic that was frequently mentioned also in the national press. The solution came in 1946 when the Swedish Kennel Club decided to recognise the large spitz as a separate breed under the name of Jämthund. 
Ideal height at the withers for males is 61 cm, with an accepted variation of 4 cm, above or under.  Ideal for females is 56 cm, with an accepted variation of 4 cm, above or under.

The coat on the body is lying close, on neck, tail and trousers it is longer. The wolf grey colouring is in in nuances from very light to greyish black. On the cheeks, the muzzle, the throat and over the eyes are typical cream coloured ”wolf markings”.   The Jämthund is rectangular in body shape, strongly but not heavily built. He is self secure, proud, trustworthy and with a kind disposition. He is an excellent elkhound that can make an elk stand still as hypnotised by his powerful, monotonous barking. This is the typical way the breed makes the elk stop until the shots are in place.  There are dogs of this breed that has courage and sharpness to even stop a bear.
The Swedish Kennel Club register ca 1 700 Jämthund yearly.