Norwegian Elkhounds are known for their courage, intelligence, and unwavering loyalty. Originally bred to hunt large game in the rugged forests of Scandinavia, these hardworking dogs have a thick double coat that protects them from harsh weather while allowing them to stay comfortable in challenging conditions. Their wolf-like appearance, expressive eyes, and dense silver gray coat make them one of the most recognizable spitz breeds in the world.

As beautiful as that coat is, it also comes with a responsibility. If you share your home with a Norwegian Elkhound, you've probably discovered just how much they shed. Their double coat continuously releases loose undercoat throughout the year, and during spring and fall, that shedding increases dramatically as they "blow" their coat. Without regular grooming, loose hair becomes trapped beneath the outer coat, leading to heavier shedding around your home and making your dog's coat feel dense and uncomfortable.

In this guide, we'll cover the three best brushes for Norwegian Elkhounds, explain why each grooming tool plays an important role, and introduce a bonus product that makes every brushing session smoother and more comfortable.

The Best Grooming Tools for a Norwegian Elkhound

 

1. Freshly Bailey Self Cleaning Slicker Brush

The Freshly Bailey Self Cleaning Slicker Brush is the grooming tool you'll reach for most often. If you could only own one brush for your Norwegian Elkhound, this would be an excellent choice.

Its fine coated pins are designed to remove loose undercoat while remaining gentle on your dog's skin. Rather than scratching or pulling, the pins move comfortably through the coat, lifting away dead hair before it has a chance to accumulate beneath the outer layer.

Routine brushing with this slicker brush helps keep the coat looking neat while preventing excessive undercoat buildup. It also stimulates the skin and distributes natural oils, helping maintain the weather resistant qualities of the outer coat.

The brush performs especially well on larger sections of the body, including:

• Shoulders
• Back
• Chest
• Sides
• Hindquarters

One feature owners particularly appreciate is the self cleaning button. After you've finished brushing, simply press the button to retract the pins and remove the collected hair in seconds. Cleanup is quick, easy, and much less messy than traditional slicker brushes.

For the best results, brush using slow, gentle strokes that follow the direction of coat growth. Instead of rushing through the coat, work methodically across your dog's body, allowing the brush to gradually remove loose undercoat while keeping your Elkhound comfortable.

Most owners notice a significant reduction in shedding after only a few consistent grooming sessions.

2. Freshly Bailey Green Greyhound Metal Pet Comb

After brushing with the slicker brush, it's time to reach for the Freshly Bailey Green Greyhound Metal Pet Comb.

Many owners assume a comb isn't necessary once the coat looks brushed, but professional groomers know otherwise. While the slicker brush removes the majority of loose hair, the metal comb serves as your quality check. It helps confirm that you've groomed all the way through the coat instead of only brushing the surface.

Slowly run the comb from the roots to the tips of the hair. If it glides smoothly, you've thoroughly groomed that section. If it catches or snags, you've likely found a small tangle or compacted area of undercoat that needs a little more attention with the slicker brush.

Pay special attention to areas where loose hair tends to collect:

• Behind the ears
• Around the neck
• Under the collar
• Around the tail
• Along the hindquarters

These areas are easy to overlook but often hold the most trapped undercoat.

Beyond checking for hidden tangles, the Green Greyhound Metal Pet Comb also smooths the outer coat and gives your Norwegian Elkhound a polished, well groomed appearance. Many professional groomers won't consider a grooming session complete until a metal comb glides effortlessly through every section of the coat.

The comb is also excellent for detailing around the face and ears where larger brushes can be more difficult to maneuver. It provides precision without removing unnecessary coat, making it an essential finishing tool in your grooming routine.

3. Freshly Bailey Green Dematting Comb

Even though Norwegian Elkhounds aren't known for developing severe mats like some long coated breeds, they do produce an impressive amount of loose undercoat. During spring and fall, when they "blow" their coat, you'll quickly notice just how much dead hair becomes trapped beneath the outer layer. That's where the Freshly Bailey Green Dematting Comb becomes one of the most valuable tools in your grooming kit.

Unlike a standard brush, this tool is designed to gently work through compacted undercoat and small tangles while removing loose hair that has already separated from the skin. Instead of pulling through the coat, the curved blades carefully lift away trapped undercoat, making the grooming process much more comfortable for your dog.

This grooming tool is especially useful during seasonal shedding when the undercoat seems endless. Regular brushing removes a large amount of loose hair, but some undercoat remains packed beneath the outer coat. The dematting comb reaches those areas and helps prevent the coat from becoming overly dense or uncomfortable.

It's particularly effective in areas where loose undercoat naturally collects, including:

• Around the neck and shoulders
• Behind the ears
• Under the front legs
• Around the hindquarters
• Near the tail

Using the dematting comb doesn't mean you should replace your regular brushing routine. Instead, think of it as your deep cleaning tool. Your Self Cleaning Slicker Brush should handle most weekly grooming sessions, while the dematting comb is used when extra undercoat removal is needed.

When using the tool, always work slowly with gentle strokes. Begin near the outer edge of any compacted area and gradually work inward instead of forcing the comb through the coat. Holding the hair close to the skin while grooming also helps reduce pulling, making the experience much more comfortable for your Norwegian Elkhound.

Most owners find that using the dematting comb once every week or two during heavy shedding seasons is enough to keep the coat light, healthy, and manageable.

Bonus Product: Freshly Bailey Detangler Spray

Although Norwegian Elkhounds aren't especially prone to heavy matting, a quality detangler spray can still make a noticeable difference during grooming.

Freshly Bailey Detangler Spray helps reduce friction between your grooming tools and your dog's thick coat. Instead of brushes dragging through dry fur, they glide more smoothly, making brushing more comfortable while reducing unnecessary pulling.

A light mist before brushing offers several benefits:

1. Helps loosen trapped undercoat
2. Reduces static during grooming
3. Makes brushing smoother and more comfortable
4. Leaves the coat softer and shinier
5. Helps minimize coat breakage

The spray is particularly useful during heavy shedding seasons when large amounts of loose hair are working their way out of the undercoat. It can also freshen the coat between baths while making routine brushing much easier.

There's no need to saturate the coat. A light mist over the areas you'll be brushing is enough to improve the grooming experience and help your tools move more easily through the dense fur.

How to Properly Brush a Norwegian Elkhound

Using quality grooming tools is only part of maintaining a healthy coat. Proper technique makes just as much of a difference and helps remove more loose undercoat while keeping your dog comfortable.

Step 1: Start With a Dry Coat

Always brush a completely dry coat. Brushing wet fur can cause loose undercoat to cling together, making it harder to remove. Before brushing, lightly mist the coat with Freshly Bailey Detangler Spray to reduce friction and improve brush glide.

Step 2: Brush With the Self Cleaning Slicker Brush

Using gentle strokes that follow the direction of coat growth, brush across the shoulders, back, chest, sides, and hindquarters. Work slowly through the coat rather than rushing. During shedding season, you'll likely remove a surprising amount of loose undercoat with each session.

Step 3: Remove Excess Undercoat

If your Norwegian Elkhound is blowing its coat, follow with the Freshly Bailey Green Dematting Comb. Use short, controlled strokes to lift away compacted undercoat without applying excessive pressure. Allow the tool to do the work rather than forcing it through the coat.

Step 4: Finish With the Metal Comb

Run the Freshly Bailey Green Greyhound Metal Pet Comb through each section you've brushed. The comb should glide smoothly from the roots to the tips of the hair. If it catches anywhere, return to that section with the slicker brush before checking again.

Step 5: End on a Positive Note

When grooming is finished, reward your dog with praise or a favorite treat. Norwegian Elkhounds respond well to positive reinforcement, and rewarding calm behavior helps make future grooming sessions much easier.

How Often Should You Brush a Norwegian Elkhound?

Norwegian Elkhounds don't require daily brushing throughout the year, but they do benefit from a consistent grooming schedule. Brushing regularly prevents loose undercoat from building up and helps keep shedding under control.

As a general guide:

1. Brush two to three times each week during most of the year.
2. Increase brushing to several times each week or daily during spring and fall when your dog is shedding heavily.

Short, regular grooming sessions are far more effective than waiting until large amounts of undercoat have accumulated. Keeping up with the coat also means each session will be shorter and more enjoyable for both you and your dog.

Common Grooming Mistakes to Avoid

Even experienced owners sometimes make grooming mistakes that can affect the health of their dog's coat. Fortunately, they're easy to avoid once you know what to look for.

Common mistakes include:

1. Skipping brushing during heavy shedding seasons
2. Using too much pressure while brushing
3. Overusing the dematting comb
4. Forgetting to finish with a metal comb

One of the biggest mistakes is waiting until your dog's coat feels thick and packed before brushing. By then, much of the loose undercoat has already become trapped beneath the outer coat. Regular brushing removes that hair before it has a chance to accumulate.

It's also important to remember that more grooming isn't always better. While the dematting comb is extremely effective, using it too frequently can remove more coat than necessary. Using it only when needed helps preserve the natural fullness and appearance of the coat.

Finally, don't skip the finishing comb. Although the coat may look clean after brushing, the metal comb often finds small pockets of loose undercoat that would otherwise remain hidden.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I brush my Norwegian Elkhound?

Most Norwegian Elkhounds benefit from brushing two to three times each week. During spring and fall shedding seasons, brushing several times a week or even daily helps keep loose undercoat under control.

Do Norwegian Elkhounds shed a lot?

Yes. Norwegian Elkhounds shed year round and experience much heavier shedding during seasonal coat changes.

What is the best brush for a Norwegian Elkhound?

A Self Cleaning Slicker Brush, Green Greyhound Metal Pet Comb, and Green Dematting Comb work together to remove loose undercoat while keeping the coat healthy and comfortable.

Do Norwegian Elkhounds get matted?

Not often. Their coat is less prone to matting than many long coated breeds, but loose undercoat should still be removed regularly to prevent buildup.

Should I shave my Norwegian Elkhound?

No. Their double coat helps regulate body temperature and protects the skin from both heat and cold. Shaving is generally not recommended unless advised by your veterinarian.

Why is my Norwegian Elkhound shedding so much?

Heavy shedding during spring and fall is completely normal. Increasing your brushing routine during these periods helps remove loose undercoat before it spreads throughout your home.

Can I bathe my Norwegian Elkhound before brushing?

It's generally easier to remove loose undercoat before bathing. After your dog is completely dry, brush the coat again to remove any remaining loose hair.

When should I see a professional groomer?

If your dog's coat becomes heavily impacted with undercoat or you're unsure how to remove stubborn tangles safely, a professional groomer can help restore the coat without causing unnecessary discomfort.

Norwegian Elkhounds may not require the same level of grooming as some long coated breeds, but their thick double coat still needs regular maintenance to stay healthy. A consistent brushing routine removes loose undercoat before it builds up, reduces shedding throughout your home, and keeps your dog comfortable in every season.

The Freshly Bailey Self Cleaning Slicker Brush is the foundation of your grooming routine, removing loose undercoat while keeping the outer coat smooth and healthy. The Green Greyhound Metal Pet Comb ensures every section has been thoroughly groomed, while the Green Dematting Comb tackles compacted undercoat during heavy shedding seasons. Adding Freshly Bailey Detangler Spray makes every brushing session smoother, quicker, and more enjoyable for both you and your dog.

With just a few grooming sessions each week and the right tools, you'll spend less time vacuuming loose fur and more time enjoying everything that makes the Norwegian Elkhound such a loyal, hardworking, and wonderful companion.