THE MALENIBO STORY

The Malenibo Story began in August 1994 when we picked up our 7 week old Elkhound puppy, Thunor Questa, from Pam and Terry Mead, although we were not new to the breed as Malcolm had his first Elkhound in 1964 - Lillabo Erica whom he acquired from her breeder Miss Edith Langman at 7 years of age. Malcolm used to attend shows with Miss Langman as her “bag boy!!” and I think she felt he was a suitable person to look after one of her elkhounds who had finished their show career. After Rikki we had a crossbreed rescue dog whom we called Tandy. Her parentage was totally unknown but she was a loving bitch and it was with great regret that we had to say goodbye to her in her 17th year.

We then decided to return to Elkhounds and along came Thunor Questa and 18 months later Liondyke Birka of Barlestone.

It was never our intention to show or breed elkhounds but to enjoy them as pets as part of the family. But these Elkhounds do get under your skin and Questa’s breeder persuaded us to attend the British Elkhound Club Championship Show while Questa was still a pup and much to our delight she came away with three first prizes and Reserve Best Puppy in Show. Of course we were then well and truly hooked so much so that we now have a second generation, Questa’s pups who are Malenibo Myth and Magic and Malenibo Melody Maker. There is a third bitch, Malenibo Mulan Mystere, who now lives in Georgia, USA, with Pam and Terry Mead and who will be carrying the Malenibo prefix around the US shows. A third generation from Malenibo Myth and Magic is expected mid-February.

The Malenibo name comes from the first three letters of Malcolm & Enid and the ‘BO’ from the end of ‘Lillabo’.

The Norwegian Elkhound

When people tell their friends that they intend to buy a Norwegian Elkhound pup, they are often asked, "What kind of breed is that?"

The original name of our dog is ELGHUND and the English name we use today is really a mis-translation. The Norse word "Elg" equals the English "Moose" and a "hund" is simply a "dog. The Elghund is not a hound - doesn't look like a hound, doesn't run like a hound, doesn't hunt like a hound, doesn't bay like a hound, and does not only hunt elk. The Elghund has been used and may be used as a general farm dog and to hunt all kinds of game, including moose, bear, bobcat, puma, and even small animals and birds.

The Elghund is the National Dog of Norway and has been associated with humans for a long time. Its ancestors sailed with the Vikings and its roots go back to between 4000 and 5000 BC; its skeletal remains have been found in burial sites dating back to that period. The Elghund is credited with saving the inhabitants of the Norderhove Valley from the predations of wolves during what is known as the wolf period.

The Elghund is of a medium size and presents a square profile. The females are ideally between 18.5 and 19.5 inches high; the males are some 2 inches taller. The dog is as long as tall, and the height is about half leg and half body. The Elghund's muzzle is wider at the base than at the nose, giving the head a wedge- shape, the pointed ears are very mobile when erect, and the tail is curled tightly over the back.