 Elke looks like a Black Norwegian Elkhound, just rescued from the pound. She may be mixed with Schipperke. Her ears are erect and her tail curls over her back. Thick, luxurious black coat, some black on her tongue. The black Norwegian Elkhounds are a little smaller than their grey cousins. |
Nadine aka Elke is intelligent, pleasing, good to the leash, and an all around agreeable creature. She’s being trained to use the medium dog door and does all right making the step-up required when coming from outside. At the same time, she is training her foster to start the indoors/outdoors process when she comes to his chair and stares intently. If the foster says “Not again so soon.” Nadine stares a little harder and the first door is opened for her. If the foster says anything else, she stares a little harder and the first door is opened for her. Sometimes Nadine’s bark comes out as a snuffle and she has a problem picking up a tossed toy but knows the game and will try. Her attempts to walk on ice will lead to a splay and she has a problem climbing into the Jeep, but not jumping out. |
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 Comments from our veterinarian: Elke has ataxia, which is neuro-speak for loss of equillibrium, sometimes with tremors. It seems to be apparent when using fine motor skills, like slowly looking |
| around or bending down to eat. Will it progress? Don't know. That depends on what brain part was affected and what the cause is. If it is purely cerebellar (I think not, due to hind leg hopping)-- they can live with the problem for a lifetime. If it is infectious (toxoplasmosis, canine distemper as puppy...) then it may or may not be progressive. Would recommend if she is adopted out, that the prospective owners pursue neuro exam and blood testing. She has a very sweet personality and is very active. She is a special needs dog but will make someone a nice companion. |
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