The Montana-Born Runner from Revna and Ark
Some litters become memorable from the moment they arrive. Oslo’s litter was one of them.
Born to Revna and Ark during the Fullblood Elkhound Montana whelping with Linda, Oslo has matured into a striking young male that seems to embody many of the qualities that have defined these family lines for generations. Dark, black-coated, athletic, and intensely engaged with his family, Oslo is growing well at approximately 55 pounds and has already begun developing into an enthusiastic trail companion and future canicross partner. He will continue his frame development and then muscle in right up into that 24 to 26 month range. He will be a big fella!
His family Scott, Meridith and Greta who live in Rochester, New Jersey came to Kamia after sharing fifteen years with a beloved Norwegian Elkhound and a current female as well named Pippa, a dog from completely different bloodlines. Having lived with the Norwegian Elkhound breed for years, they brought a valuable point of comparison when evaluating a Fullblood Elkhound preservation Kamia dog.
Oslo is in full stewardship with Meridith, Scott and Greta, they will keep Oslo intact and we do expect at a point in the future to have pups from him. They are contemplating a female as well as an addition down the road. I thank Meridith, Scott and Greta for coming on board with Kamia in our Fullblood Elkhound Stewardship program and for the great life they are giving Oslo. Its feedback and stewardship homes like this that make the entire program work for the betterment of all Elkhounds.
Oslo is a preservation FullBlood Elkhound. He is the result of decades of work. The Fullblood Elkhounds like Oslo are the first new genetic material back into the Elkhound genetic pool in roughly 140 years. He will be able to work in the Jamthund Return breeding program, or in the Norwegian Return breeding program. Oslo is A Registered Fullblood Elkhound male, like all our Fullbloods.
When mated to a Full Norwegian Elkhound Female he will add brand new genetic material back in as Norwegian Elkhound, or if mated to a Full Swedish Elkhound female he would add brand new genetic material back in as Swedish Elkhound. He is what the founders of both types saw prior to the split of types in 1877. They would have been looking at dogs exactly like Oslo!
Today, the family regularly sends photographs and videos documenting Oslo’s adventures, training progress, and life in the woods and on the trail.
What follows is best told in their own words.
“He Has Become Just Such a Wonderful Dog”
“I wanted to get you some photos and videos of Oslo. He has become just such a wonderful dog!!!!
We are big believers in the program, and pretty much anyone I’ve ever met who knows of Kamia Kennels is a big fan too!!
I usually hear either, ‘I’ll only get another dog from Kamia Kennels.'”
For breeders, there is no greater compliment than seeing a dog successfully integrated into a family after leaving home.
The Karu Face and the Ark Temperament
One of the most interesting observations from Oslo’s family is how clearly they recognize characteristics from his ancestry.
“He has the sweetest Karu face and Ark temperament.
You should see him. He’s such an amazing dog.
Literally everyone stops and wants to visit with him and ask about him when we have him out.”
For those familiar with the lineage, this description immediately makes sense. Karu’s physical expression and Ark’s stable disposition have become recognizable hallmarks throughout portions of the Kamia population, and Oslo appears to be carrying those traits forward in a way that strangers notice immediately. Below is a photo of Grandpa Karu, he is Revna’s father. Karu is a Finnish Import, imported through our CFIA and Finland Verification Process.
Building a Canicross Partner
Perhaps the most exciting development has been Oslo’s growing passion for running.
“Oslo is the best runner. I’m not fast enough for him but I’m working on it.
We want to do canicross with him when he is ready.
He runs about 2-3 trail miles three times a week.
The trail we love has about 1000 feet of elevation so it gets steep.
I try to get him to take walking breaks but he loves running almost as much as hunting.”
This enthusiasm for movement is something that has repeatedly appeared throughout the Revna and Ark family lines. These dogs were never developed as sedentary companions. They were bred from generations of dogs expected to travel terrain, endure weather, remain mentally engaged, and continue working long after many modern dogs would prefer to head home.
Note: This particular historical archive video showcases many of the ancestors of Oslo, including his grandmother Luna as a young pup, his great grandmother Tekla, and his great Great Grandmother Kamp, and aunts and uncles. This was posted 9 years ago. Historical video archive of one lineage leg coming up the Tekla side of Oslo, posted 9 years ago.
One detail particularly amused us:
“He can drink from the water pack straw!!!
It’s the best.
I’ve never met a dog that can do that.
It makes going out for a hike so easy.”
Some dogs simply find ways to participate fully in whatever their people are doing, and Oslo appears determined to master every available piece of equipment.
A Hunter at Heart
While he enjoys running, Oslo has also begun displaying another inherited trait.
“Oslo is a champion squirrel hunter.
I’d say he gets a couple a week.”
Anyone who has spent time around working-line northern dogs will recognize the intense prey awareness behind statements like that. The instinct to observe, track, pursue, and solve problems does not disappear simply because a dog lives in a family environment.
That intelligence seems to surface throughout Oslo’s daily life.
Note: Oslo descends from hunting champions in every direction and here is a very cool video of his Grandmother Aina when she was just a pup and his Grandfather Rico – this is the Ark side of genetics. Both of them were imported to create the Jamthund pool of genetics and begin the preservation Fullblood program with the existing dogs and more coming. Historical Archive video of the Grandparents of Oslo 10 years ago.
“He’s such a smart guy.
He can open all the doors and gates in the house and regularly points, with his paw, to things he wants you to get for him.”
Intelligence in dogs is often discussed in terms of obedience. In reality, intelligence frequently manifests as problem-solving, persistence, communication, and an ability to manipulate their environment to achieve goals. Oslo appears to possess all four. Oslo’s mother Revna is exceptional at passing intelligence to her pups, she passes instinctive and behavioral all intact.
The King’s Roar
Another feature that owners frequently mention from these working lines is vocal presence.
According to his family:
“And his bark!!!!!
It’s like a king’s roar.
It’s so deep and loud.”
Some dogs bark.
Others make announcements.
Oslo apparently falls firmly into the second category, but he comes by it naturally. Oslo’s Great Great Grandfather once barked a Moose continuously for 40 hours in Finland!
Growing Tall and Lean
At approximately 55 pounds, Oslo remains noticeably taller than the family’s previous Norwegian Elkhound, this is normal development with a Jamthund leaning Fullblood.
His family notes:
“I do worry he’s not eating enough though.
He’s still so skinny but very tall.
He weighs 55 lbs now and is quite a bit taller than Pippa, our female Norwegian Elkhound.”
Young Fullblood athletic males often go through this stage while building frame, muscle, and maturity. Looking at Oslo’s activity level, trail work, and daily exercise routine, much of his nutrition is being directed toward growth, conditioning, and development. Here is an excellent resource article on the Elkhound Types with the Norrland Elkhound background.
Note: This is a historical point of reference for the Norrland history and lineage of Oslo going up the Revna, Luna, Takoda side. This is a historical video of His great grandfather Takoda 14 years ago, notice the dark genetics carry through. Historical Archive Video of Takoda Great Grandfather to Oslo filmed 14 years ago. You’ll also see the taller longer style in the ancient Norrland bloodline.
A Raw-Fed Individualist
One of the recurring themes in Oslo’s updates is that he has definite opinions about food.
“Oslo is not as food motivated as the other elkhounds I have had.
He seems to prefer to eat once a day now.
He was eating like five times a day.”
And perhaps most amusingly:
“He prefer to eat only beef forever and ever, amen, I think.”
Oslo’s ancestors are one of the very few lineages in the world that have been fed raw going back to the start of time! Oslo I guess will just keep that rolling right along, good for him! Great work Scott, Meridith, Greta, keep it up, genetic powerhouses like Oslo, they love that raw!
Note: This is a historical archive video of the Dark Black Daughters of Karu and Luna when they were just weeks old, this is Revna and Sass, discussing preservation years ago. Historical video archive on Revna and her siblings from 5 years ago.
A Family Completely in Love
The most meaningful part of the update may be the simplest.
“Anyway, you can tell we are absolutely in love with the guy.”
At the end of the day, that sentence matters more than any measurement, title, photograph, or pedigree chart.
Kamia Kennels is first and foremost a Preservation Breeder restoring the Elkhound breed, but each pup we raise, whether it’s companion, or stewardship both avenues you end up with an incredible Elkhound.
The goal has been to produce companions capable of becoming irreplaceable family members while still retaining the athleticism, intelligence, engagement, hunting instinct, and working ability that once defined the breed.
From all reports coming out of New Jersey, Oslo is doing exactly that.
Oslo is a dark black male from the Revna × Ark litter whelped in Montana. Now weighing approximately 55 pounds, he is actively trail running, preparing for canicross, hunting squirrels, and proving daily why his family believes he is one of the most remarkable dogs they have ever owned.
Hard to deny, the dark genetic carries through on this Revna and Ark combination.
Check out Oslo’s Full Sibling Brother Reidar
Check out the Kamia Kennels Preservation Program Details
Also, Historical breeding update from Aug 8th 2018 highlights Ark as a young pup and also background on the Norway Bloodline of Tekla. This is a great bloodline of Nordic Champions and prolific ancient Elkhounds, another aspect of the Oslo genetics.
I wanted to show that the background of Oslo has some incredible males and Oslo follows along that genetic lineage so close it’s truly amazing. This magnificent fella below is his Grandfather, Rico, Ark’s dad.
I truly believe his Great Great Grandfather Bram gave him that tight tail curl!
I truly want to Thank Meridith, Scott and Greta for the great home that Oslo has and the confidence in our program. The Elkhounds in North America and around the world have been depleting systematically since the late 1800’s, dogs like Oslo, the FullBloods are now reversing that trend. Finally after decades of work, the genetic pool is getting rebuilt. Stewards like Meridith, Scott and Greta contribute immense value by working with us to continue and expand the preservation efforts. Down the road Oslo will have his own pups, brand new genetic powerhouses that can fuel the rebuilding efforts. Till then, keep him cruising the tall timber, down the sand on the waters edge and of course, doing the canicross, nothing better to stretch that boy out!
