70 to 100 years back in time, that’s the equivalent of the Varja and Merle litter to the Norwegian Elkhound in North America and the old country. Maybe a litter further even considering a few other factors related to Norrland dogs and to Karu’s Norwegian heritage and Bram’s.

The Varja bloodline is one of the most respected bloodlines in the world. The background of this spectacular female goes way back to Norway roots. Varja is predominately Scandinavian blood as literally all her background genetics are either from there, or 1 generation in Canada. No real North American blood per se. Tekla was born at my kennel yes, but her Mom and Dad were 1st gen so really no ties to North America.

Karu we imported from Finland and his Grandfather is strong Norway Background with also a very serious Finnish bloodline in him.

The fascinating thing about Varja is we step back in time with genetics from Two 50 plus Year breeders not far back in the genetics, just a few generations really. These two breeders were of the highest calibre in preservation. Both of them retired years ago, and have passed now.

By utilizing Karu with Tekla it allowed us to go way back to a genetic time frame upwards of 50 years, but perhaps even further to the beginning of the breeding programs of those two long time breeders. The unique thing about Karu is his genetic has never been in Canada. So we literally have in Varja a genetic make-up that is going back to Association start time frames, but even if we look at the first gen dogs we have at Kamia in our program, those dogs again, are not in any other breeding pool or lineage. So in reality, stepping back to early days of imports in North America.

The last Norwegian Elkhound of some great quality that was imported to North America really outside of our dogs was back in late 60’s and early 70’s. They were good diverse old world genetics but not in the league of Karu, but at that time, seriously good dogs none the less. Exceptional to have the ability to utilize that diverse bloodline in North America back then.

So give or take 55 to 60 years was the last infusion of great “Diverse” bloodline genetics in the North American pool outside of our dogs. Now we have this litter coming with Varja.

It’s such a fascinating litter not only because of Varja, but the incredible components of Merle’s heritage.

No where else on earth is the combination of genetics that reside in Merle outside Kamia Kennels dogs. None of the Norrland blood is remaining anywhere but our kennel and now, Silver Nova bloodline exists only at our kennel. So again, we literally step back in time right to the “start of the Association in the old country” literally as none of this blood exists there, or here other than with us, Kamia Kennels.

Can you get how profound this genetic material is? Can you see how unique the pups from Varja and Merle will be? Not one other place can you get Karu. He was the lone male. Varja’s Mom, only bred at Kamia, Varja’s Grandparents, only at Kamia, Merle only at Kamia, Silver Nova and Jaegar, only Kamia. Bram, Takoda, Mia again, all only at Kamia.

The diversity of this genetic pairing and the offspring from this upcoming litter is paramount to re-establishing the Norwegian Elkhound bloodlines back in North America. Literally every other Norwegian Elkhound in North America will be an outcross to these pups. Well they are literally outcross to the parents, but the pups again, are so diverse and so unique that not a single genetic aspect is in the current pool of genetics.

The preservation aspects of the Kamia Kennels program are crucial to the survival but also to the revitalization and re-establishment of the genetics in North America. These phenomenal offspring can work both with the Norwegian Elkhound preservation, but they can also step back to Full Blood status because of the Norrland background of Merle. It’s a fascinating litter that is coming. I am hoping for a great big litter as you could imagine. But, any pup will be a blessed pup and a blessed litter.

Stay in touch with Michael and Sarah, they have Varja up at the Rochester / Athabasca facility and Merle will be going up there. John is going to travel up with Merle in late June, July time frame for the meeting. We have seriously Thank John for all the efforts he puts in to keep this bloodline going. Without help and assistance from these serious handlers and co-breeders with the studs our work would be incredibly difficult.

Keeping the males intact is crucial it has to happen with each male now and no way can anyone neuter further pups without serious detriment to the breed. Studs have to be intact.

Follow Varja at Michael and Sarah’s Instagram Golden Ring Elkhounds