As North America’s only Preservation breeder and the worlds only Full Blood breeder of Elkhounds Kamia Kennels and it’s family of co-breeders land others are adding back into the genetic pool.

The entire database of Elkhound breeders in North America have been depleting the genetic pool until they have literally put the Norwegian Elkhound on the endangered list. Little thought to preservation was given at the start of the Associations but it’s all front and center for Kamia Kennels.

Over two decades ago we decided we had to prepare for the Full Blood return so that new genetic material could be added. Most folks are not quite sure how this all works so I’ll outline it for those who are new to the material.

In every other breeding operation they are slowly, and in some cases quickly depleting the genetic pool. Every time a female is retired, half her genetics are gone from the pool for good. Same with males. There is a finite amount of Elkhound genetics, as you deplete the genetics over time there gets to be less and less. In the early years there was heavy culling, promoted by the show circuit, all focus was on looks, not genetic diversity.

Now today, there are hardly any diverse genetics in the main group of Elkhound breeders, they literally all have the same genetics, so they really have no females that are not related, having culled so heavy, now they have only a very limited genetic base. This creates major inbreeding issues for these breeders as if they want a litter, they literally have to use say, a Grandfather on a Granddaughter, this is the state.

Kamia Kennels as a preservation breeder does not inbreed or line breed and we are the only breeder who is not sharing our genetic material, we focus on keeping our lineages in our program so as to not be dispersed by the main breeders, defeating the purpose of preservation. Now our Full Blood program is in full swing after decades of planning and here is how it replenishes the genetic pool.

Years ago all Elkhounds came from essentially the same dog as the Full Blood. They at the point of the start of the association began to separate the types, basically calling one type the Norwegian and the other the Swedish. There are distinct differences in type of course, but underlying the entire group of Elkhounds is the Norrland bloodline. This is the main bloodline that flows in both types.

Kamia Kennels is literally the only breeder with the Norrland bloodline and the European master breeders have worked with us over two decades to establish enough outcross types of Norwegian and Swedish and our Norrland to create and go back to the original blood line Elkhound. The Full Blood.

Our Full Bloods are comprised of the absolute best and most diverse types and genetics as are available today in the world. Master breeders from around the world have selected and sent to the program the very best, absolute purest finest instinct rich Elkhounds of all types to us for our program. We have invested tons of money to get to this point in preservation.

Now we see the phenomenal results. It’s truly astounding. Staggering beauty just keeps coming, pup after pup. The absolute best Elkhounds on the planet are now reestablishing the genetic bases. We are adding genetics that came power the reintroduction into the Norwegian Elkhounds and also The Swedish Elkhounds, or Jamthunds.

The Full Bloods add genetic material to both. So Kamia Kennels and the co-breeders are now stopping the dramatic eradication of genetics and we are adding back in. We will continue to add the Full Bloods at an increasing pace now for a year or two, then we can begin taking Full Bloods back to the types. We need enough of them to start the resurgence, but have incredible results so far.

The people who love the Elkhound breed are coming forth in droves to assist us as well. They know, if we are not successful, the Elkhound is going to be in serious trouble. So they are reaching out, many of our past clients are taking a new Elkhound, this time a Full Blood as a companion. New folks are coming for the Full Bloods as they understand the dynamics of saving the types. It’s so fantastic to see the new folks coming in and helping.

Our loyal Norwegian Elkhound folks are stepping up to keep our Norwegian Elkhounds thriving and diverse as are the Swedish Elkhound folks as we are the Only breeder of them in North America and without support we only have half of the Full Blood picture. So they also know the importance of this.

The fullbloods are spectacular Elkhounds. Ultra personable , all traits a blend of course of both Norwegian And Swedish, but more importantly, all instincts intact, but even more important is the creation and awakening of instincts we did not know or see in the last 150 years.

As the Full Blood has not been around for 150 years we didn’t actually know or see the full potential, only did we know about it from the legends and stories in families with long history. But today, now, we get to witness it first hand. It’s incredible. These are true legend making Elkhounds. Believe me I have spent so many years with generational dogs I am soon going to be having 6th generation pups in lineages that I have raised. So I know the instincts, behaviors and temperament and skill levels, handler focus and more. But even I am amazed at the unknown awaken of even more levels to the Elkhound with the Fullblood. Its intense for sure.

The stunning beauty of the dogs is also incredible.

We are excited to announce that we have a brand new litter of Full Bloods coming. They are identical to our first litter, it’s Ark and Karia once again. They started the whole Full Blood program and are paired up already for the second.

What a tremendous time for Elkhounds.

Here are Two of the Full Blood Sisters from Ark and Karia