Tora - Female Elkhound

"Tora, pictured here December 11th, 2009 - Lots of snow this year, almost 10" already

Tora is turning into a terrific female. She is slightly larger than her Mother, Mia, thicker, taller, and longer by an inch or so already. She is heavier and wider across the entire body. She has a really nice face, excellent muzzle from Takoda and she has the beautiful coat that all her siblings show off.

Tora has a personality that is just outstanding, she is our ambassador for sure. We have socialized her to be our greeter and show dog. She loves people and is very outgoing. Born on April 25th, 2009 Tora is about 7 1/2 months in this photo. We haven't weighed her in the last few weeks but at six months she was pound for pound with Mia at 46lbs. She most likely is 48 or 50lbs right now as she has grown in the last month considerably.

Tora, as well as her sisters, such as Lexi, Nika, Tegan all have turned out so well. Tora is a very square and compact, muscular young female, when standing beside Mia, we can hardly tell them apart. There are slight differences, but in low light situations we can barely decide who is who. She definitely follows the Norwegian heritage, bringing just a bit of Takoda out for good measure. She most certainly has his great friendly nature to us and this carries through to others.

As a breeder you really hope to have picked the right combination of parents to yield great pups, hopefully improved pups that show all the characteristic traits of the breed that date back centuries. We truly feel when looking at Tora, or Tegan, Nika or Lexi all of these females clearly show, that Mia and Takoda are truly a magnificent pair. Each bringing genetics centuries old and Tora is a representation what breeders have sought to have all those years.

"Tora, sits here with Takoda

Tora is a terrific young female we have decided to hold back and use in our program. We had some tremendous female representation last litter with 7 of the 10 being females, we felt this was a sure sign we should have another female in our program. We are truly excited with how she is turning out. Tora spends most of her time with Takoda, basically since weaning Takoda has looked after the pups, and now that Tora is the only one of the litter here he is in charge of watching over her.

Takoda is extremely good with Tora, they get along great, she is tough, she tackles him and does everything she can to win the play fights, and does very well considering the size difference, Takoda let's her win though most often. She is quickly picking up on the guarding and protection aspect, it's really neat to see how quick they learn from another dog. I can say this though, since having the last litter and having him more involved in the watching and roles has given us a new perspective on his nature and his ability. I can also say, I wouldn't want to be a stray dog wandering into the yard as he takes looking after this place even more serious with pups around.

Tora, Lexi, and Mia - August 2009

You can view a larger image if you click the image

Lexi, lower left, Tora upper left, and Mia right:, Mia is the mother of Tora and Lexi, Lexi is out of Mia's first litter and Tora the second. Both females have the stocky solid build of Mia, with the dark color of Takoda and the black muzzle. Mia imparts the beautiful coat these two have and the extra height and length comes from Takoda.

We have been very fortunate to have such outstanding pups, all have been terrific, we feel in Tora though certain qualities that we really like are coming through. Tora is very even tempered, stable and calm, yet picks up on everything around her. She is tough, she takes no guff from Mia and Takoda if she has a bone, however she does respect her position.

Tora has the confirmation and stocky build combined with the length and height of Takoda. She has the darker color and face, tall erect ears and a really nice tail with black tip. Her muzzle is well shaped and she has a dark set of eyes.

Tora will be a very nice female to socialize and have as an ambassador for us, both Mia and Takoda don't get the opportunity to often to be around other individuals so it will be treat for us with Tora.

Mia is a very independent female, she does her own thing, goes her own way, she might come to the door and greet me if I step out if she is close, although it's not guaranteed that she will if she is across the yard looking for something or other, she always looks over and so forth, but if she feels she is busy, she'll just carry on. She would always come if I called, but if I don't, she will see me when she see's me.

Takoda on the other hand will never fail to come and see me and greet me, no matter what, it could be 40 below at midnight, if I step outside, he comes to greet me, wherever he is, he comes over, I don't have to call, I don't have to say a word, he just comes over. Tora is exactly the same, now it's both of them, they come from across the yard, or wherever they are, they both have this type of personality.

Takoda, Tora and I

Tora, Takoda, Ashten, my daughter and I spent a great day out at the Abraham Lake area, the area around the Bighorn Dam, Abraham lake was created by the dam on the North Saskatchewan River west of Nordegg. It is a great place to hike and spend an afternoon. All of us needed a break, it was hot out, there was little to no wind and a beautiful day, I am seen here with my two of our great dogs, Takoda standing on the left, the father of Tora, who is sitting by me on the right of the picture.

Tora is 24 lbs on this trip, she is really growing well, she is very solid, a well built young female that takes all the stocky strength from Mia and combines that with a bit of extra length and height from Takoda. There was so much for her to see and do on this excursion we had our hands full keeping up with her.

Tora, Ashten and Takoda

Tora, always on the lookout for some new thing to chase after keeps Ashten busy, Takoda was glad to have a drink from clear mountain stream. The Canadian Rockies feed into streams that come down to this lake, which is mostly filled by the North Saskatchewan River, this is a beautiful clear and clean lake.

The dogs were having a great day around here, they like roaming around, although Tora needs some more training, she isn't exactly ready to "Come Here" or pay any attention to "By Me" yet, Takoda is very good but Tora just hasn't had enough time, so we kept a halter lead on her most of the time while we were hiking.

Tora is a smart young female, she is also by far the best jumper, she can easily jump straight up and onto 26" already, leaps off of 4 foot high embankments, shelves and will be showing Mia and Takoda up in that area in no time. She is a powerful young dog that has a very unique ability to know how to gather her strength and just jump, and she likes it.