The Kamgaard Norwegian Elkhounds make their home in the beautiful Catskill Mountains of upstate New York in an area similar to their native Norway both in terrain and climate.  Here the dogs thrive in home and kennel settings and are very much a part of our family and everyday life. The kennel was established by Maggie when the first litter bearing the Kamgaard prefix was whelped in 1964 and the prefix is registered with both the American Kennel Club and the Bermuda Kennel Club.  Since that time the Kamgaard line has evolved by combining healthy, well-adjusted individuals of correct breed type with sound breeding practices and forward-thinking veterinary technology to blend a distinct bloodline known world-wide.

In partnership we have been fortunate to travel to many parts of the globe in search of individuals to compliment and enhance our stock and have worked with some wonderful people along the way who have helped us to attain set goals.  We are singularly or jointly members of the Norwegian Elkhound Association of America, the Norwegian Elkhound Club of Great Britain, the Norwegian Elkhound Association of Scotland, the Norwegian Elkhound Club of Canada, honorary member of the Elkhound Society of East Africa, the Garden State Norwegian Elkhound Club and the Morris and Essex Kennel Club, and both of us have held various posts in several of these organizations from time to time.  Maggie has served several terms as American Kennel Club Delegate for the Norwegian Elkhound Association of America and has served many years as President of the Garden State Norwegian Elkhound Club as well as Sally having served like years as their Treasurer.  We've had many memorable times over the years showing and judging at various Elkhound events and Kamgaard has housed many treasured challenge trophies and national awards.  Maggie has had the thrill of judging not only the Norwegian Elkhound Association of America's National Sweepstakes and Futurity, but also the Diamond Jubilee Championship Show of the British Elkhound Club in 1983 with over 300 entries - the first American ever given this honor.  She completed "return engagements" to the United Kingdom in October of 2009 to judge the Norwegian Elkhound Association of Scotland's Championship show and again in 2013 to judge the Norwegian Elkhound Club of Great Britain's Contest of Champions.  Sally's family in Great Britain continues the tradition of being owned by an Elkhound and we're hoping grandchildren Zachary and Yasmin will fly the flag in the future.

Kamgaard dogs excel wherever they are sent and we are proud to currently list 180 Championships either bred or owned by Kamgaard, but first and foremost, they are Champions of the heart!  Individuals from this kennel have been sent to many of the United States, Canada, Bermuda, the United Kingdom, Japan, Australia, and even back to Norway.  We have had the distinct pleasure to breed, own and/or exhibit many Best in Show, group, and Specialty winners and our joy in raising fine Elkhounds has been magnified by the satisfaction we feel in seeing the mirrored successes experienced by other breeders with the same objectives who have complimented our efforts by including Kamgaard in their breeding programs.  We also take pride in the fact that many of the wonderful owners who have been entrusted with a Kamgaard dog have returned again and again over the years.

While each litter here is planned with an eye toward breed improvement, the reality is that not every individual will be a Champion, and thus from time to time we have available pet puppies and young adults.  All stock used in our breeding program is certified clear of Hip Dysplasia and eye defects.  Our stud dogs are offered at private treaty to approved individuals and both frozen and chilled semen is available in addition to the conventional.