The Elo dog is a relatively young breed, which despite its German origin, has not gained much recognition there yet. However, it is the perfect family dog – child-friendly, affectionate, and loyal. Let’s take a closer look at this sociable four-legged friend today!

History of the Elo Dog

The breeding history of the Elos began in 1987 in the German state of Lower Saxony. Therefore, the Elo is a young purebred dog, which has the advantage that its origins can be fully traced.

The goal was to create a socially well-adjusted companion dog. To achieve this, Chow Chows, Old English Sheepdogs, and Eurasians were crossed, as they already possessed the desired traits.

By the way: The actual name of the Elo (Eloschaboros) consists of individual fragments of these original breed names. To refine the Elo, later crosses were made with the German and Japanese Spitz, the Samoyed, and the Dalmatian.

This extravagant mix of breeds brought together all the qualities needed for a good family dog:

After a smaller version of the Elo had been bred in 1995, these character traits were retained. The small Elo is thus the same in character as its larger counterpart – it is its miniature equivalent.

The decrease in size of the Elo was due to the influence of Pekingese and Spitz breeds (small, medium, and Japanese) used in the breeding of the small breed.

Character and Temperament

The Elo is considered the ideal family dog. It is well-balanced, good-natured, and sociable. Its calm temperament helps it to cope with stressful situations, making it well-suited for the everyday hustle and bustle of a family with young children.

Affection Level	High
Friendliness	High
Kid-Friendly	High
Pet-Friendly	High
Exercise Needs	High
Playfulness	Medium
Energy Level	Medium
Trainability	Medium
Intelligence	Medium
Tendency to Bark	Medium
Amount of Shedding	High

However, the small Elos can be a bit livelier than the larger purebred dogs!

At the same time, the Elo is highly adaptable. There are few lifestyles with which it cannot cope: whether a student, young couple, large family, or elderly couple.

Elos develop a strong sense of belonging. Therefore, they have no tendency to roam or run away from home. Nevertheless, they can be left alone for a certain period of time.

Since the Elo is very intelligent, it can learn all behaviors that it is genetically predisposed to. The Elo also gets along with other pets, so it can live in a household with both cats and other dogs.

Due to its guarding instinct, the Elo may initially behave distantly towards strangers. However, it does not feel fear or aggression. Unlike other guard dogs, it does not announce visitors with intrusive barking but generally refrains from barking.

Acquiring an Elo Dog

At the moment, there are around 130 breeders spread across Germany, Austria, Denmark, Belgium, and Switzerland. You can find out where these breeders are located and when the next litters are expected through the Elo® Breeding and Research Community.

The fact that the breed is still quite young and rare is also reflected in the four-figure price (between $1,300 and $1,500 is quite normal for an Elo puppy). Unfortunately, due to the short breeding history, there are hardly any mixed breeds available, but there is the possibility that there are other mixed-breed dogs with optical similarities and parallels in behavior available in animal shelters.

What should I consider when buying?

Because the Elo is a young, unrecognized breed, there is a comparatively high variability in character among the offspring. The appearance of individual individuals can also vary.

To ensure you don’t receive a surprise package, it is important to buy from a reputable breeder.

This can be recognized by the fact that he:

Development and education of the puppy

The Elo needs an owner who can handle him appropriately. This means a combination of love, understanding, patience, as well as confident, clear, and consistent behavior. Even a novice dog owner can do this if they seek help from a dog school and thoroughly educate themselves on the subject of “dog training.”

In general, the Elo is a dog that accepts human rules. However, training during puberty can be somewhat more challenging than usual. However, this is not specific to the Elo, but also applies to other purebred dogs.

Even though the small family dog ​​does not tend to have aggression problems or rank conflicts, you should teach him appropriate social behavior. Puppy playgroups and private dog meetings are particularly suitable for this. It is important that the composition of the dogs is as diverse as possible (variance in size, age, and gender) so that he can learn to interact with different types of dogs.

How do I keep an Elo dog?

The Elo is a flexible animal that can live both in an apartment building and on a rural property. The main thing is that he can move around sufficiently and appropriately. Despite his calm nature, he is not a couch potato. Since the Elo is very robust, he always enjoys going out, regardless of whether it is cold, raining, or snowing. A natural living environment is not a must, but can be a great advantage in everyday life.

The affectionate purebred dog feels most comfortable when fully integrated into family life. Whether in a restaurant, on vacation, or in the office – the Elo would like to be there. Since he is an uncomplicated companion with a pleasant aura, he is also welcome in all these places.

The Elo was bred to be the ideal family dog. However, it is up to the parents to educate both the dog and the children accordingly. So young children need to learn how to touch a dog. In addition, the dog needs a secluded resting place. However, if living together seems to harmonize in this way, dogs and children should always be accompanied by an adult.

Activities with the Elo dog

The calm nature of the Elo quickly belies the fact that he still needs physical challenges.

Three hours a day are the recommended minimum exercise. You should distribute this time over at least three sessions and take walks with your dog. Longer hikes are also very welcome with the Elo.

By the way: Since the Elo does not have strong hunting instincts, joint trips into the countryside are usually very pleasant.

Theoretically, there are other types of activities that might interest the sporty four-legged friend. Examples of these are jogging, agility, and tracking work. However, while some Elos are very ambitious, others may not find them enjoyable. So, you’ll just have to try out which activity your dog likes best. But make sure not to push your four-legged friend beyond their physical limits (age, health, fitness level).

Health and Grooming

The health of the dog is crucial. The Elo is a robust animal that, except for so-called Distichiasis (an eye problem that can be corrected in seconds by trimming the eyelashes), has no genetic susceptibility to hereditary diseases.

In terms of nutrition, they are also quite undemanding. The food should be high-quality (no unnecessary fillers, but a high meat content), natural, and age-appropriate. Additionally, the Elo appreciates the occasional sugar-free snack. Since the medium-length or long fur can obscure body contours, you should weigh your Elo from time to time. This way, you’ll always have an eye on your dog’s weight development.

Although grooming must be done continuously, it is generally straightforward. The important thing is to brush the coat often enough to prevent matting, meaning once a day during shedding! However, you should not wash or trim your Elo unless it is absolutely necessary for a specific reason.

Furthermore, grooming includes regular checks of the eyes, claws, ears, and mouth.

Interesting and noteworthy

The Elo is a dog with the following special feature:

Do you have an Elo or are you thinking of getting one? Tell me in the comments what you think makes them so special!