Reidar – First Summit Work in New Hampshire
A Young Full Blood Elkhound Showing Heritage Strength, Stamina, and True Northern Pattern Expression
(Ark × Revna – Montana Whelping, Stewardship Program)
Reidar continues to deliver exceptional field performance for Melissa and Mike down in New Hampshire. Their latest update — a full summit hike on Little Sugarloaf, roughly 1000 ft elevation, overlooking Newfound Lake — shows this young Full Blood male advancing exactly as his lineage predicts.
This is not casual trail work anymore. This is early mountain conditioning, real elevation, real terrain, and Reidar handled it like a seasoned inland‑heritage Elkhound. Reidar was also showcasing his love for the rivers and waterways. This is classic heritage, true to his genetic make up.
Mike and Melissa are going to be in some awesome shape keeping up with this young rascal. You can tell the power he is building, climbs right up the rock ledges easily. This is the perfect way to develop the whole dog, different work, different stages, climbing, jumping, water features and incline work. Excellent work Melissa and Mike. This is great for us all to see.
Mountain Work – Little Sugarloaf Summit (New Hampshire)
Melissa reports that the hike was 1.5 miles, with grades varying between 10–18%, and terrain full of:
- rocks
- roots
- treefall obstacles
- steep sections requiring rear‑drive power
Reidar moved through all of it with ease. Not just “able to do it” — but thriving in it. Melissa said he could have done the hike three times over. That is the hallmark of a Full Blood male with correct stamina, correct lung capacity, correct stride efficiency, and correct recovery rate.
A tree even fell off‑trail not far ahead of them — and Reidar registered it instantly. That environmental sensitivity is part of the inland northern heritage pattern.
This is a dog built for terrain. This is a dog built for elevation. This is a dog built for work.
The Black Mask & Dark Coat – Heritage Inland Northern Region Expression
Melissa and Mike note how striking Reidar’s Black Mask is — and how his entire coat is deep black, not just shaded, but fully dark. This is not random variation. This is the heritage inland northern region pattern coming through with full force.
Look at the lineage behind him: I have an image of Aina’s Grandfather Elimon Salon Nalli, he is the father of the famous bear Champion Lisa, mother of Aina. This black genetic is on all sides.
- Rico – dark
- Takoda – dark
- Bram – dark
- Revna – dark
Reidar has pulled all of that pattern through from that side of the genetic architecture. This is exactly what we expect from the inland northern heritage dogs — the deep black coat, the heavy mask, the dense pigment, the mountain‑region expression.
And then look at the contrast within the same genetic framework:
- Murdock – Silver pattern
- Reidar – Ultra‑dark pattern
Same architecture. Different expression. This is the beauty of the Full Blood genetic variation — the pattern is not uniform, it is expressive.
Reidar is the dark expression. Murdock is the silver expression. Both correct. Both heritage. Both Kamia.
Stamina, Drive, and Handler Connection
Melissa and Mike report that Reidar:
- had no fatigue at summit
- wanted to continue
- maintained pace
- stayed focused
- handled obstacles with confidence
- showed correct environmental awareness
This is the early formation of a working mountain dog. His stamina is already ahead of schedule, and his mental engagement is exactly where it should be for a Stewardship male.
They also note that they were tired — but Reidar was ready to keep going. That is the hallmark of the Ark × Revna pairing. These dogs have exceptional endurance and a natural desire to continue the work.
Lineage Context – Why Reidar Is Developing This Way
Reidar is:
- son of Ark and Revna
- half brother to Aurella (currently bred to Posso)
- grandson of Bram and Karu
- connected to Murdock through Arco
This is why his stamina, awareness, and terrain ability are so strong. The Montana whelping adds the final layer — the early neurological development, the correct imprinting, the correct maternal environment.
Reidar is not just a good young male. He is a heritage expression of the inland northern region dogs.
Stewardship Program – Outstanding Work by Melissa and Mike
Melissa and Mike continue to do tremendous work with Reidar. They are giving him:
- elevation
- terrain
- challenge
- communication
- trust
- correct pacing
- correct exposure
This is exactly how a young Full Blood male should be developed. Their updates show a dog who is bonding correctly, working correctly, and advancing exactly on schedule.
Reidar is becoming an exceptional companion and working Elkhound for them — a true Stewardship male.
