Cover photo, curtesy of the Kennel of Vorkosmia
Coming from Værøy, Norway, the Norwegian Lundehund is one of the rarest dog breeds in the world. People bred these dogs to catch Puffins which they needed to survive during the long winter months in the Arctic. But as the hunt for Puffins became illegal, people didn’t need the Norsk Lundehund anymore. According to Wikipedia, Norway is home to approximately 900 Lundehunds, with an additional 200 to 300 found elsewhere globally. But there’s more to these dogs than just what you see. They are among the most uniquely built dogs in the world.
Size
The Norwegian Lundehund is a small dog. The breed standard measurements are:
- Male height: 13 to 15 inches (33 to 38 cm)
- Male weight: 15 to 18 pounds (6.5 to 8 kg)
- Female height: 12 to 14 inches (30 to 35 cm)
- Female weight: 12 to 15 pounds (5.5 to 6.5 kg)
These dogs might be small, but they sure are sturdy! Built for running around fjords, getting into the Puffin burrows, and running back with the prey means these dogs are agile and energetic.
Special traits
As mentioned, the Norwegian Lundehund has some unique features:
- They have six toes on each paw
- Due to their flexible shoulders, their forelegs can spread out to the sides
- Their necks are so flexible that they can bend backward until their heads touch their spines.
- Their ears can fold shut
Their flexible shoulders give them a special “rotary gait”. You can see what it looks like in the video below.
Color
The Norwegian Lundehund has four breed standard coat colors:
- Tan
- White
- Reddish brown
- Fallow (pale brown)
The breed standard markings are:
- Black tips
- White markings
- Black markings
- Red markings
You can see a coat coloration example in the Vorkosmia Lundehunds Instagram post below.
Social Traits
The Norwegian Lundehund is a loyal and protective dog. This might cause them to seem aloof with those unfamiliar to them. However, proper socialization from an early age is what keeps their aloofness at bay. Also, they might be aloof but never aggressive.
Because of their high energy, the Norwegian Lundehund is a great addition to families with older children. They can play with them for hours on end. This is quite important for an active dog breed such as the Lundehund.
Do they get along with other dogs? Yes, but they are not Golden Retrievers. All dogs need a proper introduction to other dogs as soon as they have all their vaccines, but some need special steering from us to make sure they grow up into confident and calm dogs.
Do they get along with children? Yes, with proper habituation and socialization. And once again, I have to emphasize that we also need to teach children how to behave around dogs.
Do they get along with small animals? Most times, no. They have a strong prey drive. Of course, if they grow up together with a cat, they’ll see that cat as a part of their family. However, they might still view other cats or small animals as prey.
Activity Needs
The Norwegian Lundehund is an active dog. They need someone who enjoys going outdoors. If you can’t give them proper daily mental and physical stimulation, they can quickly turn boredom into misbehavior.
Misbehavior in any dog breed can show up as destructive behavior or even aggression. That’s why it is very important to understand what kind of dog you have at home and how much daily activity it needs. It’s not just a walk to the park, but the genuine exploration and fun playtime they need.
Trainability
The Lundehund is a smart dog that can learn things pretty quickly. It depends, though, if it’s something they find interesting or not. Similar to most Spitz-type dogs, they have a bit of stubbornness embedded into their DNA.
If they don’t want to do something, it’s better to find an equally satisfying reward if you want to change their minds. If it’s not the treat they are after, try a game or a walk to their favorite place.
One thing they are very good at because it requires running and jumping, and overall being active, is the agility sport for dogs.
Not only does the agility training give them enough mental and physical stimulation, but it further strengthens the bond between the dog and the owner.
Feeding
If you have an adult Norwegian Lundehund and you feed your dog kibble, generally speaking you need to give them 1 to 2 cups of kibble food a day. I always recommend you divide the amount into two meals.
There are other diet options, such as canned food, a combination of canned and kibble, a raw diet, or a homemade diet, etc. The best option is to consult a vet or a breeder you got your dog from.
Grooming
The Norwegian Lundehund has a double short coat type. They shed moderately and require regular weekly brushing. You can use a combination of a pin brush and a slicker brush to keep the fur clean and healthy.
Apart from brushing, all dogs need regular nail trimming (if the nails don’t wear out on their own), and an occasional bath. Lundehunds are not famous for having a strong dog odor, so you’ll need to give them a bath when they get dirty after playing outside.
Potential Health Issues
There are few Norwegian Lundehunds left in the world. This could be a potential problem because the gene pool is not big enough. However, the breeders are doing a great job in keeping their dogs healthy through responsible breeding programs.
That’s why we can say that the Norwegian Lundehund is a generally healthy dog breed. However, they can be prone to gastrointestinal disease. (Berghoff, Nora & Ruaux, Craig & Steiner, Joerg & Williams, David. (2007). Gastroenteropathy in Norwegian Lundehund. Compendium (Yardley, PA). 29. 456-65, 468.) Finding a responsible dog breeder who makes sure their dogs pass all the necessary tests is the key in keeping the breed healthy.
As a future owner, be sure to regularly take your dog to a vet for checkups, and ensure they have high-quality food and enough daily mental and physical stimulation, apart from cuddles and lots of love!
Life expectancy: from 12 to 15 years
Summary
The Norwegian Lundehund is a rare dog that comes from the cold islands of Norway, where people bred these dogs to help them hunt Puffins. Today, there are fewer than 1200 left in the world, and they are especially difficult to find outside their native country. If you come across one, you will get a loyal, energetic, and playful little dog with a lot of personality. Because of their Spitz-dog type aloofness, you will need to spend some extra time to socialize them properly and ensure they grow up as calm and confident adult dogs.
Read next: Keeshond Traits – Breeds 101
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