Norwegian Lundehund Dog Breed Information

Group

Non-sporting

Weight

6-9 kg

Height

30-38 cm

Lifespan

10-12 years

Jump To

About the Norwegian Lundehund

Reviewed by:

Dr. Cristina Alice Vulpe

Veterinarian

The rarest breed in the world, the Norwegian Lundehund is unsurprisingly originally from Norway.

This unique and ancient breed has recovered from being on the brink of extinction.

When considering getting a dog you should always know exactly what you can expect so that you can find out if they are suited for you. This is a guide on everything you need to know about the Norwegian Lundehund.

What is the history & origin of the Norwegian Lundehund?

One of the rarest dogs in the world is the Norwegian Lundehund. It was bread for puffin hunting. It would scale cliffs to get to puffin nests and bring back live puffins for their masters.

Written records of this dog have been around since the 1400s but it is still not known how long they have been around. They are originally from a very remote area on the Norwegian coast.

Those who had Norwegian Lundehunds often had up to or more than a dozen at a time and were considered to be more valuable than cows.

By the 1930s this breed was almost extinct due to they no longer needed to hunt puffins. A breeder from England founded the Lexor Kennel and had about 60 of them.

During World War II the breed contracted a sickness called distemper that wiped out all of them in Norway. After which the English breeder sent them dogs, only for her dogs to get the sickness too.

By the 1960s there were only four dogs left in the world from which every descendant today comes.

What is a Norwegian Lundehund breed?

The Norwegian Lundehund is known to be the least popular breed in the world ranked 197 0ut of 197 breeds. They are also an extremely rare breed. It is also known as the Norwegian Puffin Dog.

They have six toes and because of this are scientifically known as polydactyl.

The four dogs that essentially rebuilt the breed were all related which has caused some genetic problems. They have a bottleneck, have low fertility and are prone to a disorder called lymphangiectasia.

The American Kennel Club along with the Norwegian Lundehund Club have started to crossbreed females with the Norwegian Buhund, Icelandic Sheepdog and males with Norrbottenspets.

Who is a Norwegian Lundehund best for?

This breed is best suited to be a family dog and will get along well with all family members. It is important to know that this breed is naturally primitive, making them very stubborn and hard to train. Bred to be climbers, this breed is extremely nimble and can get into any kind of space with ease.

They are friendly dogs and can be in a household with older children. They need owners who will take the time to housetrain as they are a very independent, stubborn breed.

Active owners will also best suit this breed. They are agile and love physical activities. They love to climb and are very flexible. They can bend their head backwards and splat their front legs so taking them out on your adventures will make them very happy.

They are suitable for apartment living provided that they get enough exercise.

Norwegian Lundehund Grooming & Shedding

The Norwegian Lundehund has a dense double coat. A rough outer coat and a soft undercoat that is very insulated. Their coat is reddish-brown with black hair tips. They have triangular ears and do not require a rigorous grooming routine.

They can also be black or grey dog hair with white markings or be white with dark markings.

This breed should be brushed once a week to get rid of any loose hair as well as to prevent matting. Their heavy shedding seasons are normally Spring and Fall. This is when they will get rid of their undercoat.

It is recommended to bathe them at least once a month. This is dependent on how dirty they get over time.

When grooming is sure to check their ears and trim their nails.

Do Norwegian Lundehunds bark a lot?

The Norwegian Lundehund does tend to bark. They are very wary of meeting new people or strangers. They can be very standoffish which may cause them to bark as well.

What is the average weight & height of a Norwegian Lundehund dog?

The average weight of a Norwegian Lundehund ranges from 6 to 9 kg. In terms of height, they typically have a withers height of 30 to 38 cm, with a standing height between 38 and 46 cm. Additionally, their overall body length measures between 46 and 56 cm.

Are Norwegian Lundehunds easy to train?

Training a Norwegian Lundehund will not be easy. They are independent and stubborn. It is always best to train your dog from an early age so that they become accustomed to what is right from wrong before they develop bad habits.

This breed does not do well with harsh types of training. They do not respond well to harsh corrections and will shut down to refuse to learn.

They are an intelligent breed and need a lot of mental stimulation. This means that training sessions with them should be varied and more fun.

How do Norwegian Lundehunds behave? A look at their temperament and personality

These dogs are quite active and need a ton of mental stimulation as they are a very intelligent breed. They are not the type to cuddle up with you on the couch with you.

They prefer to be outside, run around, climb things, dig and occasionally bark. They are friendly but are very wary of strangers and maybe quite standoffish with other dogs and people.

This does not take away from the fact that they are courageous and fun-loving dogs that will do well in dog sports.

Does the Norwegian Lundehund have any common health issues?

The Norwegian Lundehund is generally a very healthy breed despite having some genetic issues. This is what you need you to know about their health conditions.

Patellar Luxation – This is when the kneecap slips out of the groove it is supposed to be in. The kneecap is meant to fit into the groove of the femur bone. This may be because the groove is shallower. The condition can be evident when they are puppies already.
Eye Problems: Various eye conditions can affect this breed, requiring regular check-ups.
Intestinal Disorders – They are prone to a disorder called lymphangiectasia. This pathology inhibits their ability to take in nutrients from food.

What is the lifespan of a Norwegian Lundehund?

The Norwegian Lundehund has a life span of 10 to 12 years. This is also not guaranteed as they are prone to lymphatic disorders and other health problems.

How much does a Norwegian Lundehund need to be fed?

Always provide your dog with fresh water, an active dog like the Norwegian Lundehund will need lots of water after running around or climbing.

It is best to feed them a quality dog diet that will not trigger their intestinal issues. It is recommended to feed them twice a day.

They are prone to picking up weight and should therefore be fed a healthy balanced diet. They should be on a high protein, low-fat diet.

How much can you expect to pay for a Norwegian Lundehund in Australia?

The average cost of a Norwegian Lundehund in Australia is $2000 and can go as high as $3000.

Its price will be dependent on which breeder you get them from, their pedigree, and the lineage of their parents.

You want to make sure that you get them from a reputable breeder and make sure that the puppies and parents were screened for any health problems.

They are the rarest breed in the world so you should expect them to be expensive.

Norwegian Lundehund FAQs

Is a Norwegian Lundehund ideal for a first-time dog owner?

This breed is not ideal for first-time dog owners as they are very difficult to train.

Do Norwegian Lundehund suffer from separation anxiety?

The Norwegian Lundehund is not prone to separation anxiety. This does not mean that owners should leave them alone for long periods of time.

It is important that you spend time with them and give them enough exercise before you leave. You should top up their food and water if you are going to be away during their eating times.

When you get back you should always show your dog affection so that they do not equate you leaving with negative experiences.

Leaving your pet alone can be stressful so you should not make a big deal about leaving. Drawing too much attention to them being alone can cause them to feel anxious and perhaps even lead to bad behaviour.

Are Norwegian Lundehund hypoallergenic dogs?

This dog breed is not a hypoallergenic dog as they do shed. They have very heavy shedding seasons and will leave loose hair all over your home. If you or anyone in the household have allergy problems, this may not be the dog for you.

Will a Norwegian Lundehund need professional grooming?

Like Norwegian Lundehund does not need professional grooming. It is entirely possible for owners to take care of all of their grooming needs from home.

A trip to the groomer on a regular basis is always a good idea as they will have the necessary knowledge on how to properly groom them. A pampered pooch is always a happy pooch so spoiling them now and then will always be a good idea!