Norwegian Lundehund Dog Breed Guide
📍 Origin: Norway
The Norwegian Lundehund is a small, ancient Spitz breed originally developed on the remote islands of Norway to hunt puffins along steep cliffs. It is one of the rarest dog breeds in the world, recognized by the AKC in 2011, and is notable for its extraordinary physical traits including six toes on each foot and exceptional joint flexibility.
| Breed | Norwegian Lundehund |
| Size | Small (13–15 lbs) |
| Height | 13–15 inches |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years |
| Temperament | Alert, Loyal, Energetic |
| Energy Level | High●●●●○ |
| Good With Kids | ✅ Yes |
| Grooming | Moderate |
| Training | Fair |
| Shedding | Moderate |
| Best For | Experienced Owners |
🐕 Norwegian Lundehund Overview
The Norwegian Lundehund is a small, rectangular-built Spitz with a lively, alert expression and a deeply curious nature. Its unique anatomical features, including polydactyly and an unusually flexible skeleton, were essential adaptations for navigating rocky puffin-nesting terrain. Today it is kept as a companion and show dog, though its independent streak and rare digestive condition require a committed and knowledgeable owner.
📜 History & Origin
The Norwegian Lundehund dates back at least 400 years to the islands of Vaeroy and Rost off the coast of Norway, where it was bred specifically to retrieve puffins from narrow cliff crevices. The breed nearly went extinct in the mid-20th century, with the population dropping to just six individuals after distemper outbreaks devastated the islands. Dedicated Norwegian breeders revived the population, and the AKC granted the breed full recognition in 2011 as part of the Non-Sporting Group.
👀 Size & Appearance
🐶 Male
- Weight: 13–15 lbs (6–7 kg)
- Height: 13–15 inches (33–38 cm)
🐕 Female
- Weight: 13–14 lbs
- Height: 12–14 inches
Coat type: Dense double coat with a rough outer layer and soft undercoat
🧠 Temperament & Behaviour
With Children
Norwegian Lundehunds are generally excellent with children. Their patient, gentle nature makes them reliable family companions. Always supervise interactions with very young children.
With Other Dogs & Pets
Generally sociable with other dogs and pets when properly socialised from puppyhood. Early introductions are recommended.
🏃 Exercise Needs
Norwegian Lundehunds are high-energy dogs that require at least 45 minutes of vigorous exercise daily. This includes brisk walks, off-leash running, fetch, or swimming. Without adequate exercise, they can become destructive or develop behavioural problems.
✅ Apartment living: Possible with adequate daily exercise commitment.
🍗 Food & Diet Guide
🐶 Puppy (8 weeks – 12 months)
- Feed a large/medium breed puppy formula
- 3–4 small meals per day up to 6 months
- Reduce to 2–3 meals from 6 months onward
- Look for AAFCO "complete and balanced for growth" statement
- Avoid overfeeding — controlled growth prevents joint issues
🐕 Adult (Norwegian Lundehund)
- Daily amount: 0.75 to 1 cup of quality dry kibble
- Split into 2 meals per day
- Choose AAFCO-compliant food for adult maintenance
- Monitor weight monthly — adjust portions as needed
- ⚠️ High obesity risk — measure portions carefully
Always consult your veterinarian for a feeding plan specific to your dog's age, weight, and health status.
🏅 Training Guide
Basic Commands
Start sit, stay, come, and leave it from day one. Positive reinforcement with treats works best. Keep sessions to 5–10 minutes.
Toilet Training
Take puppy outside every 2 hours and immediately after meals, play, and sleep. Reward immediately after they go outside.
Leash Training
Start with a flat collar and short sessions. Reward loose-leash walking. A front-clip harness helps dogs that pull.
Socialisation
Expose to different people, sounds, and environments between 8–16 weeks. This is the critical window for confident adult behaviour.
✂️ Grooming
Brushing
Brush 2–3 times per week to manage shedding and coat condition.
Bathing
Bath every 4–6 weeks or when dirty. Over-bathing strips natural coat oils.
Nail Trimming
Trim nails every 3–4 weeks. If you hear clicking on hard floors, they are too long.
Ear Cleaning
Check ears weekly for redness, odour, or discharge. Clean gently with a vet-approved ear cleaner.
🩺 Health Problems
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Regular veterinary screening is recommended. Discuss breed-specific testing with your vet.
Preventive Health Tips
- Annual vet checkups (twice yearly for dogs over 7)
- Keep vaccinations and deworming up to date
- Maintain a healthy weight — obesity worsens most conditions
- Ask your breeder for OFA/PennHIP health clearances on parents
⏱ Lifespan
The average Norwegian Lundehund lifespan is 12–15 years. Smaller breeds often live longer than larger breeds. Individual lifespan depends heavily on genetics, diet, exercise, and veterinary care.
Tips for a Longer, Healthier Life
- Feed a balanced, high-quality diet appropriate for age and size
- Maintain a healthy weight throughout life
- Regular exercise matched to age and health status
- Annual vet visits for early detection of health issues
- Dental care — dental disease affects overall health significantly
💷 Puppy Price
United States
Pedigree AKC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Europe
Pedigree FCI-registered puppy from health-tested parents
United Kingdom
Pedigree KC-registered puppy from health-tested parents
Estimated Monthly Cost (UK)
Prices vary by breeder, location, and pedigree quality. Always buy from a health-tested, reputable breeder — never from puppy farms.
⚖️ Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Experienced dog owners familiar with primitive breeds
- Owners with time for daily enrichment and mental stimulation
- Families in quieter homes seeking a rare and loyal companion
- Excellent with children
❌ Cons
- First-time dog owners
- Owners looking for a highly obedient or easily trainable breed
- Households unwilling to manage complex dietary and digestive health needs
- Requires significant daily exercise
- Prone to obesity — portion control essential
🆚 Norwegian Lundehund vs Other Breeds
✅ Norwegian Lundehund wins at
The Norwegian Lundehund is far rarer and more historically unique, appealing to enthusiasts of ancient working breeds.
✅ Shiba Inu wins at
The Shiba Inu is more widely available, better studied health-wise, and somewhat easier to source from reputable breeders.
✅ Norwegian Lundehund wins at
The Norwegian Lundehund offers a more affectionate and family-oriented temperament compared to the more aloof Basenji.
✅ Basenji wins at
The Basenji is easier to source, has fewer breed-specific digestive concerns, and is generally a healthier low-maintenance breed.
🏠 Who Should Own a Norwegian Lundehund?
✅ Great Choice If You Are:
- Experienced dog owners familiar with primitive breeds
- Owners with time for daily enrichment and mental stimulation
- Families in quieter homes seeking a rare and loyal companion
- A family with children
❌ Consider Another Breed If:
- First-time dog owners
- Owners looking for a highly obedient or easily trainable breed
- Households unwilling to manage complex dietary and digestive health needs
- You have a very sedentary lifestyle
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Is Norwegian Lundehund good for families?
The Norwegian Lundehund can be a good family companion in the right household, as it is loyal, playful, and generally tolerant of children when properly socialized from puppyhood. Its small size and moderate energy make it suitable for homes with older, respectful children. However, its independent nature and complex health needs mean it is best suited to experienced owners rather than first-time family dog owners.
How much does a Norwegian Lundehund puppy cost?
In the United Kingdom, a Norwegian Lundehund puppy from a reputable breeder typically costs between 1,500 and 3,000 GBP due to the breed's extreme rarity. In Pakistan, prices range from approximately 150,000 to 350,000 PKR, though availability is very limited and import costs often apply. In India, expect to pay between 80,000 and 200,000 INR, with puppies almost exclusively sourced through international imports or specialist breeders.
Is Norwegian Lundehund easy to train?
The Norwegian Lundehund is not considered an easy breed to train, scoring low on trainability due to its independent and primitive temperament inherited from centuries of autonomous hunting work. Positive reinforcement methods work best, but patience and consistency are essential as this breed tends to make its own decisions rather than eagerly following commands. First-time owners are likely to find training frustrating, so working with a professional trainer experienced in primitive breeds is strongly recommended.
What food is best for a Norwegian Lundehund?
Due to the high prevalence of Lundehund Syndrome and related gastrointestinal conditions in this breed, diet is critically important and should always be guided by a veterinarian familiar with the condition. A highly digestible, low-fat diet is often recommended, with some dogs requiring prescription gastrointestinal food to manage protein-losing enteropathy. Owners should monitor body weight closely, feed measured portions of a high-quality adult small-breed formula, and avoid high-fat treats or table scraps that could trigger digestive flare-ups.
Does Norwegian Lundehund bark a lot?
The Norwegian Lundehund is an alert breed that will bark to signal strangers or unusual activity, but it is not considered an excessive or nuisance barker by nature. With adequate exercise and mental stimulation, most Lundehunds maintain a calm indoor demeanor and bark only when there is a clear reason to do so.
Can a Norwegian Lundehund live in an apartment?
Yes, the Norwegian Lundehund can adapt well to apartment living given its small size and moderate indoor energy levels, provided it receives at least 45 minutes of daily outdoor exercise and regular mental enrichment. Owners in apartments should be mindful of the breed's alert barking tendencies and ensure the dog is well socialized to minimize noise complaints.
🏆 Final Verdict
The Norwegian Lundehund is best suited to experienced dog owners who understand the breed's specific needs. With a lifespan of 12–15 years, high energy demands, and moderate grooming requirements, the Norwegian Lundehund is a wonderful family dog.
If you can meet their exercise, training, and care needs, the Norwegian Lundehund will reward you with years of loyal companionship.