Introducing the Norwegian Lundehund
Discover everything about the Norwegian Lundehund: its unique traits, behavior, training needs, and cost.
The Norwegian Lundehund
The Norwegian Lundehund, a rare and unique breed
The Norwegian Lundehund, bred in Norway to hunt puffins, is known for its agility and extra toes. Once nearly extinct, it is now treasured for its rare traits and history.
Brave, adaptable, and intelligent, the Lundehund makes a loyal companion. Affectionate and playful, it bonds closely with its family and is friendly with both people and other pets.
NORWEGIAN LUNDEHUND FACT FILE
This section outlines the unique features of the Norwegian Lundehund.
Group
The Norwegian Lundehund belongs to the Spitz and Primitive Types group, known for its agility and resilience, particularly in hunting. Its temperament is curious and independent.
Size
The Norwegian Lundehund is small to medium-sized, standing 12-15 inches tall and weighing 13-16 pounds.
Coat length
The Lundehund has a double coat, with a short to medium outer coat and a dense, soft undercoat for protection.
Coat color
Lundehunds typically have reddish-brown to tan coats with white markings and occasional black-tipped hairs.
Living environment
The Lundehund adapts to various environments but thrives best with outdoor space for exercise.
Sociability
Friendly with family but cautious with strangers, the Lundehund gets along well with children and other pets with early socialization.
Health
Generally healthy, but prone to gastrointestinal issues (Lundehund Syndrome) and joint problems.
Training
The Lundehund is intelligent but independent, requiring patient and consistent training with positive reinforcement.
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Physical characteristics
Norwegian Lundehund, the six-toed wonder
The Norwegian Lundehund is a small, agile breed with an extraordinary physical balance due to its six toes on each foot. Its coat is usually reddish-brown with white markings, and its expressive face features large, triangular ears that fold closed to protect against debris.
Size and weight of the Fox Terrier
Norwegian Lundehunds are small dogs, with females typically standing between 12-13 inches and males reaching up to 15 inches. Females generally weigh around 13 pounds, while males weigh up to 16 pounds.
This breed grows relatively steadily, with most reaching their adult size by about 9-12 months of age.
The coat of the Norwegian Lundehund
Coat length
The Norwegian Lundehund has a double coat with a short to medium-length outer coat. Its fur is straight, dense, and weather-resistant, while the undercoat is soft and thick, providing warmth and protection in harsh climates.
Coat color
The Norwegian Lundehund comes in a specific color palette. Typical colors include reddish-brown to tan, often with white markings, and sometimes black-tipped hairs.
Coat care
The Norwegian Lundehund’s coat is relatively easy to care for, but it's thick undercoat requires attention. It sheds moderately year-round, with more shedding during seasonal changes in spring and autumn. Regular brushing, at least once a week, is necessary to prevent matting and to keep the coat healthy. Occasional baths are sufficient, as the breed tends to have clean, weather-resistant fur.
Other characteristics of the Norwegian Lundehund
Physical features
The Norwegian Lundehund is a compact, agile dog with a wedge-shaped head and tapering muzzle. Its almond-shaped, amber or brown eyes give it an alert expression. The triangular ears are set high and can fold closed. The body is muscular and flexible, with a deep chest and strong legs, built for climbing and agility.
Temperament & behavior
What is the temperament of the Norwegian Lundehund?
The Norwegian Lundehund is loyal, independent, and affectionate, forming strong bonds with its family but reserved with strangers.
Norwegian Lundehund category
Of the 400 registered dog breeds, the Norwegian Lundehund belongs to the Spitz and Primitive Types group, known for agility and resilience. Breeds in this group, like the Siberian Husky, are hardy and intelligent. The Lundehund was originally bred for puffin hunting, and today it remains a loyal, energetic companion with strong instincts.
Behavior of the Norwegian Lundehund
An independent yet loyal companion
The Norwegian Lundehund is a curious and independent dog with a unique sense of loyalty. Though it values its own space, it is affectionate toward its owner and thrives on forming close bonds. These dogs do best with attentive owners who provide consistent presence and care, helping them develop into confident companions.
Sociable but selective
Norwegian Lundehunds are friendly and sociable, but they can be cautious with strangers. They bond well with their family and, with proper socialization from an early age, can get along well with children and other pets. Early socialization is key to ensuring their natural independence doesn’t hinder their ability to form positive relationships.
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The Norwegian Lundehund's living environment
Adaptable but attention-seeking
The Norwegian Lundehund is quite adaptable and can thrive in various living environments, including apartments or houses, whether in urban or rural settings. However, this breed requires consistent attention and interaction with its owner. To keep them happy, at least two daily walks of 30 minutes each are recommended.
Space to explore
While adaptable, the Norwegian Lundehund benefits from an outdoor environment where it can satisfy its natural curiosity and burn off energy. Access to a yard or regular trips to open spaces is ideal for this adventurous and energetic breed.
Training the Norwegian Lundehund
Independent but intelligent
The Norwegian Lundehund is an intelligent breed with a unique sense of independence. While they are capable of learning quickly, their training requires patience and consistency, as they may sometimes be stubborn. Positive reinforcement is key. Given their agility and curiosity, equipping them with a GPS collar is recommended to prevent potential escapes during outdoor adventures.
Responsive but unique
Though the Norwegian Lundehund can be attentive and responsive, their independent nature sometimes leads to selective listening. Early and consistent training is crucial to ensure they develop good recall and obedience skills. Socialization from a young age is also important to help them adapt to various environments and people.
Health & nutrition
How to take care of the Norwegian Lundehund
The Norwegian Lundehund is generally a healthy breed, but daily care is essential to maintain its well-being. Regular grooming, monitoring for health issues, and preventive measures can help keep this breed healthy and free from infections.
The health of the Norwegian Lundehund
Illnesses
The Norwegian Lundehund is a hardy breed but is prone to specific health issues, particularly gastrointestinal problems such as Lundehund Syndrome, which can lead to digestive disturbances. They may also be susceptible to joint issues due to their unique structure. The typical lifespan for this breed ranges from 12 to 14 years.
Routine care
Routine veterinary check-ups are crucial for the Norwegian Lundehund, ensuring vaccinations, deworming, and flea treatments are kept up to date. Daily care includes brushing their coat to prevent matting, cleaning their ears regularly, dental care to prevent tartar buildup, and trimming their nails. Monitoring for potential allergies and consulting a vet for appropriate care is essential. This breed is not hypoallergenic.
Feeding the Norwegian Lundehund
Daily requirements
Like all dogs, the Norwegian Lundehund has specific nutritional needs that must be met to maintain its vitality and strength. A balanced diet rich in proteins and vitamins is essential. High-quality kibble designed for the breed can provide a solid nutritional foundation. For more active dogs, you can supplement their diet with lean white or red meat to boost protein intake, while keeping fats to a minimum.
Breeding or adoption & cost
What does a Norwegian Lundehund cost?
The Norwegian Lundehund is a rare and valued breed, with few breeders in Great Britain. It's important to consider several factors before adopting.
How to choose your Norwegian Lundehund
Finding the right breeder
Before adopting a Norwegian Lundehund, there are some important points to consider. First and foremost, you need to check that the breeder is reputable. This means visiting the breeder's premises to assess the living conditions and behavior of the dogs. Responsible breeders will provide transparent information about the puppy's health and any genetic illnesses in its lineage.
Lastly, mandatory electronic identification, like microchipping, is not always mandated at the federal level in the United States for cats and dogs. But microchipping is widely acknowledged as a successful way to permanently identify pets and increase the possibility of reuniting lost pets with their owners, even in the absence of universal regulations. As a pet owner, it is advised to inform yourself about municipal laws to ensure the safety and wellbeing of your pet.
The price of a Norwegian Lundehund
A Norwegian Lundehund puppy usually costs between
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Annual care expenses, including food and veterinary costs, typically range from
to
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Which dog breed is right for you?
Which dog breed is right for you?
Take the test to find out!
Choosing a dog that matches your personality and lifestyle will ensure your well-being and his!