Breeds 101: Meet the Norwegian Lundehund
Today’s featured breed for the “Breeds 101” series is the Norwegian Lundehund. The Norwegian Lundehund is a very athletic and loyal breed originally prized for their specialized anatomy allowing them to easily hunt puffins, today they are often found as companions.
Originating in Værøy, which is a remote and rocky island off the coast of Norway, the Norwegian Lundehund is a Spitz type dog who was used to hunt puffins. They have many specialized anatomical features that are unique to their breed which allow them to climb and skid down the cliff side, squeezing into nesting spots, and capturing the birds. Puffins were used as the main source of nutrition through the frigid, Arctic winters and the Lundehund was the only way to capture them for a long time. Once nets became a viable option and taxes on the dogs were increasing their use declined until puffins were declared an endangered species leaving them without a job.
According to the American Kennel Club breed standard, the Norwegian Lundehund is “small rectangular and agile Spitz breed with unique characteristics not found in any other breed…a minimum of six toes on each foot and elongated rear foot pads; an elastic neck that allows the head to bend backward to touch the spine…and shoulders flexible enough to allow the front legs to extend flat… This shoulder structure produces a peculiar rotary movement. Finally, the ears close and fold forward or backward to protect from debris.”
The standard colors seen in Lundehunds are: black, grey, white, yellow, reddish brown, or sable & white. The standard markings that are seen on them are: black tips, black markings, white markings, or grey markings.
Originally bred to hunt puffins in the remote isles of Norway, the Norwegian Lundehund today finds itself as a companion dog that retains the unique anatomical characteristics that made them such a skilled hunter.
These small pups stand at 13-15 inches (male), 12-14 inches (female) and weigh 20-30 pounds. The average life expectancy is 12-15 years. According to the most popular breeds list put out by the American Kennel Club, these pups wrap up the list in the final spot of 195 out of 195.
Grooming wise the Norwegian Lundehund is very low maintenance. They have a double coat that benefits from regular brushing to help remove loose hairs and keep the coat healthy and shiny. As with every breed their ears and teeth should be regularly cleaned and toenails kept trimmed down.
While no breed is free from health issues, the Norwegian Lundehund is generally a very hardy breed. The main concern noted by Norwegian Lundehund Association of America are gastrointestinal (GI) problems. There is some belief that Lundehunds carry a gene making them more prone to GI issues. The four GI problems known to the breed are: protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and intestinal bowel disease (IBD).
Having been bred to work, the Lundehund does require daily exercise but that need can be satisfied with a long walk or a couple of play sessions. These intelligent pups are eager to please their owners but can be wary of strangers.
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Nearly facing extinction after the declaration of puffins being endangered, this ancient breed was brought back by English Setter breeder, Eleanor Christie. Her kennel houses around 60 Lundehunds. After a second close encounter with extinction around the time of World War II, Monrad Mikalsen joined the efforts to bring the breed back once again. Today the breed has continues to regrow the population thanks to a breeding plan created by Christen Lang.