Lundehund Dog Breed

The Norwegian Lundehund, or Norsk Lundehund, is a small spitz-type dog hailing from the Nordic island of Vaeroy. These dogs were bred to hunt Puffin birds on the rocky cliffsides where humans were not coordinated or flexible enough to traverse. Their extra toes help them grip steep cliffs while their ultra-flexible neck can bend far enough backward to touch the spine in order to get them into and out of the narrow cliff passages to the Puffin nests. Some time ago, Puffin hunting was outlawed as the Norwegian people no longer relied on Puffin as a food source and the Norwegian Lundehand was pushed towards the brink of extinction. The end of WWII saw the outbreak of two rounds of the canine distemper, after which only 6 dogs survived! Breeding programs have somewhat restored the Lundie population from nearly extinct to rare and they were recognized by the AKC in 2010. Consider the following Norwegian Lundehund info before deciding if the breed is right for you:

The Norwegian Lundehund is a foxy looking little dog originally bred to hunt Puffin birds on the cliffs of coastal Norway. Puffin hunting has been prohibited for some time now so the rare Lundie is most often seen as an energetic companion. Members of this breed are ideally suited for active owners or families with access to a fenced yard. Additionally, they aren't the best choice for first time dog owners.

These Norwegian Puffin dogs are not unintelligent but they are stubborn. They aren't recommended for first time owners due to the fact they are not very easy to train. The experts at Midnattsol Kennels also remind us they are difficult to house train. Lundies can be kenneled and crated when the owner is not at home. Potential owners will need a ton of patience since harsh treatment can heighten a Norwegian Lundehund's trust issues.

Members of this breed are weary of strangers and will not be outgoing or friendly towards those they are not familiar with. They do form strong, loving bonds with their owner and they do well with families with children and other dogs-- especially if they are raised with them. Unfamiliar dogs on the street will be met with the same weariness with which they treat new people.

Lundies exercise needs can be met with an hour of daily outdoor activity. Long walks, hikes, games of fetch and time to run around in a fenced yard can all serve this need. Ideally, they will live indoors with access to a fenced yard, however, they do fine in an apartment if exercised enough.

Lundies are small, rectangular Spitz-type dogs. Spitz-type dogs are mostly from cold weather areas and possess a thick double coat, wedge-shaped head and muzzle, triangular ears and a tail that is sometimes curled loosely over the back. The Norwegian Lundehund checks all these boxes. They look almost fox-like with their large, erect hears and reddish brown coat with white markings and black hair tips. Members of this breed has a few physical characteristics that make them very unique. First, they have a minimum of 6 toes on each foot! The extra toes help them grip the hilly terrain and cliffs where they hunt. Also, the Norwegian Lundhund's neck is so flexible that it can bend completely backward and touch the spine; the purpose of this being to get in and out of narrow passages where they hunt Puffin birds. Finally, the ears can be folded forward or backward to cover the opening of the ear canal and prevent dirt and debris from entering.

The Norwegian Lundehund temperament is curious, alert and fun-loving. Although they can be stubborn, they are highly people oriented and will want to spend the majority of time indoors with their owner. This coupled with their small size make them ideal for apartments if they owner can give them enough exercise. Lundies are average barkers and with proper training and enough exercise this trait shouldn't become an issue.

Lundehunds are loving towards family and friendly towards they know well. They are weary of strangers and are may take some time to warm up. They are good family dogs, especially if raised with children from the puppy stage. Likewise, they get along with other dogs very well if they live with them, otherwise they may regard new canines just like they do with human strangers.

Members of this breed are playful and enjoy long walks, hikes and outdoor games. Expert breeders at Midnattsol Kennels remind us of a couple more important traits. First, they are very hard to housetrain and having a kennel or crate for them is recommended; the breed isn't a great option for a first time dog owner. Then there is the "caching" behavior where they will store treasures around the house-- this could include food, treats, toys, and anything of yours they take a liking to.

The Norwegian Lundehund breed is pretty healthy, overall, and individual usually live 12-15 years. There is one group of conditions known as Lundehund's Syndrome that the breed is very prone to. This "syndrome" is actually a collection of gastrointestinal conditions: protein-losing enteropathy (PLE), intestinal lymphangiectasia (IL), small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) and intestinal bowel disease (IBD). The result of Lundehund Syndrome is starvation and possible death due to not absorbing enough nutrients from the food they eat. Take your Lundehund to the vet if they lose a noticeable amount of weight, change their eating habits or bowel habits, or vomit.

Other occasional problems include patellar luxation (kneecap slipping) and eye problems.