Norwegian Lundehund
Six toes, folding ears, a neck that bends to its spine — evolution's puffin specialist.
Vital stats
| Size | Small · 32–38 cm |
| Weight | 6–7 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–14 years |
| Energy | Moderate — 45–60 min/day |
| Shedding | Moderate, seasonal |
| Coat | Dense double coat · reddish-brown with black tips and white |
| Group | Non-sporting · FCI №265 / AKC |
Breed traits
Friendliness
Care
Mind
Temperament
For centuries on Norway's island cliffs, the Lundehund wriggled into rock crevices to retrieve live puffins — solitary, acrobatic work that built a self-reliant, inventive, faintly primitive mind. Expect a playful, alert companion who adores its family, sizes up strangers slowly, and approaches your rules as opening offers.
Habits & quirks
The contortionist
Naps and stretches happen at angles no other dog can survive.
Summit seeking
Sofa backs, windowsills, garden walls: if it can be climbed, it will be.
The squirrel economy
Food and treasures are quietly cached around the house for later.
Slow-warm greetings
Strangers get a career interview before receiving affection.
Care
| Health | The breed carries Lundehund Syndrome, a digestive disorder — work with a knowledgeable vet and watch weight and appetite closely. |
| Feeding | Many do best on carefully managed low-fat diets; sudden changes and rich scraps are asking for trouble. |
| Training | Patience and rewards, always — house-training in particular can take far longer than with other breeds. |
| Exercise | Daily walks plus climbing and puzzle games; agility suits this cliff-goat of a dog perfectly. |
Common questions
Why does the Lundehund have six toes?
The extra toes and flexible joints evolved for gripping wet cliff faces and squeezing through puffin burrows. Every part of its strange anatomy served the hunt.
How rare is the Norwegian Lundehund?
Among the rarest breeds on earth — distemper outbreaks left only a handful of dogs by the 1940s, and every Lundehund today descends from them. Expect a long search for a puppy.
Are Lundehunds healthy?
The bottleneck left them prone to Lundehund Syndrome, a group of digestive disorders. Many live full lives with dietary management, but buyers should discuss it frankly with breeders.