Norwegian Lundehund

The Norwegian Lundehund is a small Spitz-type dog that developed on the remote islands and sea cliffs of northern Norway. Its name joins the Norwegian words for puffin (lunde) and dog (hund), a nod to the job it was bred for: climbing wet rock faces and squeezing into narrow burrows to bring back puffins and their eggs.

A handful of physical traits set this breed apart from almost any other dog. Each foot carries at least six toes, several fully formed and jointed, which gave the dog extra purchase on slippery rock. The shoulders are exceptionally mobile, so the front legs can splay out sideways, and the neck bends back far enough for the head to touch the spine. Together these traits suited the Lundehund to vertical, cramped work that would stop most dogs cold.

These days the Lundehund is kept mainly as a companion and an active small dog rather than a working hunter. Owners find it loyal, curious, alert and full of energy. It has held onto the independent, problem-solving streak of a dog once left to work alone on a cliff face, so it is switched on but not always keen to take orders.

Who it suits

The Lundehund suits an active household that enjoys a curious, busy small dog and has the patience for a strong independent streak. It rewards owners who treat training as a game rather than a chore. Because the breed is prone to a serious digestive disorder, it needs an owner who will watch diet and weight closely and work with a vet. It is not the right fit for someone after an easy, automatically obedient first dog.

The Lundehund comes from the rugged coast of northern Norway, where puffins were once an important food source. For generations, families on islands such as Vaeroy in the Lofoten group kept these dogs to harvest puffins and their eggs from burrows dug into steep cliffs. The dog's extra toes, flexible joints and ability to fold its ears shut protected it during this tough climbing work.

The breed is old as a working landrace, shaped by its job rather than by a formal pedigree. Its value dropped once nets came into wide use for catching puffins, and puffin hunting itself was later restricted. As the old hunting way of life faded, so did the number of Lundehunds.

In the twentieth century the population hit a crisis point. Disease outbreaks, including distemper, cut the breed down to a very small number of dogs. By mid-century only a handful of animals were left, and the entire modern breed traces back to that tiny group. Careful, coordinated breeding rebuilt the numbers from this narrow base.

Because the rebuilt population descends from so few founders, the breed carries low genetic diversity. Norwegian breeders and clubs have since worked on plans to widen the gene pool while keeping the breed's distinctive features. The Lundehund remains rare worldwide and is valued as a living piece of Norwegian working history.

The Lundehund is a small, light, rectangular dog with a clear Spitz outline: a wedge-shaped head, pricked triangular ears and a tail carried over the back. Its body is slightly longer than it is tall. The overall impression is of an alert, nimble dog built for agility rather than power.

A few features are unique to the breed. The ears can fold or close, forward or backward, to seal out debris and water. The neck is highly flexible, and the front legs can splay out to the sides at wide angles. Most striking are the feet: each one has at least six toes, with extra pads, which gave the dog secure footing on slick cliff rock.

Coat and colours

The double coat suits a cold, wet coastal climate, which means Australian owners need to think about the flip side: a heavy coat plus hot, dry summers calls for care around exercise timing and shade. The outer hairs are coarse and weather resistant, and the undercoat is dense and soft. Around the neck and shoulders the coat forms a fuller collar, usually heavier in males. Most Lundehunds range from reddish brown to a pale fallow shade, often with black-tipped guard hairs that deepen with age and white on the chest, feet and tail tip. The coat sheds seasonally and is easy to keep clean.

The Lundehund keeps the character of a dog bred to work alone in tough terrain. It is intelligent, inquisitive and quick on its feet, and it likes to suss out its surroundings. With its own family it is affectionate and attached, and it often forms a tight bond with its people.

With strangers the breed tends to be cautious or reserved rather than instantly friendly, and it will usually sound the alarm when someone comes to the door. This watchfulness makes it a handy little watchdog, though it is far too small to guard anything. Early, steady socialisation helps it stay confident and settled around new people and places.

With other dogs and household pets the Lundehund is generally sociable, especially when raised alongside them. Its strong nose and curiosity mean small fleeing animals, think possums or lizards in the backyard, can grab its attention, so introductions should be supervised. The breed's independent streak shows up as a habit of making its own decisions, which owners often find both charming and a little maddening.

Grooming

• Brush the double coat weekly, and more often during the heavy seasonal shed when the undercoat blows out.
• Bathe only when needed; the coat is naturally clean and weather resistant.
• Check and clean the foldable ears regularly, since the ear flaps can trap moisture and grit.
• Trim nails often and check all the toes, including the extra ones, for splits or damage.
• Brush the teeth a few times a week to support dental health.

Exercise

• Provide at least 45 to 60 minutes of activity each day through walks, play and exploring.
• Add scent games, food puzzles and climbing-style play that suit the breed's agility and curiosity.
• Keep training sessions short and varied to hold the attention of an independent dog.
• In the warmer months, exercise early morning or evening and steer clear of hot asphalt and the midday sun.
• Avoid long stretches of boredom, which can lead to digging, barking or escape attempts.

Environment

The Lundehund adapts to a house or a unit as long as it gets daily activity and company. It is an agile climber and a known escape artist, so fences and gates need to be secure with no gaps to squeeze through. The breed handles cold well thanks to its double coat, but in Australian conditions it needs shade, fresh water and a cool spot to retreat to during hot spells. House-training can take patience, and some owners find it slow going, so a consistent routine helps.

The Lundehund needs a complete, good-quality diet suited to a small, active dog. Because the breed is prone to gastrointestinal problems, owners should keep an eye on how the dog digests its food, along with stool quality, appetite and body condition. Many Lundehunds do better on a consistent, easily digestible diet rather than frequent changes. Any dog showing weight loss, ongoing loose stools or fluid swelling should be checked by a vet, who may recommend a specific therapeutic diet.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to about ten per cent of daily calories and choose plain, low-fat options so they do not upset digestion. Use small training treats during short sessions and subtract them from meal portions to stop weight creeping on. Do not add supplements without veterinary advice; a dog managed for a digestive disorder may need specific vitamin or mineral support set by a professional.

The Lundehund usually lives 12 to 14 years and is an active, sound little dog overall. Its main health concern is a group of gastrointestinal conditions often grouped under the term Lundehund syndrome, a protein-losing disorder that can affect digestion and nutrient absorption. The breed's low genetic diversity, a result of its near wipeout and recovery from very few dogs, adds to this raised risk. Responsible breeders track digestive health closely and support efforts to widen the gene pool.

Preventive care

• Book regular veterinary checkups and keep vaccinations and parasite control up to date.
• Monitor weight, appetite and stool quality, and report changes early.
• Feed a consistent, suitable diet and avoid sudden food changes.
• Keep on top of dental hygiene with regular brushing.
• Buy from breeders who are upfront about digestive health and genetic diversity in their lines, and where possible choose one registered with Dogs Australia or your state kennel body.

The Lundehund is intelligent and quick to catch on, but it was bred to work alone and make its own calls, so it will not always obey on the first ask. It responds far better to training that feels like a game than to repetitive drilling. Keep sessions short, mix up the activities and finish on a win. House-training in particular can take longer than with many breeds, so a steady routine and patience matter.

Basics

1. Start socialisation early, introducing the puppy to people, dogs, sounds and places at a calm pace.
2. Teach a reliable name response and recall in a secure area, since the breed is curious and prone to wandering off.
3. Build core cues like sit, drop and stay in brief, upbeat sessions.
4. Set a firm, consistent house-training routine and expect it to take time.
5. Add nose work and puzzle games to channel the breed's curiosity and energy.

Breeding the Lundehund is more involved than for most small dogs. Females typically reach maturity and can be bred from around 18 to 24 months, once health screening is complete. Mating follows the usual canine pattern, and gestation runs roughly 63 days. Litters tend to be small, often two to four puppies.

The central challenge is genetics. Because the modern breed descends from a very small number of founders, inbreeding levels are high and the digestive disorder is widespread. Norwegian breed clubs have run cross-breeding and diversity programs that bring in carefully chosen outside dogs to widen the gene pool while keeping breed type intact. Responsible breeders screen for digestive health, share results openly, and plan matings to spread the risk rather than concentrate it.

When raising a litter, the priority is steady nutrition and close monitoring, since puppies from a breed prone to absorption problems need careful feeding and weight tracking. Early socialisation and gentle handling set up the confident, curious temperament the breed is known for. Prospective owners in Australia should expect a wait, and should ask breeders directly about health testing and where their lines sit on genetic diversity.

How to register a Norwegian Lundehund in Australia

Rangers and shelters can only call the number the scan hands them. Give your Norwegian Lundehund a free United Pet Club profile and that number is yours: dog registration takes a few minutes, costs nothing for his lifetime, and works with or without a chip in place.

The vet does the implant and not one thing more; the register entry is yours. Register the microchip free on the lifetime plan: every brand an Aussie vet reaches for qualifies, moving house costs nothing to record, and the number stays searchable round the clock. Create your free account and sort the lot in one go.