Norwegian Lundehund Breed description: Character & Co

About

The Norwegian Lundehund is a very rare dog from the north of Norway that specializes in bird hunting.

The origin of the Norwegian Lundehund

"Lund" is the word for puffins on the northern Norwegian islands of Værøy and Røst. These breed in large colonies on these two and other offshore uninhabited islands.

It is known because the dog looks like a fox. However, the breed is extremely rare and serves as a hunting and family dog.

The inhabitants of these barren areas have depended on the puffin for meat for centuries. The norwegian Lundehund is a highly specialized hunter, able to retrieve birds from very steep and rugged cliffs. To get there, it had to squeeze through narrow crevices or caves. Accounts tell of patient Lundehunds retrieving one bird after another for their masters. During the 19th century, the inhabitants of Værøy and Røst preferred to hunt the birds themselves with nets. The Lundehund occasionally ran wild.

An enthusiast of the breed named Eleonora Christi had established a small breeding on the mainland. When the last of Værøy's dogs died of distemper in 1940, a new breeding line was started with four of her animals. Today, it is estimated that there are about 1300 Lundehunde in Norway. Another spelling for the name of this breed is Norwegian Lundehund.

The FCI lists this very unusual breed under Standard 265, Group 5 and Section 2: Nordic Hunting Dogs.

from the Lofoten Islands Værøy and Røst
is specialized in hunting puffins
has several anatomical peculiarities
very rare dog

Banner: shutterstock.com / Eric Isselee

Norwegian Lundehund with prick ears looks up at the camera

temperament norwegian lundehund, small dog at agility

Alternate Name	Lunde
Origin	Norway
Life expectancy	12 - 15 years
Care requirements	-

Activity level	average
FCI group	Nordic Hunting Dogs
AKC group	not recognised
KC group	not recognised

Characteristics

Characteristics and nature of the Norwegian Lundehund

Just like the human inhabitants of these rugged regions, the Lundehund is somewhat special. It is said that it is stubborn and likes to make his own decisions. Well educated and trained, it is said to be loyal and reliable.

As it was not only a hunting dog, but also a farm and house dog, it is suitable for keeping in rural areas. The dog is certainly not a pure city dog. Lundehund is considered to be very spirited and likes to move around.

stubborn and independent
well behaved great companion
not suitable as a city dog

Character

Usage

Norwegian Lundehund breed description, brown white dog with prick ears

Breeding

Breeding, acquisition and attitude of the Lundehund

Norwegian Lundehund puppies are occasionally offered in our latitudes. It is exotic, but the VDH recommends it as an agile companion for people who like to wander.

If you are interested in a Lundehund, you should simply search the common portals or ask the dog breeder association of your country.

Norwegian Lundehund temperament breed description

The breed characteristics of the Norwegian Lundehund

Lundehunde are also anatomically fully specialized on the hunt of the puffins. Due to a special feature in the shoulder girdle, the animals can bend the front legs sideways at a 90° angle. The head is so flexible that it can be bent backwards down to the spine. This is the only way it could catch the puffins sitting on narrow ledges and get through the narrow caves. Another special feature are the six toes, which give it more surefootedness.

Appearance and fur

It looks a bit like a fox. The fur is short, rough and mostly tricolored. Chest, forelegs or tail are predominantly white in color or bear markings. The brown tones vary from light to reddish. At the edges it carries dark hair.

The legs are long and the body is rectangular. The described anatomical peculiarities are not visible at first sight. This energetic little dog likes to carry its tail steeply erect or half rolled over its back.