At home on the rocky shorelines of the Scandinavian coasts, the Norwegian Lundehund is a canine to behold with a vibrant history. Read on to learn more about this unique Scandinavian dog!
1. This Breed Has a Rich History
The Norwegian Lundehund, or the Norsk Lundehund, is a canine that descends from the Norwegian island of Værøy. The name “lundehund” is a compound word in the Norwegian language, translating to “puffin dog” in English. “Lunde” means puffin, while “hund” means dog. As we’ll explain later, this canine was bred to hunt puffins along the rugged coasts of Værøy. When this dog first appeared is still unknown, but it is nevertheless a very ancient breed. For over 400 years, the Norwegian Lundehund was a very important working animal for the islanders.
The Norwegian Lundehund is one of the rarest dog breeds living in the world today. During World War II, a strain of canine distemper was brought onto the island of Værøy, along with other islands nearby. This disease nearly caused the Norwegian Lundehund to become extinct, decimating this canine’s population to just two individuals.
Another outbreak of canine distemper struck the island in 1963, dramatically plummeting the population to just around six dogs on two islands; five of them were siblings. As this caused a severe population bottleneck, intensive selective breeding was done to limit inbreeding. While still rare today, thanks to strict breeding protocols and dedication, the Norwegian Lundehund population has increased to around 1,500 dogs in the world today as of 2022 with a large portion of them living in Norway. This breed was formally recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 2011.
2. This Breed Originally Hunted Puffins
As mentioned earlier, the Norwegian Lundehund was bred to hunt puffins, hence its name. In Norway, puffins were considered an important source of food for locals living along the Scandinavian coasts. The birds themselves held a large economic importance within these Norwegian communities.
However, these birds will often nest in crevices or other cavities that are hard for the average human to reach. This is where the dogs come into play. The primary method to obtain the birds was through the Lundehunds themselves; a household may have had usually anywhere from two to twelve dogs, and each individual was considered more valuable than a cow!
Thanks to having various distinctive physical traits (which will be explained in the next few sections), the Norwegian Lundehund is adapted to navigate through tight, inaccessible spots to dispatch and retrieve both puffins and their eggs. As mentioned earlier, however, the introduction of methods utilizing nets has made the Norwegian Lundehund less useful. The Norwegian Government also imposed a tax on each dog owned, making ownership less feasible, and puffins eventually became rarer due to overhunting and other environmental factors.
3. This Dog Has Double Dewclaws!
Something interesting about the Norwegian Lundehund is that it sports two dewclaws on each foot. Polydactyly is the term for having extra toes, and it is very common in this breed. Its close cousin, the Icelandic Sheepdog, is also known to sport extra toes. Polydactyly has also been observed in more distantly related dogs, such as the Beauceron and the Great Pyrenees. It is widely believed that having the extra digits aids in climbing steep, rocky cliffs. These appendages are also fully formed, being jointed and muscled as well.
Some individuals may sport fewer or more toes, but the Norwegian Lundehund’s breed standard states that this dog should have six toes on each paw. While a few people may recommend amputating dewclaws at a young age, most advise against doing so. While some people believe that dewclaws can get injured easily, they don’t occur as often as one may think.
4. This Breed Has Other Interesting Physical Traits
The Norwegian Lundehund may sport an extra set of toes, but that’s not its only distinctive physical trait. While this peculiar canine may look like an ordinary dog at first, the Norwegian Lundehund has some interesting abilities that not many other dogs possess.
For instance, this dog can fold its ears closed when needed, preventing parasites and other debris from entering inside. This dog is also very flexible, being able to extend its forelegs to the side (very helpful when needing to climb on the cliffside)! This dog can also stretch its head all the way to touch its back. Only dogs of the dingo lineage are this flexible, including the Australian Dingo and the New Guinea Singing Dog.
All of these traits aid in navigating rough terrain to pursue and capture puffins. After all, a dog that isn’t nimble and agile wouldn’t be suitable for hunting quarry in inaccessible and rugged areas.
5. The Norwegian Lundehund is Generally Healthy
Generally, the Norwegian Lundehund is a relatively healthy breed of dog, being more prone to health issues that most other dogs can get such as luxating patellas (floating kneecaps, very common in smaller breeds) and eye issues. However, due to the genetic bottleneck caused by its close calls from extinction, this dog may suffer traits from being relatively inbred, such as reduced fertility and small litter sizes.
The Norwegian Lundehund is prone to a digestive health condition aptly named “Lundehund syndrome”. It is a genetically inherited disease that causes a myriad of digestive issues for the affected dog, including vomiting, diarrhea, and fluid buildup within the abdomen. No cure exists for this condition, and oftentimes this condition is so severe that the only treatment option for it is euthanasia. Reputable breeders will genetically screen their dogs for such issues to prevent passing them down to their offspring.
It is very important to have your dog examined by a veterinarian annually to catch any problems that arise. You should also schedule a veterinary appointment as soon as possible if your dog displays any symptoms of illness.
6. Grooming is Relatively Easy, But Requires Attention
The Norwegian Lundehund’s coat must be brushed weekly to clean out any debris and to prevent any mats from forming. This breed will shed much more of its fur, especially from its undercoat, during the spring and fall; during this time, it is important that this dog gets brushed more frequently (some even recommend brushing every single day). While the Norwegian Lundehund usually sports a relatively clean coat, it wouldn’t hurt to bathe this dog around every month or so. Bathing your dog also helps remove any dirt and debris on its coat.
You should clean your dog’s ears weekly to prevent infection. To prevent discomfort, this canine’s nails should be trimmed every few weeks. Brushing your dog’s teeth is very important to keep your companion’s dental hygiene in peak condition. Aim to brush your canine’s teeth daily, as this breed can be prone to dental issues. While dental chews are enjoyed, they should only be used as a supplemental treat, not as a substitute for tooth brushing.
7. This Dog Enjoys Exercise
The Norwegian Lundehund is a breed that enjoys the athletic side of life; be sure to never skip out on exercising this canine for at least an hour or two a day. A high-energy breed, this canine will need a way to let loose some steam! As a rule of thumb: a bored dog is a destructive one and this rule very much so applies to the Norwegian Lundehund.
Walks around the neighborhood are enjoyed, and this dog is also great for jogs or even hikes out on the trails. Just be sure to keep this canine on a leash, as this breed has a high prey drive coming from its roots as a hunting dog! It is also important to ensure that your dog is kept in a large, secure yard during a playtime session. A fun game of fetch is also appreciated by many dogs, including this high-energy breed. Exercise not only works out your dog physically but also mentally. Puzzle toys specifically made for dogs are a great way to have your dog practice its cognition skills.
8. This Dog Makes a Loving Companion
The Norwegian Lundehund can make a wonderful companion for the right household. It is highly important to note that this canine’s exercise needs shouldn’t be ignored, otherwise, you’re simply asking for a recipe for disaster.
Training and socializing them very early on in puppyhood is crucial to preventing problematic behaviors from potentially arising in the future. Socialization is especially important, as the Norwegian Lundehund is known to be wary around strangers. Due to its tendency to have a sensitive stomach, a special diet may also be needed for this canine.
Provided you can meet the Norwegian Lundehund’s needs, acquiring this rare dog can be rather difficult to find. If you’re lucky, you could potentially obtain one through an animal shelter or a rescue group (though not very likely), or you could try to seek a breeder. Take note that a puppy, due to its rarity, may fetch a high price tag, which is something also notably important to consider. Provided these are met, the Norwegian Lundehund is a very smart and playful companion that’d provide enjoyment for years to come.
