Norrbottenspets
諾爾博滕獵犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Norrbottenspets is a small, sinewy hunting spitz from the forests of northern Sweden and Finland, once declared extinct and rescued by hunters in the 1960s; it is one of Sweden's national breeds and a tree-barking bird dog that will even hold moose at bay. Fearless, agile and attentive, it is calm, kind and affectionate at home, wants plenty of attention and thrives in the family's company, but the Swedish Kennel Club stresses it has a strong hunting drive and does not thrive purely as a companion dog. In North America it is still in the AKC Miscellaneous Class and is not recognised by The Royal Kennel Club.
Facts
| Size | Medium |
|---|---|
| Height | 42–46cm |
| Weight | 9–14kg |
| Life expectancy | 14–17years |
| Breed group | AKC: miscellaneous FCI: 5 |
| Role | Hound |
| Coat | Double coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 60–120min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 4/ 5 |
| Barking | 3/ 5 |
| Good with children | 3/ 5 |
| Good with other dogs | 3/ 5 |
| Heat tolerance | 2/ 5 |
| Cold tolerance | 5/ 5 |
Health
This page is general information compiled from published sources. It is not veterinary, legal or purchase advice. Dogs vary within a breed — talk to a vet or a reputable breeder about the dog in front of you.
Health notes are not veterinary advice. Conditions listed are those reported for the breed, not a diagnosis of any dog. Always consult a veterinarian.
Cataracts
The Swedish Kennel Club, which considers the breed generally very healthy, reports that the eye diseases cataract and PRA occur in the breed. Ask your vet or breeder about eye screening.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
An inherited eye condition the Swedish Kennel Club reports as occurring in the breed. Ask your vet or breeder about eye examinations.
Patellar luxation
The Swedish Kennel Club notes that patellar luxation, hip and elbow dysplasia, epilepsy and missing teeth also occur, but on a very small scale. Ask your vet if your dog skips or holds up a hind leg.
Behaviour
Fearless hunter, kind companion
The AKC describes a fearless, extremely agile dog that evolved to navigate rough Scandinavian forest and hold large, dangerous game such as moose, while being calm, keen and attentive with a kind, affectionate disposition at home; it is vivacious, energetic and playful, and its exercise can come from several walks a day, backyard play, swimming, hiking or dog sports. The CKC calls it alert and self-confident, happily engaging in any exercise offered.
Strong hunting drive — not just a pet
The Swedish Kennel Club describes an energetic, active, temperamental dog with a strong hunting instinct — primarily a tree-barking bird dog, also used on other game — that is attentive, friendly and self-confident, must never be nervous, shy or aggressive, wants a lot of attention and thrives with its family, but is a pronounced hunting dog that does not thrive purely as a companion.
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 4/5, barking level 3/5. Individual dogs vary; early socialisation and reward-based training are recommended for every breed.
Official guidance
Summaries of official documents are ours; the source is linked. Breed standards, laws and licensing rules change — check the issuing body for the current version.
American Kennel Club — Norrbottenspets
Breed overview, breed-trait chart, history, official standard summary and health notes from the AKC and the national parent club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Canadian Kennel Club — Norrbottenspets (Hounds)
Origin, temperament, activity level, height/weight, coat and grooming as described by the Canadian Kennel Club.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
FCI nomenclature — Norrbottenspitz (standard no. 276, group 5)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Swedish Kennel Club (SKK) — Norrbottenspets
The breed's home kennel club: general description, size (about 45 cm dogs / 42 cm bitches), temperament, health notes and links to the breed standard and breed-specific breeding strategy (RAS).
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Norrbottenspets — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Norrbottenspets — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Norrbottenspitz — FCI standard no. 276 — Fédération Cynologique Internationale (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [4]How do I help my dog adjust to spending time alone? — The Royal Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [5]Incidence and risk factors for heat-related illness (heatstroke) in UK dogs under primary veterinary care in 2016 (Hall, Carter & O'Neill, Scientific Reports 10:9128) — Nature / Scientific Reports (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [6]Norrbottenspets — hundraser (breed page) — Svenska Kennelklubben (Swedish Kennel Club) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
Still have questions?
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Breed data compiled by PocketPaw from the sources credited on each entry. Text and layout © 2026 NextPath Solutions Limited. Please link to a page rather than copying it.