Norwegian Lundehund
挪威海鸚犬
Updated 2026-09-09
At a glance
The Norwegian Lundehund is the puffin dog of Vaerøy, a rocky island off Norway's Arctic coast — the only breed ever created to hunt puffins, and a canine contortionist with at least six fully functioning toes on every foot, ears that fold shut, a neck that bends back to touch the spine and shoulders so flexible its forelegs swing out sideways, all for climbing sheer cliffs and squeezing into nesting crevices. Distemper epidemics twice reduced it to a handful of dogs; there are now only about 2,500 worldwide. Alert, loyal and energetic, it is playful, clever, affectionate and a first-rate problem-solver, but very sensitive, prone to trust issues if handled harshly, aloof with strangers and dislikes loud noises. It needs a daily walk or ball session, a low-fat diet and regular blood work for the breed's protein-losing gut condition.
Facts
| Size | Small |
|---|---|
| Height | 30–38cm |
| Weight | 5.4–8.2kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15years |
| Breed group | AKC: non-sporting FCI: 5 |
| Role | Hound |
| Coat | Double coat |
| Shedding | 3/ 5 |
| Exercise | 45–90min/day |
| Can be left alone | up to 4 hours |
| Companionship need | 4/ 5 |
| Trainability | 3/ 5 |
| Barking | 4/ 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.
Inherited eye conditions
Various inherited eye conditions are reported in the breed; annual eye examinations by a veterinary ophthalmologist are recommended for breeding stock. Ask your vet about eye screening.
Patellar luxation
Patellar luxation (slipping kneecaps) is commonly reported in small breeds; breeders screen for it. Ask your vet if your dog skips or holds up a hind leg.
Lundehund syndrome (protein-losing enteropathy)
A protein-losing gut condition is reported in the breed — the AKC lists protein-losing enteropathy among its health issues — and the parent club says every Lundehund needs a low-fat diet and regular blood work to monitor protein levels. Ask your vet about a suitable diet and routine blood tests, and promptly about diarrhoea, weight loss or swelling.
Behaviour
Very sensitive — harsh methods breed trust issues
The AKC says the Lundehund is very sensitive and can develop trust issues, so harsh training methods should never be used; early socialisation and puppy classes are recommended. It is incredibly clever, affectionate and fun-loving — a problem-solver of the first order — with a medium-to-high energy level that is happiest with daily exercise such as a brisk 30-minute walk or a couple of ball-chasing sessions.
Playful, clever, aloof — and a cliff-climber at heart
The CKC calls it alert, energetic and lively — a dog that likes activity but is not hyper, whose exercise needs a daily walk takes care of, "but if you happen to have some cliffs handy, so much the better". The parent club adds that Lundies are playful, clever and aloof, dislike loud noises, get along with dogs and cats but may have too strong a prey drive for homes with rabbits, rodents or birds, and love hikes, beach-combing, rock scrambling, scent work, agility, barn hunt and lure coursing.
Training and barking
AKC trait chart: trainability 3/5, barking level 4/5. 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 — Norwegian Lundehund
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 — Norwegian Lundehund (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 — Norwegian Lundehund (standard no. 265, group 5)
FCI breed nomenclature entry with the official breed standard PDF in English, French, German and Spanish.
Read the sourceAccessed 2026-09-09
What owners say
Owner advice is quoted from public community posts and reflects those owners' opinions, not PocketPaw's position. It is unverified and not a substitute for professional advice. Each item links to where it was said.
“The parent club's "Meet the Breed" page lists the facts of life with a Lundie: the only dog with extra toes on all four feet (toes, not dewclaws), males 13–15 in and females 12–14 in at the withers, a harsh outer coat and soft undercoat shed twice a year that still needs regular baths and brushing, ears that move independently and clamp shut, a playful, clever, aloof temperament that dislikes loud noises, daily exercise from hikes, walks, beach-combing and rock scrambling, tolerance of dogs and cats but sometimes too much prey drive for rabbits, rodents or birds — and, non-negotiably, a low-fat diet with regular blood work to monitor protein levels. With about 100 in North America and 2,500 worldwide, it remains one of the rarest breeds.”
— Norwegian Lundehund Association of America — Meet the Breed via breed clubWorldwide2026-09-09
Sources
- [1]Norwegian Lundehund — Dog Breed Information — American Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [2]Norwegian Lundehund — Choosing a Breed — Canadian Kennel Club (Accessed 2026-09-09)
- [3]Norwegian Lundehund — FCI standard no. 265 — 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]Meet the Breed — Norwegian Lundehund Association of America — Norwegian Lundehund Association of America (public breed pages) (Accessed 2026-09-09)
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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.