🐾 Small · Norway

Norwegian Lundehund: Size, Weight & Temperament

An ancient Norwegian spitz breed with a unique anatomy, originally bred to climb into puffin burrows: six toes per paw, extremely flexible joints and a neck that bends backward.

! Experienced only
Norwegian Lundehund dog breed portrait
Photo: Karen Elise Dahlmo · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Weight male6–7 kg
Weight female5–6,5 kg
Shoulder height32–38 cm
Size classSmall (under 12 kg)
Fully grownat approx. 12 months
Life expectancy12–14 years
Activity levelHigh
OriginNorway
ClassificationFCI Group 5 (Spitz and Primitive Types), Section 2 (Nordic Watchdogs and Herders)
Temperament & character

Independent, playful and clownish within the family, yet reserved to aloof toward strangers. Highly agile and fond of climbing, so it easily escapes over fences or furniture.

Exercise & stimulation

Needs regular, varied exercise with opportunities to climb and mental engagement, since the breed bores quickly. Purely indoor living without enrichment does not suit the breed.

Grooming

Dense, low-maintenance coat with a pronounced seasonal shed. Diet should be low-fat and given in small portions because of the breed-specific intestinal disorder.

Suitable for beginners?

Not suitable for beginners, as the breed's independence and the strict, consistent feeding regimen required for Lundehund gastroenteropathy demand experienced owners willing to monitor closely.

Health & common problems

The breed-specific Lundehund gastroenteropathy, a protein-losing intestinal disease, is the central health risk and requires lifelong dietary management. The extreme joint flexibility also raises the risk of luxation.

Good with: Experienced owners, active small households

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This information is for general guidance and does not replace veterinary or breeder advice. Temperament and health vary individually within every breed.