Why Is The Norwegian Lundehund Dog Breed Rare?

Heritage and Registry

History

 

Dogs that could scale cliff walls? Then you are looking for the Norwegian Lundehund. There are no dogs that could perform the job better than Lundehunds could.

Their name alone would tell you their origin. It could be traced in Vaeroy which is an island in Norway as early as the 1400s. These dogs were traditionally bred to hunt Puffins which normally nest in the crannies of the island’s cliff walls. This is a staple among Norwegians, especially during the winter season.

The size and the unique physical characteristics of a Norwegian Lundehund, having six toes per foot and an ability that is similar to an acrobat, enabled them to wiggle into the too narrow openings and successfully retrieve Puffins or their eggs. This is the reason why they also answer to the name “Puffin dog.”

The creation of the modern-day Puffin catcher and eventually the imposition of a ban on Puffin hunting caused the Norwegian Lundehund to retire from its original purpose. In fact, they even got almost extinct during World War II.

Even at present, the Norwegian Lundehund dog breed is still not as common. It is even included in the list of the rarest dog breeds in existence and a primitive breed.

However, the Norwegian Lundehunds do not anymore function as Puffin dogs. Instead, many will find them in households, being family pets for those who are up to the challenge of having them and meeting their needs.

Registry

The Norwegian Lundehund has been a part of the dog breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club, a popular breed club, since 2010. But only in 2011 had it been categorized under the Non-Sporting Group and was allowed to compete under said group.

Among those many breeds included also in the Non-Sporting Group of the American Kennel Club would be the French Bulldog, Dalmatian, and the Chow Chow. One could notice that this is composed of a pretty diverse selection of dog breeds starting from their appearance, down to their personalities.

A common denominator, however, across the Non-Sporting Group would be their ability to be great watchdogs.

General Information on a Fila Brasileiro

Physical Appearance

With the outward appearance of a Norwegian Lundehund, you would immediately spot that it is a member of the Spitz family. It stands small to medium in size having a height of 12 to 15 in tall with an average weight of 13 to 16 lb.

A Norwegian Lundehund would have a compact body that is longer than its height. It has an athletic body built for agility and not strength. It boasts incomparable flexibility too for a canine.

The head of a Norwegian Lundehund would be wedge-shaped with an average length muzzle. Its eyes come in brown to amber, and it usually has a black nose. Its ears are standing atop its head, triangular in shape, and can move in all directions.

Probably the most unique characteristic of a Norwegian Lundehund is its paws which have six toes each. It may have muscular legs but these do not restrict its movement. In fact, this even boosts its agility which enables it to scale cliff walls.

The Norwegian Lundehund is well-protected by its double coat. While the outer coat is rough, the undercoat is soft. The coat normally comes in different variations of brown such as fawn and reddish-brown. It also normally comes with markings in black, gray, and white.

Grooming

Brushing

The coat of a Norwegian Lundehund doesn’t come long. But this doesn’t mean that you should ignore its regular brushing requirements.

Brushing a Norwegian Lundehund still have its perks. Like other spitz breeds, it could be a real shedder, especially during shedding season. While you could get away with weekly brushing, it is recommended that you increase the frequency. In that way, you could easily manage the dead hair.

Brushing doesn’t just clean up the dead hair on the coat of a Norwegian Lundehund, it also prevents it from getting everywhere, especially your food and the furniture. It helps remove dirt that got stuck in the coat of your pooch and at the same time, helps spread the natural oil evenly on its coat. Further, it could serve as a good bonding experience as well.

Dogs in general are very tactile creatures. It is rare that they would resist your touch unless they have a bad experience with it or it is hurting them somehow. This is the reason why you should be careful in using a bristled brush on the coat of your pooch.

But this shouldn’t pose as an issue with a Norwegian Lundehund considering that the type of coat it has is not prone to tagging and matting. Nevertheless, if you want to make it more accepting of being brushed, might as well start while it is still young. You could also motivate it with treats to make the routine something it would want to look forward to.

Bathing

You are lucky because when it comes to bathing requirements, Norwegian Lundehunds would be on the down-low. There is really no need to bathe it especially when it is not really that dirty and is still smelling great.

In fact, it is best that you don’t because this would just hurt their skin and make it dry. If you are not aware, a Norwegian Lundehund has the capability to produce natural oil which gets eliminated during frequent bathing. This natural oil helps keep its skin moisturize and look healthy.

However, if you still want to make bathing a routine, you could still do so. But know that the interval should be between 4 to 6 weeks at a time. If you are not comfortable letting it go too long without bathing, then know that you could also clean it up using a slightly damp towel whenever necessary.

A Norwegian Lundehund could start having a bath upon reaching its 3-month mark. Use only mild dog products. Check for any abnormalities as you do so – abnormal reddening of the skin, lumps, rashes, and even parasites.

When you see any indication of the above-mentioned, address it immediately to prevent it from worsening.

Other Grooming Requirements

There are still other grooming requirements you need to satisfy to ensure the upkeeping of your Lundehund.

Since this pooch could be prone to dental issues, oral hygiene is something that you should never overlook. While daily brushing using dog-friendly toothpaste and toothbrush is recommended, it would also be fine to do this at least three times a week.

Taking care of the teeth of your Norwegian Lundehund would definitely keep tooth decay, plaques, and cavities at bay.

The ears of a Norwegian Lundehund need to be cleaned on a weekly basis using a doggy ear solution and cotton pads. This would prevent the accumulation of ear wax that may cause ear infections later on.

When you do clean the ears of your Norwegian Lundehund, make sure to only clean the outer part. Never put anything sharp inside including Q-tips as this may damage its hearing.

Likewise, the nails of a Norwegian Lundehund would need trimming also. Some do this every 2 to 3 weeks. But if you are not sure if it’s time already, then pay attention to whether it is starting to make a noise against the floor as it walks around. This is one indication that it is growing too long already.

Pay attention to the length of its nails as you trim them. Make sure not to cut it too short because you may damage the soft skin of your pooch and cause excessive bleeding. This may scare your Norwegian Lundehund permanently and you’re lucky if it would still allow you to hold its paw in the future.

 

It is understandable that the grooming requirement of a Norwegian Lundehund could be overwhelming. If you think you cannot fulfill this on your own, then know that there are professional groomers who could get the job done in no time. All you need is to pay a few bucks for the service.

Food

How healthy and strong your Lundehund would depend on the nutrition it gets. What would be a better source of nutrition daily than food, right? That’s why fur parents should spend time planning accordingly the diet of their Norwegian Lundehunds throughout their lives.

Yes, the diet of a Norwegian Lundehund changes throughout the different stages of its development. While during puppyhood it would require a diet based on a developing dog, this needs to change when it reached its full adult years and its senior years. In fact, not only the type of food needs to change but the frequency of the feeding as well.

A regular-sized adult Norwegian Lundehund would need about 3/4 to 1 1/2 cups of high-quality kibble daily. This should be divided into two feedings to prevent your fur baby from overeating.

Kibble is the primary choice of many fur parents because of its accessibility and easy prep. While some prefer just plain kibble, others mix it with other protein sources to make it more delicious and healthy for their fur babies. The important thing is to pick a brand of kibble that is of high quality and formulated for your Norwegian Lundehund.

The size of the kibble shouldn’t be too large or too small. It shouldn’t be made using too refined ingredients because not much nutrition could be reaped from those anymore. Instead, choose one that is made with whole grains.

If you don’t like feeding your Norwegian Lundehund kibble, that would work too. You can just choose wet food instead or cooked food. If you’d prefer the latter, however, expect that you need to allot time for prep. Make the diet high in protein and low on bad fat and carbohydrates since a Norwegian Lundehund could be prone to developing digestive problems and weight issues.

It’s okay if you are feeling overwhelmed about what to feed your Norwegian Lundehund because a vet could help you out on this task.

Exercise and Physical Activity

A Norwegian Lundehund is without a doubt an active dog. With it bred for work, it can only be imagined how durable it is paired with a high level of endurance. Thus, its exercise requirement is one that should never be overlooked.

The daily dose of exercise for a Norwegian Lundehund would keep it from getting bored. It prevents it from feelings of depression and stops it from developing any destructive behaviors.

As you know, dogs without sufficient exercise are prone to digging, chewing, and incessant barking. They do this to release the excess energy they may have. You won’t want this to be the same for your Norwegian Lundehund especially since it can be more creative with its flexibility and acrobatic talent.

A Norwegian Lundehund would need about an hour of exercise daily. While walks would be a good way to start, it is recommended that this is combined with other activities that would stimulate also its mind.

One good exercise would be agility training and other dog sports. Puzzle games would be great too. Add Treasure Hunt to the mix wherein delicious treats would be the “treasure,” and you’re off to one happy dog.

You may want to keep in mind that a Norwegian Lundehund could be a good climber too. If it is among the activities you enjoy, might as well humor it so that it could keep its unique skill sharp and conditioned.

You may want to also invest in doggy toys for your Norwegian Lundehund. This would keep it entertained even at home. One good choice of toy you could get your pooch would be a ball to chase. The activity would be enough supplement in case its activity for the day is not enough.

When you do exercise your Norwegian Lundehund, it is also a must to ensure that it is not pushed to its limit. Don’t let it get too over exhausted or dehydrated. Ensure that it is also not too hot when it conducts its daily activity.

It is also important not to let your Norwegian Lundehund do anything strenuous until its bones and muscles are fully developed. This would prevent it from having stunted growth and from being prone to injuries.

Training

Right Training Approach

The uniqueness of a Norwegian Lundehund is among the factors contributing to its demand. Because it is so rare, many would like to take home one as their own pet. However, before you do, you should know that this is not a pet for everyone.

Unlike other dogs that belong to the group of more popular breeds, a Norwegian Lundehund is not really for everyone. It has training requirements that could be satisfied better by fur parents that have experience already in handling dogs and not those that are first-timers.

A Norwegian Lundehund is a very intelligent and capable dog breed. Its intelligence borders on cleverness which makes it easy to manipulate the training the way it wants it to be. Thus, without firm hands, training a Norwegian Lundehund wouldn’t be successful.

But this doesn’t mean that one should resort to violence in training a Norwegian Lundehund. This is not effective at all and wouldn’t give you your desired outcome.

This would just cause a Norwegian Lundehund not to trust you. This could permanently break its spirit and may even lead it to develop aggression since dogs, in general, tend to reflect the type of environment they are exposed to.

The approach that is best known to work is still positive reinforcement or the rewards-based approach. This is when you reward your fur baby for every milestone achieved.

Doggy treats are the usual motivator used by fur parents. However, you don’t have to choose the same. You could also opt to use praises, rubs, or cuddles – anything your fur baby may desire – as a motivating factor to encourage it during training.

Doing this would make training a lot more fun and enjoyable for your Norwegian Lundehund. It would be easier for it to obey if it won’t see it as a task to fulfill but as an activity to look forward to.

You could also increase the likelihood of success during training by starting your Norwegian Lundehund young. Because of its intelligence, it could get stubborn easily particularly if the repetitive training is starting to get boring.

Starting it young could immediately establish its routine. It would provide a small to no window for it to develop any hard-headedness.

When you train a Norwegian Lundehund from puppyhood, it doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to go big already. You could start by correcting any bad habit it may pick up and establishing right from wrong.

This would help set boundaries early on. It could also prevent it from carrying on with the unfitting behavior as it matures.

The common mistake committed by fur parents with their fur babies would be giving them the idea that what they say goes. This is often their idea of “showing love” to their pets, not knowing that they are building the foundation of stubbornness which they will live to regret later on.

The common reason behind this is that fur parents find it hard to resist their Norwegian Lundehund especially when they are still pups. Their hearts easily melt when their fur babies give them the full power of the “puppy eyes.”

But if you really want to instill discipline to your Norwegian Lundehund at an early age, it is important that you resist your pooch’s charm. Keep in mind that this will be for you and your doggo’s own good later on.

Basic Training

The extreme cleverness of a Norwegian Lundehund would make it a pretty enjoyable dog to train. It just has so much potential having unique talents and all. You could easily go through advanced training with this one without the sweat.

But before you do that, make sure that you do not overlook the basic. Train it the necessary commands and behaviors that could help make both of your lives easier and more convenient daily.

You may find potty training this pooch not as easy, but this is among the training you have to prioritize. This would help keep your home clean and good-smelling all the time.

Further, when your Norwegian Lundehund knows the right place to do its business, you won’t have to follow it around to clean up after it. Less work for you and more time you could spend doing other more important things.

Potty training may pose a challenge for an independent thinker such as a Norwegian Lundehund that gets bored easily on routine tasks. But if you are going to create a schedule and religiously follow it, it may take time but there is no doubt that it will get there.

You may bring it out about 3 to 4 times a day. Fur parents normally choose the time before going to sleep at night, upon waking up in the morning, and a few minutes after it drinks or eats.

It may also help to pay attention to the body language of your Norwegian Lundehund because it would tell you whether it needs to go already. The telltale signs would be your pooch walking in circles, squatting, and sniffing. When you see any of these, make sure to help walk it out the door immediately if you don’t want any smelly accidents.

It would also help if you are going to prioritize training your Norwegian Lundehund with basic obedience. Let it learn how to respond to commands such as no, stop, heel, sit, and stand. This would be helpful in controlling it during dire circumstances.

Admittedly, there are times when dogs are overcome by their intense emotions. This could be triggered by a lot of things but the most common would be their feeling of being territorial and protective. When this happens, they usually act on instinct, and the only way you could stop any unfitting behavior would be for them to recognize your command.

Obedience training could also be a good foundation if you want to let your Norwegian Lundehund go through advanced training. This would help instill discipline in your pooch so it could be well-behaved during training.

Aside from potty training and obedience training, crate training could be helpful also with your Norwegian Lundehund. This is most especially since it can be prone to separation anxiety. A crate would create a comfortable place for it to go to when it is feeling anxious or unsure of itself.

There are those who link crates to “prison” among dogs. This is far from the truth as long as you are going to do it right and with the well-being of your Norwegian Lundehund in mind.

You should start with choosing the right-sized crate for your Norwegian Lundehund and getting it comfortable with it. You can do this by putting inside all of the things that it could link to fun and enjoyment, whether it is its food bowl, toys, or treats. You could also make the inside as comfortable as possible with the help of soft blankets.

What you should keep in mind when crate training a Norwegian Lundehund is to never make it feel trapped. Do not ever close the crate until it is ready and comfortable, and never leave it without a means to get out whenever it wants to.

Doing the opposite would just make a Norwegian Lundehund fear the crate and may cause the whole training to fail.

Socialization

Socialization is another training that is a must for a Norwegian Lundehund. This would help build its confidence and allow it to be a well-rounded dog.

A Norwegian Lundehund that is well-socialized is not susceptible to aggression triggered by the shift of its surroundings. It could also be more friendly and approachable, and it doesn’t get easily caught off-guard when brought outside of its comfort zone.

Socialization training is quite easy to facilitate. In fact, it won’t take much from you aside from exposing it to people, animals, and even settings outside its norm as much as possible.

How to do this? You could start by introducing it to people and other pets you meet during daily walks. You could let it mingle with other dogs at the dog park. You could also just let it walk with other people on busy streets.

If your Lundehund is pretty new to the exposure, it is important to ensure that you are not making it uncomfortable. Watch for telltale signs that it is finding any interaction threatening and terminate it immediately. In that way, you can prevent accidents from happening.

If you think that your Lundehund needs more in terms of socialization training, then one way to approach this is to enroll it at a kindergarten school. They are very thorough at this place that you know that the training of your pooch is being handled well.

Health Concerns

As is the case with any other purebred dog, a Norwegian Lundehund can be prone to suffer from an assortment of health problems. Some of them are reflected below:

Patellar Luxation

Patellar Luxation is a type of health disorder a Norwegian Lundehund suffers from. When it has this, one or both of its kneecaps slide out of their original location making it hard for the affected pooch to straighten its leg.

A Lundehund that has Patellar Luxation would exhibit an uneven gait. This arises from it not being able to exert enough pressure on the leg impacted by the disorder.

The Lundehund’s leg could also bend at an odd angle. It would seemingly carry the affected leg, especially when associated with pain, and it could have generally weak legs. There would be swelling too. Lastly, it will also not be motivated to do any physical activities even as simple as walking from one point to another.

Depending on the gravity of the damage, Patellar Luxation could be categorized into 4 stages. While the first two are not that severe and could still be corrected by either a slight manipulation on the part of the Lundehund or with outside help, the latter two stages would normally require surgery.

Patellar Luxation could be congenital. But there are also instances when it develops as it matures or it is caused by an injury.

Lundehund Gastroenteropathy

Lundehund Gastroenteropathy or often called also as Lundehund Syndrome is a health disorder affecting the digestive tract of this pooch. This is when there is an overwhelming propagation of bacteria in it or the organ doesn’t have the capability to reap and use nutrients from food.

Some symptoms of this include diarrhea, lethargy, vomiting, and weight loss. Depending on the severity, this can also be characterized by edema on the back legs.

The cure for this disorder is unknown but there are ways to treat it to prevent it from escalating. The treatment is also often symptomatic and to detect the onset of symptoms early on, laboratory tests should be done at least once or twice a year.

Eye Disorders

Norwegian Lundehund can also be susceptible to eye problems such as Cataracts, Glaucoma, and Progressive Retinal Atrophy.

A Cataract is an eye condition wherein protein accumulates in the lens of your pooch. The end result is the lens becomes eclipsed by a white film-like covering which causes full or partial blindness. This is very evident which will make it difficult not to spot it as it happens.

Despite what others believe, Cataracts cannot be cured by eye drops or any oral medications. Instead, the Norwegian Lundehund suffering from it would require surgery to correct its vision.

Glaucoma is another eye disorder that is characterized by extreme pain due to pressure buildup in the eyes. This arises from the inability of the eyes to drain or flush out excess fluid leading to its accumulation which leads to too much pressure. When not immediately treated, this could cause permanent blindness because this damages the optic nerve among others.

Aside from the pain, a Norwegian Lundehund suffering from Glaucoma would exhibit redness of the eyes and a cornea seemingly eclipsed with a film-like substance. There will also be eye swelling and the gradual manifestation of blindness which include bumping into furniture and a lost puppy look on its face as it finds its way around.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) is an eye disorder wherein the photoreceptors located in the eyes go through gradual degeneration. This leads to complete blindness eventually.

The symptoms of PRA start with the affected Norwegian Lundehund’s inability to see at night. Then eventually, the blurry vision would escalate until it lost its vision fully.

PRA has no cure but it is not impossible for the Norwegian Lundehund affected to still have a normal life, especially with the help of its fur parent.

 

Unfortunately, most of the above-mentioned health issues are already embedded in the gene pool of a Norwegian Lundehund. There is no way to actually prevent it.

But one way to lessen the likelihood of it getting any of the pre-existing health issues of its parent breeds is by getting your Norwegian Lundehund only from a reputable breeder. They have a strict breeding program in place which ensures that the parent breeds that will be crossed are nothing less than healthy.

Another way to ensure the health of a Norwegian Lundehund is to schedule your pooch a regular visit to the vet. Talk to your vet about the required tests to catch any onset of symptoms and prevent it from escalating.

Lifespan

For a rare breed like the Norwegian Lundehund, its average life expectancy would be about 10 to 12 years on average. It is said that their longevity largely depends on the life they lived.

A healthy Norwegian Lundehund is believed to live more than their counterparts that are in poor condition. Considering this, fur parents of Norwegian Lundehunds should ensure that their fur babies would only have access to a balanced diet, enough daily physical activities, and even medical care throughout their lifetime.

Norwegian Lundehund Temperament

Technically bred for work, you will find an energetic dog with a Norwegian Lundehund. This often translates to playfulness and mischief which when left unsupervised, lands it into loads of trouble.

While this can be annoying to some, this could also be a source of smile because of the extreme wholesomeness of a Lundehund. It can be just refreshing and amusing to watch this dog entertain itself especially since it’s not putting itself into any type of danger nor is it causing any disruptions.

A Norwegian Lundehund also has an overall sunny disposition. It simply has a default happy face that would be hard for you not to mirror. It just innately exudes a positivity that there are instances that you’d simply want to be around it.

There is no denying the loyalty and devotion of a Norwegian Lundehund to its family. It is evident in the way it follows its family around and the way it seemingly wants to always integrate itself into any family activities. It is usually very affectionate as well.

This is also the reason why it could be prone to separation anxiety. But you could resolve this through crate training or by letting it have another dog or pet as a companion.

A Norwegian Lundehund could be pretty protective too. It is always ready to jump into any type of danger to protect its fur parent or its family. However, although it could be wary and suspicious of strangers, it is never aggressive. It just warns you of the boundaries you are crossing.

With how observant and alert a Norwegian Lundehund is, it makes a good watchdog. It can warn you of any danger it perceives.

A Norwegian Lundehund is very clever also. With this, it could be an independent thinker and be a little stubborn. This could pose a challenge when training this dog especially when it is not trained soon enough.

Norwegian Lundehund As A Family Dog

It may be traditionally bred as a Puffin hunting dog, but a Norwegian Lundehund has the making of a good family pet too. It is a great fit whether you are an active single fur parent or one with family and kids.

A Lundehund would make a good playmate to children. They have that sturdy body that does not get injured easily, unlike dogs that have an almost fragile size. This dog breed also doesn’t come naturally aggressive which gives less worry to the kids’ parents.

However, even if a Norwegian Lundehund could be very patient and tolerant, it shouldn’t also be pushed to its limits. Kids, particularly those that are not yet in their teenage years, should be well-guided in how to approach it.

The food of a Lundehund shouldn’t just be taken away from it. Its ears should not be pulled and carelessly play with. In fact, parents of small kids would be better off not letting the interaction between their kids and their Norwegian Lundehund, nor with any other pet dogs, be left unsupervised to prevent accidents from happening.

A Norwegian Lundehund wouldn’t have any issues getting along with other breeds of dogs and other pets. It’s a bonus if they were raised together because this normally entails instant friendship.

But if not, this shouldn’t be a source of concern because a Lundehund is extremely adaptable and can be very social. This dog would even welcome the companion since it doesn’t want to be left on its own most of the time. All that is needed to be facilitated by its fur parents would be supervised socialization until the dogs become comfortable.

Considering that it is raised to hunt a type of bird, however, this dog may not be a good friend for birds.

In terms of accommodation, a Norwegian Lundehund would do well living in a home where it could freely roam. It could be an apartment dweller as long as the place is spacious and it has a dedicated fur parent who would allocate some time to meet its daily exercises.

However, the best setting for a Lundehund would still be a home with an enclosed backyard high enough that it couldn’t easily scale it and escape.

The Cost of Getting a Norwegian Lundehund Puppy

Purchase Price

The rarity alone of a Norwegian Lundehund would give you an idea that it won’t come cheap. After all, how often could one fur parent find a breeder where it could source out one of the canines’ rarest breeds.

Not an easy task right? Thus, it is not anymore surprising that wanting one would cost you about USD2000 to USD3000.

Note that like with every other dog breed, the price would still hinge on the quality of the Lundehund puppy you’ll bring home.

You can expect the price to spike if it will have a good pedigree and would come from a good lineage. The amount would further skyrocket if it has unique characteristics that would add to its rarity. More so, if you can source it out from a good and licensed breeder and you can get a Lundehund puppy supported by legitimate certificates and registrations.

Considering the fact that a Lundehund is a pretty rare breed, know that the latter won’t come easy. It is likely that you would need to source it out from outside the city you live in. Even if you find your desired breeder, there may even be a long waiting line before you finally get ahold of the pup you prefer.

Surely, because a Norwegian Lundehund doesn’t come cheap, you might want to get assurance and get one only from a reputable breeder. Doing this would give you the guarantee that the Norwegian Lundehund you are getting is nothing but of good quality.

Reputable breeders make this happen by having a controlled and ethical breeding program in place. They properly vet all the parent breeds that will be crossed since they are after a good quality litter. They find dogs to breed that are healthy and with no pre-existing health conditions that could be passed on to their pups.

Their goal is to create a good companion dog that a fur parent will not regret. In fact, for your peace of mind, they will even support this with proper documentation including health check certifications and temperament check documents.

Reputable breeders are simply very thorough on the quality assurance checklist they have in place. So you may be paying a relatively higher price but it is worth it. Not to mention, you are paying for high standards and good quality.

There are puppy mills that sell Norwegian Lundehund too. But could you get the same type of puppies you can get from reputable breeders? Highly unlikely.

Backyard breeders and puppy mills are known to breed for bucks. They rarely consider the quality of the parent breeds which causes problems later on to the litter they produce which could be costly.

Granted, you can probably get about a couple of hundred bucks discount from them but if you get unlucky and land on a poor condition pup, this could mean more cost to you, particularly in the absence of pet insurance. Thus, you should make a good and practical choice.

Considering Doggy Shelters

Doggy shelters can also be your other option if you are looking for a Norwegian Lundehund. Rare and coveted this dog breed may be but there are instances when it still lands in shelters for dogs.

You are extremely lucky whether you can get a purebred or a crossbred Norwegian Lundehund from the shelter because definitely, this dog wouldn’t disappoint.

Other Costs

It can be exciting to get a dog breed such as the Norwegian Lundehund considering how rare it is. But don’t get carried away, especially without taking into consideration all the costs involved in raising it.

You may have enough saved up for the purchase price of a Norwegian Lundehund pup, but without including in your budget the cost of its upbringing you may be in for a surprise if you finally realize how costly it is to own a dog.

The annual expense of having a regular dog would be about a little over a thousand dollars. This would cover its basic necessities including food, treats, doggy bathing products, and the usual medical care. This doesn’t include other expenses such as emergency care, training services, and the like.

Note that the first year would even mean more cost considering all the arrangements you need to do to accommodate a pet dog especially if it is your first.

Quite daunting, right? But when it is within your budget, it will all be worth it. Not only would you have a unique friend that is for keeps, but you can also have a loyal companion with you which is really priceless.

Conclusion

A Norwegian Lundehund is one of the most unique canines you’ll ever meet. It has unique features that set it apart from other dog breeds. Said features are not even just for show because it enables a Norwegian Lundehund to successfully climb walls which is what it had been traditionally bred to do.

A Norwegian Lundehund could be a great pet too. Pair this with the fact that it is very rare, it is not anymore surprising that many fur parents would like to have one.

One should bear in mind, however, that a Norwegian Lundehund is not for everyone. It requires an experienced fur parent to handle such type of a dog breed. Moreover, getting any type of dog is a big responsibility too and would entail expenses that should be within your budget. All of these should be considered before taking home this doggo.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What is a Norwegian Lundehund breed for?

A: A Norwegian Lundehund or a Norsk Lundehund was initially bred as a Puffin dog. Its main job is to hunt Puffins and their eggs which were normally located in the crannies of the cliff walls. This is a staple for Norwegians back in the day.

The Norwegian Lundehund simply have the physical makeup that enables it to hunt Puffins accordingly. This is why it was considered an important asset by its owner.

Q: How rare is a Norwegian Lundehund?

A: You will not find a Norwegian Lundehund easily in many households. In fact, it is one of the rarest breeds around. It had even become extinct at one point in history which makes it even more sought-after.

Q: Are Norwegian Lundehund good dogs?

A: Despite being traditionally bred for the purpose of Puffin hunting, Norwegian Lundehunds are good dogs. They are loyal and protective, and they are no less than devoted pets. However, one should also consider that this dog breed is not for everyone, especially first-time fur parents.

Q: Why is the Norwegian Lundehund the rarest dog?

A: The Norwegian Lundehund is the rarest dog breed around because not much remains in its entire population. There are also not many who breed such a unique dog. This is most especially after more advanced technology is developed for Puffin hunting and after this particular hunting was banned eventually in some territories.