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Norwegian Lundehund
Complete Breed Guide

"My sixth toe helps me climb!"

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Last updated: May 2026
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Norwegian Lundehund breed photo

Quick Facts About Norwegian Lundehunds

sporting
Breed Group:
Sporting
Weight
Adult Weight:
12–18 lbs
Height
Adult Height:
12–15"
Hypoallergenic
Hypoallergenic:
No
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Overview

The Norwegian Lundehund is a rare breed of Spitz working dog that is active, happy, and loyal. They need a fair amount of exercise and lots of love. Affectionate and easygoing, these dogs make good companions. Just watch out because they love to explore.

The Norwegian Lundehund is one of the world's rarest breed of dogs. Which is a shame, since they are so great! These lovable and active dogs have sweet personalities and love people. They are not aggressive and will snuggle with people for hours. Lundehunds are easy to train and make great hunters. They are fantastic hikers as well, since their extra toes help them grip mountains and steep areas with ease. These dogs are usually great with children and families and will do well in a watch dog role after having some training.

Temperament and Behavior

The Norwegian Lundehund is a well-behaved and loving companion dog that will be friendly with just about everyone. They are initially shy of strangers but are curious and will readily accept others into the "family pack." They do need plenty of training, though, and have a hard time becoming house-trained. Plan on having an easy-access doggy door for this somewhat primitive breed.

Coat & Grooming

The Norwegian Lunehund has a harsh outer coat and a dense, soft undercoat. They are usually reddish brown, tan with black, or red and white in color. Grooming for a Norwegian Lundehund is fairly easy. They need to be combed or brushed regularly with a firm bristle brush for their undercoats. They only need to be bathed when necessary, but they are heavy shedders, so brushing is important.

Lifestyle & Living Conditions

The best lifestyle for a Norwegian Lundehund includes a happy and active family that will teach them firmly. These dogs need to learn how to behave around other people and pets. They can live indoors with the family, but they also do best with a small, secured yard where they can run around to their heart's content. They love to chase small birds and animals, so keep them away from other pets that look like prey.

Exercise & Activity

The Norwegian Lundehund is an intelligent dog with a strong instinct for herding, hunting, and chasing. They need physical and mental exercise to avoid destructive behavior, so playtime is very important. A daily walk is also necessary to help keep their primal instinct fulfilled.

Characteristics at-a-glance

Ratings are on a scale of 1–10, based on breed standards and typical temperament.

Affection
Playfulness
Trainability
Intelligence
Exercise Needs
Grooming
Good w/ Kids
Good w/ Dogs
Good w/ Cats
Watchdog
Barking Level
Space Needs
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Norwegian Lundehund FAQs

Common questions about the Norwegian Lundehund breed, answered by our editorial team.

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