BREED DESCRIPTION & INFORMATION
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Breed Registries:
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Note: The breed registries indicated above are the most recognized all-breed registries. The breed may also be recognized by other registries not indicated here. For further details about dog registries, please see the document: Dog Breed Registries in North America.
* — The American Kennel Club recognizes the Norwegian Lundehund under the Miscellaneous Class whereby it is recorded under the Foundation Stock Service Program. The breed has been assigned the Non-Sporting Group designation and has been recorded in the Foundation Stock Service since 1996.
* — The FCI is the World Canine Organization, which includes 84 members and contract partners (one member per country) that each issue their own pedigrees and train their own judges. The FCI recognizes 339 breeds, with each being the "property" of a specific country. The "owner" countries of the breeds write the standards of these breeds in co-operation with the Standards and Scientific Commissions of the FCI, and the translation and updating are carried out by the FCI. The FCI is not a breed registry nor does it issue pedigrees.
Origin:
Norway
Height:
Males: 13 3/4 to 15 inches
Females: 12 1/2 to 13 3/4 inches
Weight:
Males: Approximately 15 1/2 lbs.
Females: 13 1/4 lbs.
Breed Profile:
The Norwegian Lundehund (also known as the Norwegian Puffin Dog or Puffin Hound) originated in Norway and was used to hunt the Puffin (a small aquatic bird). Puffin birds nest high on the cliffs of the jagged coastline in the Loefotens of Norway. The dogs were able to scale these cliffs and navigate the caves where Puffins may dwell. A good Puffin hunter was as valuable as cattle to the farmer. When Puffin hunting became illegal, the breed started to decline in numbers and with a distemper outbreak in Norway, there were only five dogs left. At the end of World War II and through the dedication of concerned Norwegian fanciers, the breed was saved from extinction.
Today, it is estimated that the population of Lundehunds worldwide is approximately 2,000. The majority of which are in Norway and Finland with approximately 300 in the U.S.
Lundehunds are truly unique and distinctive with several characteristics setting them apart from other breeds:
- They have at least six toes on each foot.
- Their limbs can extend out to 90 degrees from their bodies.
- Because of an extra vertabrae in their necks, they are able to bend their head backwards over the shoulders so that the forehead touches the back.
- They have the ability to close their ears when they get wet.
For additional information about these amazing characteristics, read The Intriguing Lundehund by Inger Kristiansen, 1968 and re-published on the Norwegian Lundehund Club of America's website.
The Lundehund is energetic, intelligent, affectionate, gentle, loyal, playful, observant and easygoing. He is a wonderful devoted companion with a great disposition and never aggressive toward people or other dogs. His coat is short and can be from a reddish-brown to fallow with black hair tips; black; gray; or white. He may also have white markings.
Health Issues
Health concerns in the Lundehund breed include a disease known as Intestenial Lymphangiectasia (IL), which is now known as Lundehund Syndrome (LS). For information on this disorder, see Norwegian Lundehund Club of America, Inc. Health.
If you are considering the adoption of a Norwegian Lundehund puppy, or any breed, it is very important to be selective in choosing a responsible and reputable breeder. Ensure that the prospective puppy's parents have all health clearances. Breeding of any dog should not be done until after they have been proven to be free of evidence of significant hereditary diseases. (For more information on selecting a breeder, see the articles on the main Breed Listing and Breeders page.)
Additional Health Resources:
- Information on Norwegian Lundehund Testing — In cooperation with the Norwegian Lundehund Club of America (NLCA, Inc.) the GI Lab offers free testing of serum and fecal samples for the assessment of protein losing enteropathy (PLE) and gastrointestinal disease in Norwegian Lundehunds.
- Health and Nutrition — Growing section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website which includes information on several health and nutrition related issues.
- Canine Health Information Center (CHIC) — Providing a source of health information for owners, breeders, and scientists that will assist in breeding healthy dogs. CHIC is a centralized canine health database jointly sponsored by the AKC/Canine Health Foundation (AKC/CHF) and the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA).
- AKC Canine Health Foundation — Working towards developing scientific advances in canine health.
- Canine Eye Registration Foundation (CERF)
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA)
- Ontario Veterinary College (OVC)
- University of Pennsylvania Hip Improvement Program (PennHip)
- HealthGene — HealthGene Corporation is the leading provider of veterinary DNA diagnostic services in Canada.
Breed Standards
- CKC Breed Standard
- AKC Breed Standard
- UKC Breed Standard
- Norsk Kennel Klub Norwegian Lundehund Breed Standard — FCI Standard No. 265 (PDF)
Grooming Information
- Grooming — This section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website includes tips, articles and information covering all aspects of dog grooming along with a listing of Groomers from across Canada.
Training Resources
- Training — For training information, see this growing section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website for tips, articles, as well as listings of training centres across Canada.
Additional Information
- Clubs, Sports & Activities — For information on the many sports and activities you can get involved in with your dog.
- Working Dogs — The Working Dogs section of the Canada's Guide to Dogs website provides information and listings of organizations that are involved in various dog jobs, such as Guide Dogs, Therapy Dogs, Police Dogs, Protection Dogs, and much more.
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Select from the following links to view Breeder listings; Breed Clubs; Rescue Organizations; as well as Books and other Merchandise specific to the breed: |
