Norwegian Lundehund

Get to Know Norwegian Lundehunds

• Six Toes on Each Foot: The Lundehund is polydactyl, typically having six fully formed, functional toes on each foot, but perfect for gripping slippery rocks.
• Incredible Flexibility: They can bend their head backward to touch their spine and stretch their front legs sideways to form almost a 90° angle. This is ideal for squeezing into narrow puffin burrows.
• Unique Ears: Their ears can close both forward and backward to keep out dirt, moisture, and debris while hunting.
• Rare Genetic Makeup: The breed has a very limited gene pool, which makes it genetically distinct from all other modern dogs.
• Vocal and Expressive: They communicate through a wide range of sounds — from howls to “yodel-like” noises often described as Lundehund chatter!

Breed History

The Norwegian Lundehund hails from the remote islands of northern Norway, where it was originally bred to hunt puffins (“lunde” in Norwegian) along steep coastal cliffs. These small, agile dogs were invaluable to coastal communities for centuries, climbing rocky terrain and retrieving live birds from burrows and crevices. Their remarkable flexibility and extra toes evolved specifically for this demanding job. With the decline of puffin hunting in the 1800s and 1900s, the breed nearly vanished — saved only by a handful of dedicated breeders after World War II. Today, it remains one of the world’s rarest breeds, celebrated as a living piece of Norwegian heritage.

Personality and Behaviour

• Inquisitive Adventurer: Lundehunds are naturally curious explorers. They love climbing, investigating new environments, and often find themselves in funny, precarious positions thanks to their flexibility.
• Independent but Loyal: While affectionate with their families, they retain a strong streak of independence and prefer to make their own decisions. This is a reminder of their days as self-reliant hunters.
• Playful & Alert: They are active, alert companions who thrive on mental stimulation and love to engage in games, puzzles, and interactive play.

Care

• Exercise: Lundehunds are energetic and enjoy regular outdoor activities but don’t require marathon runs. Daily walks, play sessions, and mental challenges like scent work or agility keep them content and balanced.
• Grooming: Their double coat is weather-resistant and fairly low-maintenance. Brushing once or twice a week helps control shedding, with more frequent grooming during seasonal coat changes. Baths are needed only occasionally.
• Training: They’re smart but often stubborn and independent thinkers. Positive reinforcement, consistency, and creative, short training sessions work best. Harsh methods can backfire — a patient, fun approach helps bring out their brilliance.