The Norse lundehund is an energetic , clever , and fast pawl . These rarefied pups are great hiking companions ( thanks to their extra toes ) and love to be out of doors .
A rare and enchanting breed , the Norse lundehund has superhero - like traits . With extra toe and pliable leg , these ancient Arctic hot dog were once puzzle out domestic dog that ship on puffin - hunting pleasure trip , scrawling up vertical and hilly cliff wall and wiggling their fashion into the tight crack where the seafowl kept their nests . Once puffins became a protected species , the lundehunds suffer their hunting job and were on the threshold of extermination before becoming associate pets .
" Their additional toe , flexible neck , and adjustable ear all puzzle out in their favor when it come to their job , " says Linda Simon , MVB , MRCVS , consulting veterinary atFiveBarks . " Nowadays , this breed iskept as a family petand has a reputation for being kind - hearted and sociable . "
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Thesesmall dogs(they matter under 30 pound ) have long-lasting , easy - to - manage double coat andare restrained spiller . Most Norwegian lundehund hot dog will demand an hour or so ofexercise and playeach mean solar day and love being in the outdoors — and , thanks to their Arctic congenator , can handle cold weatherand blind drunk condition .
raw , playful , and gumptious , the Norwegian lundehund can be agreat dog for alive families . Not surprisingly , Norwegian lundehunds ' mounting abilities make themgreat hiking associate , and they ’re a breed that ’s always up for adventure .
Appearance
Striking and proud - looking at , the Norwegian lundehund has some wildly alone trait that have been pass down from her icing age ancestors . This stock shares some of the more vulgar spitz traits — characteristic like Charles James Fox - like triangular ear , wedge - regulate heads , and a can that gracefully curls over her back . But some extraordinary traits set up Norse lundehunds apart from just about any other breed on Earth .
These dogs haveat leastsix toes and superfluous pads on their feet , grant to theNorwegian Lundehund Association of America(NLAA ) . They also have an pliable neck opening that ’s so miraculously flexible , her head can crane backwards and touch her pricker — an evolutionary trait from hunt in narrow puffin bird caves .
For her next trick , the Norse lundehund can extend her front legs so they lay flat to the side , thanks to extra - flexible shoulders that assist her ascendant hug and ascend jolting cliffs in their puffin - hunting days . Also , this pawl ’s ear can do like maw room access , clamping shut to protect themselves from pecking puffin beaks or rough and rocky terrain .
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The Norwegian lundehund is a small- to average - sized strain , with male measuring in at 13–15 inches and females slightly small at 12–14 inches , fit in to the NLAA . With nimble , rectangular bodies , Norwegian lundehund dogs weigh about 20–30 pounds and have a pace that the NLAA describes as " light and elastic . "
Norwegian lundehunds sport all - weather duple coats that include a harsh outer pelage and a dumb , but soft , undercoat .
" The thick coating of the Norwegian lundehund is utter for cold weather condition and keeps them nice and ardent , " Simon says .
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While the Norse lundehund coat is brusk on the dog ’s pass and front of her leg , it engender thick around her neck and the back of her thigh , agree to the NLAA . Males typically have a thicker ruff around the neck . The coloring of their coats ranges from cerise brown to tan , and they most commonly have white markings on their straits . They also ordinarily have white , grey-haired , black , and crimson marking . Their Prunus dulcis - shape eyes are yellowish - browned to brown , and the nose and lips are black .
Temperament
In a nutshell , the Norwegian lundehund is very energetic and firm .
" This wiener is sensible , whip smart , a good problem - solver , affectionate , and be intimate fun , " aver Sarah Wooten , DVM , veterinary expert forPumpkin Pet Insurance .
Norse lundehunds can be a tad suspicious of stranger , according to the NLAA . But when Norse lundehund puppies areproperly socializedandtrained , these dogs can make for first-class companion animals and can be agood fit for first - meter pet parents , Wooten says — as long as they get at least 30–60 minutes ofvigorous walkingor playing every day .
" These dogs are happiest in home plate where they can be with their citizenry , " Wooten says . " They are social [ and ] reasonably favorable with stranger , children , and other pets . "
Living Needs
Not only is the Norwegian lundehund a loving and loyal companion , she can also be a outstanding hiking andcamping partnerthanks to her curious spirit , nimble and gymnastic consistency , and those unequalled forcible traits that make her so great at explore harsh terrain , say Corinne Wigfall , DVM , BVS , BVM , and confer veterinarian withSpiritDog Training .
" Given the lundehund ’s original purpose was to climb drop-off while run for puffins , their anatomy allows them to grip , climb , descend , and squeeze into small crevices , " she says .
These hotdog have vim levels on the high end of the spectrum , Wigfall says , so they require daily physical exercise and benefit from charter in project . So add on thosementally stimulate food for thought puzzlesand set aside metre for little - but - productivetraining academic term !
While they call for a 30 - minute walk every day at the very least , Wigfall says lundehunds profit fromchasing balls or Frisbees , wage increase , or jogs through the neighbourhood . Whatever your exercise routine face like , Norse lundehunds are happy in homes where they can be with their people .
" This dog can live in the suburbs orin an apartmentequally well , as long as they get enough exercise , " Wooten says .
Simon sound out Norse lundehunds are a breed that can do well with other PET as long as they are socialized from an early years . As with all breeds , your lundehund should besupervised when roleplay with nestling .
Care
The grooming want for the Norwegian lundehund are fairly miserable - maintenance . Because of her abrasive external coating and soft undercoat , these dogs should bebrushed at least once a workweek , Wooten says , to facilitate off loose hairs and dirt .
Also , she says aweekly nail trimis urge to prevent overgrowing , and pup parents shouldbrush their dog ’s teethon a daily ( or every - other - day ) base .
The giving responsibility for caring for your puppy is keep all those extra toe move , as Norse lundehunds are always eager to get outside , no matter the weather .
" They cope well in wind , rain , and the coldness and are happy when walking somewhere purposefully , " Simon says . " While they enjoy being inside , too , they require at least an hour of outdoor activity each day . "
cunning and playfulness - loving , Norse lundehunds are A+ training candidates — especially when play is flux into thepositive reenforcement sessions . build up yourself with treat and be generous with congratulations and head patting ; these dogs are sensitive and cagey and will enjoy this one - on - one meter with you .
Health
Norwegian lundehunds aregenerally tidy dogsthat can live long and good life-time , with lifespans of 12–15 age . However , there are some unparalleled health problems thisrare dog breedfaces that owners should be cognizant of , including GI issues .
enteric lymphangiectasia is a wellness job that disproportionately affects this breed , Simon enjoin . sign tend to show up in middle - aged dogs and can admit chronic vomiting , diarrhea , and weighting loss . She says this condition can be bring off foresightful - terminus with a very low - fat diet .
Small intestinal bacterial gigantism , which can make it hard for blackguard to absorb nutrients and go to diarrhea , andinflammatory bowel disease , which can cause continuing or recurrent vomiting and diarrhea , are other GI consequence that are salient in lundehunds , Simon enjoin .
Norse lundehunds should also be evaluated forluxating patellasandeye takings .
History
A picayune bit of mystery weather sheet the origins of the Norse lundehund . But , consort to the NLAA , these dogs were find in the Lofoten Islands , an archipelago north of the Arctic Circle . Dating as far back as the Vikings , these working dog accompany hunters and were capable of scrawling up extortionate and rough cliffs to pluck puffins from their nest .
Norse lundehunds became an entire part of the economic system in northern coastal area of Norway where puffin provided meals and down feathers . Most households had up to a 12 hunting lundehunds , according to the NLAA , and these cad were more valuable than cows .
However , administration taxation were levied on the frank , and when puffin hunt with nets became a more low-priced choice , the Norse lundehund universe began to dwindle . When puffin were declared endangered metal money in the 1800s , Norse lundehunds were out of employment .
The dog breed was saved from near extinction after World War II by Norwegians who admired the pup , but they still stay a rare breed today .
