The site was last updated on

24 Aug 2000

Name of breed: Lundehund
Class: Spits
Recognized: FCI
Size: HEIGHT: Male: 35 - 38 cm - Female 32-35 cm
Weight: WEIGHT: Male about 7 kg- Female 6 kg.
A dog, which would be at the maximum limit of the standard, shall not take preference over another smaller one, showing otherwise the same qualities.
Coat: Dense and rough. Short on the head and the front of the legs, more abundant at the level of the neck, rear of the buttocks (thighs) and on the tall, but without flag. Undercoat soft.
Colors: Always combined with white; from red to fawn; coat more or less sprinkled with hairs with black tips; Grey; white with dark patches. In general, the tips of the hairs darken progressively with the ageing of the subject. Black and red are sometimes seen.

The Norwegian Lundehund, transliterated as the Norwegian Puffindog, is a natural canine breed that evolved to its present day form without the aid of human intervention. "Lunde" is the Norwegian word for puffin, as in puffin bird and "hund" is Norwegian for dog. The Lundehund's unique characteristics give us an insight on how it could fend for itself in its harsh island environment. Preservation of the Lundehund is now in the hands of man, but the Lundehund's characteristics must also be protected from being forever lost.
The Norwegian Lundehund originated from the Lofoten Islands off the northwest coast of Norway. It was used for hunting and catching puffin birds, which nowadays is illegal. A skilled Lundehund was considered as valuable to its owner as a milk cow!
The Lundehund is the most interesting and unusual breed because of its unique characteristics. Lundehunds are a zoological rarity by having at least six fully developed toes on each foot. They can close their ear canals at will and are able to bend their head backwards over their shoulders. Their legs that are extremely flexible and can be stretched out to the side. The fore legs can be bent backwards into the same level as the back line. The hind legs can be bent forward behind the dog’s neck. Because of their extra toes and the flexibility in their legs the Lundehund has a special way of moving. They paddle with their fore legs, drawing big circles in the air.

Character and care

There is a special connection between a Lundehund and its owner. You can let your Lundehund loose without fear that it will run away. Lundehunds are naturally "programmed" always to stay by your side. They always keep you in sight or within earshot.
The Lundehund does not require very much grooming. You only need to brush them when their coat sheds, otherwise hardly at all. They do not need much bathing. Their coats seem to be resistant to dirt. Once or twice a year is enough. If you attend dog shows you can wash off the white parts a few days before the show.