From the rocky island of Værøy, off the coast of Arctic Norway, comes one of the most unusual dog breeds in the world. The Norwegian Lundehund – also known as the Puffin Dog or Lundie – is the only breed ever created specifically for hunting puffins, a task it carried out for more than 400 years. Hunters relied on these small, agile dogs to scale sheer cliff faces and squeeze into narrow caves to retrieve the seabirds, which were an important source of meat and feathers. The first written record of the breed dates to 1591, when a bailiff described using a small dog to pull puffins from their burrows.
Today, puffins are a protected species and the Lundehund has traded its working cliffs for the family home. It remains an alert, cheerful and somewhat mischievous companion, and it carries a set of physical traits found in no other dog. Every Lundehund has at least six toes on each foot, a spine so flexible it can bend its head back to touch its own backbone, and ears that fold completely shut to keep out dirt and water. These adaptations once helped the breed work in the treacherous gullies and tunnels where puffins nested.
The Norwegian Lundehund is also one of the rarest breeds on earth. After two devastating distemper outbreaks in the 1960s, the entire population dropped to just six dogs. Thanks to careful breeding programmes, roughly 1,500 Lundehunds now exist worldwide, with most still living in Norway. Owning one means welcoming a rare piece of canine history into your home.
From Puffin Cliffs to Family Homes
For centuries the Lundehund was an essential working dog along the Norwegian coast, where puffins nested in nearly inaccessible cliffs and burrows. The breed's flexibility and extra toes made it uniquely suited to crawling into tight tunnels and climbing vertical rock faces, and it earned its keep for more than 400 years. Its importance faded when nets replaced dogs for catching puffins and a dog tax was introduced, and by 1900 the breed survived only in the isolated village of Måstad in the Lofoten Islands.
The breed's closest brush with extinction came in the twentieth century. An outbreak of canine distemper struck the islands around World War II, reducing the population to just two dogs, and a second outbreak in 1963 left only six survivors. Every modern Lundehund descends from this tiny gene pool, which is why the breed is so rare today and why breeders follow strict guidelines to preserve it. The Norwegian Lundehund Association, recognised by the FCI in 1943, continues to safeguard the breed's future.
A Dog Built Differently
The Norwegian Lundehund is a small, rectangular Spitz-type dog standing 12–15 in and weighing 12–18 lb. Its most famous feature is its feet: each paw carries at least six fully formed, jointed toes, four pointing forward and two turning inward like thumbs, giving the breed a powerful grip on slippery rock. This is a true polydactyl trait, not a fault, and it is the breed's defining characteristic.
Beyond its toes, the Lundehund's skeleton is extraordinarily flexible. It can bend its head backwards along its own spine and extend its forelegs straight out to the sides at a 90-degree angle, allowing it to turn around in confined spaces. Its pricked ears fold forward or backward to form a tight seal, protecting the ear canal from dirt, water and parasites. The dense double coat is rough on the outside and soft beneath, and it comes in shades of reddish-brown, fallow and white, often with a white collar, chest markings and a white-tipped tail carried in a ring over the back.
A Cheerful, Clever Temperament
Lundehunds are friendly, playful and outgoing, with a loyal streak that makes them devoted family members. They form strong bonds with their own people and prefer their family's company to almost anything else, though they are not typically demanding lapdogs. The breed is alert and inquisitive, always watching its surroundings, and it retains a touch of the mischief that once made it a confident, independent worker on the cliffs.
Because they were bred to problem-solve on their own, Lundehunds are intelligent and creative, but they can also be sensitive. Without early socialisation they may grow up shy or wary around strangers and unfamiliar dogs, and they can be protective of their human pack. Given plenty of gentle exposure to new people, places and pets from puppyhood, they mature into confident, sociable companions that get along well with children and other animals.
Exercise and Activity
For a small dog, the Norwegian Lundehund has plenty of energy. It needs a long walk or jog every day, plus time to run and play, and it excels at hiking, agility and other canine sports that make use of its athletic, flexible build. The breed is not relentlessly hyperactive – it settles happily indoors after a good outing – but a bored Lundehund will invent its own entertainment, which usually means climbing, digging or escaping through gaps its flexible body allows. Mental stimulation matters just as much as physical exercise, so puzzle toys, scent games and training sessions help keep this clever dog content. The Daily Exercise Guide covers building a routine that suits an active breed like this one.
| Dog | Daily exercise | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Puppy | 3–4 short play sessions of 10–15 minutes | Keep walks gentle; avoid hard surfaces while growing |
| Adult | 45–60 minutes total walk or play | Split into two shorter sessions if preferred |
| Senior | 30–40 minutes of gentle walking | Slow the pace and shorten distance with age |
Training a Norwegian Lundehund
Lundehunds are smart and quick to learn, and they respond well to praise and food rewards, so positive-reinforcement training suits them perfectly. They have an independent, occasionally stubborn streak inherited from their working past, and they will quickly ignore harsh or heavy-handed methods. Because the breed is sensitive, keep sessions short, upbeat and consistent, and end on a success. Early socialisation is essential to prevent shyness, and owners should note that Lundehunds can be notoriously difficult to housetrain, so patience and a strict routine are required. The Dog Training Guide explains reward-based methods that work well with clever, independent breeds, and the Puppy Care Guide is a helpful starting point for new owners.
Grooming a Norwegian Lundehund
The Lundehund's dense double coat is fairly low-maintenance, but it does shed, especially during seasonal moults in spring and autumn. Brushing a few times a week keeps loose hair under control and the coat in good condition, with daily brushing during heavy shedding periods. Bathing is only occasionally needed, as over-bathing strips the natural oils from the weatherproof coat. As with any breed, keep nails trimmed, check the ears regularly for dirt and clean them gently, and brush teeth frequently to support good dental health. The Dog Grooming Guide covers caring for a double coat like this one.
| Task | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing | 2–3 times a week (daily during shedding season) | Brush in the direction of the coat and check for tangles |
| Bathing | Every 6–8 weeks or as needed | Use a mild dog shampoo |
| Nail trimming | Every 3–4 weeks | Trim when you hear nails clicking on the floor |
| Ear checks | Weekly | Look for wax, redness, or odor |
| Teeth brushing | 2–3 times a week | Dental chews help as a supplement |
Feeding a Norwegian Lundehund
A high-quality, age-appropriate dog food is the foundation of a healthy Lundehund, and portion sizes should be adjusted to keep the breed trim. The Lundehund is prone to a sensitive stomach linked to Lundehund Syndrome, a genetic gastrointestinal condition, so many owners feed a diet lower in protein and fat, offered as small, frequent meals rather than one large meal. Rich treats, sudden diet changes and table scraps can upset the digestive system and should be avoided or introduced with care. Because every dog is different, work with your veterinarian to choose a feeding plan that suits your Lundie's digestion, weight and activity level, and ensure fresh water is always available.
| Life stage | Meals per day | Portion per meal (approx.) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (under 6 months) | 3–4 meals | 1/2–1 cup | Use a good-quality puppy formula |
| Adult | 2 meals | 1–1.5 cups | Adjust to activity level and body condition |
| Senior (7+ years) | 2 meals | 1–1.25 cups | Consider a senior or joint-support formula |
Health and Veterinary Care
The Norwegian Lundehund is a hardy breed overall, but its small gene pool brings some specific health concerns. The best known is Lundehund Syndrome, a gastrointestinal disorder that causes chronic diarrhoea, vomiting, poor nutrient absorption and weight loss. It is a lifelong condition with no cure, but it can usually be managed with a carefully tailored low-protein diet, supplements and regular veterinary monitoring. The breed is also at increased risk of kidney disease and shows signs of inbreeding depression, including reduced fertility and small litter sizes. Routine vet checks, blood and faecal screening, and prompt attention to any digestive changes give a Lundie the best chance of a long, comfortable life. The Signs of a Healthy Pet guide helps you spot early signs of trouble.
| Check-up | Frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Wellness exam | Annual | Includes dental and weight check |
| Vaccinations | Annual booster | Follow your veterinarian's schedule |
| Heartworm prevention | Monthly (or as advised) | Year-round in most regions |
| Dental check | Annual cleaning as recommended | Watch for tartar buildup |
| Eye and ear health checks | Discuss with your vet | Part of the annual vet review |
| Senior wellness checks | Start from age 7 | Early detection of age-related conditions |
Home Environment
The Norwegian Lundehund adapts well to flats and houses alike, thanks to its compact size, provided its daily exercise needs are met. It prefers to be where its people are and does not enjoy long periods alone, so it suits homes where someone is around for much of the day. A securely fenced garden is strongly advised: the breed's flexible joints let it slip through gaps and its digging instincts are powerful, and the independent hunting streak means it should be kept on a lead or in secure surroundings when out. Given its rarity, expect a waiting list and a careful vetting process when looking for a puppy. The Choosing the Right Pet guide helps match a breed to your lifestyle before you commit.
Common Ownership Challenges
Owning a Norwegian Lundehund is a joy, but it is not without hurdles. The breed is extremely rare, so puppies are hard to find, expensive and often booked long in advance. Housetraining can be a genuine struggle, with some Lundies taking many months to master. They shed noticeably, dig and climb enthusiastically, and their flexible bodies make them surprisingly good escape artists, so garden security matters. Dietary restrictions are essential for many dogs due to the risk of Lundehund Syndrome, and the breed is sensitive, so it does not tolerate being left alone for long or handled harshly. New owners should also be aware that the breed is best matched to patient, active households prepared for a quirky and independent companion.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- One of the most unique and fascinating breeds, with six toes, a flexible spine and folding ears
- Loyal, cheerful and playful companion that bonds closely with its family
- Adaptable to flats or houses with daily exercise
- Intelligent, eager to learn and a natural at agility
- Straightforward coat care with only a few brushes needed each week
Disadvantages
- Extremely rare, with high purchase costs and long waiting lists
- Sheds noticeably, especially during seasonal moults
- Can be very difficult to housetrain
- Prone to Lundehund Syndrome, a lifelong digestive condition requiring careful diet
- Sensitive and sometimes shy without thorough early socialisation
- Strong dig and escape instincts that demand secure fencing
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Norwegian Lundehunds good family dogs? Yes, when raised with early socialisation they are loyal, playful and generally excellent with children.
Why do Norwegian Lundehunds have six toes? They are polydactyl, and the extra fully formed toes on each paw gave them extra grip for climbing the rocky cliffs and caves where they once hunted puffins.
How much exercise does a Norwegian Lundehund need? They need a daily walk plus running and play, and although energetic for their size, they are happy to settle indoors after a good outing.
Are Norwegian Lundehunds rare? Yes. The breed nearly died out in the 1960s, and fewer than about 1,500 Lundehunds exist worldwide today.
Do Norwegian Lundehunds shed much? They have a dense double coat that sheds moderately all year and heavily during seasonal moults, so regular brushing is advised.
What is Lundehund Syndrome? It is a genetic gastrointestinal condition that causes chronic digestive problems, poor nutrient absorption and weight loss, managed with a careful diet and veterinary care.
Are Norwegian Lundehunds easy to train? They are intelligent and quick to learn but independent and occasionally stubborn, so consistent positive-reinforcement training works best.
Can Norwegian Lundehunds live in apartments? Yes, their small size suits flats, provided they receive enough daily exercise and mental stimulation.
How long do Norwegian Lundehunds live? With good care they typically live 12–15 years, though some sources place the average closer to 12–14 years.
Are Norwegian Lundehunds good with other pets? With early socialisation they generally get on well with other dogs and pets, though their hunting instinct can be strong around small animals.