Norwegian Lundehund characteristics
| Trait | Rating | How common |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Small | 24% of breeds |
| Energy level | High | — |
| Trainability | Medium | 48% of breeds |
| Friendliness | Medium | 34% of breeds |
| Good with children | Medium | — |
| Grooming needs | Medium | 26% of breeds |
| Shedding | High | 15% of breeds |
| Barking | Medium | 41% of breeds |
| Protectiveness | Medium | 38% of breeds |
| Adaptability | Low | 17% of breeds |
| Typical lifespan | 12 years | — |
| Hypoallergenic | No | — |
“How common” is the share of the 321 breeds we score that sit in the same band. Ratings describe the breed, not any individual dog.
Is the Norwegian Lundehund right for you?
The Norwegian Lundehund is a compact little dog that fits small homes easily and never crowds a room. In terms of temperament, it gets on with children when raised around them and will let you know someone is at the door without being aggressive. Day to day, the Norwegian Lundehund demands substantial daily activity, from long walks to hard play, which is the single biggest factor in whether it will suit your routine.
Exercise and daily routine
The Norwegian Lundehund demands substantial daily activity, from long walks to hard play. With high energy and very high athleticism, a consistent daily routine keeps this breed physically and mentally satisfied. Skipping exercise is the most common cause of problem behaviour, so match the Norwegian Lundehund to a lifestyle you can realistically maintain.
Grooming, shedding and upkeep
The Norwegian Lundehund needs consistent brushing to keep the coat healthy and sheds enough that regular cleaning becomes routine. It is not considered hypoallergenic, so allergy sufferers should spend time around the breed first.
Temperament and training
The Norwegian Lundehund picks things up at a fair pace with steady practice and gives voice moderately, typically when something warrants it. It is reasonably independent and takes alone time in its stride, so plan for company or gradual alone-time training if you work away from home. Early socialization and positive, reward-based training bring out the best in this breed.
What stands out about the Norwegian Lundehund
Most breed descriptions call everything “loyal and intelligent”. These are the ratings where the Norwegian Lundehund genuinely differs from the rest of the catalogue — the things worth knowing before you commit.
- Shedding: High — the Norwegian Lundehund sheds more than most breeds, year-round rather than just seasonally. Only 15% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Adaptability: Low — the Norwegian Lundehund is less adaptable than most breeds. Only 17% of breeds we score share this rating.
- Size: Small — the Norwegian Lundehund is genuinely small, which suits limited space. Only 24% of breeds we score share this rating.
What a week with a Norwegian Lundehund actually costs you
| Exercise | Around an hour to ninety minutes of daily exercise, and it will notice when a day is skipped. |
|---|---|
| Coat | Weekly brushing keeps the coat in reasonable order. |
| Time alone | Handles normal working hours better than most, given exercise either side. |
| Noise | Average for a dog — it will bark at the door and at things it dislikes. |
Where the Norwegian Lundehund fits — and where it does not
Each verdict below comes from the ratings in the table above, so you can check the reasoning rather than take it on trust.
| Household | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Apartment living | Good fit | High energy and medium barking travel well into a flat. |
| Families with young children | Depends | Medium child tolerance: fine with supervision and older children, less so with toddlers. |
| First-time owners | Depends | Manageable for a committed beginner who takes training seriously from week one. |
| Homes with cats | Poor fit | Very high prey drive. Introductions need managing, and a bolting cat triggers exactly the instinct this breed was selected for. |
| Long working days | Good fit | High independence, so time alone is less of a problem than for many breeds. |
| Allergy households | Poor fit | High shedding and no low-allergen coat recorded. |
Perfect for
- Rare breed enthusiasts
- Experienced owners
- Cold climates
- Show competitors
Things to consider
- Extremely rare
- Special dietary needs
- Unique anatomy
Not sure which breed is right for you?
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Find your perfect matchFrequently asked questions
- Is the Norwegian Lundehund good with children?
- The Norwegian Lundehund can be good with children when properly socialized and supervised.
- Does the Norwegian Lundehund shed a lot?
- The Norwegian Lundehund has high shedding.
- How much exercise does the Norwegian Lundehund need?
- With high energy, the Norwegian Lundehund needs plenty of daily exercise and mental stimulation — long walks, runs or active play.
- How long does the Norwegian Lundehund live?
- The Norwegian Lundehund typically lives around 12 years.
- Can the Norwegian Lundehund live in an apartment?
- Yes — the Norwegian Lundehund is small and not overly vocal, so it adapts well to apartment living with daily walks.
- Is the Norwegian Lundehund easy to train?
- The Norwegian Lundehund picks things up at a fair pace with steady practice. Consistency, early socialization and reward-based methods work best.
- Can the Norwegian Lundehund be left alone during the day?
- The Norwegian Lundehund is reasonably independent and takes alone time in its stride. Build up alone time gradually and provide enrichment to prevent boredom.