Consider These 26 Questions Before Getting a Norwegian Lundehund
Ever wanted a dog that turns heads at the park and comes with a jaw-dropping origin story? Then let me introduce you to the Norwegian Lundehund.
This little Norwegian oddity has six toes on each foot, bends its neck backward to touch its own spine, and once scaled sea cliffs to hunt puffins for a living.
But here's the thing: those quirks come with quirks of their own — and this breed isn't for everyone.
So before you fall head over heels, let's walk through exactly what life with a Lundehund looks like. By the end, you'll know whether this rare charmer is your perfect match or your biggest regret.
6 toes
On every single foot
~2,000
Dogs left in the world
Estimated global population
$2,000
Typical puppy price
What Makes the Lundehund So Unique?
Let's start with the party trick: this dog's anatomy is unlike any other breed on Earth.
Originally bred on the remote island of Værøy in Norway, the Lundehund had one job — climbing sheer cliffs to hunt puffins and pull them from tight rock crevices.
To do that, evolution (with a little human help) gave it some genuinely wild features.
Six functional toes
Each foot has six fully working toes for extra grip on wet, rocky cliffs.
Extra paw pads
Bonus padding helped them cling to slippery ledges without slipping.
Closing ears
Their ears can fold shut to block out debris, dust, and water.
Bendy neck
Their neck flexes backward far enough to touch the spine — great for tight nests.
Gecko-like limbs
Front legs stretch out sideways, letting them splay flat against rock.
Today, no puffins are harmed — these traits just make for the best conversation starter at the dog park.
“A dog that can bend its neck backward, close its ears at will, and count to six on each foot? That's not a breed — that's a biology lesson with a tail.”
Cool anatomy is one thing — but what are they actually like to live with?
Temperament: Sweet, Social, and a Little Stubborn
Here's the good news: Lundehunds are friendly, playful, and love being part of the action.
They were bred to work shoulder-to-shoulder with humans and other dogs, so companionship is baked into their DNA. They're not aggressive — but they're also not going to guard your house.
What this means in practice: if you want a snuggly, entertaining sidekick, you'll love them. If you want a watchdog, look elsewhere.
Kids
GreatWonderful with children, especially when raised together. Supervise early meetings like you would with any dog.
Other dogs
GreatBred to work in canine teams — they usually enjoy dog company.
Cats & small pets
With careTheir puffin-hunting prey drive can flare up. Early, consistent training is essential.
Strangers
FriendlySocial and welcoming — charming, but useless as a guard dog.
Let's talk numbers — how big, how long, and how healthy?
Size, Lifespan & Health
The Lundehund is a small, sturdy little dog that won't take over your couch.
Thanks to careful breeding, they're relatively healthy — but no rare breed is completely off the hook.
The takeaway: a responsible breeder is your single best insurance policy against heartbreak down the road. We'll come back to why that matters when we talk about where to find one.
Now for the part that trips up almost every new owner.
Training & Exercise: Be Patient and Consistent
Here's the honest truth: this is the hardest part of Lundehund ownership.
They're smart — but they're also fiercely independent, which means they'll happily decide your instructions are merely suggestions.
And there's one challenge that trips up nearly everyone.
Obedience training is absolutely doable — it just takes longer than with eager-to-please breeds.
How to train a stubborn Lundehund
- Stay consistentSame rules, same words, every single day. Mixed messages confuse an independent dog fast.
- Reward, don’t scoldPositive reinforcement works far better than pressure with this sensitive breed.
- Keep it short and funA few short, upbeat sessions beat one long, frustrating marathon.
- Get creativeTap into their hunting past — puzzle games and agility keep their clever brains engaged.
The good news? Exercise needs are refreshingly modest.
30–60 min
Of daily activity is usually plenty
A daily walk, some playtime, or a bit of agility will keep them happy. They're content indoors too, so they adapt well to apartment life.
That famous double coat comes with a seasonal surprise.
Grooming & Shedding
Lundehunds sport a double coat, which means shedding is part of the deal.
Expect moderate shedding most of the year — and then two big "blowouts" in spring and fall when they drop their coat in earnest.
- Brush regularly to keep loose hair under control
- Brush more often during seasonal blowouts
- Expect a hypoallergenic dog
- Rely on grooming to fix shedding for allergy sufferers
The bottom line on grooming: they're not high-maintenance, but if anyone in your home has allergies, this breed will likely be a struggle.
A few more habits worth knowing before you commit.
Barking, Separation, and Other Quirks
Let's be upfront: Lundehunds can be vocal.
If you've got close neighbors or thin walls, that's worth factoring in. Early training helps manage it — but some barking is simply part of who they are.
Here's a pleasant surprise, though.
So if they're this charming... why is almost nobody talking about them?
Why Are They So Rare?
You might be wondering how a dog this fascinating stayed so far off the radar.
The honest answer? They're just not flashy.
Not really — careful breeding keeps them relatively healthy. They’re rare mostly because they lack the mainstream “wow” looks people chase, and their training challenges scare off casual owners.
They’re quirky and stubborn about house training, but their exercise and grooming needs are modest. An experienced, patient owner can absolutely thrive with one.
Pros
Why you'll love one
- Genuinely unique — six toes and a bendy neck
- Friendly, playful, and affectionate
- Great with kids and other dogs
- Modest exercise needs, apartment-friendly
- Relatively healthy with a long lifespan
Cons
Why they're not for everyone
- Notoriously hard to potty train
- Independent and stubborn
- Can be vocal
- Sheds year-round with big seasonal blowouts
- Rare and expensive to find
Convinced? Here's how to actually get one.
Where to Find One
Because this breed is so rare, patience — and budget — are essential.
Reputable Breeder
Pros
- Health clearances provided
- You can meet the parents
- Puppy raised with care
Cons
- Expensive
- Long waitlists
- Very few exist
Breed-Specific Rescue
Pros
- Gives a dog a second home
- Often lower cost
- Adults come with known temperaments
Cons
- Extremely uncommon
- Availability is rare
- History may be unknown
Can you guess?
What's the one thing you should NEVER skip when buying a Lundehund puppy?
Quick poll
After reading all this — could you handle a Lundehund?
Frequently Asked Questions
Not ideal. Their stubbornness and famously tricky house training make them better suited to patient, experienced owners who’ve dealt with an independent breed before.
Yes — this is arguably their single biggest challenge. Expect a longer timeline, stick to a strict routine, and lean on positive reinforcement rather than frustration.
They can be vocal, so they’re worth thinking twice about if you have close neighbors. Early training helps manage it, but some barking is simply in their nature.
Yes, they’re generally great with kids, especially when raised together. As with any dog, supervise early interactions until everyone learns the boundaries.
They usually get along wonderfully with other dogs. Cats and small pets are trickier because of their prey drive, so early, consistent training is key.
Yes. With only 30–60 minutes of daily activity needed, they adapt well to apartment life — just budget for extra brushing during shedding season and some barking management.
They lack the mainstream “wow” looks many buyers want, and their training challenges keep casual owners away. Combined with a small global population, that keeps them a hidden gem.
Expect to pay around $2,000 from a responsible breeder. Prioritize health clearances and meeting the parents over finding the cheapest option.
Sviatoslav Oleksiv founded The Pets and Love in 2019. A lifelong pet owner and Rhodesian Ridgeback enthusiast, he writes and edits our guides to help fellow pet parents give their animals the best care.
Every guide follows our editorial standards. This article is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice — always consult a licensed veterinarian about your pet's health.