Spitz Small size 6-7 kg
Norwegian Lundehund
A unique six-toed puffin dog; quirky, agile and charming, but prone to a serious digestive disorder and slow to housetrain.
Match with your household
See match detail → Quick overview
Small
Size
6-7 kg, 32-38 cm at the shoulder
High
Activity
Agile and curious, enjoys activity
Moderate
Alone-time tolerance
Handles moderate alone time
Challenging
Trainability
Independent and notably hard to housetrain
Moderate
Coat care
Dense coat sheds; brush weekly
Moderate
Fit with kids
Good with gentle children
Moderate
Other pets
Generally sociable with other pets
Moderate
Health burden
Lundehund syndrome (GI); tiny gene pool
The Norwegian Lundehund typically weighs 6-7 kg, stands 32-38 cm, and lives 12-14 years.
Consider this breed if…
you want a truly unusual, agile, six-toed companion,
you have the patience for slow, inconsistent housetraining,
you can budget for special diets and possible chronic GI care,
you are prepared to search hard - it is one of the rarest breeds.
Do not consider this breed if…
you want a quick, easy-to-housetrain dog,
you cannot handle the cost and worry of a possible chronic gut disease,
you want a common, readily available breed,
you need reliable, snappy obedience.
A typical day with a Norwegian Lundehund
- 6:30 · MorningWalk and a sniff-and-explore session
- 9:00 · MidmorningRest, chewing, a puzzle toy
- 12:30 · NoonShort walk, another housetraining outing
- 16:00 · AfternoonPlay or gentle agility-style games
- 18:30 · EveningAnother walk and family time
- 21:00 · NightSettles near its people to sleep
Family and environment
Kids Conditional
Fine with gentle, respectful children; a small, quirky dog.
Dogs Moderate
Usually sociable with early socialization.
Cats Conditional
Often okay when raised together.
Apartment Conditional
Size fits, but housetraining struggles make it harder.
House with a yard Suitable
Easy outdoor access helps with housetraining.
City Conditional
Manageable with a committed routine.
Countryside Suitable
Room to explore suits its agile, curious nature.
Health data provided by RealVetCost Overall health burden Moderate
Detailed health data - inheritance, prevalence, course, and typical treatment costs - lives in a separate expert database. This is general guidance, not veterinary advice - confirm any decision with your vet.
View the full health profileTop health concerns
Lundehund syndrome (gastrointestinal) A set of digestive disorders including protein-losing enteropathy; the breed's defining and potentially serious health concern
Very small gene pool Extreme historical inbreeding; outcross programs aim to broaden genetics
Dental issues Missing or reduced teeth are common in the breed
Similar breeds - by reason
Not visually similar - similar in what they mean for you.
Another Norwegian spitz, easier to train
Norwegian Buhund
An energetic, trainable herding spitz that needs a job and plenty of exercise; bright, friendly, and vocal by nature.
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Small, agile Nordic hunting spitz
Finnish Spitz
A bright, foxy spitz and a famously vocal barker, rewarding for an active owner who can manage the noise and independence.
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Friendly, rare Nordic spitz breed
Icelandic Sheepdog
A friendly, vocal Nordic herding spitz - trainable and great with family, but talkative and shedding heavily, needing daily activity.
View profile →Frequently asked questions
How much does a Norwegian Lundehund cost in the US?
This is one of the rarest dog breeds in the world, with very few US breeders, so availability is extremely limited - expect long waitlists and likely an import. Purchase prices commonly run into the mid thousands before shipping. Beyond that, the breed's digestive disorder can mean special diets and significant ongoing vet costs, so budget generously; over a 12-14 year life, routine care plus possible GI management can add well beyond a typical small dog's $10,000-$18,000.
What is Lundehund syndrome?
It is a group of digestive disorders, often involving protein-losing enteropathy, that many Lundehunds develop at some point. It can range from mild and managed with diet to severe and life-limiting. It is the breed's defining health concern, so ask breeders directly about the gut health of their lines.
Are Norwegian Lundehunds hard to housetrain?
Yes. The breed is well known for being slow and inconsistent to housetrain, and patience is essential. Some individuals never become fully reliable indoors. Easy outdoor access and a consistent routine help.
Why does it have six toes?
The Lundehund is naturally polydactyl, with at least six toes on each foot, plus unusual joint flexibility, traits that helped it climb cliffs to hunt puffins in Norway. These features are part of the breed standard, not a defect.