Overview
The Lundehund was bred on remote Norwegian islands to climb sea cliffs and pull puffins from their burrows. To do that job it developed six toes on each foot, a neck that bends back to touch the spine, and shoulders that let the front legs stick out sideways. No other breed is built like it.
It is small, light and good-natured, alert without being nervy, and generally fine with other dogs. The breed nearly died out and remains rare everywhere, so most owners are devoted and well informed. The breed is well known for a digestive disorder that affects how it absorbs food, and that often shapes everyday handling.
Exercise and walking needs
An hour a day in two walks suits most adults. They are nimble rather than fast, enjoy clambering over rocks and walls, and like to poke their noses into every gap. A varied route with things to climb keeps them interested.
The coat copes with cold and wet without complaint. In heat they slow down like any northern dog, so plan shade and water on warm days.
On the walk
- Recall: Fair in quiet places but easily distracted by a scent or a hole in a bank. Off-lead in enclosed areas only, and expect the dog to vanish into cover briefly.
- Digging and climbing: They will dig at burrows and climb anything available. Keep them off cliffs and steep banks, however confident they look.
- Food: Many Lundehunds are on strict diets. Do not use your own treats, do not let them scavenge, and watch for signs of an upset stomach.
- Other dogs: Generally sociable and not quarrelsome. Their small size makes them vulnerable with rough players, so match company carefully.
Tips for professional walkers
- Carry only the treats the owner provides and keep the dog away from dropped food.
- Note any changes in appetite, stools or energy in your walk report; the owner will want to know.
- Use a harness; the unusual joints and small frame do not want pressure on the neck.
What to ask the owner
- Does the dog have the digestive condition associated with the breed, and what are its dietary rules?
- What symptoms should you watch for on a walk, and when should you call?
- Are there places the dog likes to dig or climb that you should steer away from?