Norwegian Lundehund
The Norwegian Lundehund is one of the most anatomically unusual domestic dogs in the world — it has six toes on each foot (polydactyly), can tilt its head back to touch its own spine, can fold its ears closed, and has flexible shoulder joints that allow the front legs to extend straight out to the sides.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Origin
Norway
Lifespan
12–15 years
Weight
6–9 kg (13–20 lbs)
Height
32–38 cm (12–15 in)
Exercise
20 to 30 min/day
Diet
Omnivore — high-quality food. Due to Lundehund Syndrome, a highly digestible, low-fat diet is often required from middle age.
Taxonomic Hierarchy
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Mammalia
Order
Carnivora
Family
Canidae
Genus
Canis
The Story
The Norwegian Lundehund is one of the most anatomically unusual domestic dogs in the world — it has six toes on each foot (polydactyly), can tilt its head back to touch its own spine, can fold its ears closed, and has flexible shoulder joints that allow the front legs to extend straight out to the sides. These adaptations evolved for a single purpose: hunting puffins on the steep sea cliffs of the Lofoten and Vesterålen islands of Norway, where the dogs had to navigate narrow cliff ledges, reach into tight puffin burrows, and contort their bodies through extremely tight spaces. The breed nearly went extinct twice and remains rare. It also has a serious gastrointestinal condition — Lundehund Syndrome — that affects most individuals.
Also Known As
Quick Facts
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Physical Profile
Source: wikimedia
A small, rectangular spitz-type dog with a double coat. The most distinctive physical features are the six fully articulated toes (vs five for most dogs), the extreme neck flexibility, and the closeable ears. The extra toes each have a dewclaw and full toe pad, making the feet unusually broad and gripping.
Grooming
Low
Shedding
Moderate
Brushing
1-2x-Weekly
Bathing
Every-6-8-Weeks
Coat Colors
Recognized By
Source: wikimedia
Temperament & Personality
Alert, independent, and curious — the Lundehund retains primitive instincts. Loyal to its family but independent-minded. Energetic and playful. The independent nature means training requires patience and creativity.
Personality Scores
Adaptability
3/5Attention Need
3/5Friendliness
3/5Playfulness
3/5Protectiveness
2/5Living Profile
Ideal Space
House-Small-Garden
Daily Exercise
20 to 30 min/day
Ideal Weather
-15°C to 20°C
Cognitive Benchmarks
Adaptability
30%
Attention
30%
Playfulness
30%
Communication Style
Stress Signals
GI distress, wariness, hiding, aloofness
Care & Wellness
Professional Care Protocol
- •1–1.5 hours vigorous exercise daily including climbing. The breed thrives on activities that engage its unusual physical capabilities. Low grooming. Lundehund Syndrome management requires veterinary monitoring — low-fat, highly digestible diet from middle age recommended preventively.
Nutrition Notes
Lundehund Syndrome (intestinal lymphangiectasia/IBD) affects MOST Lundehunds — LOW-FAT, easily digestible diet essential. Protein-losing enteropathy. May need prescription GI diet lifelong. This is the breed's defining health crisis.
Vaccination Schedule
Vaccination Schedule
Senior Care
Lundehund Syndrome (LS) — intestinal lymphangiectasia/IBD. Affects majority of the breed. Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE). Can be fatal if untreated. Low-fat, easily digestible diet is MANDATORY. SIX TOES on each foot (polydactyly). Can bend head backward to touch spine. Can close ear canals shut. Bred to hunt puffins on Norwegian cliffs. Most anatomically unique dog breed alive. 12-14 years (if LS managed).
Wellbeing Activities
Nutrition & Sustenance
Daily Calories (Adult)
600 kcal
Daily Calories (Young)
400 kcal
Recommended Foods
Foods to Avoid
Health Overview
Lundehund Syndrome (intestinal lymphangiectasia and protein-losing enteropathy) — a serious gastrointestinal condition affecting the majority of Lundehunds in their lifetime. Signs include weight loss, diarrhoea, and low protein levels. Managed with diet (very low fat, highly digestible) and medication. There is no cure — management is lifelong. This is the primary health concern for the breed.
Common Conditions
Price Estimates
Pricing Guide
Average estimates as of 2025
SIX TOES. Can close ears. Can touch spine with head. Lundehund Syndrome (GI disease) affects most dogs — significant ongoing vet costs. India: unavailable.
Purchase Price
$2,000 to $4,000
Adoption Fee
$100 to $500
Data from 2025
Fun Facts
The Norwegian Lundehund has six fully functional, articulated toes on each foot — unlike the extra dewclaws of some breeds, the Lundehund's extra toes are complete with bones, joints, and pads, giving it exceptional grip on cliff faces.
The Lundehund can tilt its head backwards until it touches its own spine and fold its ears completely closed to keep out dirt when crawling through puffin burrows — no other domestic dog has this range of anatomical flexibility.
The breed was nearly wiped out by canine distemper in the 1940s, reducing the entire population to just six individuals on Vaeröy island. The modern Lundehund descends from those six dogs — making it one of the most genetically bottlenecked dog breeds on Earth.
