A NORWEGIAN WHAT???

By Daniel Walford & Gail Hussar

What is it? Is it a fox? Isn't it cute! What kind of dog is that? These are just
some of the questions people ask us whenever we take our animals out with
us. It's a Lundehund! It is a Norse Lundehund, and this translates into
English as Norwegian Puffin (lunde) dog (hund). Puffins are sea birds that
inhabit the rugged coasts of Norway. They live and nest in the crevices and
caves of the cliffs that line Norway's shores.

The local people long ago trained and used these sharp, agile little dogs to
hunt Puffin birds. Any farmer who owned these dogs valued them as highly as
he did his cows. They not only supplied the farmer and his family with a tasty
source of meat and downy feathers, but they also could market any extra for
another source of income.

Physically, they are a small dog about 14 inches tall weigh around 15 pounds.
The male is slightly larger than the female. Their coats are primarily a
reddish-brown (fox-like) color with two layers of hair. The undercoat is a
fluffy soft fawn, and the rougher, outer coat can be blacked tipped. Their
white markings can include collars, chest, feet, legs, a white tip on the end of
the tail and possibly a stripe down the forehead and nose. Many show the
mask features of wolves and huskies and a saddle marking behind shoulders.

The age of the breed brings about much speculation. The first written
reference to these dogs dates back to the 19th Century, and they had been
bred in isolation for hundreds of years. Now for the fun stuff! These adorable
dogs really love people of all ages with a joyful abandon, and they trully revel
in human company. A lap is a most favored place, and after their initial
excitement wanes, their eyes close with sheer joy from the love and attention
you give them. My face is never cleaner than after I have held one of my
friends. Of Course, I have to supply my own towel or shirt sleeve!

These loving animals are such fun. Even the older dogs retain their puppy
playfulness. They will come to you with their favorite toy and tease you into
chasing them for it. They went crazy over the straw-bale castle we built for
them. Their playing may be games such as, king of the mountain, hide and
seek, find me if you can, or a session of running leaps and bounds on and
over and in and out of the bales. Whew! What Gymnasts!

We have made a variety of toys out of cloth and leather for their enjoyment
(and our enjoyment, too). They are like children in that they lose interest in
the toy if you leave, or want what they are not supposed to have. And, I dare
you to try to get it back without a good chase. Also, if they should outsmart
you once, they remember. You will have to be inventive the next time.

They tend to retain some feral instincts which appear in their social behaviors
and personal characteristics. Such as, caching food and toys for later, and
they will move these hidden treasures if they feel the need to do so. They go to
great lengths to find the right place to stash their stuff. Pieces of food are
stuck here and there; and if eating is not a priority at the moment, theymay
hide a whole bowl of food. My favorite incident was when Bobbie couldn't
push her dish of unfinished food under anything that suited her, so she finally
just covered the dish with my husband's socks. He didn't think it was as cute
as I did. Oh, well!

Lundehunds are very intelligent and just a little stubborn. So, house breaking
can be somewhat more challenging than with ordinary dogs. However, we do
know people whose Lundehund sleeps on the bed with them at night. I am
sure this arrangement dearly please the Lundehund. They are extremely tuned
into the coming and going on our farm, and they always lets us know when
something is new or different.

The Lundehund is the only breed in the world with as many consistent
physical anomalies as they have. The most noticeable is the six toes they have
on each foot. Te foot pad also reflects this difference in its shape and contour.
They have different or more control over the muscles in their ears. They can
scrunch them closed in an unusual position that keeps water and dirt out. The
neck has special joints, and it is so flexible that it can turn its head 180
degrees over its back.

This physical feature, no doubt, allows it to turn around in tight places. This
neck structure is unique only to two mammals in the world--Lundehunds and
reindeer. Another peculiar feature are their shoulder joints, which are
moveable and enable them to spread their legs out quite wide to keep their
center of gravity when they are close to a steep cliff and to help them
maneuver over rough terrain. Imagine yourself holding your arms out at
shoulder length as if blocking a doorway. This is what this unusual dog can do
with its forelegs. They can actually extend their forelegs at right angles!
Amazing, huh?

These special shoulder joints also cause the Lundehund to have a peculiar
gait. Instead of tracking one foot behind the other, the front legs and feet
paddle or swing out as they move. This distinctive movement only adds to
their charm.

Charming they are! These extraordinary dogs are often described by their
owners as loyal, affectionate, kind, clever, observant, lively, playful, and
happy. What more could you expect from the world's most unique
and rarest dogs?

Tragically, after World War II, the Lundehund population was decimated by
disease, and its numbers dwindled to only six dogs.

Now, due to the noble efforts of special people, this rare and wonderful dog
has been saved from extinction. Currently, there are about 200 Lundehunds
registered in the United States, and possibly 1,000 worldwide. This is not great
numbers, yet. They usually have small litters, but these numbers are a good
comeback none-the-less.

The Lundehund can be registered with the Norwegian Lundehund Club of
America or the Canadian Kennel Club. They can be shown in American Rare
Breed Association shows, as well as club sponsored shows.

It is our hope that you will come to know and appreciate this unique dog as
we have. They have certainly added a new dimension of pleasure in our life. If
you would like more information, call us.

Our Serendipity Acres
1876 Old Topside Rd.
Louisville, TN 37777
(423) 970-3514