The Norwegian Lundehund: The Puffin Dog

The Norwegian Lundehund is one of the most uniquewho kept two or three of these dogs, not only to
dogs in existence. One could call it a "super dog" in itsprovide food for their table but to provide income from
field, for it is curiously equipped to perform an exactthe sale of the feathers. Gradually there was less
function and has features which are not present in anydemand for the Puffin dogs when the farmers began
other breed. The Lundehund is an ancient breed ofto use nets for the capture of the birds. In the more
dog, which still exists today, useful in the specific taskisolated villages the Norwegian Lundehund continued to
of hunting the Puffin Bird. This bird is a small penguinbe used and it is probably only because of their
type which nests in tight crevices in rocks and caves.isolation that the breed survived the changes.
The Lundehund has at least six double or triple jointedAround 1925 the breed had dropped so drastically in
toes on each foot, a double jointed neck which allowsnumber that it was very near extinction. Around that
it to twist its head almost completely backwards andtime the Christie family, who were breeders of English
upside down and ears which close up to preventSetters, became interested and made efforts to
water from getting inside.re-establish the breed. The Distemper outbreaks during
The standard of the breed requires very specific footthe second World War nearly decimated the
structure: there must be at least six digits on each footpopulation again and it was only through the
(many have up to eight) and of those digits at leastintervention of the Christies that the breed managed to
five must be a support for the dog. All five of the toessurvive and then in greatly reduced numbers. By 1960
on the front and four on the back, must have threethe count was exceedingly low and Mrs. Christie, at
joints, the rest must all have double joints. The shoulderthe age of 70, again attempted to resurrect the original
joints are also constructed so as to allow the dog tobloodlines. It is believed that she re-established the
spread its front legs out at right angles to its body. Allbreed with only five specimens of the original breeding
of these features are tools which the dog uses tostock.
reach into the rocks and caves which are the nestingToday there are active clubs around the world who
places of the Puffin Bird and drag out the bird or itsprotect and cherish this unusual breed. The dog is a
abandoned nest. Because of this breed's unique nature,member of the F.S.S. of the American Kennel club.
the Norwegian Lundehund and the Puffin Bird which itThose who keep this dog as a pet need to be aware
hunts are now protected by the Government ofthat there are some health problems associated with
Norway and by conservationist organizations.the breed. The Lundehund Association lists four
Not surprisingly, the breed is also called the Puffin Dog.specific diseases which are also common to some
The Puffin Dog was extremely useful and found inother breeds. These are all related to gastrointestinal
large numbers during the 17th and 18th centuries inproblems which can be life threatening or require
Norway. The local people used the dog to hunt the birdspecial diets. Testing can be done for these and it is
for their own table use and also to sell the downhighly important that breeders test for these conditions
feathers to Europe and England. Down pillows madebefore using any dog for breeding. Pet owners need
from this bird were much in demand and until the useto keep in touch with the breeders of the dog for
of nets became popular there were many familiesgeneral health care questions.