Norwegian Lundehund

Norwegian Lundehunds are a particularly rare and interesting dog with characteristics not found in any other breed.

The Lundehund is the canine world's last example of genetically undisturbed breeding. It has the same jaw as the Varanger Dog (a fossilized dog found in north Lapland, Russia), which dates back 5000 years. Both these dogs have one less tooth, on both sides of the jaw, than other dogs. Some scientists suggest that Lundehunds are the original, "ur hund", and that it has survived from before the last Ice Age, on the outermost islands of Lofoten.

They originated in Norway around the 1500's and were primarily used for hunting Puffins along the Arctic Norwegian coast. 

What makes this dog so bizarre is it's astonishing flexibility. It has the capability to bend it's head backwards along it's own spine and turn it's forelegs to the side at a 90 degree angle-like human arms. Their ears, which are normally pointed up, can be folded forwards and backwards at will, and can be folded to a near-tight seal. The Lundehund is also poly-dactyl-meaning it has 6 toes, rather than 4-which gives it added agility along the sheer cliffs. 

It's bizarre physical attributes made the dog perfect for hunting the birds along near inaccessible nesting locations along steep cliffs. The many toes gave the dog a good foothold when it had to balance on steep cliffs or slippery rocks, and they were a great help when the dog had to crawl through difficult passageways. The dog used this extra toe as support, also to brake himself on slippery or uneven terrain, so that on the whole the dog was equipped to go where the man could not. Also when a Lundehund cannot crawl into a tunnel because there is little space overhead, he can lie on his side and squeeze himself farther in. In this position, he has to use the innermost toes, else he could get no foothold. Whenever he has to turn or wriggle in this sideways position, it is always this innermost toe which holds to the floor of the tunnels. The Lundehund has eight foot pads on each forefoot and seven on each hind foot. Their large foot pads are quite different from those of other dogs.

The characteristic fore shoulder-joints enabled the dog to "throw out his arms" if he lost his footing on slippery rock and was useful when he had to turn or shift in cramped passages.The mobility of the dog's neck was undoubtedly of great usefulness when he had to reverse himself in order to come out from the passages to the birds' nests.

The ears are an unusual characteristic that may have something to do with their need to orient themselves in a narrow passageway. When the passage, as so often is very narrow, the ear is flattened in against the head while the upper half of the cartilage can be raised separately and thus works as a receiver for sound. It is indeed unbelievable what nature has created here.

As far as their nature, these dogs are vibrant, kind, observant, clever, charming, loyal and smart. One dog in particular was even known once for saving a little girl who had fallen down a steep muddy cliff.

Due to recurring bouts of distemper in the dogs, and a following tax on every dog, the population on the island had dwindled down to just one. Luckily a woman named Eleanor Christie, who had previously adopted a few of the dogs once when she had seen them on a railway trip, sent some of her puppies to breed with the last dog. 

Distemper had come upon Mrs. Christie's dogs and all died but one. A fervent supporter and lover of this breed, she took on the task of saving the breed. With new-found interest in the dogs during the early 60's, a doctor and Vice President of the NKClub, with Mrs. Christie's help, was able to obtain a male dog. The Norwegian Lundehund Club was founded in 1962 with the purpose of preserving and improving the breed.

Of all my breed knowledge, I have to say this is the most remarkable dog I have ever had the pleasure of learning about.