Have you ever thought about sharing your home with a cheerful little dog who looks like a cute and cuddly fox, but comes with an extraordinary number of toes and the ability to perform incredible gymnastic tricks that would earn a gold medal in doggy Olympics? Welcome to the wonderful world of the Norwegian Lundehund, an ancient breed of dog that hails from the wild windswept cliffs of Norway. But before you jump into a relationship with this unique canine, there’s one question that might be on your mind – does the Norwegian Lundehund shed a lot?
Here’s an interesting fact you may not have heard before: like most dog breeds, the Norwegian Lundehund does indeed shed its coat. But unlike dogs like the famously hairy Golden Retriever, the amount of fur you’ll find on your couch, in your car, and, yes, even in your mouth, will not consume your life nor require an industrial-strength vacuum cleaner.
Without further ado, let’s dive deeper into the shedding habits of the fabulous Norwegian Lundehund.
Originating from the rocky island of Vaeroy in Norway, the Norwegian Lundehund has been around since before the Vikings. They were bred for hunting puffins – yes, those adorable little birds with a colorful beak. These agile dogs literally climbed cliffs and squeezed into narrow passages to catch their prey, hence their flexible bodies and higher than average number of toes – six on each foot, to be precise!
Lundehunds sport a double coat, meaning they have a dense, soft undercoat that provides warmth, and a tough and water-resistant outer coat to protect them from the harsh Norwegian weather. Now, the mixture of the two can result in an interesting array of shedding patterns which varies from one dog to another. So, when we are talking about a Lundehund shedding, it’s typically about this undercoat, just like a husky or a German Shepherd.
As seasons change, especially when transitioning into warmer months, Lundehunds, like many double-coated breeds, “blow” their undercoat. This is characterized by heavier than usual shedding over a period of 2-3 weeks, as the dog prepares for the summer by losing its winter coat. So, during this time, you might feel like you are living in a fur blizzard, and that’s normal.
What about the rest of the year? Well, the good news is that Norwegian Lundehunds don’t shed all that heavily in regular times. Yes, you will still find hair on your clothing and furniture–after all, this isn’t a hypoallergenic breed–but it’s less profuse compared to many other breeds.
Have you had your heart set on a Lundehund but are now getting cold feet about the fur issue? Worry not, there’s no need to back out from adopting one of these wonderful dogs. With regular grooming and care, you can control and effectively manage shedding.
Start by establishing a regular grooming routine. Brushing your Lundehund a couple of times a week will greatly reduce the amount of hair floating around your home. This might need to increase to daily brushing during the shedding season. Brushing not only helps to remove the loose hair, but it also distributes natural oils produced by the skin, which keeps the coat healthy and shiny.
Regular baths can also help to control shedding. However, be careful not to overdo it. Excessive bathing can strip the coat of its natural oils, leading to dry, itchy skin and can even increase the amount of hair loss.
More than anything else, a good diet plays an incredibly influential role in your pet’s skin and coat health. Feed your Lundehund high-quality, nutritionally balanced dog food, and keep them hydrated. Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids can promote a healthy coat and reduce unwanted shedding.
To conclude, yes, the Norwegian Lundehund does shed, but it’s not an overwhelmingly daunting issue. With the right approach towards grooming and feeding them right, you can certainly mitigate the hair situation.
So don’t let a little hair come between you and the potential bond with a personality-packed puffin-pest. Armed with a good brush, a reliable vacuum cleaner, a balanced diet and lots of love, you and your Norwegian Lundehund can enjoy a life of companionship, adventure and minimal ‘fur-niture’ woes!
