Are you considering bringing a Norwegian Lundehund into your life? If so, it’s important to understand the cost involved in being able to properly care for this unique and rare dog breed. From initial purchase costs to ongoing expenses like food, grooming, and health care, there are a variety of factors that can impact the total cost of owning this dog. In this guide, we’ll break down the typical costs associated with owning a Norwegian Lundehund, so you can budget accordingly and ensure you’re providing the best possible care for your new furry friend. Whether you’re a first-time dog owner or a seasoned pro, this comprehensive guide will provide valuable insights into the financial aspects of owning a Norwegian Lundehund.
Average Cost of a Norwegian Lundehund Puppy & Subsequent Yearly Costs
Norwegian Lundehund Puppy Costs:
The Norwegian Lundehund dog is a rare breed that is highly adapted to life in the rugged terrain of Norway’s coastal islands. They are small, energetic, and friendly dogs that make great family companions. The Norwegian Lundehund is one of the rarest dog breeds in the world which is why the cost of Norwegian Lundehund puppies is much higher than most other breeds. The price guide for 2023 suggests that one of these puppies can cost from $1000 up to $3,000 depending on the quality and lineage, making the average cost of a puppy $2000. It is important to remember that this is an expensive breed, so potential owners should be prepared to invest in regular vet visits, high-quality food, and plenty of training and socialization. It is recommended that you don’t shop for a puppy on the lower end of the price range as this is normally indicative of puppies sourced from inhumane breeding facilities or puppy mills.
First-year costs should be an average of $3050, which includes vaccines, deworming, food, supplies, and routine vet visits.
Annual costs should be $1000, consisting of vet care and food costs.
Lifetime costs should be $16050
These average costs do NOT include sterilization, walking, grooming, training, etc.
Tips on Determining Where to Buy Your Norwegian Lundehund Puppy
It can be challenging to choose a breeder online with the large selection of pet merchants available. How can you be certain that your money isn’t funding inhumane puppy mills? Not to worry! We have all the knowledge you require to ensure that the furry buddy you welcome into your home is from a reliable source.
When Buying Your Puppy from a Local Breeder
Researching breeders and visiting them in person is one of the best ways to ensure that you’re purchasing a puppy from a trustworthy seller. The facility should be clean and well-kept, with healthy animals that have ample space for recreation and exercise.
Ask questions and research the breeder’s history. Learn how long they’ve been in business, where their puppies are from, and whether they offer health certificates for their puppies. An honest breeder will disclose any health issues in their dogs’ ancestry and will actively be taking precautions to avoid them. Additionally, they’ll be happy to respond to all of your inquiries before, during, and after the purchase of a pup.
If you have any reservations about a breeder, it would be best to instead find another one, as many trustworthy breeders out there prioritize the well-being of the animals.
When Buying Your Norwegian Lundehund Puppy Online
Sometimes, unfortunately, a breeder or merchant cannot always be seen in person as prospective pet owners are frequently purchasing from out-of-state and international breeders. However, precautions can be taken to guarantee that the pup comes from a secure and healthy environment free of any unethical procedures.
The Norwegian Lundehund is an American Kennel Club (AKC) approved breed and you can use the AKC breeder referral website when looking for a breeder. The organization will have conducted a thorough inspection of these reliable and trustworthy breeders, ensuring that their animals are bred in a secure and sanitary environment.
However, keep in mind that even though a breeder has the AKC seal of approval, you should still inquire about specifics and request to see images of their facilities.
Be sure to get as much information as you can about the breeder. It helps to check their website for reviews left by former clients and check social media profiles to get more information.
Lastly, it is crucial to ask a breeder about their breeding practices. If they refuse to give you information or answer any questions about their breeding practices, you should rather find someone else. A responsible breeder will always keep a record of their dogs lineage and have genetic testing done when pairing dogs for breeding.
You should ask about the breeders’ experience and knowledge of the Norwegian Lundehund breed, as well as their dogs’ lineage. It’s also important to inquire about any health problems that may be present in the bloodline of their puppies. Any puppies that are from a reputable breeder will have recent health documents, that they can give you. Additionally, you should find out what vaccines have been given to the puppies or other medical procedures carried out by a qualified veterinarian and if there is any guarantee on their health or behavior. By asking these questions, you can ensure that you are getting a healthy puppy from a reputable breeder.
Norwegian Lundehund at a Glance
The Norwegian Lundehund, or as some may say Norwegian puffin dog, this unique dog breed with its six toes on each foot is something to behold. It’s important to do your research and understand the breed’s unique needs. Here are some key traits and characteristics to keep in mind:
Temperament
Norwegian Lundehund is a quirky, independent, loyal, and very smart breed that has a strong sense of adventure. These unique dogs have a temperament all their own, and while they are considered to be very friendly and happy dogs, if not properly socialized from an early age they can be aloof with strangers.
Energy Levels
This is a playful breed of dog that has a lot of energy and requires daily exercise and playtime.
Norwegian Lundehund and Children
Norwegian Lundehunds are generally good with children and considered to be good family pets. However, dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little experience handling dogs.
Apartment-Friendly?
Despite their small size, they are without a doubt not intended for apartment or city living. The talkative nature of the Norwegian Lundehund can occasionally get them into trouble, neighbours won’t be very impressed with the noise. A house with a spacious yard for them to run around in would be more suitable.
Shedding Tendencies
The Norwegian Lundehund has a non-hypoallergenic thick, double-coated coat that is renowned for protecting them from the weather. Norwegian Lundehunds shed mainly in the spring and fall, the rest of the year they don’t shed much but weekly brushing will help to remove excess hair and keep them clean. As with any breed, individual dogs’ levels of shedding might vary, but it is generally acknowledged that the Norwegian Lundehund won’t shed for 10 months of the year.
Factors Affecting a Norwegian Lundehund Puppy’s Price
Size
This dog breed is considered to be small to medium size. A male will measure 13-15 inches from foot to shoulder while a female is slightly smaller measuring between 12-14 inches.
Color
The Norwegian Lundehund coat colors are most commonly white, a reddish brown, or brown with the tips of the hair being black, black, or gray with white markings or white and sable.
Breeder
Due to this breed being quite rare, Norwegian Lundehund puppies can be hard to come by. This is because the breed became endangered due to a distemper outbreak during World War II. there were very few Norwegian Lundehunds left meaning the genetic pool was small and caused a genetic bottleneck. To this day a good breeder will have their puppies health screened for genetic health issues. A good breeder will have all the health checks done and proof thereof as well as the puppy’s first vaccination, all this adding to the cost of the puppy.
Adoption
Since this breed is so scarce it can be difficult to find a breeder and if you do the price of a puppy might be slightly out of your budget, adoption is always a great place to start and the Norwegian Lundehund Association of America has dedicated itself to all areas of the Norwegian Lundehund in the U.S. They have a special Norwegian Lundehund Rescue Center for these dogs and you can contact them when looking to adopt.
Lineage
As mentioned above the breed has undergone a severe loss of genetic diversity. As a result, the Norwegian Lundehund Club, with the help of several geneticists, is currently engaged in a cross-breeding effort for the Norwegian Lundehunds. To decrease harmful recessive genetic abnormalities, the initiative hopes to use a breeding approach in which the Norwegian Lundehund is crossed with chosen individuals from a variety of other Nordic dog breeds, such as the Norwegian Buhund, Icelandic Sheepdog, and Norrbottenspets. Therefore pedigree and bloodlines aren’t looked at the same way as in other breeds, the focus is to get more genetic diversity in puppies and not so much having a pure bloodline.
Age
Naturally, the demand for a puppy is greater than for an adult or senior dog. They are easier to train and of course, their cuteness is a major draw card, therefore making the price of Norwegian Lundehund puppies much greater than that of an older dog.
Geographic Location
The price of Norwegian Lundehund puppies might vary greatly depending on their region. Norwegian Lundehund puppies, for example, may be more expensive in high-demand urban areas than in rural areas.
Furthermore, particular localities may have a higher concentration of good breeders, resulting in a higher average price for Norwegian Lundehund puppies in that area.
It is crucial to note, however, that location should not be the main consideration while looking for a Norwegian Lundehund. Ultimately, potential owners should prioritize finding trustworthy and ethical Norwegian Lundehund breeders irrespective of location.
Basic Dog Supplies Cost in the USA
Before you even think about bringing home your new puppy you need to ensure your home is prepared. Ensure everything is in order and nothing that can be chewed or considered a hazard is left lying around. This will ensure the initial days are smooth sailing.
Supplies that you will need to purchase are a collar and leash, grooming tools such as nail clippers and a brush, a bed and crate if you wish to have your pup sleep in a crate, toys, food, and water bowls, and of course some yummy treats! The total initial cost of these supplies should be roughly $200 – $300.
Norwegian Lundehund Training Costs
There are various kinds of dog training, and each kind has a different cost. Depending on the type of behavior you want your dog to exhibit, you can select from service or therapy dog training, advanced obedience training, basic puppy house training, dog aggression training, and advanced training.
The cost of each training session varies depending on the dog trainer and where you reside.
Between $25 and $50 might be spent on a basic one-on-one or private dog training session. Group training sessions range in price from $10 to $30 per session, which is somewhat cheaper. The benefit of group lessons is that your Norwegian Lundehund will get early socialization and develop the necessary social skills by interacting with other dogs.
This breed is highly adaptable to different environments and can be trained for various purposes, including search and rescue, agility, obedience, and tracking. They have an even temperament and are friendly with other animals and humans. Socialization from an early age is essential for the Lundehund to become a well-behaved companion dog. Training should be fun, positive, consistent, and reward-based to ensure the best results.
Training can at times be hindered by a puppy’s tendency to become sidetracked during group exercises or by the fact that the puppy is unfamiliar with other animals. If they haven’t yet received the required socialization, there is the chance that they could also not get along with other dogs.
Some dog owners even go as far as enrolling their canine companions in boot camps specifically designed for extraordinarily well-behaved dogs. These can cost between $500 and $1,250 per week and include boarding for several weeks.
If a dog owner is seasoned and familiar with the fundamentals of obedience training, they may not need to spend money on training. On the other hand, inexperienced dog owners might not have the necessary knowledge to train the dog on their own.
Food Costs for Norwegian Lundehund in the USA
One of the most significant monthly costs you will incur is food. There are different opinions on what diet is best suited for a Norwegian Lundehund, some argue that a raw diet is best as these dogs are hunting dogs and were bred for hunting puffins ( the word Lundhund in Norwegian translates to ‘puffin dog’) and therefore a raw diet would be best as it would be most similar to what they would eat in nature. On the other hand, some say they will do well on high-quality dog food as it provides them with a balanced diet and this is safer since some of these dogs suffer from gastrointestinal problems. Either way, they do require a high-protein diet. You can talk to your veterinarian about your pet’s diet as it matures. They can point you in the direction of the best kibble brands or raw feeding regimes and appropriate feeding recommendations for your puppy.
Your puppy will still be adjusting to its new home during its first few days. With all the changes they have already had to endure it’s best to avoid giving it anything new to eat, try to continue feeding it the same food that the breeder did and after a few weeks slowly start to introduce new food if you wish.
It’s important to remember that a puppy needs to be fed puppy food as it provides them with the extra vitamins and minerals they need for growing and developing. Once they have finished growing, which is usually around 9 months old for smaller dogs, the transition to adult dog food can begin.
Puppies will normally be fed smaller meals 4 times a day, as the dog ages the amount of times fed a day will decrease to 3 and eventually just to twice a day with an adult dog. Directions on how to feed your dog can be found on the feeding guide at the back of the food bag.
Depending on the quality you choose, you can anticipate spending between $19 and $70 on your dog’s food. The average cost each month for anything in the middle range is $33.
Medical Costs for Norwegian Lundehund in the USA
In the first year, your puppy will require a number of vaccinations to prevent various diseases including distemper, hepatitis, rabies, etc. Your veterinarian may also recommend additional/ optional vaccinations like those for kennel cough, Lyme disease, and other diseases depending on risk factors.
In addition, You will also need to have your Norwegian Lundehund dog spayed or neutered.
Deworming is an additional precaution you can take to prevent parasite infestations like giardia, hookworm, tapeworm, etc. When the puppy is a few weeks old, deworming starts, and it continues until the dog is an adult. Most veterinarians advise a deworming course, which you must be adhered to.
Additionally, your Norwegian Lundehund puppy will require flea, tick, and mite treatment. Intense itching, hair loss, blisters, secondary skin infections, and even illnesses like Lyme disease in dogs can be brought on by these microscopic external parasites.
Another thing to take into consideration when calculating the average cost of veterinary visits is where you live as this will differ between states. On average a dog’s annual vet costs would be around $600.
Vaccines
Vaccines against rabies, canine parvovirus, canine distemper, and canine adenovirus (commonly known as hepatitis) are among the most important ones for dogs. It is of utmost importance that all dogs have the recommended vaccinations since these illnesses can be extremely contagious and potentially fatal.
Depending on the lifestyle and particular risk factors of a dog, non-core or optional vaccinations may also be advised. These can consist of kennel cough, leptospirosis, and Lyme disease vaccinations.
To ensure your dog is completely protected against preventable diseases, it is crucial to go over your dog’s vaccine requirements with a veterinarian.
The first year of vaccinations for your new puppy will cost you around $170. Thankfully the cost will start to decrease as your dog ages as boosters may not be required for all the different vaccinations.
Sterilization
Your Norwegian Lundehund puppy may already have been spayed or neutered depending on their age when you get them, especially if you buy from a reputable breeder.
If not, you can anticipate paying anywhere between $100 and $500. Due to spaying being a more invasive and slightly more complex procedure, it is more expensive than neutering a dog.
Deworming
The Norwegian Lundehund has a predisposition to Lundehund syndrome a condition that affects all members of the breed to some degree. It is a collective term for a group of intestinal disorders. Because of this, it’s quite imperative to prevent them from getting any intestinal parasites as this could lead to complications. Deworming is, therefore, an important step in caring for your dog, this can be done as often as every 3 months. The brand of dewormer you decide to use can be either your personal preference or what is recommended by your veterinarian. The average annual cost of deworming based on a middle-priced dewormer is around $60.
Common Health Conditions in Norwegian Lundehund
The Norwegian Lundehund breed is overall quite a healthy breed, and a responsible breeder will screen for hereditary conditions. This being said, the breed as a whole is predisposed to a condition called Lundehund syndrome.
Lundehund Syndrome
This is a collective name for several intestinal problems. The most common is Lundehund gastroenteropathy which leads to the overgrowth of digestive bacteria and therefore a loss of the ability to absorb nutrients from their food. Thankfully this disease can be managed though there is no cure.
Patellar luxation
The patella, or knee cap, of your dog, rests in a groove on the knee. The kneecap luxating from the groove is known as patellar luxation.
Patellar luxation’s precise cause isn’t well understood. It can occasionally be the outcome of a severe knee injury.
Usually, a congenital or developmental defect causes patellar luxation. Patellar luxation is a diagnosis made in about 7% of puppies.
The symptoms will tell you the severity of the disease. The most typical symptom is a leg lift and brief skipping.
Eye issues
Eye disorders such as cataracts, glaucoma, and primary lens luxation (PLL) are common in Norwegian Lundehunds. Given that they are inherited or develop spontaneously with a dog’s age, eye issues are difficult to prevent.
Most of these eye disorders share the following symptoms:
- Squinting
- Watery eyes
- Cloudiness in the eyes
- Redness in the eye’s whites
In severe circumstances, eye disorders might lead to blindness. Early intervention is crucial.
Periodontal disease.
The most prevalent dental condition in canines is periodontal disease. The gum tissue that surrounds your dog’s teeth, or periodontium, becomes infected as a result of gingivitis.
Adult dogs are frequently affected by periodontal disease. Gingivitis develops, before the onset of periodontal disease.
Many dogs with periodontal disease don’t exhibit any signs of it. Your dog’s teeth need to be examined by you and your veterinarian for tartar and inflammation.
Periodontal disease is primarily treated with professional cleaning. In extreme circumstances, tooth extraction may be required.
Additional Costs of Raising Your Norwegian Lundehund
Pet Insurance
As you can see, medical conditions have the potential of becoming very costly when owning a Norwegian Lundehund. Though you may hesitate to consider it, you should be ready in case your Norwegian Lundehund requires medical attention due to an accident, an injury, or a diagnosis of an inherited condition.
Vet bills can be covered by a reliable dog insurance plan. You can reduce the cost of many pricey veterinary treatments by choosing the correct plan. You never want to have to say no to medical care for your fur baby just because of the cost
Depending on what is covered in the chosen plan, pet insurance costs typically range between $15 and $50 each month, and are a definite worthwhile investment.
Boarding Costs
Sometimes taking your Norwegian Lundehund with you on your travels just isn’t an option in that case you would need to hire a pet sitter. The majority of sitters charge between $25 and $75 per day. Alternatively, you might have your pet boarded at a dog hostel. Most dog boarding facilities charge between $30 and $50 per night, with $40 being the average.
Dog Walking
Norwegian Lundehunds are known for their energy levels and need daily exercise to stay healthy and happy.
The Norwegian Lundehund requires at least an hour of playtime and exercise every day. This can include walking, running, playing fetch, or any other activity that will keep them active. They also need outside playtime, so having a nice yard is always a bonus.
Owners should make sure to provide the minimum daily exercise requirements for their Norwegian Lundehunds to keep them healthy and content.
Sometimes though we lead busy lives and there aren’t enough hours in the day to still go for a walk, in this case, you should consider hiring a dog walker. They will charge between $15 and $30 for a 30-minute- walk (this however is dependent on location).
Grooming
The Norwegian Lundehund has a generally low-maintenance coat, brushing once a week should remove excess debris and hair, this may need to be done a bit more during shedding season just to remove all those extra loose hairs.
Bathing can be done once a month unless they have had a jolly time playing in the dirt, and an added bonus is they don’t need to be shaved as their coat is already quite short.
Most of this grooming can be done at home, though if you choose to get it done professionally, it will cost around $80 – $100.
Norwegian Lundehund Cost FAQs
How Do I Find a Norwegian Lundehund Puppy For Sale?
To be honest, with how rare the breed is, it’s hard! The sad truth is that the vast majority of people offering Norwegian Lundehund puppies for sale are unknowledgeable and irresponsible.
For help and information, you can visit the Norwegian Lundehund Association of America.
If you are looking to adopt the Norwegian Lundehund Association of America Rescue.
What are Some Similar Breeds to Consider if I am Interested in Norwegian Lundehund?
If you are looking for breeds that are similar to the Norwegian Lundehund you can have a look at the following:
- Finnish Spitz
- Norwegian Buhund
- Finnish Lapphund
Can I Afford a Norwegian Lundehund?
The average cost of a Norwegian Lundehund is around $2000 and yes that is quite a hefty amount. The annual cost of owning a Norwegian Lundehund is around $1000. You can use these amounts as a guideline and read this article to help you decide if you are financially ready for a Norwegian Lundehund.
Can I Rescue a Norwegian Lundehund?
Since the Norwegian Lundehund is such a rare breed they are harder to come by and won’t necessarily be available at your local shelter. However, you can visit the Norwegian Lundehund Association of America Rescue.
Why are Norwegian Lundehund So Expensive?
The Norwegian Lundehund price is higher than most breeds simply because of its rarity, there aren’t many available and breeders are few and far between. Breeders have to do a lot of health checks to ensure that they are breeding their dogs well to ensure the quality of the breed.
What Should I Ask a Norwegian Lundehund Breeder Before Purchasing From Them?
Inquire about the breeders’ experience and knowledge of the Norwegian Lundehund breed, as well as the lineage of their dogs. Knowing where the parents come from and their temperament is always helpful, you can also inquire if the breeder has any guarantee on the puppies’ health and temperament.
Ask about any health problems that may exist in their puppies’ bloodline. It is also crucial to find out what vaccines the puppies have received and if they have been dewormed. Depending on how old the puppy is upon purchase you will need to find out if sterilization has been done.
If the breeder is located near enough to you, you can ask them to view their facility, this will also help you determine if the puppies come from a clean and healthy environment and if they have been well cared for!
A responsible Norwegian Lundehund breeder will have the following certificates for both parents’ dogs
- a certificate from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) – stating that the dog is free of any eye diseases (dated within the past year).
- a certificate from the Orthopedic Foundation of America (OFA) stating that the dog has normal knee function.
Mistakes to Avoid When Purchasing a Norwegian Lundehund
- Avoid purchasing from anyone who is not a proper breeder, you won’t be getting a purebred Norwegian Lundehund.
- Thinking that these dogs are readily available in your area – the truth is they are very hard to come by and you may not find a breeder near you.
- Purchasing a puppy without asking about the dog’s lineage and parents’ health certificates.
Who are the Best Norwegian Lundehund Breeders in the USA?
As mentioned before reputable breeders for this breed are few and far between.
Some breeders recommended by the Norwegian Lundehund Association of America are:
- Lundejeger Kennels (Wellington, FL) – lhustad@aol.com
- Midnattssol Lundehunds (Mukilteo, WA) –suelyntorg@comcast.net
- Neocles Kennel (Biloxi, MS) – lettybiloxi@aol.com
- Norstar Kennels (Jordan, NY) – judysanderson2@ twcny.rr. com
- Sakari Kennels (Franktown, Colorado) – Sakarikennel@yahoo.com
Can I Purchase a Norwegian Lundehund from a Foreign Breeder?
Purchasing from a foreign breeder is always an option but you have to understand it’s not a straightforward process and you need to do some research.
If you want to import a Norwegian Lundehund from a high-risk listed rabies country it will need to have a valid CDC Rabies vaccination as well as a Microchip Record and adequate rabies serologic titer. If they don’t they will have to complete a 28-day quarantine at the US animal care facility.
Importers importing up to 2 dogs that don’t have a CDC dog import permit will also be required to quarantine their dogs for 28 days.
From the beginning of March 2023, in order to obtain a permit or make a reservation, a valid CDC Rabies Vaccination and Microchip Record is required.
If a country is not listed as a high-risk rabies country the CDC strongly recommends having the dog vaccinated against rabies, though, the additional requirements do not apply.
You can read more about the CDC rules and regulations on importing a dog here.
Summing Up – How Much Does it Cost to Own a Norwegian Lundehund?
First Year Costs
Your costs incurred in the first year of owning your Norwegian Lundehund puppy will be based on the cost of the puppy you purchase which is usually between $1000 and $3000 from a reputable breeder, other expenses include dog supplies such as a bed, crate, collar and leash, toys and bowls, food, your puppies initial vaccinations, deworming, and routine vet visits, this all amounting to an average of $3050.
Annual Costs
After the first year, costs will decrease as your puppy will only need to receive annual vaccinations, and other than buying some new replacement toys every now and then, you will already have most of the supplies needed, therefore your biggest annual cost will be on food and veterinary care. This amounts to an average of $1000 per annum.
Lifetime Costs
Other than the cost of purchasing a puppy the Norwegian Lundehund cost overall in comparison to other dogs is low as they have fewer health issues, don’t require much grooming and since they are a smaller breed they don’t eat that much. They have a lifespan of 12 -14 years, therefore, the lifetime average cost will be $16050.
Bringing a Norwegian Lundehund into your home is an exciting and rewarding experience. This breed is known for its intelligence, loyalty, and playfulness, making it the perfect addition to any family. With proper care and dedication, you can look forward to many fun years ahead with your new family member.
