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Bedlington Terrier vs Norwegian Lundehund

Side-by-side comparison across all 14 AKC trait ratings, with a clear verdict on which breed fits which kind of household.

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The bottom line

Bedlington Terrier vs Norwegian Lundehund

You don’t see people comparing Bedlingtons and Lundehunds every day, but when they do, it’s usually because they want a rare, medium-small dog with a weird look and a lot of personality. Both are quirky, loyal, and active enough to keep up with an energetic household. But that’s where the similarities fade like old denim. The Bedlington is the charmer, the greyhound in a lamb’s coat, bred to dart through coal mines after rats and badgers. He’s got that soft, woolly coat that doesn’t shed much. great if you’ve got allergies. but it needs serious grooming. Skip it and you’ll have a matted disaster. He’s playful, affectionate in bursts, but can be stubborn in training and won’t always come when called if he spots a squirrel. He’s better for someone who likes structure but doesn’t mind a little terrier drama. The Lundehund is something else entirely. Six toes per foot, ears that fold shut, a neck that bends backward. this dog evolved to climb sheer cliffs and wriggle into puffin burrows. That specialization comes at a cost. His digestive system is fragile, prone to a unique syndrome that requires lifelong dietary care. He’s independent, sometimes aloof, and not the kind of dog who’ll learn “stay” the first ten times. He thrives with experienced owners who respect his quirks instead of trying to bulldoze them. If you want a hypoallergenic apartment dog with flair and don’t mind grooming fights, go Bedlington. If you’re fascinated by biological oddities and want a dog that feels like a living fossil, the Lundehund could be your obsession. Just know this: the Lundehund isn’t just high-maintenance in health, he’s emotionally reserved. He won’t smother you with love. But if he chooses you? That quiet loyalty runs deep.

Bedlington Terrier
Norwegian Lundehund
15–17.5 in
Height
12–15 in
17–23 lb
Weight
20–30 lb
11–16 yr
Lifespan
12–15 yr
$1.8–3.5k
Puppy price
$1.5–3.5k
#141
AKC popularity
#191

Trait-by-trait

Higher bar = more of that trait. Shedding, barking, drooling, grooming flipped for readability.
Affectionate w/ Family
Good with Young Children
Good with Other Dogs
Shedding Level
Coat Grooming
Drooling Level
Good with Strangers
Playfulness
Watchdog / Protective
Adaptability
Trainability
Energy Level
Barking Level
Mental Stimulation Needs
AffectionGood w/ KidsGood w/ DogsShedding LevelGroomingDrooling LevelGood w/ StrangersPlayfulnessProtectiveAdaptabilityTrainabilityEnergy LevelBarking LevelMental Stim.
Bedlington Terrier Norwegian Lundehund
Overlay

Where they diverge

Shedding Level
Bedlington Terrier sheds less (2-point difference)
Bedlington
Coat Grooming
Norwegian Lundehund needs less grooming (1-point difference)
Norwegian
Watchdog / Protective
Bedlington Terrier is more protective (1-point difference)
Bedlington
Energy Level
Bedlington Terrier has more energy (1-point difference)
Bedlington
The verdict

Choose the Bedlington Terrier if…

  • Apartments
  • Active people
  • Allergy sufferers
  • You value coat groomingBedlington Terrier scores noticeably higher.

Choose the Norwegian Lundehund if…

  • Experienced dog owners
  • Those interested in rare breeds
  • Active families
  • You value shedding levelNorwegian Lundehund scores higher here.
Bedlington Terrier Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Bedlington Terrier home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide
Norwegian Lundehund Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Norwegian Lundehund home.
Breed variants, breeder red flags, and what to ask
First-week checklist and daily schedules by age
Training timeline from 8 weeks to adulthood
Health screenings, emergency card, and feeding portions
Grooming schedule, first-year costs, and what nobody tells you
Get Your Guide

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