PuppyBase

Chow Chow 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.

Perfect Puppy Quiz · 5 questions · 90 seconds

Not sure which breed fits your life?

Answer five questions about your home, your schedule, and your tolerance for shedding. We’ll match you to your top three breeds from over 200.

The bottom line

Chow Chow vs Norwegian Lundehund

You don’t see people comparing a Chow Chow and a Norwegian Lundehund at dog parks. because you’ll almost never see either at one. These are outlier breeds, both rare and deeply specialized, which is probably why someone’s pitting them against each other online. But that’s where the surface similarities end. One is a living teddy bear with a blue-black tongue and the mood of a stoic philosopher. The other is a six-toed mountain ninja built to twist through narrow cliff crevices hunting seabirds. The Chow Chow carries himself like royalty who’s seen too much. He’s not unfriendly, but he’s selective. affectionate with family, distant with strangers, and stubborn as bedrock. You’ll need patience, consistency, and cold winters help. His thick double coat is a year-round shedding project and a summer heat death sentence. He’s not a kid’s dog. He’s not really anyone’s dog unless you’ve logged time with strong-willed breeds. The Lundehund is a puzzle. Agile, curious, and weird in the best way. six toes, ears that fold shut, a spine that bends like rubber. He’s energetic but not driven by praise, loyal but not obedient. Training is a negotiation, not a command. And his gut is fragile. Lundehund Syndrome means you’ll be reading vet bills and ingredient labels for life. But if you want a dog that’s unlike any other, that thrives in cold weather and loves scrambling over rocks, he’s magic. Pick the Chow if you want a statuesque, quiet companion and can handle aloofness and health vigilance. Pick the Lundehund if you’re drawn to the unusual, live somewhere chilly, and don’t mind a dog that’s more cat-like in independence. Here’s the real talk: neither breed forgives cluelessness. Choose either only if you’ve done the homework. and know you’re signing up for a dog that’s fascinating, difficult, and absolutely not normal.

Chow Chow
Norwegian Lundehund
17–20 in
Height
12–15 in
45–70 lb
Weight
20–30 lb
8–12 yr
Lifespan
12–15 yr
$1.5–4.0k
Puppy price
$1.5–3.5k
#75
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.
Chow Chow Norwegian Lundehund
Overlay

Where they diverge

Drooling Level
Norwegian Lundehund drools less (2-point difference)
Norwegian
Watchdog / Protective
Chow Chow is more protective (2-point difference)
Chow
Barking Level
Chow Chow barks less (2-point difference)
Chow
Affectionate w/ Family
Chow Chow is more affectionate (1-point difference)
Chow
Good with Other Dogs
Norwegian Lundehund is better with other dogs (1-point difference)
Norwegian
The verdict

Choose the Chow Chow if…

  • Experienced dog owners
  • Less active households
  • Adults-only homes
  • You value drooling levelChow Chow scores noticeably higher.

Choose the Norwegian Lundehund if…

  • Experienced dog owners
  • Those interested in rare breeds
  • Active families
  • You value barking levelNorwegian Lundehund scores higher here.
Chow Chow Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Chow Chow 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

Other comparisons people run