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.
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.
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.
Trait-by-trait
Higher bar = more of that trait. Shedding, barking, drooling, grooming flipped for readability.Where they diverge
Choose the Chow Chow if…
- Experienced dog owners
- Less active households
- Adults-only homes
- You value drooling level — Chow Chow scores noticeably higher.
Choose the Norwegian Lundehund if…
- Experienced dog owners
- Those interested in rare breeds
- Active families
- You value barking level — Norwegian Lundehund scores higher here.

