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English Setter 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

English Setter vs Norwegian Lundehund

People rarely compare an English Setter to a Norwegian Lundehund unless they’re deep in the dog world, maybe torn between elegance and oddity, between a classic sporting companion and a living fossil. But here’s the truth. these two breeds solve very different problems. The English Setter is the guy at the party who knows everyone, tail wagging, always up for a long hike or a lazy Sunday in the yard. He’s bred to cover ground, point birds, and live with people. You’ll need to brush that feathered coat weekly and keep him mentally busy, but he’ll reward you with steady affection and a temperament that fits most families. He’s not hyper, but he needs space and activity. Apartment life? Not a chance. The Lundehund is the eccentric inventor in the basement who figured out how to climb sheer cliffs using six toes per paw. This dog is a marvel of evolution. flexible enough to twist through narrow crevices, built for cold, rugged isolation. But that specialization comes at a cost. He’s not as easygoing or naturally biddable. He’ll bond deeply with one or two people but might not melt for every kid in the neighborhood. And his gut is fragile. Lundehund syndrome means you’ll likely face vet bills and dietary management. If you want a dog who fits into a family life with grace, energy, and warmth, go Setter. If you’re an experienced owner drawn to the rare, the resilient, and the unusual. and you’re ready for a health management project. the Lundehund might just steal your heart. Here’s the thing no one says: the Setter gives you what you expect from a dog. The Lundehund makes you redefine what a dog can be.

English Setter
Norwegian Lundehund
23–27 in
Height
12–15 in
45–80 lb
Weight
20–30 lb
12–12 yr
Lifespan
12–15 yr
$1.2–3.0k
Puppy price
$1.5–3.5k
#94
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.
English Setter Norwegian Lundehund
Overlay

Where they diverge

Affectionate w/ Family
English Setter is more affectionate (2-point difference)
English
Drooling Level
Norwegian Lundehund drools less (2-point difference)
Norwegian
Good with Young Children
English Setter is better with kids (1-point difference)
English
Good with Other Dogs
English Setter is better with other dogs (1-point difference)
English
Coat Grooming
Norwegian Lundehund needs less grooming (1-point difference)
Norwegian
The verdict

Choose the English Setter if…

  • Active families
  • Hunters
  • Homes with a yard
  • You value affectionate w/ familyEnglish Setter scores noticeably higher.

Choose the Norwegian Lundehund if…

  • Experienced dog owners
  • Those interested in rare breeds
  • Active families
English Setter Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your English Setter 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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