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Field Spaniel 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

Field Spaniel vs Norwegian Lundehund

You don’t see many Field Spaniels or Norwegian Lundehunds at the dog park, but people do compare them. usually because they’re both rare, medium-to-low energy dogs with thick coats and a quiet intensity. That’s where the similarities end. Think of the Field Spaniel as the warm, eager-to-please cousin who shows up to every family barbecue with a wagging tail and a soft mouth full of your slippers. They’re sweet, trainable, and great with kids, thriving in homes where someone’s around to walk them and brush that silky coat twice a week. They want to be part of your life, quietly, kindly. The Lundehund? They’re the weird, wiry little survivalist who climbs bookshelves at 3 a.m. and side-eyes your guests. Bred to scale sheer cliffs and wriggle into bird burrows, they’ve got six toes per foot and necks that bend backward. literally. But that ancient, specialized body comes with fragile health. Lundehund syndrome and chronic digestive issues mean vet visits are part of the deal. They’re loyal but aloof, not a hugger. Training is a negotiation, not a command. If you want a gentle, affectionate dog that fits smoothly into family life, the Field Spaniel is your pick. But if you’re an experienced owner drawn to oddball breeds and don’t mind a high-maintenance digestive system and a dog that acts like a furry escape artist, the Lundehund might steal your heart. just not your socks. Most people don’t realize how much both breeds need routine, just for different reasons. The Spaniel needs emotional routine. the comfort of knowing they’re loved. The Lundehund needs physical and medical routine. because their bodies never got the memo they’re pets now, not cliff hunters.

Field Spaniel
Norwegian Lundehund
17–18 in
Height
12–15 in
35–50 lb
Weight
20–30 lb
12–13 yr
Lifespan
12–15 yr
$1.5–3.5k
Puppy price
$1.5–3.5k
#149
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.
Field Spaniel Norwegian Lundehund
Overlay

Where they diverge

Affectionate w/ Family
Field Spaniel is more affectionate (2-point difference)
Field
Good with Young Children
Field Spaniel is better with kids (2-point difference)
Field
Trainability
Field Spaniel is easier to train (2-point difference)
Field
Good with Other Dogs
Field Spaniel is better with other dogs (1-point difference)
Field
Drooling Level
Norwegian Lundehund drools less (1-point difference)
Norwegian
The verdict

Choose the Field Spaniel if…

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

Choose the Norwegian Lundehund if…

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