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French 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

French Spaniel vs Norwegian Lundehund

You’re probably comparing a French Spaniel and a Norwegian Lundehund because you want a rare dog with a job to do and a heart to match. But that’s where the similarities end. One is a warm, open book of a hunting companion. The other is a six-toed evolutionary marvel built for cliff edges and cold winds. The French Spaniel is what you’d get if you crossed a golden retriever’s sweetness with a serious bird dog’s focus. At 50 to 60 pounds, this dog thrives in motion. hiking, hunting, playing with kids in a yard big enough for zoomies. It’s eager to please, easy to train, and bonds deeply with the whole family. You’ll need time, space, and energy to keep it happy. Skip it if your idea of outdoors is walking to the mailbox. The Lundehund is a different beast entirely. Smaller, quieter, and more reserved, it’s built like a living fossil, with joints that bend in ways no dog should. It was made for crawling into narrow cliff crevices to hunt puffins, and it still carries that independence. It’s not unfriendly, but it won’t greet your guests like a long-lost relative. It’s also prone to a unique gastrointestinal condition that requires lifelong dietary care. this isn’t a breed you wing. The real difference? The French Spaniel wants to be part of your life. The Lundehund will let you be part of his. If you want a loyal, trainable partner for an active rural life, go French. If you’re a seasoned owner drawn to rare breeds and don’t mind managing health quirks, the Lundehund might just steal your quiet winter mornings. Just don’t expect either to live happily in a city apartment.

French Spaniel
Norwegian Lundehund
21.5–24 in
Height
12–15 in
50–60 lb
Weight
20–30 lb
10–12 yr
Lifespan
12–15 yr
$1.2–3.0k
Puppy price
$1.5–3.5k
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.
French Spaniel Norwegian Lundehund
Overlay

Where they diverge

Affectionate w/ Family
French Spaniel is more affectionate (2-point difference)
French
Good with Young Children
French Spaniel is better with kids (2-point difference)
French
Good with Other Dogs
French Spaniel is better with other dogs (2-point difference)
French
Good with Strangers
French Spaniel is friendlier with strangers (2-point difference)
French
Trainability
French Spaniel is easier to train (2-point difference)
French
The verdict

Choose the French Spaniel if…

  • Active hunters
  • Families with children
  • Outdoors enthusiasts
  • You value affectionate w/ familyFrench Spaniel scores noticeably higher.

Choose the Norwegian Lundehund if…

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