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Italian Greyhound 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

Italian Greyhound vs Norwegian Lundehund

People compare Italian Greyhounds and Norwegian Lundehunds because both are small, rare, and look like they stepped out of another era. But that’s where the similarities end. One’s a delicate velvet missile built for speed and lap naps, the other’s a six-toed mountain goat dog with a stomach problem and a stubborn streak. The Italian Greyhound is all about grace and connection. You’ll find them curled in sunbeams, sprinting through the house at midnight, or pressing their ribs against your leg like they’re worried you’ll leave. They’re sensitive to cold and chaos. wrap them in a sweater and keep toddlers from chasing them. They bond deeply, learn quickly, and will follow you from room to room. But one wrong step and they can break a leg. Literally. They’re not tough. The Lundehund? Built for cliffs, not couches. Six toes, flexible joints, double-jointed shoulders. this dog evolved to squeeze into narrow crevices and scale sheer rock faces to catch puffins. That history means they’re independent, clever in their own peculiar way, and not dying to please you. They’re loyal but reserved, energetic but not always with you. And their digestive system is fragile. Lundehund syndrome means you’ll likely face vet bills and a lifelong special diet. This isn’t a dog you wing. If you want a warm, responsive companion who thrives in a calm home, the Italian Greyhound is magic. But if you’re an experienced owner drawn to oddball breeds and don’t mind managing health quirks, the Lundehund offers a piece of living history. Here’s the real talk: the Italian Greyhound will love you desperately. The Lundehund will tolerate you. And for some people, that aloofness is exactly the appeal.

Italian Greyhound
Norwegian Lundehund
13–15 in
Height
12–15 in
7–14 lb
Weight
20–30 lb
14–15 yr
Lifespan
12–15 yr
$1.5–3.5k
Puppy price
$1.5–3.5k
#73
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.
Italian Greyhound Norwegian Lundehund
Overlay

Where they diverge

Affectionate w/ Family
Italian Greyhound is more affectionate (2-point difference)
Italian
Good with Other Dogs
Italian Greyhound is better with other dogs (2-point difference)
Italian
Good with Strangers
Italian Greyhound is friendlier with strangers (2-point difference)
Italian
Coat Grooming
Italian Greyhound needs less grooming (1-point difference)
Italian
Playfulness
Italian Greyhound is more playful (1-point difference)
Italian
The verdict

Choose the Italian Greyhound if…

  • Apartment dwellers
  • Seniors
  • Gentle families
  • You value affectionate w/ familyItalian Greyhound 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.
Italian Greyhound Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Italian Greyhound 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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