PuppyBase

Norwegian Lundehund vs Portuguese Pointer

Side-by-side comparison across all 14 AKC trait ratings, with a clear verdict on which breed fits which kind of household.

Perfect Puppy Quiz · 5 questions · 90 seconds

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.

The bottom line

Norwegian Lundehund vs Portuguese Pointer

People don’t usually pit a tiny Norwegian puffin hunter against a lean Portuguese bird dog, but here we are. probably because both are rare, both are energetic, and both demand more than your average mutt. That’s where the similarities end. The Lundehund is a six-toed, double-jointed acrobat built to squeeze into cliffside crevices. It’s like a living origami project, loyal and quirky, but with digestive issues that can break your heart. and your vet bill. You’ll love its intensity, but it won’t love every home. It needs someone who speaks dog fluently, someone who doesn’t mind a pet that’s part escape artist, part emotional support rock, and fully intolerant of grain-heavy diets. The Portuguese Pointer? This dog is all motion and muscle, bred to work in sync with falcons and hunters across open hills. It’s bigger, louder in energy if not bark, and thrives on partnership. Where the Lundehund is a solo climber, the Pointer is a team player. affectionate with kids, easy to train, and happiest when it’s running for miles. You can’t keep one in a city apartment unless you’re ready for a destructive meltdown. If you live on a farm or hunt birds and want a dog that bonds deeply and works tirelessly, the Pointer is your answer. If you’re a dog nerd with time, patience, and a vet on speed dial, the Lundehund might just steal your life. Here’s the real talk: the Lundehund isn’t just rare. it’s fragile, genetically and emotionally. The Pointer isn’t just athletic. it needs purpose, or it’ll invent one for itself, like redecorating your couch. Pick the Pointer for action. Pick the Lundehund only if you’re ready for a full-time job disguised as a dog.

Norwegian Lundehund
Portuguese Pointer
12–15 in
Height
20.5–22 in
20–30 lb
Weight
35–59 lb
12–15 yr
Lifespan
14–14 yr
$1.5–3.5k
Puppy price
$1.2–3.0k
#191
AKC popularity

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.
Norwegian Lundehund Portuguese Pointer
Overlay

Where they diverge

Affectionate w/ Family
Portuguese Pointer is more affectionate (2-point difference)
Portuguese
Good with Young Children
Portuguese Pointer is better with kids (2-point difference)
Portuguese
Trainability
Portuguese Pointer is easier to train (2-point difference)
Portuguese
Energy Level
Portuguese Pointer has more energy (2-point difference)
Portuguese
Coat Grooming
Portuguese Pointer needs less grooming (1-point difference)
Portuguese
The verdict

Choose the Norwegian Lundehund if…

  • Experienced dog owners
  • Those interested in rare breeds
  • Active families
  • You value coat groomingNorwegian Lundehund scores noticeably higher.

Choose the Portuguese Pointer if…

  • hunters
  • active families
  • experienced sporting dog owners
  • You value affectionate w/ familyPortuguese Pointer scores higher here.
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
Portuguese Pointer Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Portuguese Pointer 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

Other comparisons people run