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Norwegian Lundehund vs Silky Terrier

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

Norwegian Lundehund vs Silky Terrier

You’re not going to find these two breeds side by side at your average dog park, but if you’re digging into small, rare, energetic dogs with big personalities, you might end up comparing the Norwegian Lundehund and the Silky Terrier. People look at both when they want something unusual, compact, and spirited. but that’s where the overlap ends. The Lundehund is a living relic from the cliffs of Norway, built to squeeze into puffin burrows with six toes and a neck that bends like a snake. He’s rugged, independent, and built for cold weather and rugged terrain. You’ll need patience with his training, and you’ll need to be on top of his unique health risks. Lundehund Syndrome isn’t something you Google lightly. He bonds deeply but keeps a little aloofness, like a dog who remembers he used to hunt on sea cliffs alone. The Silky? She’s the glittering city dog with a steel-trap mind and a coat like flowing silk. Bred in Australia as both a ratter and a companion, she’s bold, affectionate to the point of velcro, and thrives in apartments. She’s easier to train than the Lundehund, but don’t let her size fool you. she’ll bark at the toaster if it pops too loud. And that coat? Gorgeous, but it tangles like fishing line if you skip brushing. If you’re a first-time owner who wants a low-shedding, people-loving lap companion, the Silky is your pick. But if you’re an experienced handler drawn to ancient breeds, don’t mind extra vet vigilance, and love a dog with a wild backstory, the Lundehund will steal your heart. quietly, on his own terms. Honest truth? The Lundehund doesn’t want to be a pet. He wants to be a partner. And that changes everything.

Norwegian Lundehund
Silky Terrier
12–15 in
Height
9–10 in
20–30 lb
Weight
8–10 lb
12–15 yr
Lifespan
13–15 yr
$1.5–3.5k
Puppy price
$1.2–2.5k
#191
AKC popularity
#112

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 Silky Terrier
Overlay

Where they diverge

Affectionate w/ Family
Silky Terrier is more affectionate (2-point difference)
Silky
Watchdog / Protective
Silky Terrier is more protective (2-point difference)
Silky
Shedding Level
Silky Terrier sheds less (1-point difference)
Silky
Coat Grooming
Norwegian Lundehund needs less grooming (1-point difference)
Norwegian
Good with Strangers
Silky Terrier is friendlier with strangers (1-point difference)
Silky
The verdict

Choose the Norwegian Lundehund if…

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

Choose the Silky Terrier if…

  • Apartment living
  • Active owners despite small size
  • Those wanting a long-coated but manageable breed
  • You value affectionate w/ familySilky Terrier 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
Silky Terrier Owner’s Guide
Everything you need before bringing your Silky Terrier 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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