Norwegian Lundehunds

August 10, 2010 1:36 PM

The Puffins of Norway make their home in nests along cliffs and in caves. These nests were inaccessible to human hunters. The hunters needed a special kind of dog. A spelunking dog.

The Norwegian Lundehund was bred for Puffin hunting. They are polydactyl, with six fully-formed toes that are very useful in climbing rocky terrain. They are incredibly flexible (hey kids- don’t try this on your dog unless you’re jragon) which helps them squeeze into tight caves. And they can seal their ears shut to keep out water and dirt.

They’re also pretty cute.


(And a tl:dr link if you're still interested)

posted by dogmom (18 comments total)

At one time they were also thinking of breeding a giant squid that could help them hunt whales, informally known as the Chthulhu squid. But it turns out that squid are harder to train than dogs.
posted by grizzled at 1:54 PM on August 10, 2010 [1 favorite]

Yet another cool dog breed that I'd never heard of. Thanks dogmom.
posted by doctor_negative at 2:29 PM on August 10, 2010

But it turns out that squid are harder to train than dogs.

Not true. But several trainers drowned shouting commands to the squid.
posted by Splunge at 2:37 PM on August 10, 2010

The Puffins of Norway

Hey, now. We've got puffins in Maine, too.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 3:00 PM on August 10, 2010

OK, Civil_Disobedient; Maine has puffins too. How do the Mainiacs hunt for puffins? Can puffins be made into puff pastry? And do you agree with Splunge that squid are not harder to train than dogs, although the process of training them sometimes causes the trainer to drown?
posted by grizzled at 3:08 PM on August 10, 2010

OK, that sounds like a probable band name:

The Puffins of Norway

"Ladies and gentlemen,please welcome ... The Puffins of Norway!!!"
posted by Relay at 3:15 PM on August 10, 2010

How do the Mainiacs hunt for puffins?

Always in the open water.

Can puffins be made into puff pastry?

No. But they can be made into less-healthy but much tastier Cheez-Puffs, which is cool.

squid are not harder to train than dogs

Their penmanship is far better, as well.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 4:13 PM on August 10, 2010 [2 favorites]

Hey, now. We've got puffins in Maine, too.

Yes, but do you have a cool puffin-hunting spelunking dog to go with the Puffins of Maine?
posted by dogmom at 5:44 PM on August 10, 2010 [1 favorite]

Seriously? Why would anyone ever hunt puffins?

Rot in Hell, puffin hunters.
posted by ZenMasterThis at 5:57 PM on August 10, 2010

Puffins, yay! No, wait...what? *Hunting* puffins? No, no no, no...

sigh.

Cute dog. Nice toes.
posted by faineant at 6:03 PM on August 10, 2010 [2 favorites]

But it turns out that squid are harder to train than dogs.

Not true. But several trainers drowned shouting commands to the squid.

Clearly they needed a squid whisperer.
posted by lore at 6:03 PM on August 10, 2010

Punting huffins? Huffing puttins?
In Soviet Russia, Putin huffs YOU.
posted by The otter lady at 7:03 PM on August 10, 2010 [1 favorite]

These are relatively common where I live (U.P. of MI). We have lots of skandis here, therefore hunters or mushers usually have some type of spitz dog. The Lundhund is a good size- the ones I've seen have all been a little smaller than huskies- so I think that makes them popular. Unsurprisingly, the most common name for them seems to be "Mittens". It's all about the feet.
posted by Leta at 7:06 PM on August 10, 2010

(And a tl:dr link if you're still interested)

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posted by Doohickie at 7:10 PM on August 10, 2010

Oh man, this is why I love this place! Thanks a bunch!
posted by PareidoliaticBoy at 11:18 PM on August 10, 2010

My mom's from Norway, and every so often I look for connections with the country (never learned the language, which is a pity). A couple of years ago I found descriptions of the Lundhund on the web, but no videos of the cute leg action. And they're pocket sized!
posted by jrochest at 1:25 AM on August 11, 2010

do you have a cool puffin-hunting spelunking dog to go with the Puffins of Maine?

My state collectively hangs its head in shame.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 5:54 AM on August 11, 2010 [1 favorite]

I spent a week on Cape Breton in Nova Scotia, and all I wanted to see was a puffin. Whales and dolphins leaping about the Canso Causeway, baby black bears and moose lounging all around, but not one got-damn puffin. I was pissed. I'm bringing a Lundehund next time.

Also, when I read the line "The puffins of Norway" I instantly thought this would be a thread on the book covers of Norway's version of Penguin Puffins.
posted by ajourneyroundmyskull at 11:25 AM on August 11, 2010