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> Index of every page on this site: [llms.txt](https://www.pedibase.com/llms.txt)
+4
Dogs
# The Norwegian Hound: temperament, price, health, and breeders
Norway
Also called Dunker, this Norwegian scenthound is a robust, hardy, sociable and trustworthy hunter.
Size MediumLife expectancy 11–13 yearsBudget ≈ €107/monthPuppy €500 – €700
[Find a breeder 1](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-norwegian-hound) [ Compare with other breeds](https://www.pedibase.com/en/compare-dog-breeds?races=norwegian-hound)
The right choice?
## Is this breed right for you?
[Find your ideal breed with our online quiz!](https://www.pedibase.com/en/choose-your-dog)
Families and children Good
Daily exercise needs High
Apartment living Limited
First-time owners Good
Other pets Good
Tolerance of being alone Fair
Guarding instinct Fair
Strengths and weaknesses
- Endurance: Its robust build allows it to sustain prolonged physical activity.
- Sociability: Its balanced and reliable temperament makes it a pleasant companion for its family.
- Hunting abilities: Its strong instinct and motivation for work make it an efficient scenthound.
- Accessible training: Its attachment to its owner and its balanced character make learning easier.
- High exercise needs: He requires long daily outings and regular activity.
- Unsuitable for apartment living: Small spaces do not meet his need for movement.
- Frequent vocalizations: Like many scent hounds, he may bark or howl readily.
- Heavy shedding: Hair loss becomes significant during shedding periods and requires frequent brushing.
Who is it for?
Ideal for
- Active owners: It is suitable for people available for long outings and regular activities.
- Experienced hunters: Its natural abilities and endurance meet the demands of hunting work.
- Homes with fenced land: A secure outdoor space usefully complements its daily walks.
Not recommended for
- Strictly sedentary lifestyle: A lack of exercise would compromise its physical and behavioral balance.
- Small apartments: Limited spaces are incompatible with its energy and its need for movement.
Meet the breed
## What does it look like?
1,75 mHuman
51 cmNorwegian Hound
- Height at the withers
- 47–55 cm
- Weight
- 16–22 kg
- Coat
- Short, straight, harsh and dense
- FCI group
- 6
- Origin
- Norway
- Grooming
- Moderate grooming needs
## Photos and videos
See the Norwegian Hound in photos and videos: coat colors, size, and distinctive expressions.
Origins
## Where does it come from?
The Norwegian Hound breed was developed from the first half of the 19th century. Its other name, Dunker, was chosen in reference to its creator, the Norwegian captain Wilhelm Conrad Dunker. He crossed several varieties of hounds to obtain subjects close to the current standard. Numbers fell sharply during the Second World War, raising fears of the breed's disappearance. A renewed interest was then observed, notably in the 1970s, but the population remains quite small.
Appearance
## What does it look like?
The Norwegian Hound is a medium-sized hunting dog, robust and hardy, whose outline fits into a rectangle without appearing heavy. Its rather elongated head has a slightly arched skull, a well-defined stop, a black nose and a fairly long, square muzzle. Its dark, round and expressive eyes show a calm and serious look. Its supple, pendulous and rounded ears are set at medium height. The neck is fairly long, the back straight and firm, the loin strong, the croup muscular and the chest rather broad. The tail, thick at the base, is carried straight or slightly curved. The coat is straight, harsh, dense and more abundant on the back of the thighs and on the tail. The coat color is diluted black with tan markings, or blue merle with darker markings.
Temperament
## Temperament and personality
Resistant and enduring, the Norwegian Hound brings together the qualities of an efficient hunting partner. Endowed with strong nerves and a balanced temperament, it is known to be sociable and trustworthy. Attached to its owner and its family, it shows itself affectionate without losing its scenthound abilities.
Affectionate Playful
Living together
## Living with children and other pets
Its hunting instinct is very pronounced and its energy level is high. It needs long daily outings and regular activities to maintain its balance. Sociable with humans and generally able to get along well with its fellow dogs, it remains vocal and may bark or howl readily. It is not suited to apartment living or to small spaces.
Training
## Training and socialization
The Norwegian Hound is not considered particularly difficult to train. Its attachment to its owner, its balanced temperament and its motivation for work make learning easier. The basics, in particular recall, must be taught from the youngest age. Its natural sociability promotes getting along with others, but its hunting instinct requires consistent training.
Budget
## Price and budget for the Norwegian Hound
The purchase price depends in particular on the breeder, the lineage, the sex, the age and compliance with the standard. The rarity of the breed can also limit the available supply.
[See cost breakdown](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/norwegian-hound/price)
Health
## Health at a glance
With a hardy constitution, the Norwegian Hound generally enjoys robust health when it receives appropriate care. No systematic predisposition to a particular disease is reported for the breed, but vigilance is recommended regarding certain orthopedic, auditory, ocular and skin conditions.
[Prevention and things to watch for](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/norwegian-hound/health)
Nutrition
## Feeding your pet well
The Norwegian Hound needs a quality, balanced diet adapted to its age, its size as well as its level of physical activity. Its needs increase during hunting periods.
[Our feeding advice](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/norwegian-hound/food)
Did you know?
## Fun facts and popularity
The name Dunker pays tribute to the Norwegian captain Wilhelm Conrad Dunker, creator of the breed. The Norwegian Hound bears number 203 in the FCI nomenclature and has been recognized by the FCI since 1956 as well as by the UKC. Despite the renewed interest observed from the 1970s onwards, its numbers remain limited.
FAQ
## Frequently asked questions about the Norwegian Hound
Answers to common questions from future owners before their new companion arrives.
### Does the Norwegian Hound have another name?
Yes. It is also called Dunker, in tribute to the Norwegian captain Wilhelm Conrad Dunker, who developed the breed in the 19th century.
### Can the Norwegian Hound live in an apartment?
It is poorly suited to apartment living and small spaces. Ideally, it needs a large fenced garden as well as long, frequent outings.
### What activity level should be planned for?
This energetic and hardy scenthound needs plenty of exercise, with long daily outings and activities that match its hunting instinct.
### How do you care for the Norwegian Hound?
Brushing once or twice a week is enough outside shedding, versus at least three times a week during shedding. After each outing in a natural environment, the coat, ears, eyes and paw pads should be checked. Teeth should be brushed regularly and nails trimmed when they do not wear down naturally.
## Find a Norwegian Hound breeder
The areas where Pedibase lists the most Norwegian Hound breeders, along with their litters and typical prices.
### Norwegian Hound breeders by country
[1 breeder of Norwegian Hound in Finland](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-norwegian-hound/finland)
[All breeders of Norwegian Hound in France](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-norwegian-hound)
## Ready to welcome a Norwegian Hound?
Find a registered, verified breeder near you and meet your future companion with confidence.
[View breeders](https://www.pedibase.com/en/breeders-of-norwegian-hound)
## Discover other breeds
[Halden Hound
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/halden-hound)
[Hygen Hound
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/hygen-hound)
[Hamiltonstövare
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/hamiltonstovare)
[Posavac Hound
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/posavac-hound)
[Schiller Hound
](https://www.pedibase.com/en/dog-breed/schiller-hound)
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