Let's talk Norwegian Hounds
With their marbled colouring and piercing hazel eyes, the Norwegian Hound boasts qualities that match their dazzling, yet gentle appearance. Affable, loyal, and extremely friendly. Norwegian Hounds’ even-tempered demeanour allows them to get along with nearly everyone that crosses their path, both familiar and unfamiliar faces (making them perhaps not the best guard dogs). They are, however, vocal creatures who are not afraid to use their bark if alarmed. But have no fear, early training can help tone down these vocal impulses. Above all, Norwegian Hounds are exceptionally affectionate dogs that are eager to bond quickly with all family members–their human caretakers, smaller children (once trained) and especially other furry canines.Official name: Norwegian Hound
Other names: Dunker
Origins: Norway
| Drooling tendencies: |
|
Warm weather? |  |
| Shedding level: | |
Suited to apartment living? |  |
| Physical activity needs (high, low, medium): | moderate | Kid-friendly? |
|
| Compatibility with other pets: | |
Can stay alone? | 
|
We advise against leaving pets alone for long stretches.
Companionship can prevent emotional distress and destructive behaviour.
Speak to your veterinarian for recommendations.
Male
51 - 58 cm
Height
11 - 18 kg
Weight
Female
48 - 53 cm
Height
11 - 18 kg
Weight
| Baby age | Birth to 2 months |
| Puppy age | 2 to 12 months |
| Adult age | 1 to 7 years |
| Mature age | 7 to 10 years |
| Senior age | 10 years onwards |
1/7
Get to know the Norwegian Hound
All you need to know about the breedAlthough the Norwegian Hound breed dates back to 19th century Norway where their superb sniffing abilities elevated them to notoriety, their relaxed and doting temperament eventually led them to become outstanding companion dogs. Despite this, the Norwegian Hound’s population numbers remain surprisingly low unlike many other hounds, such as the Beagle, who have become recognised and adored by the world-at-large.
Although they possess an incredible sense of smell and are normally quite good at taking instructions, it should be noted that nearly 75% of Norwegian Hounds are registered to suffer from deafness in at least one, if not both ears (which could potentially explain why their numbers remain low). Norwegian Hounds with one or two blue eyes are more likely to be affected. Nevertheless, their extremely devoted, affectionate, and social nature allows them to integrate gracefully into most households, which is reason enough to welcome a Norwegian Hound dog into your family. Perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, you can be sure that the Norwegian Hound will gladly tag along on any hike, run, or any open-air adventure, given their impressive endurance and fondness for exercise.
2/7
2 facts about Norwegian Hounds
1. Thick-skinned against the cold
Although Norwegian Hounds have a particularly short coat, they were originally developed to resist the extremely frigid temperatures of Norway. Because of this, the Norwegian Hound breed was always celebrated for being particularly resilient in their ability to withstand what is considered one of the most challenging places for a working dog to do what they do best.
2. All around beauty
Beyond their gifted scent-trailing abilities, Norwegian Hounds have also been recognised for their rare dappled coat and are among only four other hounds that bear the striking marbled blue pattern produced by the merle gene (the dappled Dachshund, Kerry Beagle and Mountain Cur are three others). The merle gene was passed down from their Russian Harlequin Hound ancestor. Though considered slightly less desirable, Norwegian Hounds can also sport a tan-brown coat.
3/7
History of the breed
According to the Norwegian Kennel Club, Norwegian Hounds were first bred in the 19th century. They are also known as "Dunker" dogs, initially named after military captain Wilhelm Conrad Dunker, the man behind the breed's development. He was after exceptional sniffing abilities and a dog that could thrive in the extreme cold of Norway. Captain Dunker selectively bred the toughest of existing Scandinavian scent hounds with the Russian Harlequin Hound – a breed known for its supreme sense of smell.
Thanks to Captain Dunker's cross-breeding efforts, the Norwegian Hound ended up with an eye-catching coat, one whose speckled patterns made them stand out from other scent hounds, making them popular.
However, once other sporting breeds found their way to Norway after WWII, the Norwegian Hound population started to decline. The resulting inbreeding led to a high rate of congenital deafness across the breed at large. Although licences were given out to cross breed other dogs into the Norwegian Hound lineage to help curb these health risks, their population size has remained low, largely restricted to Norway and other Scandinavian countries. Although less than 200 are registered annually, the Norwegian Hound breed was formally recognised by the United Kennel Club in 1996.
4/7
From head to tail
Physical characteristics of Norwegian Hounds
1. Body
Athletic build with trim, strong legs.
2. Ears
Dome-shaped head with rectangular muzzle, and long, hanging ears.
3. Coat
Straight, dense coat with black or blue-marbled colouring and pale fawn or white markings.
5/7
Things to look out for
From specific breed traits to a general health overview, here are some interesting facts about your Norwegian Hound
6/7
Caring for your Norwegian Hound
Grooming, training and exercise tips
Norwegian Hounds could be described as above average-shedders; they have short coats that need brushing several times a week (ideally with a bristle brush) to keep their coat as polished as possible. Be prepared for significantly more shedding in the fall and spring. Beyond this, those beautiful, floppy ears will need some attention too – check them for buildup of wax or debris, and clean and dry them carefully after any swims to help prevent ear infections. Nails should be trimmed regularly and frequent tooth brushing (daily if possible) is important for dental health. Norwegian Hounds are very active canines that need a decent amount of exercise – ideally they should have a combination of long walks on the lead and chances to run and play in a safely enclosed space. Otherwise their instinctive prey drive could see them taking off. When it comes to training your Norwegian Hound, start early, adopt a firm but kind and patient approach, and make sure any food rewards come out of your dog’s daily rations to avoid them putting on excess weight.7/7
All about Norwegian Hounds
Yes, all thanks to their scent hound blood. Let’s just say they are a vocal bunch who are not afraid to speak their mind. However, they would only ever bark for reasons of protection, alarm, greeting, or maybe a little canine separation anxiety. Giving your Norwegian Hound a space that would allow for this type of behaviour (think: rural environment), as well as early training would certainly help.
For the most part, yes. Norwegian Hounds are pack animals, meaning they get on quite well with other dogs. However, their high prey drive can make things a bit complicated with smaller pets, such as cats or hamsters. This can be helped by early socialisation, but all the same, the dog’s behaviour is never going to be completely dependable when it comes to smaller, fur-family members.
translations.feature.breeds.otherbreeds
Read more on this topic
How your dog's nutrition needs change with age
How to adopt a dog
Things to consider before getting a dog
Sources
1 - Veterinary Centers of America https://vcahospitals.com/
2 - Royal Canin Dog Encyclopaedia. Ed 2010 and 2020
3 - Banfield Pet Hospital https://www.banfield.com/
4 - Royal Canin BHN Product Book
5 - American Kennel Club https://www.akc.org/