Guide on Deciding Betweeen the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund.

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Australian Shepherd Versus Norwegian Lundehund: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Australian Shepherd and for the Norwegian Lundehund. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Australian Shepherd or the Norwegian Lundehund.

Australian Shepherd versus Norwegian Lundehund: Overview

Both the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund are similar in size. The Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, the Australian Shepherd belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

On the other hand, the Norwegian Lundehund belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

Australian Shepherd versus Norwegian Lundehund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Australian Shepherd to the Norwegian Lundehund based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund

Factor Australian Shepherd Norwegian Lundehund
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 1/5 4/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Height 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
General Health 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Weight 40 to 65 pounds 13 to 16 pounds
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1210 No Data
Price Range $800 – $1500 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
    		•
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Patellar Luxation
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Australian Shepherd in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Norwegian Lundehund. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Australian Shepherd is 70 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Norwegian Lundehund is 83 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Norwegian Lundehund is a better pet than the Australian Shepherd. So, you should get the Norwegian Lundehund!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund

    Below is a list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund are most different:

    • Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Norwegian Lundehunds are very easy to groom.
    • Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Norwegian Lundehunds are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.

    The Similarities Between the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund

    The Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund are most similar:

    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund do not like to be left alone.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund have the tendency to develop certain health problems.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund are prone to nip and chew at things.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund get along well with other dogs.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund are very easy to train.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Australian Shepherd versus Norwegian Lundehund

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund.

    Australian Shepherds weigh 40 to 65 pounds when fully grown. Australian Shepherds are 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Norwegian Lundehunds weigh 13 to 16 pounds when fully grown. Norwegian Lundehunds are 1 foot to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Australian Shepherd versus Norwegian Lundehund

    The lifespan of Australian Shepherds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Australian Shepherds is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Norwegian Lundehunds is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Norwegian Lundehunds is 11.0 years.

    Australian Shepherds live longer than Norwegian Lundehunds.

    Health Problems of Australian Shepherd versus Health Problems of Norwegian Lundehund

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Australian Shepherd is prone to more genetic health problems than the Norwegian Lundehund.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Australian Shepherd than for the Norwegian Lundehund.

    7 health tests are recommended for Australian Shepherd while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwegian Lundehund.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Australian Shepherds and in Norwegian Lundehunds.

    Australian Shepherd Health Problems

    Australian Shepherds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Australian Shepherd puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Australian Shepherd puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Australian Shepherd breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Australian Shepherds for:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Collie Eye Anomaly
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Australian Shepherds here.

    Norwegian Lundehund Health Problems

    Norwegian Lundehunds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Norwegian Lundehund puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Norwegian Lundehund puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Norwegian Lundehund breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Norwegian Lundehunds for:

  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Patellar Luxation

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Norwegian Lundehunds here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Australian Shepherd versus Norwegian Lundehund

    Australian Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Norwegian Lundehunds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Australian Shepherds shed more than Norwegian Lundehunds?

    Australian Shepherds shed moderately.

    Norwegian Lundehunds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Australian Shepherd or the Norwegian Lundehund

    Australian Shepherds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Norwegian Lundehunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Australian Shepherd or the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Australian Shepherds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Norwegian Lundehunds are very easy to groom.

    Does the Australian Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Australian Shepherds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Norwegian Lundehunds have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.

    Do Australian Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Lundehunds?

    Australian Shepherds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Norwegian Lundehunds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Lundehunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Australian Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Norwegian Lundehunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Australian Shepherd vs. Norwegian Lundehund

    Australian Shepherds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Norwegian Lundehunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Australian Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Lundehunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Australian Shepherds can tolerate hot weather.

    Norwegian Lundehunds can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Australian Shepherd or the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Australian Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Norwegian Lundehunds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Australian Shepherds good family dogs? What about Norwegian Lundehunds?

    Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Norwegian Lundehunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Australian Shepherds and Norwegian Lundehunds?

    Australian Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Norwegian Lundehunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Australian Shepherd Easier to Train than the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Australian Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Norwegian Lundehunds are very easy to train.

    Is the Australian Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Australian Shepherds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Norwegian Lundehunds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Australian Shepherd or the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Australian Shepherds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Norwegian Lundehunds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Australian Shepherd versus Norwegian Lundehund. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Australian Shepherd and the Norwegian Lundehund better suits you and your family.