Is the Cairn Terrier Better than the Norwegian Lundehund as a Pet? Answer…

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Cairn Terrier Versus Norwegian Lundehund: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier and the Norwegian Lundehund.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier or the Norwegian Lundehund.

Cairn Terrier versus Norwegian Lundehund: Overview

A very important difference between the Cairn Terrier and the Norwegian Lundehund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cairn Terrier is a tiny-sized dog while the Norwegian Lundehund is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Cairn Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

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.

Cairn Terrier versus Norwegian Lundehund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier and the Norwegian Lundehund

Factor Cairn Terrier Norwegian Lundehund
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Weight 13 to 14 pounds 13 to 16 pounds
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 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
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Height 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1600 No Data
Price Range $1475 – $1750 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (GCL)
  • Patellar Luxation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 69 187

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier is 86 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Norwegian Lundehund is 83 out of 125.

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

    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 Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier and the Norwegian Lundehund

    Below is a list of where the Cairn Terrier and the Norwegian Lundehund are most different:

  • Cairn Terriers are good for new dog owners. However, Norwegian Lundehunds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Cairn Terriers 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.
  • Cairn Terriers adapt well to apartment living. However, Norwegian Lundehunds do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • The Similarities Between the Cairn Terrier and the Norwegian Lundehund

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

  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Norwegian Lundehund do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Norwegian Lundehund do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Norwegian Lundehund can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Norwegian Lundehund can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Norwegian Lundehund get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Norwegian Lundehund are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Norwegian Lundehund are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Norwegian Lundehund do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Norwegian Lundehund require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Norwegian Lundehund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Norwegian Lundehund get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Norwegian Lundehund are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Norwegian Lundehund are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Norwegian Lundehund have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Cairn Terrier and the Norwegian Lundehund are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Cairn Terrier versus Norwegian Lundehund

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cairn Terrier and the Norwegian Lundehund.

    Cairn Terriers weigh 13 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Cairn Terriers are 9 to 10 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 Cairn Terrier versus Norwegian Lundehund

    The lifespan of Cairn Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Cairn Terriers 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.

    Cairn Terriers live longer than Norwegian Lundehunds.

    The Popularity of Cairn Terrier versus Popularity of Norwegian Lundehund

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Cairn Terrier and the Norwegian Lundehund over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cairn Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Lundehund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Cairn Terrier is 69 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norwegian Lundehund is 187 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Cairn Terrier

    Popularity of Cairn Terrier

    Popularity of Norwegian Lundehund

    Popularity of Norwegian Lundehund

    Year Cairn Terrier Popularity Rank Norwegian Lundehund Popularity Rank
    2013 61 175
    2014 69 184
    2015 70 182
    2016 70 188
    2017 69 190
    2018 69 191
    2019 72 192
    2020 73 195

    Health Problems of Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Norwegian Lundehund.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Cairn Terrier than for the Norwegian Lundehund.

    4 health tests are recommended for Cairn Terrier while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwegian Lundehund.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Cairn Terriers and in Norwegian Lundehunds.

    Cairn Terrier Health Problems

    Cairn Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terriers for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Globoid Cell Leukodystrophy (GCL)
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cairn Terriers 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: Cairn Terrier versus Norwegian Lundehund

    Cairn Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Norwegian Lundehunds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Cairn Terriers shed more than Norwegian Lundehunds?

    Cairn Terriers shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Cairn Terrier or the Norwegian Lundehund

    Cairn Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Norwegian Lundehunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Cairn Terrier or the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Cairn Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Norwegian Lundehunds are very easy to groom.

    Does the Cairn Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Cairn Terriers 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 Cairn Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Lundehunds?

    Cairn Terriers 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 Cairn Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Lundehunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cairn Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Norwegian Lundehunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cairn Terrier vs. Norwegian Lundehund

    Cairn Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Can Cairn Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Lundehunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Cairn Terriers 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 Cairn Terrier or the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Cairn Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Norwegian Lundehunds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Cairn Terriers good family dogs? What about Norwegian Lundehunds?

    Cairn Terriers 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 Cairn Terriers and Norwegian Lundehunds?

    Cairn Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Cairn Terrier Easier to Train than the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Cairn Terriers are not easy to train.

    Norwegian Lundehunds are very easy to train.

    Is the Cairn Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Cairn Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Norwegian Lundehunds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cairn Terrier or the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Cairn Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cairn Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Cairn Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Cairn Terrier:

  • Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever (81 percent match with Cairn Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Lundehund vs Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Norwegian Lundehund

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Norwegian Lundehund that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Norwegian Lundehund:

  • Dalmatian (74 percent match with Norwegian Lundehund). Here is our comparison of the Cairn Terrier vs Dalmatian.
  • Field Spaniel (74 percent match with Norwegian Lundehund). Here is our comparison of the Cairn Terrier vs Field Spaniel.
  • Flat-Coated Retriever (74 percent match with Norwegian Lundehund). Here is our comparison of the Cairn Terrier vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Cairn Terrier and how the Norwegian Lundehund compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Cairn Terrier and of the Norwegian Lundehund to other breeds:

    Cairn Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Cairn Terrier versus Black Mouth Cur     Cairn Terrier versus Sloughi     Cairn Terrier versus Borzoi     Cairn Terrier versus Canaan Dog     Cairn Terrier versus Redbone Coonhound     Cairn Terrier versus Stabyhoun     Cairn Terrier versus English Springer Spaniel     Cairn Terrier versus Boykin Spaniel     Cairn Terrier versus Bedlington Terrier     Cairn Terrier versus Border Terrier     Cairn Terrier versus Clumber Spaniel     Cairn Terrier versus Canaan Dog     Cairn Terrier versus Belgian Tervuren     Cairn Terrier versus Siberian Husky     Cairn Terrier versus Irish Water Spaniel     Cairn Terrier versus Brussels Griffon     Cairn Terrier versus Airedale Terrier     Cairn Terrier versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Cairn Terrier versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Cairn Terrier versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Cairn Terrier versus English Cocker Spaniel     Cairn Terrier versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Cairn Terrier versus Bichon Frise     Cairn Terrier versus Kooikerhondje     Cairn Terrier versus Bolognese     

    Norwegian Lundehund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Lundehund versus Samoyed     Norwegian Lundehund versus English Toy Spaniel     Norwegian Lundehund versus Afador     Norwegian Lundehund versus Biewer Terrier     Norwegian Lundehund versus Sloughi     Norwegian Lundehund versus Shetland Sheepdog     Norwegian Lundehund versus Bernedoodle     Norwegian Lundehund versus French Bulldog     Norwegian Lundehund versus Kai Ken     Norwegian Lundehund versus Miniature Poodle     Norwegian Lundehund versus Pekingese     Norwegian Lundehund versus Sealyham Terrier     Norwegian Lundehund versus Dogo Argentino     Norwegian Lundehund versus Norwich Terrier     Norwegian Lundehund versus Saint Berdoodle     Norwegian Lundehund versus Boerboel     Norwegian Lundehund versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Norwegian Lundehund versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Norwegian Lundehund versus Briard     Norwegian Lundehund versus Miniature Pinscher     Norwegian Lundehund versus English Setter     Norwegian Lundehund versus Plott     Norwegian Lundehund versus Mountain Cur     Norwegian Lundehund versus Sealyham Terrier     Norwegian Lundehund versus Bolognese     

    Conclusion: Cairn Terrier 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 Cairn Terrier and the Norwegian Lundehund better suits you and your family.