German Shepherd Dog versus Norwegian Lundehund. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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German Shepherd Dog Versus Norwegian Lundehund: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog or the Norwegian Lundehund.

German Shepherd Dog versus Norwegian Lundehund: Overview

A very important difference between the German Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Lundehund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The German Shepherd Dog is a large-sized dog while the Norwegian Lundehund is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the German Shepherd Dog 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.

German Shepherd Dog versus Norwegian Lundehund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Lundehund

Factor German Shepherd Dog Norwegian Lundehund
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall 1 foot to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 14 years 10 to 12 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 4/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 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
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 4/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 75 to 95 pounds 13 to 16 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1280 No Data
Price Range $800 – $1500 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annually until age 6, every 2 years thereafter
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Temperament Test
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 2 187

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog is 77 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 German Shepherd Dog. 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 German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Lundehund

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

  • German Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs. However, Norwegian Lundehunds get along well with other dogs.
  • German Shepherd Dogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Norwegian Lundehunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • German Shepherd Dogs 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 German Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Lundehund

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

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

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

    German Shepherd Dogs weigh 75 to 95 pounds when fully grown. German Shepherd Dogs are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall 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 German Shepherd Dog versus Norwegian Lundehund

    The lifespan of German Shepherd Dogs is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Shepherd Dogs is 12.0 years.

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

    German Shepherd Dogs live longer than Norwegian Lundehunds.

    The Popularity of German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Lundehund over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the German Shepherd Dog is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Lundehund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the German Shepherd Dog is 2 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norwegian Lundehund is 187 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of German Shepherd Dog

    Popularity of German Shepherd Dog

    Popularity of Norwegian Lundehund

    Popularity of Norwegian Lundehund

    Year German Shepherd Dog Popularity Rank Norwegian Lundehund Popularity Rank
    2013 2 175
    2014 2 184
    2015 2 182
    2016 2 188
    2017 2 190
    2018 2 191
    2019 2 192
    2020 3 195

    Health Problems of German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Norwegian Lundehund.

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

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

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in German Shepherd Dogs and in Norwegian Lundehunds.

    German Shepherd Dog Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend annually until age 6, every 2 years thereafter
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Temperament Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for German Shepherd Dogs 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: German Shepherd Dog versus Norwegian Lundehund

    German Shepherd Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Norwegian Lundehunds do not like to be left alone.

    Do German Shepherd Dogs shed more than Norwegian Lundehunds?

    German Shepherd Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

    Which one drools more, the German Shepherd Dog or the Norwegian Lundehund

    German Shepherd Dogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Norwegian Lundehunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to groom.

    Norwegian Lundehunds are very easy to groom.

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

    German Shepherd Dogs 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 German Shepherd Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Lundehunds?

    German Shepherd Dogs 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 German Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Lundehunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    German Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Norwegian Lundehunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Shepherd Dog vs. Norwegian Lundehund

    German Shepherd Dogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

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

    Can German Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Lundehunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    German Shepherd Dogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

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

    German Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Norwegian Lundehunds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are German Shepherd Dogs good family dogs? What about Norwegian Lundehunds?

    German Shepherd Dogs 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 German Shepherd Dogs and Norwegian Lundehunds?

    German Shepherd Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the German Shepherd Dog Easier to Train than the Norwegian Lundehund?

    German Shepherd Dogs are very easy to train.

    Norwegian Lundehunds are very easy to train.

    Is the German Shepherd Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwegian Lundehund?

    German Shepherd Dogs adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Norwegian Lundehunds do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    German Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Shepherd Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog:

  • American Pit Bull Terrier (77 percent match with German Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Lundehund vs American Pit Bull Terrier.
  • Belgian Malinois (74 percent match with German Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Lundehund vs Belgian Malinois.
  • Entlebucher Mountain Dog (74 percent match with German Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Lundehund vs Entlebucher Mountain Dog.
  • 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 German Shepherd Dog vs Dalmatian.
  • Field Spaniel (74 percent match with Norwegian Lundehund). Here is our comparison of the German Shepherd Dog vs Field Spaniel.
  • Flat-Coated Retriever (74 percent match with Norwegian Lundehund). Here is our comparison of the German Shepherd Dog vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    German Shepherd Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Shepherd Dog versus Alaskan Malamute     German Shepherd Dog versus Jack Russell Terrier     German Shepherd Dog versus Maltese     German Shepherd Dog versus Cane Corso     German Shepherd Dog versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     German Shepherd Dog versus Toy Poodle     German Shepherd Dog versus Norwegian Buhund     German Shepherd Dog versus Saint Berdoodle     German Shepherd Dog versus Boerboel     German Shepherd Dog versus Shiranian     German Shepherd Dog versus Black and Tan Coonhound     German Shepherd Dog versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     German Shepherd Dog versus Bloodhound     German Shepherd Dog versus Lakeland Terrier     German Shepherd Dog versus Valley Bulldog     German Shepherd Dog versus Basenji     German Shepherd Dog versus Shetland Sheepdog     German Shepherd Dog versus Great Dane     German Shepherd Dog versus Schnoodle     German Shepherd Dog versus Korean Jindo Dog     German Shepherd Dog versus Dogue de Bordeaux     German Shepherd Dog versus Standard Poodle     German Shepherd Dog versus Bernese Mountain Dog     German Shepherd Dog versus Chow Chow     German Shepherd Dog versus Yorkshire Terrier     

    Norwegian Lundehund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Lundehund versus Border Terrier     Norwegian Lundehund versus Cockapoo     Norwegian Lundehund versus Dalmatian     Norwegian Lundehund versus Akita Chow     Norwegian Lundehund versus Bolognese     Norwegian Lundehund versus Patterdale Terrier     Norwegian Lundehund versus Barbet     Norwegian Lundehund versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Norwegian Lundehund versus Pointer     Norwegian Lundehund versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Norwegian Lundehund versus Yorkshire Terrier     Norwegian Lundehund versus Spanish Mastiff     Norwegian Lundehund versus Frenchton     Norwegian Lundehund versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Norwegian Lundehund versus Canaan Dog     Norwegian Lundehund versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Norwegian Lundehund versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Norwegian Lundehund versus Vizsla     Norwegian Lundehund versus Japanese Spitz     Norwegian Lundehund versus Peek A Poo     Norwegian Lundehund versus English Toy Spaniel     Norwegian Lundehund versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Norwegian Lundehund versus Ibizan Hound     Norwegian Lundehund versus Afghan Hound     Norwegian Lundehund versus Peek A Poo     

    Conclusion: German Shepherd Dog 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 German Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Lundehund better suits you and your family.