Differences and Similarities between the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Lundehund.

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Irish Wolfhound Versus Norwegian Lundehund: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound or the Norwegian Lundehund.

Irish Wolfhound versus Norwegian Lundehund: Overview

A very important difference between the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Lundehund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Irish Wolfhound is a giant-sized dog while the Norwegian Lundehund is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Irish Wolfhound belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

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.

Irish Wolfhound versus Norwegian Lundehund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Lundehund

Factor Irish Wolfhound Norwegian Lundehund
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
General Health 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 5/5
Weight 115 to 180 pounds 13 to 16 pounds
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 1/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
Height 32 to 35 inches tall at the shoulder 1 foot to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 5/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
Life Span 6 to 8 years 10 to 12 years
Average Lifespan 7.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1930 No Data
Price Range $1500 – $2400 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 73 187

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound is 82 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 Irish Wolfhound. 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 Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Lundehund

    Below is a list of where the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Lundehund are most different:

  • Irish Wolfhounds have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Norwegian Lundehunds have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Lundehund

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

  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Lundehund do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Lundehund do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Lundehund are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Lundehund are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Lundehund do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Lundehund cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Lundehund can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Lundehund are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Lundehund require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Lundehund are very playful.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Lundehund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Lundehund get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Lundehund get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Lundehund are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Wolfhound versus Norwegian Lundehund

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Lundehund.

    Irish Wolfhounds weigh 115 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Irish Wolfhounds are 32 to 35 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 Irish Wolfhound versus Norwegian Lundehund

    The lifespan of Irish Wolfhounds is between 6 to 8 years. The average lifespan of Irish Wolfhounds is 7.0 years.

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

    Norwegian Lundehunds live longer than Irish Wolfhounds.

    The Popularity of Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Lundehund over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Irish Wolfhound is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Lundehund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Irish Wolfhound is 73 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norwegian Lundehund is 187 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Irish Wolfhound

    Popularity of Irish Wolfhound

    Popularity of Norwegian Lundehund

    Popularity of Norwegian Lundehund

    Year Irish Wolfhound Popularity Rank Norwegian Lundehund Popularity Rank
    2013 73 175
    2014 72 184
    2015 69 182
    2016 73 188
    2017 73 190
    2018 76 191
    2019 76 192
    2020 74 195

    Health Problems of Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound is prone to more genetic health problems than the Norwegian Lundehund.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Irish Wolfhound than for the Norwegian Lundehund.

    5 health tests are recommended for Irish Wolfhound while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwegian Lundehund.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Irish Wolfhounds and in Norwegian Lundehunds.

    Irish Wolfhound Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Serum Bile Acid Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Irish Wolfhounds 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: Irish Wolfhound versus Norwegian Lundehund

    Irish Wolfhounds do not like to be left alone.

    Norwegian Lundehunds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Irish Wolfhounds shed more than Norwegian Lundehunds?

    Irish Wolfhounds shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Irish Wolfhound or the Norwegian Lundehund

    Irish Wolfhounds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Norwegian Lundehunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Wolfhound or the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Irish Wolfhounds are moderately easy to groom.

    Norwegian Lundehunds are very easy to groom.

    Does the Irish Wolfhound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhounds Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Lundehunds?

    Irish Wolfhounds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Can Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Lundehunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Irish Wolfhounds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Norwegian Lundehunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Irish Wolfhound vs. Norwegian Lundehund

    Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Lundehunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Irish Wolfhounds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Wolfhound or the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Irish Wolfhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Norwegian Lundehunds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Irish Wolfhounds good family dogs? What about Norwegian Lundehunds?

    Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhounds and Norwegian Lundehunds?

    Irish Wolfhounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Irish Wolfhound Easier to Train than the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Irish Wolfhounds are fairly easy to train.

    Norwegian Lundehunds are very easy to train.

    Is the Irish Wolfhound Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Irish Wolfhounds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Norwegian Lundehunds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Wolfhound or the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Irish Wolfhounds 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 Irish Wolfhound

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound:

  • Bracco Italiano (74 percent match with Irish Wolfhound). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Lundehund vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Cavapoo (72 percent match with Irish Wolfhound). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Lundehund vs Cavapoo.
  • 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 Irish Wolfhound vs Dalmatian.
  • Field Spaniel (74 percent match with Norwegian Lundehund). Here is our comparison of the Irish Wolfhound vs Field Spaniel.
  • Flat-Coated Retriever (74 percent match with Norwegian Lundehund). Here is our comparison of the Irish Wolfhound vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Irish Wolfhound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Wolfhound versus Pomeranian     Irish Wolfhound versus Karelian Bear Dog     Irish Wolfhound versus Miniature Poodle     Irish Wolfhound versus Finnish Spitz     Irish Wolfhound versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Irish Wolfhound versus Collie     Irish Wolfhound versus Puli     Irish Wolfhound versus Bull Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus Chinook     Irish Wolfhound versus Boykin Spaniel     Irish Wolfhound versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Irish Wolfhound versus Papillon     Irish Wolfhound versus Brittany     Irish Wolfhound versus Bull Terrier     Irish Wolfhound versus English Toy Spaniel     Irish Wolfhound versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Irish Wolfhound versus Havanese     Irish Wolfhound versus Frenchton     Irish Wolfhound versus Basenji     Irish Wolfhound versus Stabyhoun     Irish Wolfhound versus Ibizan Hound     Irish Wolfhound versus Boerboel     Irish Wolfhound versus Morkie     Irish Wolfhound versus Papipoo     

    Norwegian Lundehund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Lundehund versus Keeshond     Norwegian Lundehund versus Gordon Setter     Norwegian Lundehund versus Sheepadoodle     Norwegian Lundehund versus Newfoundland     Norwegian Lundehund versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Norwegian Lundehund versus Pomchi     Norwegian Lundehund versus Doberman Pinscher     Norwegian Lundehund versus Lowchen     Norwegian Lundehund versus Dalmatian     Norwegian Lundehund versus Greyhound     Norwegian Lundehund versus Dogo Argentino     Norwegian Lundehund versus Tibetan Spaniel     Norwegian Lundehund versus Australian Cattle Dog     Norwegian Lundehund versus Coton de Tulear     Norwegian Lundehund versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Norwegian Lundehund versus Puli     Norwegian Lundehund versus Norfolk Terrier     Norwegian Lundehund versus Dutch Shepherd     Norwegian Lundehund versus Lowchen     Norwegian Lundehund versus Black Mouth Cur     Norwegian Lundehund versus French Bulldog     Norwegian Lundehund versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Norwegian Lundehund versus Puggle     Norwegian Lundehund versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Norwegian Lundehund versus Irish Water Spaniel     

    Conclusion: Irish Wolfhound 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 Irish Wolfhound and the Norwegian Lundehund better suits you and your family.