Breed Comparison: Norwegian Lundehund Versus Spinone Italiano

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Norwegian Lundehund Versus Spinone Italiano: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Norwegian Lundehund and the Spinone Italiano 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 Norwegian Lundehund and for the Spinone Italiano. 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 Norwegian Lundehund and the Spinone Italiano.

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

Norwegian Lundehund versus Spinone Italiano: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Spinone Italiano belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

Norwegian Lundehund versus Spinone Italiano: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Norwegian Lundehund to the Spinone Italiano 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 Norwegian Lundehund and the Spinone Italiano

Factor Norwegian Lundehund Spinone Italiano
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 4/5
Height 1 foot to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the shoulder 22 to 28 inches
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 14 years
Weight 13 to 16 pounds 61 to 86 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 2/5
Easygoing 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 4/5
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
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.0 years
Price Range No Data $1000 – $1000
Average Price No Data $1180
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Recommend annual exams beginning at 1 year of age
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 187 112

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

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

    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 Norwegian Lundehund and the Spinone Italiano so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Norwegian Lundehund and the Spinone Italiano

    Below is a list of where the Norwegian Lundehund and the Spinone Italiano are most different:

  • Norwegian Lundehunds do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Spinone Italianos adapt well to apartment living.
  • Norwegian Lundehunds are not the best dogs for new dog owners. However, Spinone Italianos are good for new dog owners.
  • Norwegian Lundehunds do not have the tendency to drool. However, Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.
  • Norwegian Lundehunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Spinone Italianos do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • The Similarities Between the Norwegian Lundehund and the Spinone Italiano

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

  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Spinone Italiano are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Spinone Italiano do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Spinone Italiano are very easy to train.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Spinone Italiano have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Spinone Italiano can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Spinone Italiano are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Spinone Italiano get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Spinone Italiano get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Spinone Italiano are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Spinone Italiano are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Spinone Italiano require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Spinone Italiano are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Norwegian Lundehund versus Spinone Italiano

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Norwegian Lundehund and the Spinone Italiano.

    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.

    On the other hand, Spinone Italianos weigh 61 to 86 pounds when fully grown. Spinone Italianos are 22 to 28 inches when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Norwegian Lundehund versus Spinone Italiano

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

    The lifespan of Spinone Italianos is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Spinone Italianos is 12.0 years.

    Spinone Italianos live longer than Norwegian Lundehunds.

    The Popularity of Norwegian Lundehund versus Popularity of Spinone Italiano

    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 Norwegian Lundehund and the Spinone Italiano over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Spinone Italiano is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Lundehund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Spinone Italiano is 112 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norwegian Lundehund is 187 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Norwegian Lundehund

    Popularity of Norwegian Lundehund

    Popularity of Spinone Italiano

    Popularity of Spinone Italiano

    Year Norwegian Lundehund Popularity Rank Spinone Italiano Popularity Rank
    2013 175 117
    2014 184 118
    2015 182 112
    2016 188 105
    2017 190 111
    2018 191 109
    2019 192 116
    2020 195 110

    Health Problems of Norwegian Lundehund versus Health Problems of Spinone Italiano

    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 Norwegian Lundehund and the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano is prone to more genetic health problems than the Norwegian Lundehund.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Spinone Italiano than for the Norwegian Lundehund.

    3 health tests are recommended for Norwegian Lundehund while 5 tests are recommended for the Spinone Italiano.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Norwegian Lundehunds and in Spinone Italianos.

    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.

    Spinone Italiano Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Recommend annual exams beginning at 1 year of age
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Spinone Italianos here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Norwegian Lundehund versus Spinone Italiano

    Norwegian Lundehunds do not like to be left alone.

    Spinone Italianos do not like to be left alone.

    Do Norwegian Lundehunds shed more than Spinone Italianos?

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

    Spinone Italianos shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Norwegian Lundehund or the Spinone Italiano

    Norwegian Lundehunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Spinone Italianos have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Norwegian Lundehund or the Spinone Italiano?

    Norwegian Lundehunds are very easy to groom.

    Spinone Italianos require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Norwegian Lundehund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Spinone Italiano?

    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.

    Spinone Italianos 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.

    Do Norwegian Lundehunds Bark and Howl? What about Spinone Italianos?

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

    Spinone Italianos are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can Norwegian Lundehunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Norwegian Lundehunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Spinone Italianos can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Norwegian Lundehund vs. Spinone Italiano

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

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

    Can Norwegian Lundehunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Spinone Italianos Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Spinone Italianos can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Norwegian Lundehund or the Spinone Italiano?

    Norwegian Lundehunds get along very well with other dogs.

    Spinone Italianos get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Norwegian Lundehunds good family dogs? What about Spinone Italianos?

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

    Spinone Italianos are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Norwegian Lundehunds and Spinone Italianos?

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

    Spinone Italianos get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Norwegian Lundehund Easier to Train than the Spinone Italiano?

    Norwegian Lundehunds are very easy to train.

    Spinone Italianos are very easy to train.

    Is the Norwegian Lundehund Better for Apartment Owners than the Spinone Italiano?

    Norwegian Lundehunds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Spinone Italianos adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Norwegian Lundehund or the Spinone Italiano?

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

    Spinone Italianos are very good for new dog owners.

    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 Spinone Italiano vs Dalmatian.
  • Field Spaniel (74 percent match with Norwegian Lundehund). Here is our comparison of the Spinone Italiano vs Field Spaniel.
  • Flat-Coated Retriever (74 percent match with Norwegian Lundehund). Here is our comparison of the Spinone Italiano vs Flat-Coated Retriever.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Spinone Italiano

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Spinone Italiano 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 Spinone Italiano:

  • Collie (75 percent match with Spinone Italiano). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Lundehund vs Collie.
  • French Spaniel (78 percent match with Spinone Italiano). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Lundehund vs French Spaniel.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Norwegian Lundehund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Lundehund versus Schipperke     Norwegian Lundehund versus Irish Water Spaniel     Norwegian Lundehund versus Kuvasz     Norwegian Lundehund versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Norwegian Lundehund versus Dogo Argentino     Norwegian Lundehund versus Westiepoo     Norwegian Lundehund versus Spinone Italiano     Norwegian Lundehund versus Standard Poodle     Norwegian Lundehund versus Lowchen     Norwegian Lundehund versus Japanese Spitz     Norwegian Lundehund versus Cane Corso     Norwegian Lundehund versus German Pinscher     Norwegian Lundehund versus Shiranian     Norwegian Lundehund versus Pug     Norwegian Lundehund versus Lhasa Apso     Norwegian Lundehund versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Norwegian Lundehund versus Komondor     Norwegian Lundehund versus Cavachon     Norwegian Lundehund versus Bich Poo     Norwegian Lundehund versus Mal Shi     Norwegian Lundehund versus Chorkie     Norwegian Lundehund versus Chinook     Norwegian Lundehund versus Portuguese Water Dog     Norwegian Lundehund versus French Bulldog     Norwegian Lundehund versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     

    Spinone Italiano Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Spinone Italiano versus Dachshund     Spinone Italiano versus Newfoundland     Spinone Italiano versus Lakeland Terrier     Spinone Italiano versus Komondor     Spinone Italiano versus Basenji     Spinone Italiano versus Alaskan Malamute     Spinone Italiano versus Azawakh     Spinone Italiano versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Spinone Italiano versus Bolognese     Spinone Italiano versus Bolognese     Spinone Italiano versus Flat-Coated Retriever     Spinone Italiano versus Kooikerhondje     Spinone Italiano versus Norwegian Lundehund     Spinone Italiano versus Cockapoo     Spinone Italiano versus Siberian Husky     Spinone Italiano versus Whoodle     Spinone Italiano versus Biewer Terrier     Spinone Italiano versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Spinone Italiano versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Spinone Italiano versus Maltipoo     Spinone Italiano versus Black Russian Terrier     Spinone Italiano versus Boxer     Spinone Italiano versus Dachshund     Spinone Italiano versus Yorkipoo     Spinone Italiano versus Chow Chow     

    Conclusion: Norwegian Lundehund versus Spinone Italiano. 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 Norwegian Lundehund and the Spinone Italiano better suits you and your family.