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

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Norwegian Lundehund Versus Welsh Terrier: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Norwegian Lundehund and the Welsh Terrier 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 Welsh Terrier. 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 Welsh Terrier.

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 Welsh Terrier.

Norwegian Lundehund versus Welsh Terrier: Overview

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

Norwegian Lundehund versus Welsh Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Norwegian Lundehund to the Welsh Terrier 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 Welsh Terrier

Factor Norwegian Lundehund Welsh Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 2/5
Height 1 foot to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the shoulder 14 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 12 years 10 to 14 years
Weight 13 to 16 pounds Up to 20 pounds
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 1/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 4/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 12.0 years
Price Range No Data $1350 – $3834
Average Price No Data $2510
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Eye Examination
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 187 108

    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 Welsh Terrier. 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 Welsh Terrier is 77 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Norwegian Lundehund is a better pet than the Welsh Terrier. 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 Norwegian Lundehund and the Welsh Terrier 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 Welsh Terrier

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

  • Norwegian Lundehunds are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Welsh Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Norwegian Lundehunds have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Welsh Terriers have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Norwegian Lundehunds can tolerate cold weather. However, Welsh Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Norwegian Lundehunds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies. However, Welsh Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • The Similarities Between the Norwegian Lundehund and the Welsh Terrier

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

  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Welsh Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Welsh Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Welsh Terrier are very easy to train.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Welsh Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Welsh Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Welsh Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Welsh Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Welsh Terrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Welsh Terrier are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Welsh Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Welsh Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Welsh Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Norwegian Lundehund and the Welsh Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Norwegian Lundehund versus Welsh Terrier

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

    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, Welsh Terriers weigh Up to 20 pounds when fully grown. Welsh Terriers are 14 to 15 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Norwegian Lundehund versus Welsh Terrier

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

    The lifespan of Welsh Terriers is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Welsh Terriers is 12.0 years.

    Welsh Terriers live longer than Norwegian Lundehunds.

    The Popularity of Norwegian Lundehund versus Popularity of Welsh Terrier

    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 Welsh Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Welsh Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Lundehund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Welsh Terrier is 108 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 Welsh Terrier

    Popularity of Welsh Terrier

    Year Norwegian Lundehund Popularity Rank Welsh Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 175 104
    2014 184 106
    2015 182 108
    2016 188 111
    2017 190 109
    2018 191 107
    2019 192 110
    2020 195 112

    Health Problems of Norwegian Lundehund versus Health Problems of Welsh Terrier

    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 Welsh Terrier 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 Norwegian Lundehund is prone to more genetic health problems than the Welsh Terrier.

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

    3 health tests are recommended for Norwegian Lundehund while 2 tests are recommended for the Welsh Terrier.

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

    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.

    Welsh Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination
  • Primary Lens Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Welsh Terriers here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Norwegian Lundehund versus Welsh Terrier

    Norwegian Lundehunds do not like to be left alone.

    Welsh Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Norwegian Lundehunds shed more than Welsh Terriers?

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

    Welsh Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

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

    Norwegian Lundehunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Welsh Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Norwegian Lundehunds are very easy to groom.

    Welsh Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Welsh 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.

    Do Norwegian Lundehunds Bark and Howl? What about Welsh Terriers?

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

    Welsh Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Norwegian Lundehunds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Welsh Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Norwegian Lundehunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Welsh Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Wanderlust Potential: Norwegian Lundehund vs. Welsh Terrier

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

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

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

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

    Welsh Terriers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Norwegian Lundehund or the Welsh Terrier?

    Norwegian Lundehunds get along very well with other dogs.

    Welsh Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

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

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

    Welsh Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Norwegian Lundehunds and Welsh Terriers?

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

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

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

    Norwegian Lundehunds are very easy to train.

    Welsh Terriers are fairly easy to train.

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

    Norwegian Lundehunds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Welsh Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

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

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

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Welsh 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 Welsh Terrier:

  • Jack Russell Terrier (79 percent match with Welsh Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Lundehund vs Jack Russell Terrier.
  • Stabyhoun (76 percent match with Welsh Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Lundehund vs Stabyhoun.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Norwegian Lundehund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Lundehund versus Japanese Spitz     Norwegian Lundehund versus Bulldog     Norwegian Lundehund versus Sealyham Terrier     Norwegian Lundehund versus Boxerdoodle     Norwegian Lundehund versus Sheepadoodle     Norwegian Lundehund versus Valley Bulldog     Norwegian Lundehund versus Chow Chow     Norwegian Lundehund versus Belgian Sheepdog     Norwegian Lundehund versus Affenhuahua     Norwegian Lundehund versus Lakeland Terrier     Norwegian Lundehund versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Norwegian Lundehund versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Norwegian Lundehund versus Cairn Terrier     Norwegian Lundehund versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Norwegian Lundehund versus Havanese     Norwegian Lundehund versus Dalmatian     Norwegian Lundehund versus Shetland Sheepdog     Norwegian Lundehund versus Manchester Terrier     Norwegian Lundehund versus Siberian Husky     Norwegian Lundehund versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Norwegian Lundehund versus Pointer     Norwegian Lundehund versus Standard Schnauzer     Norwegian Lundehund versus Azawakh     Norwegian Lundehund versus Keeshond     Norwegian Lundehund versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     

    Welsh Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Welsh Terrier versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Welsh Terrier versus Tibetan Spaniel     Welsh Terrier versus Afghan Hound     Welsh Terrier versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Welsh Terrier versus Kooikerhondje     Welsh Terrier versus Bracco Italiano     Welsh Terrier versus Great Dane     Welsh Terrier versus Norwegian Lundehund     Welsh Terrier versus Dogo Argentino     Welsh Terrier versus American Hairless Terrier     Welsh Terrier versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Welsh Terrier versus Afghan Hound     Welsh Terrier versus Giant Schnauzer     Welsh Terrier versus Dachshund     Welsh Terrier versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Welsh Terrier versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever     Welsh Terrier versus Bullmastiff     Welsh Terrier versus Shiranian     Welsh Terrier versus Havanese     Welsh Terrier versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Welsh Terrier versus Rottweiler     Welsh Terrier versus Irish Setter     Welsh Terrier versus Mudi     Welsh Terrier versus Bernedoodle     Welsh Terrier versus Aussiedoodle     

    Conclusion: Norwegian Lundehund versus Welsh Terrier. 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 Welsh Terrier better suits you and your family.