Norwegian Lundehund Health Care & Feeding
By Michele Welton, Dog Trainer, Breed Selection Consultant, Author of 15 Dog Books
Jump down to this list of
Norwegian Lundehund Health Problems
Or check out my advice for raising a healthy Norwegian Lundehund puppy or adult dog:
Dog Health Care – The Sensible Way
Read my advice on daily health care so your Norwegian Lundehund lives a long, healthy life and seldom needs to see the vet... [read more]
3 Best Ways To Feed Your Dog Healthy Food
You can dramatically increase your dog's chances of living a long, healthy life by feeding the right food. Cutting right to the chase, the best foods for your Norwegian Lundehund are... [read more]
A Quick Way To Make Homemade Dog Food
Your Lundehund will love real chicken, turkey, beef, fish, eggs, yogurt, broccoli.... this is not just "people food" and I'll tell you why... [read more]
5 Best Kibble and Canned Dog Foods
Some are better than others, but I must be honest – I'm not a huge fan of dry or canned dog food. Here are my concerns... [read more]
Vaccinations and Booster Shots: Needed or Not?
How many vaccinations does your Norwegian Lundehund puppy really need? Does your adult dog need yearly booster shots? The vaccination guidelines have changed! Find out what some vets aren't telling you... [read more]
Spaying Your Female Dog: Pros and Cons
Should your female Norwegian Lundehund be spayed? Current research says, "The AGE at which you spay can be vitally important to your dog's future health." So what's the best age? [read more]
Neutering Your Male Dog: Pros and Cons
Have you been told that you must neuter your male Norwegian Lundehund? Current research shows that the issue is not so simple. Pet owners are not being told about some risks associated with neutering male dogs, especially neutering too early... [read more]
Make Sure Your Vet is the Best!
Is your current veterinarian really the best choice for your dog? Here's how to tell... [read more]
Assisi Loop Review
Does your Lundehund suffer from arthritis, hip dysplasia, disk disease, colitis? My honest review of a veterinary device you can use at home to reduce inflammation and pain. [read more]
Complete list of Norwegian Lundehund health problems
To look at this handsome breed with its striking colors, easy-maintenance coat, and conveniently smallish size, you might assume it was very popular.
But no. The Norwegian Lundehund is not very popular.
That's partly because he can be hard to housebreak and a bit skittish in temperament. But it's also because of health problems.
The lifespan of this breed is unpredictable because of severe gastrointestinal disorders that are embedded in the breed's gene pool.
These episodic intestinal diseases are forms of colitis (inflammatory bowel syndrome). Sometimes they're called protein-losing enteropathy.
In essence, in the Norwegian Lundehund, valuable protein that the dog should be digesting and absorbing gets lost through the intestinal wall. Symptoms include intermittent diarrhea and vomiting, which are no fun, for the poor dog or for you.
No family of Lundehunds is completely free of these diseases. All Norwegian Lundehunds should be on a high-protein, low-fat, homemade diet and should be tested every few months (bloodwork and fecal tests) for these diseases throughout their life.
Other health issues in Norwegian Lundehunds are eye diseases, and loose knee joints (luxating patella) that can cause lameness and pain.
Preventing health problems
Some health problems are inherited. For example, if your dog inherits from his parents the genes for an eye disease called PRA, he will go blind and there's nothing anyone can do about it.
But most health problems can be prevented by the ways you raise your dog.
FREE eBOOK! My free online health care program, 11 Things You Must Do Right To Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy shows you how to raise your Norwegian Lundehund in all the right ways that help prevent health problems. Become your dog's health care champion!
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