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Lundehund gastroenteropathy is a set of digestive disorders that can lead to an overgrowth of digestive bacteria, and a loss of ability to absorb nutrients from food. [1] In extreme cases the dog can starve due to its inability to derive nutrients and protein from food, regardless of food intake. All Lundehunds have the genetics to have this illness, though not every Lundehund is severely afflicted and some are symptom free. There is no cure, though the disease can be managed. [2]

The Norwegian Lundehund is a small, rectangular Spitz type dog. The Lundehund has a great range of motion in its joints, allowing it to fit into narrow passages. The head can be bent backwards along the dog's own spine, and the forelegs can turn to the side at a 90-degree angle to its body, much like human arms. Its pricked, upright ears can be sealed nearly shut by folding them forward or backward.The Norwegian Lundehund is polydactyl: instead of the normal four toes a foot, the Lundehund has six toes, all fully formed, jointed and muscled. The outercoat is dense and rough with a soft undercoat. The Lundehund is adapted to climb narrow cliff paths in Rost where it natively would have hunted puffins.

The breed has a long history. As far back as 1600 it was used for hunting puffins along the Norwegian coast. Its flexibility and extra toes were ideal for hunting the birds in their inaccessible nesting locations on cliffs and in caves. Interest for the breed declined when new methods for hunting puffins were invented and a dog tax was created. Around 1900, they were only found in the isolated village of Mostad (spelled Måstad in Norwegian), Lofoten. The breed was nearly extinct around World War II when canine distemper struck Værøy and the surrounding islands. In 1963, the population was further decimated by distemper again. This time, only 6 dogs survived (1 on Værøy & 5 in southern Norway Hamar (these 5 were from the same mother)), creating a population bottleneck. Due to careful breeding with strict guidelines, there are now an estimated 1500-2000 dogs in the world, with around 1100 of the population in Norway and ~350 in the United States.

The Norwegian Lundehund was approved to move to the Miscellaneous Class of the American Kennel Club on November 13, 2007 by a unanimous vote of the AKC Board of Directors, effective date to be July 1, 2008.[3] After an evaluation period in Miscellaneous Class (reviewed in 1-year increments), the breed is slated to progress into the Non-sporting Group. The Lundehund made its AKC conformation debut at the Roaring Fork Kennel Club show in Eagle, Colorado on July 12, 2008. [4] The Lundehund made its introductory premier at a major event at the 2008 AKC/Eukanuba National show in Long Beach, California on December 13-14, 2008. Four Lundehunds were present for introductions and inspections by Judge's & the public at a Meet the Breed booth - 1 of 153 breeds represented. From this event, the Norwegian Lundehund Association of America has been asked to instruct at several upcoming Judge's Education events - a major aspect of the AKC plan for full recognition of the breed. Other aspects in the plan for full recognition include: active participation in AKC events (conformation, agility, etc.) and expanding the knowledge of the breed to the general dog fancy.