Five hundred or more years ago, people on the northern coast of Norway depended on birds, known as Puffins, to be their major source of winter food. These birds resemble small, flying penguins with big colorful beaks and they nest in the narrow, twisting caves along the rocky sea-cliffs. Those cliffs are so treacherous there is a big problem getting to the Puffins. ----------------------
Th
e Norwegians bred a unique dog for this task which they named ‘Lunderhund’. These dogs are able to scrabble up cliffs and crawl into caves. They have 6 functioning toes, rather than the usual four which allows them to gain purchase and haul themselves along in positions where only the sides of its legs are touching the rock. They also help the dog with traction on steep and slippery cliffs. ---------------------------------
It’s forelegs can bend outwards far enough for the dog to lay flat on its chest, with the legs in a human position The dog’s neck and spine are so flexible it can lay its head back along its own spine, which helps them bac
k out of a cave or turn itself around where there is little room - even with a mouth full of Puffin! The ear structure allows the Lundehund to seal its own ears shut, saving it from getting rock dust and water in its ears.
These dogs also have what is known as ‘Lunderhund syndrome’, a condition of digestive disorders involving intestinal cancer, and a loss of the ability to absorb nutrients from food, in extreme cases resulting in starvation. Every Lunderhund has it but some are pretty much symptom free.
In the 1940s, these dogs nearly became extinct, with only 5 dogs remaining. The breed has been rebuilt but remains one of the rarest with fewer than 1,000 of these animals worldwide.
k out of a cave or turn itself around where there is little room - even with a mouth full of Puffin! The ear structure allows the Lundehund to seal its own ears shut, saving it from getting rock dust and water in its ears.
These dogs also have what is known as ‘Lunderhund syndrome’, a condition of digestive disorders involving intestinal cancer, and a loss of the ability to absorb nutrients from food, in extreme cases resulting in starvation. Every Lunderhund has it but some are pretty much symptom free.
In the 1940s, these dogs nearly became extinct, with only 5 dogs remaining. The breed has been rebuilt but remains one of the rarest with fewer than 1,000 of these animals worldwide.
I had a professor once -- a Jew from LA with no Scandinavian roots -- who went to Norway just to see puffins. That's dedication.
ReplyDeleteFolk at the Washington, DC Lodge bring as many as 5 Lunderhunds to special events. It's a treat for the kids to see them at picnics, and even at our julefest.
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