Why the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is Better than the Norwegian Lundehund as a Pet

Last Updated: Jun 15, 2022

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Norwegian Lundehund: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund? 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and for the Norwegian Lundehund. 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund.

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

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Norwegian Lundehund

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Norwegian Lundehund: Overview

A very important difference between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Norwegian Lundehund is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

On the other hand, 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.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Norwegian Lundehund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to the Norwegian Lundehund 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund

FactorCavalier King Charles SpanielNorwegian Lundehund
Tolerates Being Alone1/52/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Height12 to 13 inches at the shoulder1 foot to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight13 to 18 pounds13 to 16 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather2/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl4/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/51/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather3/55/5
Does NOT Shed3/51/5
Does NOT chew on things3/53/5
Low Prey Drive3/54/5
NOT Rambunctious3/52/5
Easy To Groom4/54/5
General Health4/53/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/53/5
Easy To Train4/54/5
Intelligence4/55/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/51/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/51/5
Good For Novice Owners5/51/5
Easygoing1/53/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/55/5
Dog Friendly5/55/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/55/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Life Span9 to 15 years10 to 12 years
Average Lifespan12.0 years11.0 years
Average Price$2410No Data
Price Range$1800 – $3000No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination;
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds17188
    *Data from AKC.org (The American Kennel Club),dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (The American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Norwegian Lundehund. 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 91 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Norwegian Lundehund is 83 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a better pet than the Norwegian Lundehund. So, you should get a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel!

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Norwegian Lundehund

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund

    Below is a list of where the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund are most different:

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

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund are most similar:

  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund are very easy to train.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund are very playful.
  • Size Comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Norwegian Lundehund

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund.

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel weighs 13 to 18 pounds when fully grown. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 12 to 13 inches at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, the Norwegian Lundehund weighs 13 to 16 pounds when fully grown. The Norwegian Lundehund is 1 foot to 1 foot, 3 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Size of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Size of Norwegian Lundehund

    Lifespan of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Norwegian Lundehund

    The lifespan of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is between 9 to 15 years. The average lifespan of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 12.0 years.

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

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel live longer than the Norwegian Lundehund.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Norwegian Lundehund
    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Norwegian Lundehund

    The Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Popularity of Norwegian Lundehund

    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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Lundehund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 17 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norwegian Lundehund is 188 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Popularity of Norwegian Lundehund

    Popularity of Norwegian Lundehund

    Year Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Popularity Rank Norwegian Lundehund Popularity Rank
    2013 18 175
    2014 19 184
    2015 18 182
    2016 19 188
    2017 19 190
    2018 18 191
    2019 16 192
    2020 17 195
    2021 15 197

    Health Problems of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Health Problems of Norwegian Lundehund

    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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is prone to more genetic health problems than the Norwegian Lundehund.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel than for the Norwegian Lundehund.

    4 health tests are recommended for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwegian Lundehund.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and in Norwegian Lundehunds.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health Problems

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination;
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels here.

    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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Norwegian Lundehund

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Norwegian Lundehunds do not like to be left alone.

    Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed more than Norwegian Lundehunds?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed moderately.

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

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Norwegian Lundehunds are very easy to groom.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Norwegian Lundehunds get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good family dogs? What about Norwegian Lundehunds?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Easier to Train than the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Norwegian Lundehunds are very easy to train.

    Which one drools more, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Norwegian Lundehund

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Norwegian Lundehunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    How Kid-friendly are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Norwegian Lundehunds?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    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.

    Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Lundehunds?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Lundehunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Norwegian Lundehunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs. Norwegian Lundehund

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

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

    Can Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Lundehunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Norwegian Lundehunds do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Norwegian Lundehund?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    You may also be interested in how the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel compares to other breeds aside from the Norwegian Lundehund. So, see below the links to the comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel to other breeds:

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Toy Fox Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Giant Schnauzer     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Cockalier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Bearded Collie     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Collie     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Goldendoodle     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Cavachon     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Dogo Argentino     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Field Spaniel     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Dalmatian     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Barbet     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Gordon Setter     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     

    Conclusion: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Norwegian Lundehund. 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Norwegian Lundehund better suits you and your family.