The Lundehund ’ s Unique Features
cue ” has conserved at-risk populations by increasing the number of individuals and the overall amount of genetic variation . Genetic rescue may also become necessary for domestic species , especially if a large segment of the population is lost from disease or other unexpected events , such as the Lundehund .
For the Lundehund , introduction of new genetic diversity could complicate preservation of its unique anatomical features . These traits are closely associated with the breed we know today and had practical implications for the breed ’ s historical function . However , the puffin is now deemed at risk in some coastal areas and no longer hunted . The Lundehund is unlikely to resume its traditional duties , so these historically important traits are no longer needed . The Lundehund is therefore valuable for investigating the costs and benefits of outcrossing for increasing genetic variation , reducing disease and the use of selective breeding for breed development .
Health was a key reason for starting the outcrossing program . Genetic rescue of the Lundehund is particularly important because of high prevalence of gastrointestinal disease , typically described with the broad term intestinal lymphangiectasia ( IL ).
The Lundehund also shows signs of reduced immunity , which may be an effect of very low genetic diversity . All presentday Lundehunds seem at risk of developing this illness , which makes it unfeasible to select unaffected dogs ( or dogs with low probability of illness ) for the breeding program . It is critical to reduce the prevalence of IL : The illness causes pain , reduced welfare and possibly limited life span in dogs , in addition to the practical , financial and emotional concerns for dog owners .
Outcrossing the Lundehund
The problems facing the Lundehund prompted the Norwegian Lundehund Club to start an outcrossing project with other breeds to increase genetic diversity and reduce inbreeding . They considered several other Nordic spitz breeds with similar morphology and behavior , and at the moment , crossbreeding is done with three breeds : the Norwegian Buhund , Icelandic Sheepdog and Norrbottenspets . These breeds resemble the Lundehund and likely have common ancestry , which could facilitate selection of crossbred individuals that physically and behaviorally resemble the purebred Lundehund .
Left : The second crossbred litter was born to the Icelandic Sheepdog Loppa , here shown with her pups . The litter was born in Iceland , and the pups were imported to Norway . Photo by Sorun Lilja Ragnarsdottir . Below : A purebred Lundehund female [ left ] and the crossbred pup , Erik . His father is a Lundehund and his mother an Icelandic Sheepdog . Photo by Bård Mathias Andersen .
The Lundehund ’ s Unique Features
PHOTOS COURTESY INGVILD SVORKMO ESPELIEN
The breed has several unique anatomical features . The breed has six toes on every foot ( the presence of extra toes is called polydactyly ) and exceedingly flexible shoulder and neck joints compared with those of other dog breeds . They can also partly close their ear canals by folding their ears downward , which helps protect their ears inside tight mountain cavities where soil and rocks may fall from the roof .
These features were selected based on the breed ’ s historical role in puffin hunting along the coast of Norway . This highly demanding work required flexible dogs with good climbing abilities that could enter puffin nests — cavities in the mountains — and fetch birds to bring back to their owners .
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