Published Sunday, January 29, 2012, 11:05 AM
At this year's edition of the Westminster Kennel Club (WKC) Dog Show (February 13-14 at Madison Square Garden in New York City), six breeds will be making their debuts.
In other words, these breeds have in the last year been recognized by the American Kennel Club and thus made eligible for competition in conformation shows.
One of these breeds is the Norwegian Lundehund.
Norwegian Lundehunds are the only debuting breed from the Non-Sporting group, something of a "catch-all" group which includes breeds such as the Bulldog, Dalmation and Poodle, both Miniature and Standard. (The other six groups -- as people who diligently read what will be regular features about the WKC Show will soon know by heart -- are Hound, Toy, Working, Terrier, Sporting and Herding.)
According to the Norwegian Lundehund Association of America, Inc.:
The Norwegian Lundehund is a small rectangular and agile Spitz breed with unique characteristics not found in any other breed. Originating on remote islands of arctic Norway, the dog was used to wrestle and retrieve live puffin birds from the crevices of steep vertical cliffs. To enable the dog to climb, descend, and brake on these cliffs, unique structural characteristics have evolved and must be present as they define this breed: a minimum of six toes on each foot and elongated rear foot pads, an elastic neck which allows the head to bend backwards to touch the spine, letting the dog turn around in narrow puffin bird caves, and shoulders flexible enough to allow the front legs to extend flat to the side in order to hug the cliffs.
According to the WKC: "Lundehunds have a protective double coat, reddish-brown, often with white collar and feet and a white tip on the tail."
Additionally, the WKC mentions: "Today puffin birds are protected and the puffin dog has taken up its new role as an alert, cheerful and somewhat mischievous companion."
Norwegian Lundehunds are scheduled for judging at the WKC Dog Showon Monday, February 13 at 11:15 AM in Ring 1.
The slideshow attached to this article will help provide a sense, for those unfamiliar, of the Norwegian Lundehund.
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