Norbottenspets Basics

The name of this breed may seem unusual, but it makes sense once you learn about the breed’s origins. This breed comes from Sweden and it is a spitz-type dog that, while ancient in terms of its origins, is still rare. The Norbottenspets was developed as a hunting and farm dog but today it is more commonly kept as a companion pet.

The Norbottenspets is a spitz-type dog that is considered a rare breed.

Origin

The Norbottenspets is a Swedish breed that originated in Norrbotten – hence the name, Norbottenspets. The origins of the breed can be traced back to the 17th century where they were used as hunting dogs in both Sweden and Finland. Unfortunately, the breed came close to extinction by the end of World War I, though a small number of dogs were preserved and used to start a breeding program in the 1950s. A new breed standard was released by the FCI in 1966 and the breed name was confirmed. The dog breed has since been accepted by the Swedish Kennel Club and the breed was admitted to the AKC Foundation Stock Service in 2007 – it is now part of the Hound Group.

Pedigree

The exact origins of the Norbottenspets are unknown though it is known to be a Swedish spitz-type breed. It is thought to have descended from small, ancient spitz-type dogs in the Nordic region.

Food/Diet

As a small-breed dog, the Norbottenspets should be offered a commercial dog food diet formulated for dogs of its size. It is also worth noting that this breed is fairly active – if you plan to use your Norbottenspets for hunting or other dog sports you may want to consider an active or working breed formula to make sure that his energy needs are being met.

The Norbottenspets is a highly intelligent breed that generally responds well to training.

Training

The Norbottenspets is a highly intelligent breed that generally responds well to training. These dogs are particularly gifted as a hunting breed, talented in flushing and chasing game. In addition to being talented hunters, the Norbottenspets can be trained for other dog sports as well. This breed responds well to positive reinforcement-based training methods and it is recommended that you start training and socialization as early as possible for the best results. This breed is eager to please and loves to learn so they can be taught a variety of different tricks.

Weight

The average height for the Norbottenspets breed is 16.5 to 18 inches. Males of the breed weigh between 24 and 33 pounds at maturity while females are a little smaller, around 18 to 27 pounds.

Temperament/Behavior

The Norbottenspets is a smart and trainable dog, and it’s also a wonderful family pet. These dogs are affectionate and faithful with family, plus they are often ranked among the top dog breeds for getting along with children. This breed is perfectly sized for apartment or condo life as long as they get the exercise they need. The Norbottenspets is a lively and energetic breed but also playful and friendly by nature. These dogs generally get along with other dogs, though you may need to supervise them around cats and other small pets due to their hunting instincts.

The Norbottenspets is often ranked among the top dog breeds for getting along with children.

Common Health Problems

The Norbottenspets is a very healthy breed with a long lifespan, this is largely due to the fact that the breed has a small gene pool. Breeding is heavily controlled to prevent the introduction of congenital health problems as well. As healthy as these dogs are, they still require routine veterinary care and vaccinations.

Life Expectancy

The average lifespan for this dog is 12 to 15 years, though several specimens of the breed have been known to live as long as 20 years.

Exercise Requirements

Because the Norbottenspets was developed for hunting it is a fairly active breed. These dogs require plenty of daily exercise as well as plenty of active playtime.

AKC

The Norbottenspets was admitted into the AKC Foundation Stock Service in 2007 and has since been assigned to the Hound Group.

Coat

The Norbottenspets has a short, close-lying coat with a harsh outer texture and a dense undercoat. The fur on the face, head, ears, and front of the legs is fairly short but it is longer on the neck, back of the legs, and tail. This breed exhibits a ground color of white with reddish-brown or yellowish-red markings in most cases, though other colors are permitted for the markings. This breed sheds moderately so regular brushing and grooming is recommended.

Puppies

The average litter size for the Norbottenspets breed is about 5 to 7 puppies. These dogs require early socialization and training from a young age to keep their energy under control. As a small-breed dog, puppies reach their adult size fairly quickly.

Photo credit: Kaisa Kotajärvi; Manjusha Kennels