Rampur Greyhound vs Norwegian Lundehund - Breed Comparison

The Norwegian Lundehund hails from the island of Vaeroy, Norway and was created for the purpose of puffin hunting.

Now that these puffins are a protected species, the dog is no longer used for hunting and has become a companion dog.

The breed decreased in numbers during- and after World War II because the islands where he came from had an outbreak of distemper. It was in 1963 that another outbreak occurred and the dogs were almost wiped out. A breeding program saw their numbers being built up.

It was in 2011 that the dog was recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Known also as the North-Indian Greyhound or the Rampur Hound, the Rampur Greyhound is native to the Rampur area of Northern India.

This dog is a member of the sighthound family, and in the past has been sought after for its efforts in controlling jackals.

The dog is also able to cover large distances at high speed. Some commemorative postage stamps were issued in 2005 as acknowledgement of this attractive dog breed.

As a spitz-type dog, with the Lundehund you’ll recognize the typical spitz-dog characteristics – the erect ears and the tail that curves over the back.

He is a small to medium sized dog standing at 30 – 40cm and weighing 6 – 9kg. He is an active dog and is as agile as a fox.

He has a dense double coat which is white, reddish/tan with some black tips. He is a dog which sheds constantly.

Strangely this dog has 6 toes and his rear pads have elongated foot pads which have helped the dog be able to climb over rocks. He also has a flexible type of neck that is capable of craning back so that the head touches the spine. The dog has some unique features and wriggling in and out of small spaces is another of his characteristics. In fact he can do things that you would not imagine a dog could do.

Temperament:

When you have a Lundehund in your life you’ll agree he has a happy, amicable personality. He is non-aggressive.

He will require training and socialization as he is an independent dog who can be obstinate. He is quite aloof with strangers too and once he starts barking at them he tends to want to continue. Training him will put an end to that irritating behavior. He is a loving, loyal dog, enjoying the company of his human family.

In height, the Rampur Greyhound stands at between 55 and 75 cm and they weigh in the region of 27 to 30kg.

They are much the same as other greyhounds, but they’re somewhat wider and just a little bit more muscular. The head too, is broader than the slimmer head of the English Greyhound. Of course these dogs are known for the slim, pointed nose, the high-set ears which are sometimes half-floppy, half-erect. The eyes are large and the tail is long and slim.

The coat is short and smooth and is in colors such as gray, fawn, some white, some black with white and some brindle.

Temperament:

Your Rampur Greyhound is social around his human family, lapping up all their attention. He is the kind of dog that can be seen sprinting at high speed over the fields, but he is also not averse to lying peacefully with you on the sofa.

He is far better suited to a home with large gardens or on a farm as opposed to being confined to a small property in the city.

He can be gentle but when required, he becomes an excellent watchdog. He will need training and socialization as he can be rambunctious indoors, knocking things over. Training makes him obedient and restrained They get on well with children and other pets in the home.

The Norwegian Lundehund isn’t your everyday dog and in fact he is known as a primitive breed. Perhaps he wouldn’t be the best dog to have if you’re a first-time dog owners as training is quite difficult too.

People who are willing to take a chance on him say that with training and socialization he can become a loving canine companion.

Everyone loves the Rampur Greyhound, and why not? He is fantastic with children because of his gentle, loving nature. He is a playful dog too and will require a daily dose of exercise.

They aren’t noisy dogs, being naturally timid, but he still loves to get out and about with his daily walk to see and experience new sights and smells.

When you bring a Rampur Greyhound into your home, you’re bringing in a whole lot of wonderful companionship, love and loyalty from this remarkable canine.

The Lundehund is prone to digestive disorders but even so he has got a good chance of living to be 11, 12, 13 or 14 years of age with good care.

He is however, one of these dogs prone to health problems of which chronic intestinal disease is one. Its the kind of illness that can recur because it is resistant to treatment.

Experts on these dogs say that they should have a fecal test done every 6 months or so, saying that one thing a bit negative with this dog breed is that you may well be forking out quite a bit on chronic veterinary care.

Rampur Hounds are generally a healthy dog breed, and their health is enhanced when you take good care of them and provide them with lots of love, good food and exercise.

Still, every dog can fall prey to any one of the many dog illnesses there are such as cancer, bloat, diabetes, ear infections, epilepsy, obesity, eye problems and others.

Bloat:

This can be deadly for your dog. Gas collects in the stomach and the stomach can twist. You’ll notice your dog has a hard, swollen stomach and he is lethargic, but restless. Getting him to the vet as quickly as possible should be a top priority.

Skin Problems:

Your pet can develop all kinds of skin problems where he bites and scratches, causing bacteria. It can be terribly painful for your pet, and even ticks and fleas on the skin can cause cause a lot of irritation for your pet.

Some people add in omega 3 oils to their pet’s diet to help with dry skin. Don’t let your pet suffer with skin allergies and other problems that are itchy and painful. Get him to the vet so you can get to the root of what is causing him so much frustration with his skin.

Diet:

Like any other dog, the Norwegian Lundehund will do well on the best quality food. If you buy him commercially manufactured food, check the ingredients on the packaging. Lots of these lower quality foods are made from ingredients that are toxic for your pet, so buy a good quality one.

Buy food according to your dog’s age and activity levels. To make his meals more interesting, add in some delicious home prepared food for him. Stay away from spicy, exotic foods and go for something like boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables. Some raw meat added to the kibble from time to time can also do wonders for your pet as he requires a high-protein diet. Make sure he always has access to fresh, cool water.

Other ‘caring’ things to do to make sure your pet has a quality lifestyle is -

Brush his hair twice a week as he is a fairly heavy shedder. Not only does it keep the coat nice and shiny, it builds up a bond between you and your pet.

Check his ears and eyes regularly to make sure they are free from infection.

Clip his nails when they get long as your pet can hurt himself if the nails hook onto things.

Whenever he is ill, get him to the vet for a check-up.

Make sure he has a nice safe, dry, warm, snug place to sleep.

Keep him well exercised. A dog that is put into the backyard and more or less forgotten will be most miserable. Why get a pet if you don’t want to make him a 100% part of the family?

Exercise:

Active and playful, your Rampur Hound will need a lot of space to let off steam and run. He will look forward to his walks every day with you. Maybe you’ll need a tennis racquet to hit the ball far enough for him to sprint after.

Grooming:

These dogs, with their short coats, are considered to be low maintenance, even though they do shed.

A good brush twice a week will do them good and they just love being massaged. It’s your time to run your hands over the slim, muscled body to make sure there are no unusual lumps on him.

Follow a regular grooming regime when you brush him. Check inside his ears, have a look at his eyes to make sure they’re still bright. Check inside his mouth for bad teeth which could be causing him terrible pain and make sure to trim his nails.

Diet:

To be healthy and content, every dog needs good food.For convenience it can be great to feed your Greyhound one of the high quality commercially manufactured dog foods. To vary the food occasionally, add in some delicious home-made food too.

Once or twice a week you can simply add some home-made food to the dry kibble. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a healthy choice for your pet. Nothing complicated.

If you cook it in bulk, you can chop it all up and feed smaller portions to your pet. Some raw meat added in from time to time will also keep him healthy.

A simple meal like this will please your dog no end. No exotic spices and strange, weird kinds of food which could upset his stomach – just plain and simple the way dogs love it.

Ensure there is always a bowl of fresh, cool water within his reach.