Health, Wellbeing & Care

Our philosophy is to use natural approaches wherever they are appropriate, while always putting the health and wellbeing of our dogs first. Natural does not mean “never use medication”. When scientifically proven veterinary treatment is needed, we use it without hesitation. If our dogs need antibiotics, pain relief, surgery or other medical treatment, they get it.

Our dogs are vaccinated. For Distemper, Hepatitis and Parvo, we use titre testing to monitor antibody levels and help determine when vaccination is actually needed. After vaccination, we also titre test to check whether the vaccination has produced an adequate immune response.

Because we live in an area with a very high tick population, we also use appropriate anti-tick protection. We have tried more natural alternatives over the years, but unfortunately they have not provided reliable enough protection for our dogs.

Supporting the immune system

There is no single magic ingredient or supplement that prevents disease. Good overall health comes from many things working together: appropriate nutrition, exercise, rest, genetics, preventive healthcare and a low-stress environment.

Good nutrition

We believe dogs benefit from a varied, nutritious diet based primarily on high-quality animal ingredients. We personally enjoy feeding raw food and use it regularly, but our dogs also eat complete kibble and canned food. The important thing for us is that whatever we feed is nutritionally appropriate, well tolerated and of good quality.

We like to offer variety rather than relying on one food or one protein source throughout a dog's entire life. When feeding raw, we use properly balanced diets with different protein sources, including both red meat and poultry. Fish can also be a useful addition in moderation.

There are many opinions about what dogs “should” and “shouldn't” eat, including

claims that Norwegian Lundehunds should not eat red meat. We have never seen

convincing evidence that red meat itself is a problem for the breed. As with any

dog, individual tolerance matters, and we pay attention to how each dog responds

to its diet. For us, feeding is not about following one particular ideology. A good

diet is one that provides the nutrients a dog needs, suits the individual dog and

can be maintained consistently throughout its life.

Plenty of 'outdoor-time'

Sunlight, fresh air and opportunities to experience natural surfaces such as grass,

soil and rocks are all part of a healthy lifestyle. Our dogs spend plenty of time

outdoors, exploring and simply being dogs.

Sensible use of medication and preventives

We don't believe in giving medication or chemicals unnecessarily, but we also don't

believe that “natural” automatically means safer or better. We do not routinely deworm

dogs without a reason to do so. When appropriate, we prefer to use fecal testing to

determine whether treatment is necessary.

The same principle applies to vaccination. Where titre testing is an appropriate

option, we use it to help make informed decisions about vaccination rather than

automatically vaccinating simply because a calendar says it is time.

At the same time, we use effective flea and tick protection because our environment

makes parasite prevention important. The goal is not to avoid every chemical at all

costs, but to use preventive treatments thoughtfully and when there is a genuine

benefit.

Rest

Rest is just as important as exercise. Dogs, especially puppies and seniors, need plenty of sleep and downtime. We make sure our dogs have quiet places where they can rest undisturbed.

Exercise and mental stimulation

A healthy dog needs both physical exercise and mental stimulation. There are many ways to provide this, from walks, exploring and playing to activities such as nosework, agility, barn hunting, dock diving or obedience.

Not every dog enjoys the same things, and there is no need to turn every dog into an athlete or competition dog. The important thing is to find activities that suit the individual dog and give them opportunities to use their body, brain and natural instincts in ways they genuinely enjoy.

Sound conformation and good care

Good structure matters. A dog with sound, functional anatomy is generally better equipped to move comfortably and efficiently throughout its life.

Everyday care matters too. We keep nails short because overgrown nails can alter the way a dog stands and moves and can contribute to unnecessary strain on the feet and limbs.

Dental health is another important part of general health. Chewing can contribute to dental hygiene, and we provide appropriate chews as part of our dogs' overall dental care. Raw meaty bones can be included when appropriate, but they are not the only way we look after our dogs' teeth.

Love, trust and communication

A healthy relationship is built on trust. We pay attention to our dogs' body language and try to understand when they are comfortable, worried, excited or overwhelmed.

We don't expect our dogs to simply tolerate everything we ask of them. Their emotional wellbeing matters just as much as their physical health.

Socialization.

Good socialization is about teaching a puppy that the world is a safe and understandable place. It is not about exposing a puppy to absolutely everything as quickly as possible.

We believe socialization should be thoughtful and adapted to the individual puppy. Different puppies have different personalities, sensitivities and levels of confidence, and we take that into account.

For our litters, we use "Early Neurological Stimulation" as one part of our early puppy development programme. It is not a substitute for proper socialization, but it can be a useful starting point alongside appropriate exposure to people, environments, sounds, surfaces and everyday experiences.

Ultimately, our goal is simple: to raise dogs that are physically healthy, mentally resilient and well equipped to enjoy life with their families.