Portrait of a Norrbottenspets, a small dog breed

Norrbottenspets

  • Small
  • Miscellaneous Class
  • Popularity rank 174

The Norrbottenspets, or Nobs, is a small Spitz-type hunting dog from Sweden that was once thought extinct. Rugged, agile, and weatherproof on the hunt, it stays a kind and affectionate companion at home.

Height
16.5 to 18
inches at the shoulder
Weight
20 to 30
pounds, adult
Life expectancy
14 to 17
years, median 15.5
Senior from
11.6
years, about

Senior starts in the last quarter of a breed's expected lifespan, following the 2019 AAHA canine life stage guidelines. Individual dogs vary.

About the breed

Temperament
Fearless, agile, attentive
Coat
Double, short
Origin
Sweden
Popularity, 2013 to 2016 Rank 174 in the latest ranking

2013: rank 166, 2014: rank 172, 2015: rank 165, 2016: rank 174

2013 Lower is more popular 2016

The Norrbottenspets, pronounced Nor-bot-ten-spitz and often called the Nobs, is a small hunting spitz. Males stand just under 20 inches, with a tough, sinewy body suited to harsh terrain and climates.

Once thought extinct, the breed was kept alive as a farm and hunting dog in the northern parts of Sweden and Finland. The rough terrain and climate of the Scandinavian forests, plus the job of holding large, dangerous game like moose, shaped what the breed became.

The result is a dog that is agile, rugged, and weatherproof, fearless on the job yet kind and affectionate at home. Norrbottenspets have balanced physical proportions suited to work.

Temperament and needs

Scored 1 to 5 for the breed overall. Individual dogs vary.

  • Affectionate with family5 out of 5
  • Good with young children3 out of 5
  • Good with other dogs3 out of 5
  • Openness to strangers3 out of 5
  • Playfulness3 out of 5
  • Watchdog and protective nature3 out of 5
  • Adaptability4 out of 5
  • Trainability4 out of 5
  • Energy level4 out of 5
  • Mental stimulation needs3 out of 5
  • Barking level3 out of 5
  • Shedding3 out of 5
  • Grooming frequency2 out of 5
  • Drooling1 out of 5

Care

The routines that matter most for this breed. Open one at a time.

Nutrition

The Norrbottenspets does well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. Match the food to your dog's life stage, whether puppy, adult, or senior, and keep clean, fresh water available at all times.

Some dogs gain weight easily, so watch calorie intake and body condition. Treats help with training, but too many can lead to obesity, so use them in moderation. Learn which human foods are safe for dogs and which are not.

Check with your vet if you have any questions about your dog's weight or diet.

Grooming

The Norrbottenspets has a hard, short, straight topcoat over a fine, dense undercoat. Weekly grooming and occasional baths are usually sufficient.

Trim the nails as needed with a clipper or grinder to avoid overgrowth, splitting, and cracking. Check the ears regularly to clear any buildup of wax and debris that could lead to infection, and brush the teeth when needed.

Exercise

Nobs are vivacious, energetic, and playful, with an engaging and affectionate disposition, and they need a daily outlet for that energy. Good options include play in a fenced backyard or walks several times a day, plus outdoor activities such as swimming, hiking, and retrieving balls or flying discs.

Indoor games work too, like hide-and-seek or chasing a ball rolled along the floor. In an apartment, even short walks in the hallways give your dog some movement, which helps during inclement weather.

For mental work as well as physical, train for dog sports like agility, obedience, and rally, or teach new tricks to keep your dog thinking and moving.

Health conditions

11 conditions are documented for the Norrbottenspets.

A predisposition is not a diagnosis. Ask your vet which screenings make sense for your dog's age.

Sources

Longevity & Vitality soft chew

Longevity & Vitality is a daily chew built on five active ingredients. Each chew carries Turkey Tail at 600mg, Curcuvet® curcumin at 75mg, Quercefit® quercetin at 40mg, Fibalance® at 275mg and EpiCor® at 50mg. The daily serving follows your dog's weight, from half a chew to three.

Roots Pet Longevity & Vitality pouch of 60 soft chews, a daily multi-benefit supplement for adult dogs