It’s a dilemma facing breeds that find themselves out of a job: How do we preserve that breed? When, for instance, game laws provide few activities in which a hunting dog can be used, how does one find people willing to develop a culture of hunting with, say, a Norrbottenspets?

A Scandinavian breed like the Norrbottenspets is little known in American bird and squirrel hunting communities, but participating in hunt tests where the breed can be seen is certainly a step in the right direction, and winning high prizes (as dogs of this breed have done) certainly attracts attention from hunters looking for a hunting partner with the Norrbottenspets’ unique roaming style. These bird hunting dogs have been selectively bred to range away from their human partners  – on average, about 220 to 330 yards away, and even three quarters of a mile isn’t unheard of when the dog is on a strong scent.  Some hunters believe that the larger the search area, the greater the chance of finding a bird.

The greater dilemma is finding a dog. As of five or six years ago, there were fewer than six Norrbottenspets kennels in the United States, and perhaps sixteen Norrbottenspets of breeding potential. The breed is currently in the AKC’s Miscellaneous Class, but clicking on the “puppy finder” option on the breed page results in the discouraging message: “Sorry, there are no Norrbottenspets Puppies.”  Interested individuals may fare better by importing a puppy from Canada, Finland or Sweden.

Norrbottenspets image shared with permission from the AKC’s breed page