Here’s a word we challenge you to say five times really fast: Pohjanpystykorva.

Not so easy? Ok, try this one: Norrbottenspets.

If you failed abysmally at both names, that’s ok. Fans of the Norrbottenspets breed simply call them “Nobs,” or “Norbs.”  In the end, the breed that is now the national dog of Sweden (and a humble farm dog and hunting partner) has parlayed its versatility into search and rescue, hunting, vermin control, and value companion dog.

Norrbottenspets are very rare in North America, and even in Sweden, breed numbers are small, so it was all the more exciting when we were able to visit with a few “Nobs” at the 2017 AKC National Championship presented by Royal Canin. Below is a live-stream video we did with Gabi Vannini and a few of her dogs. It’s raw, its unrehearsed, and though it was 15 minutes long, we had a great time meeting these fabulous little dogs:

Image: Icies (Icelandic Sheepdogs) and Nobs (Norrbottenspets) anxious to visit the dog show and Disney World during their time in Orlando, Florida. Photo by Gabi Vannini