At a glance
Basic requirements and commitment level
Daily requirements
Context & compatibility
Is this right for you?
Common scenarios where this breed tends to fit well or less well
A good match
- Want a dense, weather-style double coat and a substantial frame, and accept seasonal undercoat shedding + brushing
Not ideal
- Want a silky single-coat longhair feel or consistently low shedding
Care & health
Setup, routines, and health considerations
Care overview
A rugged double coat with seasonal shed—care is mainly coat management plus enough climbing and movement to match the athletic build.
Environment & space
Thrives with vertical routes, sturdy scratching zones, and a quiet retreat area for downtime.
Daily routine
Brush several times weekly and more during heavy shed. Daily play/climb time keeps indoor life balanced.
Health sensitivities
Choose lines with transparent screening practices and long-term family history tracking.
Background
Origins and how that history shapes what you see today
Origin region
Norway
Background
A Scandinavian landrace-type longhair later standardized as a breed. The defining theme is a rugged, substantial build with a dense coat identity suited to cold-weather origins.
Social & behavior
Temperament and interaction style
Personality & activity
Commonly confident and exploratory, with a noticeable independent streak—more “do my rounds” than “stay in your lap.”
Handling & social style
Often prefers opt-in contact; tends to do best when they can approach, pause, and re-engage on their terms.