Kay Dahlinger Biography 
 
 

For my entire life I have always had a purebred dog at my side. As a child I had
English Springer Spaniels. In 1967 I began breeding and showing Carin Terriers which
I continued breeding until the 1980s when the Parson Russells and the Jack Russells
became part of our family life. At the time we were showing Arabian and Half Arabian
horses and these breeds are a natural with horses. I continue to co-own and co-breed
several Parsons even today.

In 2002, I was first introduced to the Norwegian Lundehund by Mr. Paul Ross.
Paul is the individual, who in 1985, brought the first breeding pairs of Norwegian
Lundehunds to the United States. Paul, who also breeds, owns and is an AKC Judge
of Parson Russells, decided I was getting to old for all the grooming needs of the
Parsons and suggested I consider the Norwegian Lundehunds.  “A what?” I asked.
Norwegian Lundehunds. No special grooming necessary, Paul informed me.  I began
my search and found the Cliffhanger Kennel in Tomales, California. On February 19,
2003, this tiny little fox like creature arrived in a crate at Denver International Airport,
where all the attendants just knew it had to be a fox. That tiny puppy is now an FCI
Champion, Champion of the Americas 2004, and has another 14 Championships, GRCH.
Cliffhanger Cheer Me On,  “Cheers”. In 2003 the 12 week old and now 2 time Champion
Bliss Av Fjelleng,  “Bliss”, arrived from Norway. Bliss has an 8 generation clean pedigree
something rarely seen today.  In May of  2004, 8 week old Eriksro Valerie Electra, “Elle,”
arrived from Finland and at 7 months earned her first Championship. She was Best Junior
Puppy In Specialty in 2004, twice Best In Show in 2005 before the age of 18 months.Elle
is now a Grand Champion.  Both Cheers and Elle were at the Institute for a “hands on”
demonstration. Bliss was bred in November of  2004, and we had our first Lundie litter
January 27, 2005, of three good size pups, two males and a female. So Bliss is
home taking care of the family.

I feel extremely fortunate to have been introduced to this extraordinary and very
rare breed of approximately 1,500 dogs in the entire world. It appears from previous
research this breed may pre-date the Ice Age.  Current research is underway to try
and determine the age and other genomic traits of the breed. There is conformation
through previous research this breed is pure, never been out crossed with any other
known canines. It takes over 30 DNA markers to tell one dog from another. I feel it is
an honor and sincere privilege for me to be entrusted with this breed in attempt to
insure this breed never becomes extinct.