[1][2] The origins of the breed are unknown; it is likely both arctic and German spitz blood is present in its ancestry.

[3] The Norrbottenspets is the Swedish equivalent of the closely related Finnish Spitz, the Russian Karelo-Finnish Laika and the Norwegian Buhund; the various breeds only becoming distinct with separate kennel club recognition for dogs found across various national borders.

[1][4][5] The breed has a wedge-shaped head with erect ears; their body is strong and it is as long as it is tall, with a deep chest.

[4] Their tail is long and carried high, curled over their back, as typical of spitz dogs.

[3][4] A tireless, determined hunter with a keen nose, many Norrbottenspets have been trained as search and rescue dogs.