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Norwegian Buhund

Thinking about purchasing an Norwegian Buhund? Then read our breed profile including a brief description, information on height, weight, color, coat, temperament, grooming, activity and history. Purchasing a new puppy is a commitment that may last ten or more years so please educate yourself on the Norwegian Buhund breed, including all stages of their life from puppy hood to older dog.

Ask yourself will I be a good owner? Do I have the time it takes to train a new puppy? Do I have the resources to give my new dog a rewarding life. Do I have a local veterinarian that I can take my new dog to? Do I have a groomer or can I do the grooming myself on a regular basis. Fundamental requirements for a being a good Norwegian Buhund owner;

properly feed your new dog,
house them comfortably
train them in basic obedience.

Before making a purchase talk to the breeder, ask them many questions about their dogs and the breed in general. A good breeder will teach you about the Norwegian Buhund and they will have many questions for you about your home and life style and if this breed is suited for you and your family.

Questions you may want to ask an Norwegian Buhund Breeder:

When were your Norwegian Buhunds born? When will they be allowed to leave?
Have your puppies received their first shots? being wormed? had a puppy check up with your veterinarian?
What type of socialization have the puppies received? with children? with other pets? in the home?
Have you seen genetic problems in previous litters? What are your health guarantees?
Are there any health certifications on the sire or dam?
What is the temperament of the puppies, of the mother? shy? boisterous? aggressive? skittish?
If you become unable to care for your new Norwegian Buhund, will the breeder help you find a new home?

It is recommended that you sign a contract with the breeder so that there will be no misunderstandings on the arrangements made. Then bring home your new Norwegian Buhund and enjoy as "there is no greater love then a dog's devotion."

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Norwegian Buhund Profile

Description: The Norwegian Buhund is a herding dog from the spitz family. They are a lightly-built, compact dog. They are the farm dogs of Norway. "Bu" in Norwegian means homestead or the mountain hut lived in by shepherds at the summer pastures, and "hund" means dog. In Norway they are still used as a general-purpose farm dogs but in other parts of the world they are now trained as hearing dogs, police protection and a tracking dog, child's companion and obedience dog. Norwegian Buhunds have the desire for human companionship and make an ideal family pet as they are also very affectionate. Norwegian Buhunds are a friendly breed, able to get along well with children and other dogs. They are very playful, but also very alert and watchful of their surroundings. Protective when needed, the Norwegian Buhund will bark at all possible threats to alert their owners. Loveable and fun, the Norwegian Buhund is a one-of-a-kind Spitz in need of human companionship.

Other Names: Norsk Buhund, Norwegian Sheepdog

Type: Northern Breed

Height: Females: 16 - 17.5 inches; Males: 17 - 18 inches.
Weight: Females: 26.5 - 35 lbs; Males: 31 - 40 lbs.

Colors: Wheaten, black, red, and wolf-sable. Self-colored, but small symmetrical markings are permissible.
Coat: Outer coat is close and harsh, but smooth; undercoat is soft and woolly.

Temperament: Norwegian Buhunds are friendly, fun-loving, loyal, affectionate and very intelligent. They are good with children and get along with other dogs. They are protective and fearless when they need to be, and love to be playful otherwise. They can be independent, but with training will become more obedient. They are thought to be the most trainable of all the Spitz breeds. They like to bark, and are very alert and watchful. Some have been referred to as a security dog that is on duty all the time.
With Children: Yes, very good with children.
With Pets: Yes, gets along well with other dogs.

Watch-dog: High. They are an excellent alert watch-dog.
Guard-dog: Medium.Although friendly, they will defend their owner if needed.

Norwegian Buhund Care and Exercise: Norwegian Buhunds are easy to groom. A regular brushing will keep them neat and remove dead hair. They have a fair amount of energy and welcome the chance to work.
Training: Highly trainable, they are a creature of habit and are known to hold a routine and be one step ahead. They will need a firm consistent master to over come their strong will. Obedience training is a must for these intelligent dogs.
Learning Rate: High. Obedience - Medium. Problem Solving - Medium. Like most herding breeds, they are easily trained, agile and alert.

Activity: Very High. They are very active, playful and happy dogs.
Special Needs: Exercise, job or activity to do, and training.
Living Environment: Their size makes them readily adaptable to city or country living provided they get regular outdoor exercise. They prefer cooler temperatures, but have adapted well to the arid desert areas of Australia for sheepherding, and have become quite popular there, proving they are quite a versatile breed. The best owner for this breed would be an active family living in the suburbs or the country.

Norwegian Buhund Health Issues: Cataracts, epilepsy and hip dysplasia. This is a rather healthy breed.

Life Span: 12 - 15 years.
Litter Size:4 - 8 puppies.

Country of Origin: Norway
Norwegian Buhund History: One of the earliest known Nordic herding types, the Norwegian Buhund is thought to be the most trainable of all the Spitz breeds. Norwegian Buhunds were taken along by the Vikings on their travels and colonizing journeys over 1,000 years ago where the ancestors of the Iceland Dog influenced the collie breeds. The Icelandic Sagas of 900 A.D. to 1300 A.D. record how the breeds were brought to Iceland through the Norwegian peoples in 874 A.D. They are thought to be a mix of these types: the Iceland Dog and other local herding dogs. They were primarily used as a sheepdog, but also for hauling, reindeer herding, and as an all-purpose farm dog. Much of these breeds worked around the home, thus leading to the development of their name, the Buhund. Bu means "homestead" while hund means "dog" in Norwegian. Imported to Britain in the 1940s, the first American imports were made in the late 1980s. At the Crufts Dog Show of `95 a Buhund won Group Two for the first time. They were most recently accepted into the AKC in 2007 in the Miscellaneous group.

First Registered by the AKC: 2007
Group: Miscellaneous
Class: Herding
Registries: FCI, UKC, NBCA, TKC, AKC (1/2004)

Norwegian Buhunds

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Wednesday, December 17, 2008