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Norwegian Buhund breed guide
The American Kennel Club calls the Norwegian Buhund a densely coated Nordic spitz-type closely associated with the Vikings, a medium-sized cold-weather worker adept at herding and guarding that is smart, affectionate and steadfastly devoted as a family dog.
The Norwegian Buhund is a prototypical spitz, with a dense coat, a tail curved tightly over the back, a wedge-shaped head and erect pointed ears and coat colors of wheaten or black.
Temperament
Compared with other spitz and northern breeds, Norwegian Buhunds are easier to train but keep the independent streak of such breeds. They want to please but their independence is often stronger, which makes keeping their focus a challenge.
Their name comes from the Norwegian bu, meaning homestead or farm. They are at heart homebodies.
Lifespan
Norwegian Buhunds live 12 to 15 years. They are healthy and hardy. Breeders screen for hip dysplasia, von Willebrand's disease and eye disease.
Care
Norwegian Buhunds do not need extensive grooming. They are naturally clean and basically odorless even when wet and the double coat of a thick, hard, smooth-lying outer layer over a soft, dense, woolly undercoat sheds most foreign substances easily.
Bred to work and herd for hours, Norwegian Buhunds are very energetic and need vigorous exercise that lets them run fast twice a day. They love to run with a bicycle, retrieve balls or take long, all-day hikes.
History
There is truth in romantic tales of Norwegian Buhunds sailing with the Vikings, whose lightning raids reached Europe some 1,200 years ago. For centuries Norwegian Buhunds served as herders, guardians of flock and family and all-purpose farmhands.
Males can stand 18.5 inches and weigh up to 40 pounds.
AKC trait ratings
| Trait | AKC rating | Scale |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Level | 4 of 5 | Couch Potato to High Energy |
| Trainability Level | 3 of 5 | Self-Willed to Eager to Please |
| Shedding Level | 3 of 5 | No Shedding to Hair Everywhere |
| Barking Level | 4 of 5 | Only To Alert to Very Vocal |
| Adaptability Level | 4 of 5 | Lives For Routine to Highly Adaptable |
| Good With Young Children | 3 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Children |
| Good With Other Dogs | 3 of 5 | Not Recommended to Good With Other Dogs |
| Watchdog/Protective Nature | 4 of 5 | What's Mine Is Yours to Vigilant |