Norwegian Buhund General Breed Information

Norwegian Buhunds are a very rare spitz breed that is in danger of becoming extinct without preservation breeding.
The Norwegian Buhund ranks 178 out of 199 recognized breeds in AKC breed popularity in 2022 (this ranking was released by AKC March 15, 2023).

Known As:

• Norwegian Buhund
• Norsk Buhund
• ​Norwegian Sheepdog

Country Of Origin:​

• Norway

Original Purpose:

• For centuries Buhunds have served as versatile farm dogs. Buhunds are best known for being alert watchdogs who herd, guard flock and family, and are all-purpose farmhands.

Height (AKC & UKC):

• Males: 17-18.5 inches at the withers
• Females: 16-17.5 inches at the withers

Weight (AKC & UKC):

• Males: 31-40 pounds
• Females: 26-35 pounds

​Life Expectancy:

• 12-15 years

Overall Health:

• Norwegian Buhunds are a very hearty and healthy breed. The Norwegian Buhund Club Of America recommends that all breeding stock have yearly eye screenings by a veterinary ophthalmologist as well as have their hips evaluated (after two years of age and before being bred).
• BlackRose Norwegian Buhunds also recommends finding a breeder whose dogs are also health tested and certified with OFA to be free of cardiac problems before being bred.

​Barking Level:

• Buhunds enjoy being vocal but early training will curb or stop vocal behavior.

Energy Level:

• ​Very Active; Buhunds are lively, agile dogs who like to keep busy
• Buhunds have been bred to work and herd for hours at a time. This can result in very energetic dogs who need vigorous exercise (that allows them to run fast) twice a day for optimum physical and mental health. These dogs love to run with a bicycle, retrieve balls, or go for long, all-day hikes. The breed can also exercise mind and body by participating in obedience, tracking, agility, and other activities that dog and owner can enjoy together.

Temperament/Personality:

• Good With Children
• Good With Other Dogs
• Smart, perceptive, confident, and sweet with all people
• Lively

Shedding:

• ​Seasonal Shedders (Buhunds "blow their coats" usually in the spring and fall seasons)

Grooming:

• ​Weekly
• ​Compared to other breeds, Norwegian Buhunds do not need extensive grooming. They are naturally clean and basically odorless dogs, even when wet. The Buhund has a double coat. The top layer is an outer coat that is thick, rich, hard, and smooth lying. The second layer is an undercoat that is soft, dense. The coat sheds most substances such as dirt and mud with ease after drying. Buhunds do need to be brushed two times a week with a slicker brush or pin brush (more often during the shedding season). Like other double coated breeds, Buhunds blow their undercoats once or twice a year (generally spring and fall). As with all breeds, the nails should be trimmed weekly.

Trainability:​

• Compared to other Spitz and Northern breeds, Norwegian Buhunds are easier to train, but they still retain independent characteristics. Most Buhunds are highly food-motivated and positive-training techniques such as clicker training work well to teach puppies new behaviors. Buhunds, like other herding breeds, can be extremely sensitive to their environment and to the emotions of the people around them. Buhunds do have a desire to please but their independence can override this if training is not started at a young age and continued through adulthood.

Activities:

• In the United States, Norwegian Buhunds found in the conformation breed rings and at herding trials. In addition, they can also be found at competitions for obedience, rally, agility, nosework (scent work), weight pull, barn hunt, dock diving, lure coursing, disc dog (Frisbee competitions), and more.
  
• Owners who enjoy an active lifestyle will enjoy biking, hiking, jogging, and swimming.
  
• Many Buhunds also enjoy working as Therapy Dogs in the US because of their social nature and a few are also working as Service Dogs for their disabled handlers.

Nutrition:

• ​The Norwegian Buhund should do well on a high-quality dog food or properly prepared and balanced raw meat diets.
  
• Buhunds are not known for having allergies in general terms, such as how German Shepherds are widely known to have allergies to chicken, however, there can always be exceptions.
  
• Some Buhunds are prone to becoming overweight as they age.
  
• Treats can be an important aid in training, but it is important to evaluate your dogs body condition weekly.

Conformation Groups:

• Herding (AKC & CKC)
• Northern Breed Group (UKC)
• Pastoral (KC)
• Group 5 - Spitz and Primitive Types Section 3 - Nordic Watchdogs and Herders (FCI & NKK)

Registerable Colors in the North America (AKC, UKC, & CKC):

• Wheaten (sometimes referred to as biscuit in other countries)
• Black