A true Northern spitz, the Norwegian Buhund is a moderately sized, square dog with prick ears and a tightly curled tail. Bred to herd sheep and guard livestock, this self-confident, alert breed is an excellent watchdog. He is cheery and affectionate, making him an ideal fit for active families with children. Highly energetic, the Norwegian Buhund needs plenty of exercise daily, and his easy-care coat requires minimal grooming.
DID YOU KNOW? Developed in Norway by the Vikings in the year 900, this farm dog’s name is a derivative of the Norwegian words “bu,” meaning homestead, and “hund,” which means dog. The Norwegian Buhund’s thick, soft coat sheds heavily twice a year.
ALSO KNOWN AS: Norsk Buhund, Norwegian Sheepdog
The need-to-know
- Dog suitable for owners with some experience
- Some training required
- Enjoys active walks
- Enjoys walking an hour a day
- Medium dog
- Heavy drool
- Requires grooming every other day
- Non hypoallergenic breed
- Very vocal dog
- Guard dog. Barks and alerts
- May require training to live with other pets
- May require training to live with kids
Personality
A bold, brave, active dog, the Norwegian Buhund makes a great family dog for those that don't mind the profuse shedding that can occur once or twice a year and for those who can train him to control his barking! A super companion, he is ideal for an active home where he can be trained in one of the dog sports and get plenty of exercise.
History and Origins
Dogs very similar to the Norwegian Buhund dog breed have been found in Viking graves dating back to 900 AD. A close relation to the Icelandic Sheepdog, the Norwegian Buhund was bred to be an all-round farm dog – a shepherd's companion, a watchdog and a herder. In fact, his name translates as 'farm dog' in Norwegian, and he is still used for that purpose in his homeland.
Nutrition and Feeding
Your dog's diet needs to have the right balance of all the main nutrient groups including a constant supply of fresh water. It's important to conduct regular body condition scores to ensure you keep your dog in ideal shape and remember to feed him at least twice daily and in accordance with the feeding guidelines of his particular food.
Exercise
The Norwegian Buhund dog needs one to two hours of exercise a day. He has worked as a hearing dog for deaf people, and has also done well in agility and obedience, and will thrive if given new challenges. Given his thick coat and geographical roots, he does not do well in warm conditions, so should be kept cool in hot weather. In the summer, exercise him in the early morning/late evening.
Other Information
Health and Common Issues
The Norwegian Buhund is generally a healthy breed, but as with many breeds they can suffer from hereditary eye disorders, and hip dysplasia (a condition that can lead to mobility problems). Eye testing and hip scoring of dogs prior to breeding is therefore important.
Best Family Dog Breeds
While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with and respect each other, and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.