| Norwegian Buhunds: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Norwegian Buhund personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Norwegian Buhund, including these excerpts:
"The happy-go-lucky Norwegian Buhund plays vigorously, yet is also light on his feet and very agile.
More than some other spitz breeds, he likes to be at the center of his family, demanding (and offering) a great deal of companionship. Because the Norwegian Buhund was bred to work all day, you must provide a good amount of physical exercise and mental stimulation. Herding, obedience, agility, jogging or biking, chasing balls, and playing Frisbee are productive outlets for his energy and enthusiasm.
Most Norwegian Buhunds are friendly (or at least polite) with strangers, yet with their keen senses and watchful attitude, they make dependable alarm dogs. Buhunds are usually fine with other family pets if raised with them.
The Norwegian Buhund is less headstrong and more willing to work with you than other spitzes, but he is still independent and may use his intelligence in clever ways that suit his own purposes. Yet owners who know how to lead will find him eminently trainable.
Like most herding breeds, the Norwegian Buhund is uncomfortable when his flock (family members and other pets) is scattered every which way. He may try to gather everyone together by circling, poking, and nipping. He barks a lot in a rapid, high-pitched voice."
History
This old spitz breed was the companion and herding dog of Scandinavian mountain shepherds. Both dog and man were transients, moving from one crude hut to another while their stock grazed on various pastures. Bu-hund means "homestead dog."
Size
16-19 inches and 26-40 lbs |
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Norwegian Buhunds
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- There are energetic Buhunds, and placid Buhunds.
- Hard-headed Buhunds, and sweet-natured Buhunds.
- Serious Buhunds, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Buhunds, and Buhunds who love everyone.
| If you acquire a Norwegian Buhund puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
Now let's look at some common characteristics for this breed...
- Is medium-sized and spitz-like, with a wolfish face, prick ears, thick coat, and curled tail
- Is sturdy and strong, yet athletic, agile, and light on his feet
- Is less headstrong and more willing to work with you than other spitzes
- Is happy-go-lucky, plays vigorously, and likes a lot of outdoor exercise
- Is polite with strangers, yet with his keen senses and watchful attitude, makes a dependable alarm dog
A Norwegian Buhund may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- Vigorous exercise requirements
- Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young
- "Separation anxiety" (destructiveness and barking) when left alone too much
- Suspiciousness toward strangers when not socialized enough
- Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge
- Chasing and nipping at things that move: children, joggers, other animals, bikes, cars
- Lots of barking
- Heavy shedding
- Waiting lists (hard to find) and a high price tag
A Norwegian Buhund may not be right for you.
| If I were considering a Norwegian Buhund... |
My major concerns would be:
- Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Norwegian Buhunds MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing.
| If you simply want a pet for your family, and don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking or swimming, or to get involved in herding, or agility (obstacle course), or advanced obedience, or tracking, or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed. Trying to suppress their desire to work, without providing alternate outlets for their energy, can be difficult. |
- Separation anxiety. More than most other breeds, Norwegian Buhunds need a great deal of companionship and do not like being left alone for more than a few hours. They tend to express their unhappiness through destructive chewing and barking. If you work all day, this is not the breed for you.
- Providing enough socialization. Standoffish by nature, Norwegian Buhunds need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become suspiciousness, which is difficult to live with.
- Mind of their own. The best Norwegian Buhunds are versatile working dogs and excellent competition dogs, but they have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train. They are often manipulative, and some are willful and obstinate. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
- Barking. Norwegian Buhunds are often too quick to sound the alarm at every new sight and sound. You have to be equally quick to stop them. Norwegian Buhunds should NEVER be left outside in your yard, unsupervised. To make matters worse, many Norwegian Buhunds have intense, high-pitched barks that can set your teeth on edge.
- Heavy shedding. Norwegian Buhunds shed a LOT. You'll find hair and fur all over your clothing, upholstery, carpeting, under your furniture, on your countertops -- even in your food. Frequent vacuuming will become a way of life. Make sure you're REALLY up for this.
- Finding one and paying the price. In the United States, a Norwegian Buhund is hard to find, and and some breeders are charging $1000 and up.
| If you're considering an adult Norwegian Buhund... |
There are plenty of adult Norwegian Buhunds who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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Copyright © 2000-2006 by Michele Welton. All rights reserved. No part of this website may be reproduced without the permission of the author. |
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