Norwegian Buhund
A light, agile Nordic farm dog that herds, watches the yard and wants to be part of everything its family does.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at the withers
- Males 43–47 cm · Females 41–45 cm
- Weight
- Males 14–18 kg · Females 12–16 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 years
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Grooming
- A few times a week
- Coat
- Double coat, medium
- Colours
- Wheaten, Black
- Bred for
- Herding, Guarding, Companionship
- Country of origin
- Norway
- FCI
- Group 5, no. 237 · Spitz & primitive types
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 4/5 – High |
| Good with cats | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Open to strangers | 4/5 – High |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 4/5 – High |
| Easy to train | 4/5 – High |
| Prey drive | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Watchful and protective | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Barking | 4/5 – High |
| Shedding | 4/5 – High |
| Grooming effort | 2/5 – Low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Suits apartment living | 2/5 – Low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with cold | 5/5 – Very high |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- want an active, sociable dog of manageable size
- enjoy dog sports or outdoor activities
- like a dog that stays close and involved
Think twice if you …
- need a quiet dog for an apartment
- are away from home most of the day
- dislike dog hair around the house
Care
Temperament
Friendly, eager and quick-witted, the Buhund bonds closely with its people and usually greets visitors openly once it has announced them. It is alert and vocal, and can be bossy with other animals if not guided.
Exercise
Plan for an hour or more of daily activity with variety, such as long walks, hiking, herding trials, agility or obedience. It tires more from thinking tasks than from plain walking.
Grooming
The dense double coat needs brushing a few times a week and much more during the heavy seasonal moult. It does not need trimming.
Training
Buhunds learn fast and enjoy working with a handler, but they get bored with repetition. Keep sessions short and positive, and work on a quiet cue early to manage barking.
Health
The breed is generally robust, though hip dysplasia and some inherited eye conditions such as cataract occur. Ask the breeder for hip and eye results on both parents.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Eye examination
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Buhund is the all-round farm dog of western Norway, kept for centuries to move sheep and cattle, guard the homestead and keep people company. Its name comes from the Norwegian word for a farmstead or mountain hut. Dogs of this type are linked with Viking-age finds, and the modern breed was standardised in the early twentieth century.
In a home it is busy, cheerful and very people-oriented. It notices everything and tends to say so, which makes it a good alarm but a poor match for thin walls. A Buhund likes having a job, enjoys learning and does best with an active owner who includes it in daily life rather than leaving it alone for long stretches.
Did you know?
The Buhund's name comes from "bu", a Norwegian word for a farmstead or mountain hut where livestock were kept in summer.