Buhund Profile

Other Names: Norwegian or Norsk Buhund

Country of Origin: Norway

Dog breed group: Working Dog

General appearance:

Buhunds are small to medium sized dogs with a light frame and a compact body. They have an outer coat which is close but smooth and an undercoat that is soft and wooly.  Buhunds have erect ears and a curled over tail. Dark masks are common but should be limited to the muzzle.

Colours:

Generally Buhunds come in wheaten, black, red, biscuit and wolf sable.

Size:

Bitch             41 - 43cms

Dog                43 - 45cms

Weight:

                                 Min                      Max
  
Bitch              11.5 kg(26lbs)     18kg(40lbs)

Dog                 11.5 kg(26lbs)     18kg(40lbs)

Temperament:

Buhunds are friendly, energetic, agile and alert.  They are fearless and also quick learners.
Like most working and herding breeds they are easily trained, are a good watchdog and very loyal. A good Buhund is never nervous, nor aggressive, but a fun-loving spirit that gets along well with both people and other dogs. The Buhund has been described as the ideal family dog who is highly affectionate and intelligent.

Movement:

Buhunds have a light active stride.

Care and training:

A quick brush once or twice a week is all it takes to keep a Buhund looking smart and they rarely need a bath. As they can be quite heavy shedders they will require brushing daily.

They thrive on human companionship and do not need firm handling when training. It is very important to start training from day 1 and not to let them get away with things. They are a clever breed and need clever training. You cannot beat a Buhund into obedience but with much patience and consistent training, you can have a well-behaved dog. Socialisation is very important; puppies need to be introduced to the big wide world as soon as possible. Buhunds, in common with many other breeds, can have a tendency to dominance, which means that, at some point, they may decide to be ‘Top Dog’ in the household so training is important to prevent this from happening.

Overall Exercise: This is a very active dog and will benefit with two daily brisk walks.
Like most of the working breeds, the Buhund is an intelligent dog and so easily becomes bored if left alone or ignored for long periods. They will need to be stimulated mentally and physically or they may become mischievous.

Feeding Requirements:

Buhunds are not expensive or fussy eaters. They qenerally thrive on dog foods at the cheaper end of the market and will only be fussy if allowed to be.

Exercise: Med

Grooming: Med

Noise: High

Often Docked? No 

 Average Litter Size: 4 - 8

Life Expectancy (yrs): 12

Health Issues: Cataracts, epilepsy and hip dysplasia. This is a rather healthy breed.

History: One of the earliest known Nordic herding types, the Norwegian Buhund is thought to be the most trainable of all the Spitz breeds. Norwegian Buhunds were taken along by the Vikings on their travels and colonizing journeys over 1,000 years ago where the ancestors of the Iceland dog influenced the collie breeds. The Icelandic Sagas of 900 A.D. to 1300 A.D. record how the breeds were brought to Iceland through the Norwegian peoples in 874 A.D. They are thought to be a mix of these types: the Iceland Dog and other local herding dogs. They were primarily used as a sheepdog, but also for hauling, reindeer herding, and as an all-purpose farm dog. Much of these breeds worked around the home, thus leading to the development of their name, the Buhund. Bu means "homestead" while hund means "dog" in Norwegian. Imported to Britain in the 1940s, the first American imports were made in the late 1980s. At the Crufts Dog Show of `95 a Buhund won Group Two for the first time.