Description:
Fully Matured Norwegian Buhund
The Norwegian Buhund is a spitz type dog of medium size. The muzzle is the same length as the skull with a well defined stop. The nose is black. The oval shaped eyes are dark with black eye rims. The prick, medium sized ears are erect and are very mobile. The tail is tightly curled over the back. The coat comes in wheaten or biscuit, ranging from light to yellowish red, black, and wolf-sable. The outer coat is smooth and harsh, while the undercoat is soft and wooly. The feet are small, oval shaped, and webbed.
Temperament:
The Norwegian Buhund is vigilant, cheerful, active, and untiring, intelligent and attentive. Very affectionate, they love giving kisses and snuggling. They need physical and mental stimulation and require consistent, firm leadership as they can be headstrong if they sense their handlers are not as strong minded as themselves. They like to be taught and learn very quickly. A natural watch dog, it is brave and vocal but not aggressive. It is unlikely to bite or snap unless provoked and led to believe they are alpha over the humans as a result of lack of leadership. Buhunds love their family and are known for their fondness of children. It is an ideal size for a house dog and a great people lover. This is a very trainable breed. The Norwegian Buhund is very active and needs a lot of exercise. It needs obedience training to establish reliable manners. If your dog tends to bark at you when it wants something it is a sign that your dog believes he is above you in the pack order, and you not only need to hush him, but you also need to reevaluate your canine to human leadership skills. A dog who believes he is alpha can be very stubborn. May try to herd humans and needs to be taught this is not acceptable.
Height, Weight:
Height: Males 17-18½ inches (43-47 cm) Females 16-17½ inches (41-45 cm)
Weight: Males: 31-40 pounds (14-18 kg) Females 26½-35½ pounds (12-16 kg)
Health Problems:
Prone to hip dysplasia and Inherited eye issues.
Three Norwegian Buhund Puppies.
Living Conditions:
The Norwegian Buhund would do best living in a house with at least a small fenced in yard. They are very active and should get plenty of chances to exercise. They can however live in an apartment if extra care is given for sufficient exercise and the apartment is fairly big for the dog to move around.
Exercise:
This is a very active breed that needs to be exercised every day, with a long, brisk walk or jog. While out on the walk the dog must be made to heel beside or behind the person holding the lead, as in a dog’s mind the leader leads the way, and that leader needs to be the human. In addition, they greatly enjoy sessions of play.
Life Expectancy:
About 13 to 15 years.
Grooming:
The Buhund has a medium to short easy-care coat that does not mat or tangle when it sheds. The coat should be brushed regularly and needs extra care during shedding season. This breed is a seasonal heavy shedder.
A proud Norwegian Buhund Working dog owner.
Origin:
In the ancient Gokstad excavation in Norway, where a Viking grave from about the year 900 was opened, skeletons from six dogs of various sizes were found. They would be the representatives of modern-day Buhunds. When Vikings died, their most cherished and necessary possessions were buried alongside their owners. This was to care for the Vikings in their afterlife. Then these Buhunds who protected farms (bu) and herded cattle and sheep were expected to continue these duties in the afterlife. It has been documented that these dogs traveled with Vikings on their many journeys, by sea and by land. The more refined, beautiful type we see today were nurtured in the rainy western coastlands of Norway where they herded sheep and guarded farms. Due to the initiative of Norway’s state-counsel, John Saeland, the first Buhund show was held at Jaeren in the 1920′s. The Norsk Buhundklubb was established in 1939. Toralf Raanaas was the first president. These men selected the very best for show, breeding and workability. Besides working ability, Buhunds are trained to aid the hearing handicapped, perform some types of police work, and score well in obedience and agility trials. In olden times they hunted bear and wolf. Today they work with livestock and guard home and family. The Buhund is considered by many researchers to be the easiest of the Spitz breeds to train due to their innate desire to please plus a quick learning aptitude. Their Spitz independence is an asset if they have to be left alone for awhile. The Norwegian Buhund was recognized by the AKC in 2009.
Sourced From:
