The Norwegian Buhund Dog Breed Makes a Great Companion

The Norwegian Buhund or "Norsk Buhund," is a herding dog of the spitz group, and is the farm dog of Norway. Buhunds have the typical spitz characteristics of activity, self-confidence and independence, but are trainable and home-loving with less inclination to hunt than other spitz breeds, having been bred as herding dogs rather than as hunters and draft dogs. These dogs were taken along by the Vikings on their travels and colonising journeys over 1,000 years ago and were the ancestors of the Iceland Dog. They also are said to have influenced the development of the collie breeds.

They love their family and are known for their fondness of children. Although Buhunds do get on very well with children it would be possible for parents to take this too far. Like any breed, they should not be left alone with unsupervised young children who can easily tease, frighten or hurt a dog without realising it.

This breed has also been trained as a hearing dog, and at least one dog was taken through the training course at the RAF Police Dog training school in the United Kingdom. This dog performed protection work and tracking. It was only its lack of size, which reportedly made it unsuitable for this in a practical situation.

Genetics

Buhunds are often born with double dewclaws on the rear legs; the dewclaws are left on in Norway but are usually removed in Britain and the US.

Breed Clubs

The breed is a registered American Kennel Club Breed with its own club known as the
Norwegian (Norske) Buhund Club of America.

The Norwegian Buhund Club is the Kennel Club registered breed club promoting the interests of the breed in the UK.

Why their Owners Like Them

Norwegian Buhunds are:-

o a medium sized breed, but they are not a toy dog, and are big enough to be a "real" dog. So, for those with small homes and gardens they are particularly well suited. They are smaller than collies and, for example, Labradors, so they are not too big for anyone in reasonable health to be able to handle them with ease.

o are so good as pets because they have a real desire for human companionship. This in particular makes them an ideal family pet as they are very affectionate.

o are vocal and brave but not aggressive. This is a big asset when walking them in town parks and anywhere that chance encounters with people and other dogs may occur. The Buhund owner can relax that this breed will not normally disrupt a peaceful walk by enjoining another dog in an argument. There may be some noise at times but rarely, if ever, anything like a fight.

Breed Characteristics and Variations

The Norwegian Buhund comes in red, black and sandy brown colours.

They are lightly built, with a short, compact body, fairly smooth-lying coat, erect, pointed ears, and a tail carried curled over the back

The coat is smooth and less abundant than some of the spitz dogs and fairly easily to keep.

Within the spitz group the Buhund is a middle-sized breed and a typical Nordic Spitz dog, and has a lively tail that stands vertical and curls.

They may tend to bark somewhat more readily than most breeds. This probably derives from their herding background when high vocality would be an asset.

History

The Buhund is the Norwegian variant of the original small spitz dog type, which quite remarkably goes back to the stone age, and in fact is thought to have already in the stone-age have been widely dispersed throughout Scandinavia.

In the ancient Gokstad excavation in Norway, six spitz-like dogs of various sizes were found within a Viking grave dating back to about the year 900. It is clear that the buhund's ancestors were expected to continue to protect the herds of their owners, even after the death of their owner.

Interesting Facts

Recently Buhunds, together with Norwegian Lundehunds, have been involved in the experimental endeavours of breeders to achieve the recreation of the barking bird-dog of Norrbotten, which had been removed from the list of recognized breeds in1936 by the Swedish Kennel Club. The reason for this was that it was then regarded as extinct. So, one day you may see this breed breeding true again and re-registered.

Conclusion

If you decide that you seek a real dog, in a small package, with a courageous, energetic, and affectionate character the Norwegian Buhund is the dog for you.

You are lucky to have found this web page because the breed is not very well known. Very many of these dogs are simply chosen by people who know somebody who owns one, and they have been delighted with what they have seen.

If the truth be known many just fall in love with the first dog of this breed they get to know, and they decide that they really want the same delightful companionship for themselves. There can be no better recommendation than this!

Dogs - Three Lessons from Some Great Dogs I Have Known

1. Johnny - some sort of mix between sheep herding dog and a collie that I had when I was about 4 until after I went to college. Johnny taught me loyalty and the ability to do things that are hard to do because you have to do them. I must have been about 6 or7 that warm day. I was swinging on the backyard swing, barefooted, dragging my feet through the no grass area underneath the swing. Suddenly, Johnny went berserk and acted like he was going to chew my feet off. So, now, I am standing in the swing. And then I see the prettiest coral snake right where my feet had been. Now, I'm hollering and out came the whole family - and my daddy ran and got the hoe. As soon as the snake was gone, Johnny, rubbed me with his nose and me and licked as if to say "I'm so sorry for scaring you, but I didn't want the snake to bite you."

2. Li' Toot - an "accident" when from breeding pugs and breeding chihuahuas who bred. We got Lil' Toot and his brother, Big Toot about the same time I became pregnant. Lil' Toot taught me that sometimes you don't need to be one who always gives in. Sometimes, you just need to stand your grand! Both of them liked to pile in my lap while I reclined in the recliner and read the newspaper. This unborn child could very easier have gone out for the soccer team because of his kicking ability. Apparently, he kicked both dogs at the same time. Bib Toot, being the mild gentleman that he was, moved over. Not Lil' Toot - no way! He looked at my ever increasing tummy, growled, and promptly laid back in the exact same place. I felt the baby roll over and kick someplace else.

3. Goya - a beautiful, white spitz. She was given to us when the little boy who kicked Lil' Toot was nearly 4 years old. Goya taught me that sometimes you have to do the right thing instead of the easy thing. I watched in horror from my kitchen window as that little boy climbed to the very crossbar of the swing set and started to walk across it. (Last time I took him to the circus for awhile!) If I hollered he would fall. If I rushed out, I would startle him and he would fall. Goya was watching him as well. Only she was there and I got there as quickly as possible. She followed him along the ground and crouched down. Just as I got there, he fell and landed on her. She could have moved at any time - but didn't. The doctor said she kept him from breaking his collarbone - it was only dislocated. The vet said Goya was fine, even if she was a little bruised and no doubt sore.

The Norwegian Buhund Dog Breed Makes a Great Companion

The Norwegian Buhund or "Norsk Buhund," is a herding dog of the spitz group, and is the farm dog of Norway. Buhunds have the typical spitz characteristics of activity, self-confidence and independence, but are trainable and home-loving with less inclination to hunt than other spitz breeds, having been bred as herding dogs rather than as hunters and draft dogs. These dogs were taken along by the Vikings on their travels and colonising journeys over 1,000 years ago and were the ancestors of the Iceland Dog. They also are said to have influenced the development of the collie breeds.

They love their family and are known for their fondness of children. Although Buhunds do get on very well with children it would be possible for parents to take this too far. Like any breed, they should not be left alone with unsupervised young children who can easily tease, frighten or hurt a dog without realising it.

This breed has also been trained as a hearing dog, and at least one dog was taken through the training course at the RAF Police Dog training school in the United Kingdom. This dog performed protection work and tracking. It was only its lack of size, which reportedly made it unsuitable for this in a practical situation.

Genetics

Buhunds are often born with double dewclaws on the rear legs; the dewclaws are left on in Norway but are usually removed in Britain and the US.

Breed Clubs

The breed is a registered American Kennel Club Breed with its own club known as the

Norwegian (Norske) Buhund Club of America.

The Norwegian Buhund Club is the Kennel Club registered breed club promoting the interests of the breed in the UK.

Why their Owners Like Them

Norwegian Buhunds are:-

o a medium sized breed, but they are not a toy dog, and are big enough to be a "real" dog. So, for those with small homes and gardens they are particularly well suited. They are smaller than collies and, for example, Labradors, so they are not too big for anyone in reasonable health to be able to handle them with ease.

o are so good as pets because they have a real desire for human companionship. This in particular makes them an ideal family pet as they are very affectionate.

o are vocal and brave but not aggressive. This is a big asset when walking them in town parks and anywhere that chance encounters with people and other dogs may occur. The Buhund owner can relax that this breed will not normally disrupt a peaceful walk by enjoining another dog in an argument. There may be some noise at times but rarely, if ever, anything like a fight.

Breed Characteristics and Variations

The Norwegian Buhund comes in red, black and sandy brown colours.

They are lightly built, with a short, compact body, fairly smooth-lying coat, erect, pointed ears, and a tail carried curled over the back

The coat is smooth and less abundant than some of the spitz dogs and fairly easily to keep.

Within the spitz group the Buhund is a middle-sized breed and a typical Nordic Spitz dog, and has a lively tail that stands vertical and curls.

They may tend to bark somewhat more readily than most breeds. This probably derives from their herding background when high vocality would be an asset.

History

The Buhund is the Norwegian variant of the original small spitz dog type, which quite remarkably goes back to the stone age, and in fact is thought to have already in the stone-age have been widely dispersed throughout Scandinavia.

In the ancient Gokstad excavation in Norway, six spitz-like dogs of various sizes were found within a Viking grave dating back to about the year 900. It is clear that the buhund's ancestors were expected to continue to protect the herds of their owners, even after the death of their owner.

Interesting Facts

Recently Buhunds, together with Norwegian Lundehunds, have been involved in the experimental endeavours of breeders to achieve the recreation of the barking bird-dog of Norrbotten, which had been removed from the list of recognized breeds in1936 by the Swedish Kennel Club. The reason for this was that it was then regarded as extinct. So, one day you may see this breed breeding true again and re-registered.

Conclusion

If you decide that you seek a real dog, in a small package, with a courageous, energetic, and affectionate character the Norwegian Buhund is the dog for you.

You are lucky to have found this web page because the breed is not very well known. Very many of these dogs are simply chosen by people who know somebody who owns one, and they have been delighted with what they have seen.

If the truth be known many just fall in love with the first dog of this breed they get to know, and they decide that they really want the same delightful companionship for themselves. There can be no better recommendation than this!

Steve Evans is a regular contributor of dog breed related articles.

There are more essential details for this dog breed and many others at The Dog Breeds Compendium.