The Buhund deserves its high regard historically. The cherished companion of Vikings (they were often buried with their owners as an indication of their high regard) and later, Norwegian farmers, these hardy intelligent dogs prooved their worth as workers. Whether herding stock, guarding the home and hearth or serving as jaunty companions on trips across oceans or into the village, their demeanor was participatory, not just along for the ride. As a result, their personality today is less described as easy going rather than nearly demanding. They are bred to be workers and as such seek to be very interactive (barking if they aren't the center of attention). A fabulous choice for a single person who has the option of taking their dog with them everywhere, or a larger family that always has someone ready to interact with the dog or a fancier that understands the commitment inherent in keeping up with the mental and physical demands of such an extraordinary friend of historic proportion. With a compact size and minimal grooming demands, they appear to be an excellent choice for a variety of dog lovers, further research clearly indicates that they are very ill-suited for the average urban, two career household living in an apartment or townhouse. These farmdogs still long for the long hard days and satisfaction inherent in working with those they love.
Coat type: dense undercoat with thick, long outercoat that lays smoothly
Recognized Registries: NCA, FCI,NBCA and others
Overall Appearance: Smallish Spitz dog with good substance, short body and alert expression of especially lush but smooth lying coat.
Personaility - Behavior - Training
Energy Level: very high; demanding
General Nature:
very good with proper training and socializing
with Children: very good with proper training and socializing
with other pets: very good with proper training and socializing
with dogs: very good with proper training and socializing
Socialization requirements: high
Ideal home characteristics: one that has significant time and flexibility to add a dog to all activities, the buhund will be extraordinarily unhappy and restless if left alone much of the time
Temperament Notes: Happy and highly active dog. High requirements for interaction and activity.
Training requirement: relatively high
Trainer notes: The Buhund is exceptionally bright and not difficult to train but its own energy level, interest in play and distractability (if something else offers more interest than their training partner) can make them a challenge to an ill-equipped trainer. Training a Buhund is an adventure where the training will be where the fun is rather than the goal of a "trained companion". If you do not enjoy training, if you do not have large blocks of time to spend and interact with your dog, if a dog that barks to get your attention, if you lack a living environment that will allow for lots of physical activity, odds are that a Buhund is not for you as you would be as unhappy with a restless and anxious dog as the dog would be with the fact that you were unhappy.
Background Information
Year range of first recognition: 1920
Country of Origin: Norway
Original Function: guardian and herd dog
History: Beloved companion of Vikings they were later valued as the guardians and helpers of Norwegian farmers. First show held in Norway in the 1920s.
Adoption Information
Deviations from Standard: light colored nose, wavy or too long coat, too large, too small, ears not erect
Group 5: Spitz and primitive types Section 3: Nordic Watchdogs and Herders Without working trial.
General appearance:
A typical spitz, a little under middle size, squarely built with an alert and frank expression. Erect, pointed ears. Tail carried firmly curled over the back.
Behavior/character:
Courageous, energetic and friendly.
Head:
Size in proportion to body, not too heavy. Wedge-shaped, lean, The male and female sex characteristics must be clearly defined.
Cranial region:
Skull:
Almost flat, parallel with nasal bridge. Well filled out under the eyes.
Stop:
Well defined, but not too pronounced.
Facial region:
Nose:
Black.
Muzzle:
About the same length as skull. Neither too narrow nor too heavy. Nasal bridge straight.
Lips:
Tightly closed, black.
Jaws:
Scissor bite. Complete dentition.
Eyes:
Oval, color as dark as possible. Black eye rims.
Ears:
Medium size, pointed, carried strongly erect.
Neck:
Medium long, clean, strong with good rise of neck.
Forequarters:
General appearance:
Firm with strong bone.
Shoulder:
Moderately sloping.
Elbow:
Well set, turned neither in nor out.
Forearm:
Straight.
Pasterns:
Moderately sloping.
Feet:
Oval in shape, compact.
Body:
Back & loin:
Short, strong and straight.
Croup:
As little sloping as possible.
Chest:
Deep with well spring of ribs.
Tail:
Set high, firmly curled, carried over the center of the back, not too much to the side.
Hindquarters:
General appearance:
Moderate angulation.
Upper thigh:
Powerful, well muscled.
Lower thigh:
Well muscled.
Feet:
Oval in shape, compact.
Movements:
Effective, parallel with good drive. Firm top line.
Coat:
Hair:
Outer coat: Thick, rich and hard, but rather smooth-lying. On head and front of legs comparatively short, on neck, chest, back of thighs and tail longer. Soft and dense undercoat.
Color:
Wheaten (biscuit): Ranging from rather light to yellowish red. With or without dark tipped hairs, but must not influence the main color. Mask permitted. Clean and bright color preferred. As little white as possible. Black: Preferably self colored (without too much bronzing). As little white as possible.
Size:
Height at the withers:
Males: 43-47 cm (16.9 - 18.5 inches) Females: 41-45 cm (16.1 - 17.7 inches)
Weight
Males: approx. 14-18 kg (30.9-39.7 lb) Females: approx. 12-16 kg (26.5-35.3 lb)
Faults:
Any departure from the foregoing point should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree.
- General appearance too fine, to coarse, lack of elegance. - Liver or pink colored nose. - Pincer bite. - Light eyes. Protruding eyes. - Poorly curled tail. Hanging tail. Feathering unwanted. - Overbuilt hindquarters. - Paddling in front. Short, ineffective step. - Wavy or too long coat. - Nervousness.
Disqualifying faults:
- Aggressiveness. - Not erect ears. - Over or undershot mouth. - Any color but the ones mentioned above. - Dogs more than 1 cm under or 2 cm above the height at withers mentioned above.
OBS
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Breeder Ethics:
http://www.buhund.org/club/code_of_ethics.html- Norwegian Buhund Club of America Code of Ethics (for breeders) - rather inadequate as there is no reference to the "hereditary defects" that might occur and be avoided
