Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Afghan Hound Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction
- Afghan Hound versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview
- Afghan Hound versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Afghan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund
- The Similarities Between the Afghan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund
- Size (Weight and Height) of Afghan Hound versus Norwegian Buhund
- The Popularity of Afghan Hound versus Popularity of Norwegian Buhund
- Health Problems of Afghan Hound versus Health Problems of Norwegian Buhund
- Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the Norwegian Buhund
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the Norwegian Buhund?
- Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?
- Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus Norwegian Buhund
- Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Afghan Hound or the Norwegian Buhund?
- Do Afghan Hounds shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?
- Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
- How Kid-friendly are Afghan Hounds and Norwegian Buhunds?
- Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?
- Wanderlust Potential: Afghan Hound vs. Norwegian Buhund
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Afghan Hound
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Norwegian Buhund
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Afghan Hound versus Norwegian Buhund. Which One is a Better Pet?
Afghan Hound Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Afghan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Afghan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Afghan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Afghan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Afghan Hound and for the Norwegian Buhund. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Afghan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Afghan Hound or the Norwegian Buhund
Afghan Hound versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview
A very important difference between the Afghan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Afghan Hound is a large-sized dog while the Norwegian Buhund is a medium-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Afghan Hound belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
On the other hand, the Norwegian Buhund belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.
Afghan Hound versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Afghan Hound to the Norwegian Buhund based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
| Factor | Afghan Hound | Norwegian Buhund |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 24 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder | 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 60 pounds | 26 to 40 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $2390 | No Data |
| Price Range | $2250 – $2500 | No Data |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 105 | 168 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Afghan Hound in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Norwegian Buhund. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for a Afghan Hound is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Norwegian Buhund is 81 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Norwegian Buhund is a better pet than the Afghan Hound. So, you should get the Norwegian Buhund!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Afghan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Afghan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund
Below is a list of where the Afghan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund are most different:
The Similarities Between the Afghan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund
The Afghan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Afghan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Afghan Hound versus Norwegian Buhund
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Afghan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund.
Afghan Hounds weigh 50 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Afghan Hounds are 24 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Norwegian Buhunds weigh 26 to 40 pounds when fully grown. Norwegian Buhunds are 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
The Popularity of Afghan Hound versus Popularity of Norwegian Buhund
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Afghan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Afghan Hound is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Buhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Afghan Hound is 105 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norwegian Buhund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Afghan Hound
Popularity of Norwegian Buhund
| Year | Afghan Hound Popularity Rank | Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 95 | 166 |
| 2014 | 98 | 172 |
| 2015 | 100 | 165 |
| 2016 | 113 | 174 |
| 2017 | 93 | 170 |
| 2018 | 113 | 165 |
| 2019 | 111 | 169 |
| 2020 | 122 | 168 |
Health Problems of Afghan Hound versus Health Problems of Norwegian Buhund
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the Afghan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Norwegian Buhund is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Afghan Hound.
3 health tests are recommended for Afghan Hound while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwegian Buhund.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Afghan Hounds and in Norwegian Buhunds.
Afghan Hound Health Problems
Afghan Hounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Afghan Hound puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Afghan Hound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Afghan Hound breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Afghan Hounds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Afghan Hounds here.
Norwegian Buhund Health Problems
Norwegian Buhunds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Norwegian Buhund puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Norwegian Buhund puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Norwegian Buhund breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Norwegian Buhunds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Norwegian Buhunds here.
Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the Norwegian Buhund
Afghan Hounds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the Norwegian Buhund?
Afghan Hounds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Norwegian Buhunds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?
Afghan Hounds are not easy to train.
Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.
Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus Norwegian Buhund
Afghan Hounds do not like to be left alone.
Norwegian Buhunds can be left alone for some time without problems.
Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
Afghan Hounds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Norwegian Buhunds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Afghan Hound or the Norwegian Buhund?
Afghan Hounds are OK for new dog owners.
Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Afghan Hound or the Norwegian Buhund?
Afghan Hounds get along very well with other dogs.
Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.
Do Afghan Hounds shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?
Afghan Hounds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.
Is the Afghan Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwegian Buhund?
Afghan Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.
Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Afghan Hounds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Afghan Hounds can tolerate hot weather.
Norwegian Buhunds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
Afghan Hounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Norwegian Buhunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Afghan Hounds and Norwegian Buhunds?
Afghan Hounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Norwegian Buhunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?
Afghan Hounds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Norwegian Buhunds have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to get along well with other pets.
Wanderlust Potential: Afghan Hound vs. Norwegian Buhund
Afghan Hounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Norwegian Buhunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Afghan Hound
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Norwegian Buhund that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Norwegian Buhund:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Norwegian Buhund
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Afghan Hound that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Afghan Hound:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Afghan Hound and how the Norwegian Buhund compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Afghan Hound and of the Norwegian Buhund to other breeds:
Afghan Hound Versus Other Dog Breeds
Afghan Hound versus American Foxhound Afghan Hound versus Pyrenean Shepherd Afghan Hound versus English Setter Afghan Hound versus English Toy Spaniel Afghan Hound versus Braque du Bourbonnais Afghan Hound versus Akbash Afghan Hound versus American Water Spaniel Afghan Hound versus Borzoi Afghan Hound versus Vizsla Afghan Hound versus Goldendoodle
Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds
Norwegian Buhund versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Norwegian Buhund versus Boston Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus Silky Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus German Wirehaired Pointer Norwegian Buhund versus Cane Corso Norwegian Buhund versus Boston Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Norwegian Buhund versus Belgian Sheepdog Norwegian Buhund versus Maltipoo Norwegian Buhund versus Azawakh
Conclusion: Afghan Hound versus Norwegian Buhund. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Afghan Hound and the Norwegian Buhund better suits you and your family.