Breed Comparison: Bernese Mountain Dog Versus Norwegian Buhund

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Bernese Mountain Dog Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Norwegian Buhund? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog and the Norwegian Buhund.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog 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 with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog or the Norwegian Buhund.

Bernese Mountain Dog versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview

A very important difference between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Norwegian Buhund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Bernese Mountain Dog is a giant-sized dog while the Norwegian Buhund is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Bernese Mountain Dog belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Bernese Mountain Dog versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Bernese Mountain Dog 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Norwegian Buhund

Factor Bernese Mountain Dog Norwegian Buhund
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 2/5
General Health 1/5 4/5
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Height 23 to 28 inches 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder
Dog Friendly 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
Life Span 6 to 10 years 12 to 15 years
Weight 70 to 115 pounds 26 to 40 pounds
Average Lifespan 8.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2870 No Data
Price Range $1800 – $3438 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • AKC DNA Profile
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degeneratative Mylopathy (DM) DNA results for both SOD1-A and SOD1-B, or an at-risk result for either SOD1-A or SOD1-B registered with the OFA.
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Bernese Mountain Dog 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 the Bernese Mountain Dog is 66 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Norwegian Buhund is 81 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Norwegian Buhund is a better pet than the Bernese Mountain Dog. 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 Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog and the Norwegian Buhund

    Below is a list of where the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Norwegian Buhund are most different:

    • Bernese Mountain Dogs do not like to be left alone. However, Norwegian Buhunds can be left alone for some time without problems.
    • Bernese Mountain Dogs have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Norwegian Buhunds are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Bernese Mountain Dogs have a very high tendency to drool. However, Norwegian Buhunds do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Bernese Mountain Dogs have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Norwegian Buhunds have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.

    The Similarities Between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Norwegian Buhund

    The Bernese Mountain Dog and the Norwegian Buhund are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Norwegian Buhund are most similar:

    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Norwegian Buhund cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Norwegian Buhund are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Norwegian Buhund are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Norwegian Buhund gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Norwegian Buhund are very easy to train.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Norwegian Buhund are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Norwegian Buhund are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Norwegian Buhund have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Norwegian Buhund are very playful.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Norwegian Buhund can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Norwegian Buhund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Norwegian Buhund get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Size Comparison of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Norwegian Buhund

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Bernese Mountain Dog and the Norwegian Buhund.

    Bernese Mountain Dogs weigh 70 to 115 pounds when fully grown. Bernese Mountain Dogs are 23 to 28 inches 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.

    Lifespan of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Norwegian Buhund

    The lifespan of Bernese Mountain Dogs is between 6 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Bernese Mountain Dogs is 8.0 years.

    The lifespan of Norwegian Buhunds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Norwegian Buhunds is 13.5 years.

    Norwegian Buhunds live longer than Bernese Mountain Dogs.

    Health Problems of Bernese Mountain Dog versus Health Problems of Norwegian Buhund

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Norwegian Buhund.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Bernese Mountain Dog than for the Norwegian Buhund.

    6 health tests are recommended for Bernese Mountain Dog while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwegian Buhund.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Bernese Mountain Dogs and in Norwegian Buhunds.

    Bernese Mountain Dog Health Problems

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dogs for:

  • AKC DNA Profile
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degeneratative Mylopathy (DM) DNA results for both SOD1-A and SOD1-B, or an at-risk result for either SOD1-A or SOD1-B registered with the OFA.
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Bernese Mountain Dogs 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:

  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Norwegian Buhunds here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Bernese Mountain Dog versus Norwegian Buhund

    Bernese Mountain Dogs do not like to be left alone.

    Norwegian Buhunds can be left alone for some time without problems.

    Do Bernese Mountain Dogs shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Norwegian Buhund

    Bernese Mountain Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are moderately easy to groom.

    Norwegian Buhunds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Bernese Mountain Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs 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.

    Do Bernese Mountain Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Norwegian Buhunds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Bernese Mountain Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Bernese Mountain Dog vs. Norwegian Buhund

    Bernese Mountain Dogs have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Norwegian Buhunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Bernese Mountain Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Norwegian Buhunds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Bernese Mountain Dogs good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs 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 Bernese Mountain Dogs and Norwegian Buhunds?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Norwegian Buhunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Bernese Mountain Dog Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are very easy to train.

    Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.

    Is the Bernese Mountain Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Bernese Mountain Dog or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Bernese Mountain Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Bernese Mountain Dog 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 Bernese Mountain Dog and the Norwegian Buhund better suits you and your family.