Which is Better between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Buhund? A Very Detailed Review.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Caucasian Shepherd Dog Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Buhund.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Norwegian Buhund.

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Norwegian Buhund

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Caucasian Shepherd 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.

Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Buhund

Factor Caucasian Shepherd Dog Norwegian Buhund
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 15 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 3/5
Easygoing 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 4/5 1/5
Height 24 to 34 inches 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 4/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 5/5
Weight 80 to 220 pounds 26 to 40 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2110 No Data
Price Range $1500 – $2500 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Dentition
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye examination, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • 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 Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog is 69 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 Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Buhund

    Below is a list of where the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Buhund are most different:

  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly. However, Norwegian Buhunds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have low exercise needs. However, Norwegian Buhunds require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool. However, Norwegian Buhunds do not have the tendency to drool.
  • The Similarities Between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Buhund

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

  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Buhund do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Buhund are not very sensitive to their enviroment. They can tolerate noisy environments. They are also not very sensitive to the tone of your voice, firm or gentle.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Buhund cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Buhund do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Buhund are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Buhund require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Buhund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Buhund shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Buhund gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Buhund are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Buhund are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Buhund do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Buhund can tolerate cold weather.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Norwegian Buhund

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Buhund.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs weigh 80 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are 24 to 34 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Norwegian Buhund

    The lifespan of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Caucasian Shepherd Dogs is 11.0 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs.

    Adopting the Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Adopting the Norwegian Buhund

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and many Norwegian Buhunds are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Caucasian Shepherd Dog named Atlas that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Caucasian Shepherd Dogs like Atlas on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Caucasian Shepherd Dogs, Norwegian Buhunds are also available for adoption. For example, Odie is a Male Norwegian Buhund that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Norwegian Buhunds like Odie that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Buhund can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Arkansas, Little Rock; “Aslan” is the name of another Caucasian Shepherd Dog (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    You can find more Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and Norwegian Buhunds that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    Health Problems of Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Norwegian Buhund.

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

    7 health tests are recommended for Caucasian Shepherd Dog while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwegian Buhund.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and in Norwegian Buhunds.

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Dentition
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye examination, results registered with the OFA.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Caucasian Shepherd 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: Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Norwegian Buhund

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can be left alone only for a short time.

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

    Do Caucasian Shepherd Dogs shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Norwegian Buhund

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs 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.

    Does the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs. Norwegian Buhund

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

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

    Can Caucasian Shepherd Dogs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Caucasian Shepherd Dogs good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dogs and Norwegian Buhunds?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not easy to train.

    Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.

    Is the Caucasian Shepherd Dog Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Caucasian Shepherd Dog or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Caucasian Shepherd Dogs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Caucasian Shepherd Dog 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog:

  • Afador (76 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Afador.
  • Akbash (73 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Akbash.
  • Mastiff (72 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Mastiff.
  • Boerboel (71 percent match with Caucasian Shepherd Dog). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Boerboel.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Norwegian Buhund

    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:

  • Pyredoodle (78 percent match with Norwegian Buhund). Here is our comparison of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog vs Pyredoodle.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and how the Norwegian Buhund compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Caucasian Shepherd Dog and of the Norwegian Buhund to other breeds:

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Alaskan Malamute     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Bulldog     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Puli     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Clumber Spaniel     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Maremma Sheepdog     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Valley Bulldog     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Brussels Griffon     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Australian Terrier     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Papillon     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Kai Ken     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Spanish Mastiff     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Valley Bulldog     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Irish Water Spaniel     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Affenpinscher     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Airedale Terrier     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Biewer Terrier     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Great Pyrenees     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Shiloh Shepherd     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Afghan Hound     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Boykin Spaniel     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Maltese     Caucasian Shepherd Dog versus Icelandic Sheepdog     

    Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Buhund versus Beagle     Norwegian Buhund versus Cairn Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Xoloitzcuintli     Norwegian Buhund versus Great Dane     Norwegian Buhund versus Mastiff     Norwegian Buhund versus Affenhuahua     Norwegian Buhund versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Norwegian Buhund versus Leonberger     Norwegian Buhund versus Bulldog     Norwegian Buhund versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Standard Schnauzer     Norwegian Buhund versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Norwegian Buhund versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Norwegian Buhund versus Swedish Vallhund     Norwegian Buhund versus Maltese     Norwegian Buhund versus Bordoodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Leonberger     Norwegian Buhund versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Mountain Cur     Norwegian Buhund versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Samoyed     Norwegian Buhund versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Norwegian Buhund versus Afghan Hound     Norwegian Buhund versus Bull Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Boston Terrier     

    Conclusion: Caucasian Shepherd 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 Caucasian Shepherd Dog and the Norwegian Buhund better suits you and your family.