Breed Comparison: Chinook Versus Norwegian Buhund

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Chinook Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Chinook or the Norwegian Buhund.

Chinook versus Norwegian Buhund

Chinook versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview

A very important difference between the Chinook and the Norwegian Buhund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Chinook is a large-sized dog while the Norwegian Buhund is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Chinook 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.

Chinook versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Chinook 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 Chinook and the Norwegian Buhund

Factor Chinook Norwegian Buhund
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 2/5
Height 21 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 3/5
Weight 55 to 70 pounds 26 to 40 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Price Range No Data No Data
Average Price No Data No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 177 168

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Chinook 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 Chinook is 87 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Norwegian Buhund is 81 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Chinook is a better pet than the Norwegian Buhund. So, you should get the Chinook!

    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 Chinook 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 Chinook and the Norwegian Buhund

    Below is a list of where the Chinook and the Norwegian Buhund are most different:

  • Chinooks do not like to be left alone. However, Norwegian Buhunds can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • The Similarities Between the Chinook and the Norwegian Buhund

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

  • Both the Chinook and the Norwegian Buhund do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Chinook and the Norwegian Buhund require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Chinook and the Norwegian Buhund have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Chinook and the Norwegian Buhund adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Chinook and the Norwegian Buhund are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Chinook and the Norwegian Buhund are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Chinook and the Norwegian Buhund are very easy to train.
  • Both the Chinook and the Norwegian Buhund are very playful.
  • Both the Chinook and the Norwegian Buhund can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Chinook and the Norwegian Buhund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Chinook and the Norwegian Buhund get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Chinook versus Norwegian Buhund

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Chinook and the Norwegian Buhund.

    Chinooks weigh 55 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Chinooks are 21 to 27 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.

    Lifespan of Chinook versus Norwegian Buhund

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

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

    The Popularity of Chinook 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 Chinook and the Norwegian Buhund over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Norwegian Buhund is more popular with dog owners than the Chinook. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Norwegian Buhund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Chinook is 177 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Chinook

    Popularity of Chinook

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Year Chinook Popularity Rank Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank
    2013 156 166
    2014 171 172
    2015 177 165
    2016 175 174
    2017 179 170
    2018 190 165
    2019 184 169
    2020 186 168

    Health Problems of Chinook 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 Chinook 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 Chinook.

    3 health tests are recommended for Chinook while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwegian Buhund.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Chinooks and in Norwegian Buhunds.

    Chinook Health Problems

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

  • Clear By Parentage
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Chinooks 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.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Chinooks and Norwegian Buhunds

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Chinook Breed is Patella problems.

    This is because the Chinook ranks 5 out of 145 dog breeds for Patella problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 52 Chinooks, 5 of them had Patella problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Chinooks, and how common these diseases are in Chinooks relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Patella problems: Rank 5 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 63 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 82 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Norwegian Buhund Breed is Eyes problems.

    This is because the Norwegian Buhund ranks 35 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 244 Norwegian Buhunds, 7 of them had Eyes problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Norwegian Buhunds, and how common these diseases are in Norwegian Buhunds relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Eyes problems: Rank 35 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 131 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Chinook and in Norwegian Buhund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Chinook and the Norwegian Buhund:

    Disease Chinook Rank Norwegian Buhund Rank
    Patella problems 5 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 63 out of 198 dog breeds 131 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 82 out of 182 dog breeds 35 out of 182 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Chinook versus Norwegian Buhund

    Chinooks do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Chinooks shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?

    Chinooks shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Chinook or the Norwegian Buhund

    Chinooks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Chinook or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Chinooks 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 Chinook Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Chinooks 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.

    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 Chinooks Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Chinooks 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.

    Can Chinooks Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Chinooks can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Chinook vs. Norwegian Buhund

    Chinooks 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 Chinooks Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Chinooks can tolerate hot weather.

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

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

    Chinooks get along very well with other dogs.

    Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Chinooks good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Chinooks 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 Chinooks and Norwegian Buhunds?

    Chinooks get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Chinook Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Chinooks are very easy to train.

    Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.

    Is the Chinook Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Chinooks adapt very well to apartment living.

    Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    Chinooks 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 Chinook

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Chinook 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 Chinook:

  • Keeshond (76 percent match with Chinook). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Keeshond.
  • King Shepherd (75 percent match with Chinook). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs King Shepherd.
  • 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 Chinook vs Pyredoodle.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Chinook Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Chinook versus French Bulldog     Chinook versus Canaan Dog     Chinook versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Chinook versus Pekingese     Chinook versus Bulldog     Chinook versus Italian Greyhound     Chinook versus Pug     Chinook versus Cavapoo     Chinook versus Bedlington Terrier     Chinook versus Whippet     Chinook versus Norwegian Buhund     Chinook versus Field Spaniel     Chinook versus Portuguese Pointer     Chinook versus American Eskimo Dog     Chinook versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Chinook versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Chinook versus Maltese     Chinook versus Yorkshire Terrier     Chinook versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Chinook versus Leonberger     Chinook versus Welsh Terrier     Chinook versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Chinook versus Maltese     Chinook versus Australian Shepherd     Chinook versus Miniature Schnauzer     

    Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Buhund versus Akita Chow     Norwegian Buhund versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Chinese Crested     Norwegian Buhund versus Xoloitzcuintli     Norwegian Buhund versus Kai Ken     Norwegian Buhund versus Australian Cattle Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Alaskan Malamute     Norwegian Buhund versus Hovawart     Norwegian Buhund versus Xoloitzcuintli     Norwegian Buhund versus Skye Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Sloughi     Norwegian Buhund versus Cesky Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Chi-Poo     Norwegian Buhund versus Briard     Norwegian Buhund versus Ibizan Hound     Norwegian Buhund versus Cesky Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Norwegian Buhund versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Ibizan Hound     Norwegian Buhund versus Catahoula Bulldog     Norwegian Buhund versus Boxer     Norwegian Buhund versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Carolina Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Boston Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Mal Shi     

    Conclusion: Chinook 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 Chinook and the Norwegian Buhund better suits you and your family.