Differences and Similarities between the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund.

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Collie Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction

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

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

Collie versus Norwegian Buhund

Collie versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview

Both the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund are similar in size. The Collie and the Norwegian Buhund are both medium-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund are Herding Dogs. This means both the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund 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.

Collie versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Collie 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 Collie and the Norwegian Buhund

Factor Collie Norwegian Buhund
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 14 years 12 to 15 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Height 22 to 26 inches all at the shoulder 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 3/5
Weight 50 to 70 pounds 26 to 40 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1480 No Data
Price Range $1000 – $1800 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 37 168

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Collie 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 Collie is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Norwegian Buhund is 81 out of 125.

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

    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 Collie 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 Collie and the Norwegian Buhund

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

  • Collies do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Norwegian Buhunds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • The Similarities Between the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund

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

  • Both the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund are very easy to train.
  • Both the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund are very playful.
  • Both the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Collie versus Norwegian Buhund

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

    Collies weigh 50 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Collies are 22 to 26 inches all 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 Collie versus Norwegian Buhund

    The lifespan of Collies is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Collies is 12.0 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 Collies.

    Adopting the Collie versus Adopting the Norwegian Buhund

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Collies 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 Collie named Leo that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Collies like Leo on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Collies, 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 Collie and the Norwegian Buhund can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Collies and Norwegian Buhunds that are available for adoption on petfinder.

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

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Collie is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Buhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Collie is 37 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norwegian Buhund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Collie

    Popularity of Collie

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Year Collie Popularity Rank Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank
    2013 35 166
    2014 36 172
    2015 36 165
    2016 37 174
    2017 40 170
    2018 38 165
    2019 38 169
    2020 40 168

    Health Problems of Collie 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 Collie 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 Collie is prone to more genetic health problems than the Norwegian Buhund.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Collie than for the Norwegian Buhund.

    4 health tests are recommended for Collie while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwegian Buhund.

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

    Collie Health Problems

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

  • Clear By Parentage
  • Dermatomyositis
  • Multiple Drug Sensitivity
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) DNA Test
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Collies 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 Collies 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 Collie Breed is Collie Eye Anomaly problems.

    This is because the Collie ranks 1 out of 7 dog breeds for Collie Eye Anomaly problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 114 Collies, 16 of them had Collie Eye Anomaly problems.

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

  • Collie Eye Anomaly problems: Rank 1 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 1 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems: Rank 1 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 13 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 16 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 65 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 107 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 182 out of 198 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 Collie and in Norwegian Buhund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Collie and the Norwegian Buhund:

    Disease Collie Rank Norwegian Buhund Rank
    Collie Eye Anomaly problems 1 out of 7 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 1 out of 182 dog breeds 35 out of 182 dog breeds
    Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems 1 out of 7 dog breeds Not Common
    Dentition Database problems 13 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 16 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 65 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 107 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 182 out of 198 dog breeds 131 out of 198 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: Collie versus Norwegian Buhund

    Collies do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Collies shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?

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

    Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Collie or the Norwegian Buhund

    Collies do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Collies 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 Collie Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Collies 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 Collies Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Collies 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 Collies Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Collies can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Collie vs. Norwegian Buhund

    Collies 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 Collies Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Collies can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

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

    Collies get along very well with other dogs.

    Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Collies good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Collies 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 Collies and Norwegian Buhunds?

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

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

    Is the Collie Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Collies are very easy to train.

    Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.

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

    Collies adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    Collies are very good for new dog owners.

    Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Collie

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

  • Keeshond (84 percent match with Collie). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Keeshond.
  • 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 Collie vs Pyredoodle.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Collie Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Collie versus Komondor     Collie versus German Pinscher     Collie versus Maremma Sheepdog     Collie versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Collie versus English Cocker Spaniel     Collie versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Collie versus Canaan Dog     Collie versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Collie versus Samoyed     Collie versus Japanese Chin     Collie versus Toy Fox Terrier     Collie versus Shihpoo     Collie versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Collie versus Bordoodle     Collie versus Tibetan Mastiff     Collie versus Hovawart     Collie versus Shichon     Collie versus English Cocker Spaniel     Collie versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Collie versus Pyrenean Mastiff     Collie versus Bordoodle     Collie versus Italian Greyhound     Collie versus Akbash     Collie versus Kooikerhondje     Collie versus Berger Picard     

    Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Buhund versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Redbone Coonhound     Norwegian Buhund versus Australian Cattle Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Mudi     Norwegian Buhund versus Cane Corso     Norwegian Buhund versus Bolognese     Norwegian Buhund versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Norwegian Buhund versus Newfoundland     Norwegian Buhund versus Tibetan Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Irish Wolfhound     Norwegian Buhund versus Bernedoodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Miniature Schnauzer     Norwegian Buhund versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Norwegian Buhund versus Standard Poodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Black Mouth Cur     Norwegian Buhund versus Shiranian     Norwegian Buhund versus Chorkie     Norwegian Buhund versus Irish Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Shiba Inu     Norwegian Buhund versus West Highland White Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Puggle     Norwegian Buhund versus Saint Berdoodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Scottish Deerhound     

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