A Detailed Comparison of the Coton de Tulear and the Norwegian Buhund.

Coton de Tulear versus Norwegian Buhund

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Coton de Tulear Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear or the Norwegian Buhund

Coton de Tulear versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview

A very important difference between the Coton de Tulear and the Norwegian Buhund is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Coton de Tulear is a tiny-sized dog while the Norwegian Buhund is a medium-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Coton de Tulear belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

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.

Coton de Tulear versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear Norwegian Buhund
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 4/5
Life Span 14 to 16 years 12 to 15 years
Easy To Groom 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 3/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 3/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Height 8 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight 8 to 13 pounds 26 to 40 pounds
Average Lifespan 15.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2060 No Data
Price Range $1745 – $2500 No Data
Temperament Score No Data No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Exam
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 74 168

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear is 94 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Norwegian Buhund is 81 out of 125.

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

    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 Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear and the Norwegian Buhund

    Below is a list of where the Coton de Tulear and the Norwegian Buhund are most different:

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

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

  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Norwegian Buhund do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Norwegian Buhund have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Norwegian Buhund require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Norwegian Buhund are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Norwegian Buhund are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Norwegian Buhund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Norwegian Buhund get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Norwegian Buhund are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Coton de Tulear and the Norwegian Buhund are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Coton de Tulear versus Norwegian Buhund

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Coton de Tulear and the Norwegian Buhund.

    Coton de Tulears weigh 8 to 13 pounds when fully grown. Coton de Tulears are 8 to 12 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.

    Adopting the Coton de Tulear versus Adopting the Norwegian Buhund

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Coton de Tulears 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 Coton de Tulear named Chef that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Coton de Tulears like Chef on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Coton de Tulears, 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 Coton de Tulear and the Norwegian Buhund can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Coton de Tulears and Norwegian Buhunds that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Popularity of Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear and the Norwegian Buhund over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Coton de Tulear is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Buhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Coton de Tulear is 74 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norwegian Buhund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Coton de Tulear

    Popularity of Coton de Tulear

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Year Coton de Tulear Popularity Rank Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank
    2014 31.0 172
    2015 85.0 165
    2016 80.0 174
    2017 81.0 170
    2018 81.0 165
    2019 81.0 169
    2020 80.0 168
    2013 no data 166

    Health Problems of Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear.

    3 health tests are recommended for Coton de Tulear while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwegian Buhund.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Coton de Tulears and in Norwegian Buhunds.

    Coton de Tulear Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Exam
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Coton de Tulears 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 Coton de Tulears 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 Coton de Tulear Breed is Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems.

    This is because the Coton de Tulear ranks 1 out of 2 dog breeds for Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 51 Coton de Tulears, 47 of them had Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems.

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

  • Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems: Rank 1 out of 2 Dog Breeds
  • Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems: Rank 2 out of 5 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 36 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 61 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 71 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 103 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 121 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 168 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 Coton de Tulear and in Norwegian Buhund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Coton de Tulear and the Norwegian Buhund:

    Disease Coton de Tulear Rank Norwegian Buhund Rank
    Chondrodysplasia (Cdpa) problems 1 out of 2 dog breeds Not Common
    Chondrodystrophy (Cddy) problems 2 out of 5 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 36 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 61 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 71 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 103 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 121 out of 198 dog breeds 131 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 168 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: Coton de Tulear versus Norwegian Buhund

    Coton de Tulears do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Coton de Tulears shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?

    Coton de Tulears do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Coton de Tulear or the Norwegian Buhund

    Coton de Tulears do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Does the Coton de Tulear Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Coton de Tulears 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.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Coton de Tulear or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Coton de Tulears 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.

    Do Coton de Tulears Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Coton de Tulears 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 Coton de Tulears Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Coton de Tulears can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Can Coton de Tulears Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Coton de Tulears 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.

    Is the Coton de Tulear Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Coton de Tulears are fairly easy to train.

    Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Coton de Tulear vs. Norwegian Buhund

    Coton de Tulears 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.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Coton de Tulear or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Coton de Tulears are very good for new dog owners.

    Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.

    Is the Coton de Tulear Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Coton de Tulears adapt very well to apartment living.

    Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Are Coton de Tulears good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Coton de Tulears 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 Coton de Tulears and Norwegian Buhunds?

    Coton de Tulears get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Coton de Tulear or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Coton de Tulears get along very well with other dogs.

    Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Coton de Tulear

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear:

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (78 percent match with Coton de Tulear). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.
  • Cavachon (78 percent match with Coton de Tulear). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Cavachon.
  • Shichon (78 percent match with Coton de Tulear). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Shichon.
  • 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 Coton de Tulear vs Pyredoodle.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Coton de Tulear Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Coton de Tulear versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Coton de Tulear versus Italian Greyhound     Coton de Tulear versus Saint Bernard     Coton de Tulear versus Gordon Setter     Coton de Tulear versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Coton de Tulear versus Maremma Sheepdog     Coton de Tulear versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Coton de Tulear versus Portuguese Pointer     Coton de Tulear versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Coton de Tulear versus Pyredoodle     

    Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Buhund versus Dogo Argentino     Norwegian Buhund versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Manchester Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Finnish Lapphund     Norwegian Buhund versus Siberian Husky     Norwegian Buhund versus King Shepherd     Norwegian Buhund versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Saluki     Norwegian Buhund versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Sussex Spaniel     

    Conclusion: Coton de Tulear 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 Coton de Tulear and the Norwegian Buhund better suits you and your family.