Is the Dachshund Better than the Norwegian Buhund as a Pet? Answer…

Dachshund versus Norwegian Buhund

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Dachshund Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction

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

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

Dachshund versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Dachshund belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.

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.

Dachshund versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dachshund 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 Dachshund Norwegian Buhund
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Weight 16 to 32 pounds 26 to 40 pounds
General Health 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 2/5
Height 8 inches to 9 inches tall at the shoulder 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1730 No Data
Price Range $1000 – $2000 No Data
Temperament Score 69.4 percent No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 11 168

    *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 Dachshund 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 Dachshund is 69 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Norwegian Buhund is 81 out of 125.

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

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

  • Dachshunds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Norwegian Buhunds can tolerate cold weather.
  • Dachshunds have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Norwegian Buhunds have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Dachshund and the Norwegian Buhund

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

  • Both the Dachshund and the Norwegian Buhund do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Norwegian Buhund are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Norwegian Buhund are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Norwegian Buhund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Norwegian Buhund are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Norwegian Buhund are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Norwegian Buhund are very playful.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Norwegian Buhund get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Norwegian Buhund are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Dachshund and the Norwegian Buhund have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Dachshund versus Norwegian Buhund

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

    Dachshunds weigh 16 to 32 pounds when fully grown. Dachshunds are 8 inches to 9 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 Dachshund versus Adopting the Norwegian Buhund

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Dachshunds 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 Dachshund named Easley (Needs A Foster) that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Dachshunds like Easley (Needs A Foster) on pefinder.com.

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

    Mr. Pickles – Courtesy Post – So Ca is the name of another Dachshund (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

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

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

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dachshund is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Buhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dachshund is 11 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norwegian Buhund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Dachshund

    Popularity of Dachshund

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Year Dachshund Popularity Rank Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank
    2013 10 166
    2014 11 172
    2015 13 165
    2016 13 174
    2017 13 170
    2018 12 165
    2019 11 169
    2020 10 168

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

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

    5 health tests are recommended for Dachshund while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwegian Buhund.

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

    Dachshund Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dachshunds 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 Dachshunds 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 Dachshund Breed is Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

    This is because the Dachshund ranks 6 out of 32 dog breeds for Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 175 Dachshunds, 2 of them had Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

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

  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 6 out of 32 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 27 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 30 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 42 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 65 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 106 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 160 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 161 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 Dachshund and in Norwegian Buhund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Dachshund and the Norwegian Buhund:

    Disease Dachshund Rank Norwegian Buhund Rank
    Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems 6 out of 32 dog breeds Not Common
    Dentition Database problems 27 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Advanced Cardiac problems 30 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 42 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 65 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 106 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 160 out of 182 dog breeds 35 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 161 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.

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

    Dachshunds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Which one drools more, the Dachshund or the Norwegian Buhund

    Dachshunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Is the Dachshund Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Dachshunds are not easy to train.

    Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dachshund versus Norwegian Buhund

    Dachshunds can be left alone only for a short time.

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

    Can Dachshunds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dachshunds 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 Dachshund or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Dachshunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Do Dachshunds shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?

    Dachshunds shed moderately.

    Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.

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

    Dachshunds are moderately easy to groom.

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

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

    Dachshunds are very good for new dog owners.

    Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.

    Are Dachshunds good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Dachshunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Norwegian Buhunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

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

    Dachshunds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    How Kid-friendly are Dachshunds and Norwegian Buhunds?

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

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

    Does the Dachshund Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Dachshunds 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 Dachshunds Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

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

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Dachshund vs. Norwegian Buhund

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

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dachshund

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

  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier (71 percent match with Dachshund). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Lhasa Apso (71 percent match with Dachshund). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Lhasa Apso.
  • Manchester Terrier (75 percent match with Dachshund). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Manchester Terrier.
  • Miniature Pinscher (72 percent match with Dachshund). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Miniature Pinscher.
  • 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 Dachshund vs Pyredoodle.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Dachshund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dachshund versus Xoloitzcuintli     Dachshund versus Miniature Pinscher     Dachshund versus Weimaraner     Dachshund versus Xoloitzcuintli     Dachshund versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Dachshund versus English Toy Spaniel     Dachshund versus Kai Ken     Dachshund versus Sealyham Terrier     Dachshund versus Lhasa Apso     Dachshund versus Beaglier     

    Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Buhund versus Frenchton     Norwegian Buhund versus Schnoodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Boykin Spaniel     Norwegian Buhund versus Chow Chow     Norwegian Buhund versus Pyredoodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Harrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Whoodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Afghan Hound     Norwegian Buhund versus Airedale Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Curly-Coated Retriever     

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