Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Dalmatian Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction
- Dalmatian versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview
- Dalmatian versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Dalmatian and the Norwegian Buhund
- The Similarities Between the Dalmatian and the Norwegian Buhund
- Size (Weight and Height) of Dalmatian versus Norwegian Buhund
- Adopting the Dalmatian versus Adopting the Norwegian Buhund
- The Popularity of Dalmatian versus Popularity of Norwegian Buhund
- Health Problems of Dalmatian versus Health Problems of Norwegian Buhund
- Which one drools more, the Dalmatian or the Norwegian Buhund
- Does the Dalmatian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?
- Do Dalmatians Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
- Tolerates Being Alone: Dalmatian versus Norwegian Buhund
- Can Dalmatians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Dalmatians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- How Kid-friendly are Dalmatians and Norwegian Buhunds?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dalmatian or the Norwegian Buhund?
- Is the Dalmatian Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?
- Wanderlust Potential: Dalmatian vs. Norwegian Buhund
- Are Dalmatians good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
- Do Dalmatians shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Dalmatian or the Norwegian Buhund?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dalmatian
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Norwegian Buhund
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Dalmatian versus Norwegian Buhund. Which One is a Better Pet?
Dalmatian Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Norwegian Buhund.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian or the Norwegian Buhund
Dalmatian versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview
Both the Dalmatian and the Norwegian Buhund are similar in size. The Dalmatian and the Norwegian Buhund are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Dalmatian 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.
Dalmatian versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Dalmatian 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 | Dalmatian | Norwegian Buhund |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 13 to 16 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 19 to 24 inches tall at the shoulder | 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Weight | 48 to 55 pounds | 26 to 40 pounds |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Average Lifespan | 14.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $1410 | No Data |
| Price Range | $1000 – $1800 | No Data |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 60 | 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian is 80 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 Dalmatian. 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 Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Norwegian Buhund
Below is a list of where the Dalmatian and the Norwegian Buhund are most different:
The Similarities Between the Dalmatian and the Norwegian Buhund
The Dalmatian and the Norwegian Buhund are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Dalmatian and the Norwegian Buhund are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Dalmatian versus Norwegian Buhund
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dalmatian and the Norwegian Buhund.
Dalmatians weigh 48 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Dalmatians are 19 to 24 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 Dalmatian versus Adopting the Norwegian Buhund
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Dalmatians 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 Dalmatian named Flint that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Dalmatians like Flint on pefinder.com.
Also, like Dalmatians, 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.
Eddie is the name of another Dalmatian (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
You can find more Dalmatians and Norwegian Buhunds that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Popularity of Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Norwegian Buhund over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dalmatian is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Buhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dalmatian is 60 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norwegian Buhund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Dalmatian
Popularity of Norwegian Buhund
| Year | Dalmatian Popularity Rank | Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 64 | 166 |
| 2014 | 66 | 172 |
| 2015 | 62 | 165 |
| 2016 | 62 | 174 |
| 2017 | 63 | 170 |
| 2018 | 56 | 165 |
| 2019 | 59 | 169 |
| 2020 | 51 | 168 |
Health Problems of Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian 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 more genetic health problems than the Dalmatian.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Norwegian Buhund than for the Dalmatian.
2 health tests are recommended for Dalmatian while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwegian Buhund.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Dalmatians and in Norwegian Buhunds.
Dalmatian Health Problems
Dalmatians are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Dalmatian 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 Dalmatians for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dalmatians 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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Norwegian Buhunds here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in Dalmatians 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 Dalmatian Breed is Baer Hearing Test problems.
This is because the Dalmatian ranks 1 out of 21 dog breeds for Baer Hearing Test problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 8730 Dalmatians, 1003 of them had Baer Hearing Test problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Dalmatians, and how common these diseases are in Dalmatians relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
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:
The table below lists the common health problems in Dalmatian and in Norwegian Buhund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Dalmatian and the Norwegian Buhund:
| Disease | Dalmatian Rank | Norwegian Buhund Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Baer Hearing Test problems | 1 out of 21 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Hyperuricosuria problems | 1 out of 11 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Thyroid problems | 6 out of 115 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Advanced Cardiac problems | 9 out of 71 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 10 out of 159 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Dentition Database problems | 11 out of 49 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | 51 out of 70 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Elbow problems | 132 out of 144 dog breeds | Not Common |
| Eyes problems | 161 out of 182 dog breeds | 35 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | 170 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.
Which one drools more, the Dalmatian or the Norwegian Buhund
Dalmatians do have a very low tendency to drool.
Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Is the Dalmatian Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwegian Buhund?
Dalmatians do not adapt well to apartment living.
Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Does the Dalmatian Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?
Dalmatians 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 Dalmatians Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
Dalmatians 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.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dalmatian or the Norwegian Buhund?
Dalmatians are OK for new dog owners.
Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.
Tolerates Being Alone: Dalmatian versus Norwegian Buhund
Dalmatians can be left alone only for a short time.
Norwegian Buhunds can be left alone for some time without problems.
Can Dalmatians Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Dalmatians can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Can Dalmatians Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Dalmatians can tolerate hot weather.
Norwegian Buhunds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
How Kid-friendly are Dalmatians and Norwegian Buhunds?
Dalmatians 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 Dalmatian or the Norwegian Buhund?
Dalmatians get along very well with other dogs.
Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.
Is the Dalmatian Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?
Dalmatians are very easy to train.
Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.
Wanderlust Potential: Dalmatian vs. Norwegian Buhund
Dalmatians 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.
Are Dalmatians good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
Dalmatians are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Norwegian Buhunds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Do Dalmatians shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?
Dalmatians shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Dalmatian or the Norwegian Buhund?
Dalmatians are very easy to groom.
Norwegian Buhunds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Dalmatian
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian:
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Dalmatian and how the Norwegian Buhund compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Dalmatian and of the Norwegian Buhund to other breeds:
Dalmatian Versus Other Dog Breeds
Dalmatian versus Bouvier des Flandres Dalmatian versus German Shorthaired Pointer Dalmatian versus Pekingese Dalmatian versus Kishu Ken Dalmatian versus Chinese Crested Dalmatian versus Patterdale Terrier Dalmatian versus Border Terrier Dalmatian versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Dalmatian versus Dutch Shepherd Dalmatian versus English Toy Spaniel
Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds
Norwegian Buhund versus Swedish Vallhund Norwegian Buhund versus Black Mouth Cur Norwegian Buhund versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Norwegian Buhund versus Miniature Pinscher Norwegian Buhund versus English Springer Spaniel Norwegian Buhund versus Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever Norwegian Buhund versus Bernedoodle Norwegian Buhund versus Tibetan Spaniel Norwegian Buhund versus Irish Water Spaniel Norwegian Buhund versus Leonberger
Conclusion: Dalmatian 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 Dalmatian and the Norwegian Buhund better suits you and your family.