A Detailed Comparison of the Dogue de Bordeaux and the Norwegian Buhund.

Dogue de Bordeaux versus Norwegian Buhund

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Dogue de Bordeaux Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Dogue de Bordeaux 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 Dogue de Bordeaux 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 Dogue de Bordeaux 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 Dogue de Bordeaux or the Norwegian Buhund

Dogue de Bordeaux versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Dogue de Bordeaux belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

On the other hand, the Norwegian Buhund belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Dogue de Bordeaux versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Dogue de Bordeaux 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 Dogue de Bordeaux Norwegian Buhund
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 1/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 1/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 2/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 4/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Height 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
Intelligence 3/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Drool 1/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Life Span 8 to 12 years 12 to 15 years
Weight Starts at 100 pounds 26 to 40 pounds
Average Lifespan 10.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2270 No Data
Price Range $1800 – $2500 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 65 168

    *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 Dogue de Bordeaux 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 Dogue de Bordeaux is 70 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 Dogue de Bordeaux. 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 Dogue de Bordeaux 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 Dogue de Bordeaux and the Norwegian Buhund

    Below is a list of where the Dogue de Bordeaux and the Norwegian Buhund are most different:

  • Dogue de Bordeauxs 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.
  • Dogue de Bordeauxs have a very high tendency to drool. However, Norwegian Buhunds do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Dogue de Bordeauxs are very easy to groom. However, Norwegian Buhunds require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • The Similarities Between the Dogue de Bordeaux and the Norwegian Buhund

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

  • Both the Dogue de Bordeaux and the Norwegian Buhund cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Dogue de Bordeaux 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 Dogue de Bordeaux and the Norwegian Buhund gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Dogue de Bordeaux and the Norwegian Buhund are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Dogue de Bordeaux and the Norwegian Buhund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Dogue de Bordeaux and the Norwegian Buhund get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Dogue de Bordeaux and the Norwegian Buhund require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Dogue de Bordeaux versus Norwegian Buhund

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Dogue de Bordeaux and the Norwegian Buhund.

    Dogue de Bordeauxs weigh Starts at 100 pounds when fully grown. Dogue de Bordeauxs are 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Norwegian Buhunds weigh 26 to 40 pounds when fully grown. Norwegian Buhunds are 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Adopting the Dogue de Bordeaux versus Adopting the Norwegian Buhund

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Dogue de Bordeauxs 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 Dogue de Bordeaux named Lord Waffles that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Dogue de Bordeauxs like Lord Waffles on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Dogue de Bordeauxs, 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 Dogue de Bordeaux and the Norwegian Buhund can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Zorro is the name of another Dogue de Bordeaux (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

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

    The Popularity of Dogue de Bordeaux 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 Dogue de Bordeaux and the Norwegian Buhund over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Dogue de Bordeaux is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Buhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Dogue de Bordeaux is 65 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norwegian Buhund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Dogue de Bordeaux

    Popularity of Dogue de Bordeaux

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Year Dogue de Bordeaux Popularity Rank Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank
    2013 65 166
    2014 63 172
    2015 63 165
    2016 63 174
    2017 67 170
    2018 67 165
    2019 68 169
    2020 71 168

    Health Problems of Dogue de Bordeaux 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 Dogue de Bordeaux 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 Dogue de Bordeaux is prone to more genetic health problems than the Norwegian Buhund.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Dogue de Bordeaux than for the Norwegian Buhund.

    6 health tests are recommended for Dogue de Bordeaux while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwegian Buhund.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Dogue de Bordeauxs and in Norwegian Buhunds.

    Dogue de Bordeaux Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Dogue de Bordeauxs 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 Dogue de Bordeauxs 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 Dogue de Bordeaux Breed is Shoulder problems.

    This is because the Dogue de Bordeaux ranks 2 out of 22 dog breeds for Shoulder problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 250 Dogue de Bordeauxs, 23 of them had Shoulder problems.

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

  • Shoulder problems: Rank 2 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 4 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 10 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 14 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 25 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 47 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 79 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 94 out of 145 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 Dogue de Bordeaux and in Norwegian Buhund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Dogue de Bordeaux and the Norwegian Buhund:

    Disease Dogue de Bordeaux Rank Norwegian Buhund Rank
    Shoulder problems 2 out of 22 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 4 out of 198 dog breeds 131 out of 198 dog breeds
    Advanced Cardiac problems 10 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 14 out of 144 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 25 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 47 out of 182 dog breeds 35 out of 182 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 79 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 94 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common

    *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 is Better for New Dog Owners, the Dogue de Bordeaux or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Dogue de Bordeauxs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Dogue de Bordeaux or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Dogue de Bordeauxs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Wanderlust Potential: Dogue de Bordeaux vs. Norwegian Buhund

    Dogue de Bordeauxs 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Dogue de Bordeaux versus Norwegian Buhund

    Dogue de Bordeauxs do not like to be left alone.

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

    Can Dogue de Bordeauxs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Dogue de Bordeauxs cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Is the Dogue de Bordeaux Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Dogue de Bordeauxs are not easy to train.

    Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.

    Do Dogue de Bordeauxs Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Dogue de Bordeauxs 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 Dogue de Bordeauxs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Dogue de Bordeauxs can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Do Dogue de Bordeauxs shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?

    Dogue de Bordeauxs shed moderately.

    Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.

    Does the Dogue de Bordeaux Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Dogue de Bordeauxs 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.

    Is the Dogue de Bordeaux Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Dogue de Bordeauxs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Are Dogue de Bordeauxs good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Dogue de Bordeauxs 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 Dogue de Bordeauxs and Norwegian Buhunds?

    Dogue de Bordeauxs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Which one drools more, the Dogue de Bordeaux or the Norwegian Buhund

    Dogue de Bordeauxs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Dogue de Bordeaux or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Dogue de Bordeauxs 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 Dogue de Bordeaux

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Dogue de Bordeaux 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 Dogue de Bordeaux:

  • Bullmastiff (66 percent match with Dogue de Bordeaux). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Bullmastiff.
  • Mastiff (72 percent match with Dogue de Bordeaux). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Mastiff.
  • Neapolitan Mastiff (67 percent match with Dogue de Bordeaux). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Neapolitan Mastiff.
  • 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 Dogue de Bordeaux vs Pyredoodle.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Dogue de Bordeaux Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Dogue de Bordeaux versus Akita     Dogue de Bordeaux versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Dogue de Bordeaux versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Dogue de Bordeaux versus Samoyed     Dogue de Bordeaux versus American Bulldog     Dogue de Bordeaux versus Japanese Chin     Dogue de Bordeaux versus Pomeranian     Dogue de Bordeaux versus Australian Shepherd     Dogue de Bordeaux versus Goldador     

    Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Buhund versus Lakeland Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Pug     Norwegian Buhund versus Pomchi     Norwegian Buhund versus Schipperke     Norwegian Buhund versus Aussiedoodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Coton de Tulear     Norwegian Buhund versus Norwich Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Belgian Malinois     Norwegian Buhund versus Maltese     Norwegian Buhund versus Kuvasz     

    Conclusion: Dogue de Bordeaux 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 Dogue de Bordeaux and the Norwegian Buhund better suits you and your family.