A Detailed Comparison of the Field Spaniel and the Norwegian Buhund.

Field Spaniel versus Norwegian Buhund

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Field Spaniel Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction

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

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

Field Spaniel versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Field Spaniel belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

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.

Field Spaniel versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Field Spaniel 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 Field Spaniel Norwegian Buhund
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 1 foot, 4 inches to 1 foot, 7 inches tall at the s 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 15 years
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 3/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Weight 37 to 45 pounds 26 to 40 pounds
Easygoing 2/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $4640 No Data
Price Range $2900 – $5000 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend testing at 2, 4, 6, and 8 years of age.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 147 168

    *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 Field Spaniel 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 Field Spaniel is 79 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 Field Spaniel. 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 Field Spaniel 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 Field Spaniel and the Norwegian Buhund

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

  • Field Spaniels do not like to be left alone. However, Norwegian Buhunds can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • The Similarities Between the Field Spaniel and the Norwegian Buhund

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

  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Norwegian Buhund do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Field Spaniel 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 Field Spaniel and the Norwegian Buhund get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Norwegian Buhund are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Norwegian Buhund gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Norwegian Buhund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Norwegian Buhund get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Norwegian Buhund are very easy to train.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Norwegian Buhund have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Norwegian Buhund have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Norwegian Buhund require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Field Spaniel and the Norwegian Buhund are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Field Spaniel versus Norwegian Buhund

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

    Field Spaniels weigh 37 to 45 pounds when fully grown. Field Spaniels are 1 foot, 4 inches to 1 foot, 7 inches tall at the s 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.

    The Popularity of Field Spaniel 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 Field Spaniel and the Norwegian Buhund over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Field Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Buhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Field Spaniel is 147 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norwegian Buhund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Field Spaniel

    Popularity of Field Spaniel

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Year Field Spaniel Popularity Rank Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank
    2013 140 166
    2014 137 172
    2015 145 165
    2016 147 174
    2017 145 170
    2018 149 165
    2019 153 169
    2020 160 168

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

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

    6 health tests are recommended for Field Spaniel while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwegian Buhund.

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

    Field Spaniel Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- recommend testing at 2, 4, 6, and 8 years of age.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Field Spaniels 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 Field Spaniels 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 Field Spaniel Breed is Eyes problems.

    This is because the Field Spaniel ranks 52 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 479 Field Spaniels, 10 of them had Eyes problems.

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

  • Eyes problems: Rank 52 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 57 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 58 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 74 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 113 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 138 out of 144 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 Field Spaniel and in Norwegian Buhund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Field Spaniel and the Norwegian Buhund:

    Disease Field Spaniel Rank Norwegian Buhund Rank
    Eyes problems 52 out of 182 dog breeds 35 out of 182 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems 57 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 58 out of 198 dog breeds 131 out of 198 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 74 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Patella problems 113 out of 145 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 138 out of 144 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.

    Is the Field Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Field Spaniels do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Field Spaniel versus Norwegian Buhund

    Field Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

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

    Which one drools more, the Field Spaniel or the Norwegian Buhund

    Field Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Do Field Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Field Spaniels 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 Field Spaniel or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Field Spaniels are OK for new dog owners.

    Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.

    Can Field Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Field Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Do Field Spaniels shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?

    Field Spaniels shed moderately.

    Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.

    Can Field Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Field Spaniels can tolerate hot weather.

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

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

    Field Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Field Spaniel or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Field Spaniels are very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Field Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Field Spaniels 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.

    Are Field Spaniels good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Field Spaniels 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 Field Spaniels and Norwegian Buhunds?

    Field Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Field Spaniel Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Field Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.

    Wanderlust Potential: Field Spaniel vs. Norwegian Buhund

    Field Spaniels 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 Field Spaniel

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

  • German Shorthaired Pointer (83 percent match with Field Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • English Springer Spaniel (84 percent match with Field Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs English Springer Spaniel.
  • 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 Field Spaniel vs Pyredoodle.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Field Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Field Spaniel versus Bullmastiff     Field Spaniel versus Japanese Chin     Field Spaniel versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Field Spaniel versus Akita     Field Spaniel versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Field Spaniel versus Bedlington Terrier     Field Spaniel versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     Field Spaniel versus Shiba Inu     Field Spaniel versus American Bulldog     Field Spaniel versus Karelian Bear Dog     

    Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Buhund versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Maltese     Norwegian Buhund versus Mastiff     Norwegian Buhund versus Portuguese Water Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Bearded Collie     Norwegian Buhund versus Tibetan Mastiff     Norwegian Buhund versus Beaglier     Norwegian Buhund versus Peek A Poo     Norwegian Buhund versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Norwegian Buhund versus Azawakh     

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