Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Finnish Spitz Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction
- Finnish Spitz versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview
- Finnish Spitz versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Finnish Spitz and the Norwegian Buhund
- The Similarities Between the Finnish Spitz and the Norwegian Buhund
- Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Spitz versus Norwegian Buhund
- The Popularity of Finnish Spitz versus Popularity of Norwegian Buhund
- Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Spitz versus Norwegian Buhund
- Which one drools more, the Finnish Spitz or the Norwegian Buhund
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Spitz or the Norwegian Buhund?
- Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Is the Finnish Spitz Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?
- Does the Finnish Spitz Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?
- Do Finnish Spitzs shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?
- Wanderlust Potential: Finnish Spitz vs. Norwegian Buhund
- Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Are Finnish Spitzs good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
- How Kid-friendly are Finnish Spitzs and Norwegian Buhunds?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Finnish Spitz or the Norwegian Buhund?
- Do Finnish Spitzs Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Spitz
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Norwegian Buhund
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Finnish Spitz versus Norwegian Buhund. Which One is a Better Pet?
Finnish Spitz Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz and the Norwegian Buhund.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz or the Norwegian Buhund
Finnish Spitz versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview
Both the Finnish Spitz and the Norwegian Buhund are similar in size. The Finnish Spitz and the Norwegian Buhund are both medium-sized dogs.
Furthermore, the Finnish Spitz 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.
Finnish Spitz versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Finnish Spitz 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 | Finnish Spitz | Norwegian Buhund |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 15 years |
| Height | 15 to 20 inches tall at the shoulder | 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Easy To Groom | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 20 to 35 pounds | 26 to 40 pounds |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easygoing | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 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 | 13.5 years | 13.5 years |
| Average Price | $900 | No Data |
| Price Range | $600 – $1100 | No Data |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 179 | 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 Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz is 77 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 Finnish Spitz. 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 Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz and the Norwegian Buhund
Below is a list of where the Finnish Spitz and the Norwegian Buhund are most different:
The Similarities Between the Finnish Spitz and the Norwegian Buhund
The Finnish Spitz and the Norwegian Buhund are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Finnish Spitz and the Norwegian Buhund are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Finnish Spitz versus Norwegian Buhund
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Finnish Spitz and the Norwegian Buhund.
Finnish Spitzs weigh 20 to 35 pounds when fully grown. Finnish Spitzs are 15 to 20 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.
The Popularity of Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz and the Norwegian Buhund over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Norwegian Buhund is more popular with dog owners than the Finnish Spitz. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Norwegian Buhund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Finnish Spitz is 179 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Finnish Spitz
Popularity of Norwegian Buhund
| Year | Finnish Spitz Popularity Rank | Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 170 | 166 |
| 2014 | 174 | 172 |
| 2015 | 178 | 165 |
| 2016 | 179 | 174 |
| 2017 | 177 | 170 |
| 2018 | 184 | 165 |
| 2019 | 183 | 169 |
| 2020 | 187 | 168 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Finnish Spitz versus Norwegian Buhund
Finnish Spitzs do not like to be left alone.
Norwegian Buhunds can be left alone for some time without problems.
Which one drools more, the Finnish Spitz or the Norwegian Buhund
Finnish Spitzs do have a very low tendency to drool.
Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Finnish Spitz or the Norwegian Buhund?
Finnish Spitzs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Norwegian Buhunds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Is the Finnish Spitz Better for Apartment Owners than the Norwegian Buhund?
Finnish Spitzs adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Finnish Spitz or the Norwegian Buhund?
Finnish Spitzs are OK for new dog owners.
Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.
Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?
Finnish Spitzs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Norwegian Buhunds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
Is the Finnish Spitz Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?
Finnish Spitzs are fairly easy to train.
Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.
Does the Finnish Spitz Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Norwegian Buhund?
Finnish Spitzs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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 Finnish Spitzs shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?
Finnish Spitzs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.
Wanderlust Potential: Finnish Spitz vs. Norwegian Buhund
Finnish Spitzs 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.
Can Finnish Spitzs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?
Finnish Spitzs can very well tolerate cold weather.
Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Are Finnish Spitzs good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
Finnish Spitzs 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 Finnish Spitzs and Norwegian Buhunds?
Finnish Spitzs 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 Finnish Spitz or the Norwegian Buhund?
Finnish Spitzs get along very well with other dogs.
Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.
Do Finnish Spitzs Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?
Finnish Spitzs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Norwegian Buhunds are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Finnish Spitz
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz:
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 Finnish Spitz and how the Norwegian Buhund compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Finnish Spitz and of the Norwegian Buhund to other breeds:
Finnish Spitz Versus Other Dog Breeds
Finnish Spitz versus Shih Tzu Finnish Spitz versus Pomeranian Finnish Spitz versus Westiepoo Finnish Spitz versus Cocker Spaniel Finnish Spitz versus Curly-Coated Retriever Finnish Spitz versus Kai Ken Finnish Spitz versus Maremma Sheepdog Finnish Spitz versus Dalmatian Finnish Spitz versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne Finnish Spitz versus Scottish Deerhound
Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds
Norwegian Buhund versus Frenchton Norwegian Buhund versus Karelian Bear Dog Norwegian Buhund versus Coton de Tulear Norwegian Buhund versus Irish Wolfhound Norwegian Buhund versus Glen of Imaal Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus American Hairless Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus Pekingese Norwegian Buhund versus Border Collie Norwegian Buhund versus Norfolk Terrier Norwegian Buhund versus Cocker Spaniel
Conclusion: Finnish Spitz 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 Finnish Spitz and the Norwegian Buhund better suits you and your family.