Differences and Similarities between the Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund.

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Greyhound Versus Norwegian Buhund: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Greyhound 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 Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Greyhound 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 Greyhound 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 with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Greyhound 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 Greyhound or the Norwegian Buhund.

Greyhound versus Norwegian Buhund

Greyhound versus Norwegian Buhund: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Greyhound 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.

Greyhound versus Norwegian Buhund: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Greyhound 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund

Factor Greyhound Norwegian Buhund
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 4/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 12 to 15 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Height 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the sho 16 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Easygoing 1/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 5/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 1/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 3/5
Easy To Train 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Weight 50 to 85 pounds 26 to 40 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 13.5 years
Average Price $660 No Data
Price Range $500 – $800 No Data
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • DNA Repository
  • Eye Examination- after the age of 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 149 168

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Greyhound 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 the Greyhound is 73 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Norwegian Buhund is 81 out of 125.

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

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

  • Greyhounds do not like to be left alone. However, Norwegian Buhunds can be left alone for some time without problems.
  • Greyhounds cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Norwegian Buhunds can tolerate cold weather.
  • Greyhounds can tolerate hot weather. However, Norwegian Buhunds cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Greyhounds have a very high tendency to drool. However, Norwegian Buhunds do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Greyhounds are very easy to groom. However, Norwegian Buhunds require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Greyhounds 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 Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund

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

  • Both the Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund are very playful.
  • Both the Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund are very easy to train.
  • Both the Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Greyhound versus Norwegian Buhund

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

    Greyhounds weigh 50 to 85 pounds when fully grown. Greyhounds are 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the sho 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.

    Lifespan of Greyhound versus Norwegian Buhund

    The lifespan of Greyhounds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Greyhounds is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Norwegian Buhunds is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Norwegian Buhunds is 13.5 years.

    Adopting the Greyhound versus Adopting the Norwegian Buhund

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Greyhounds 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 Greyhound named Gangster that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Greyhounds like Gangster on pefinder.com.

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

    Elijah is the name of another Greyhound (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

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

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

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Greyhound is more popular with dog owners than the Norwegian Buhund. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Greyhound is 149 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norwegian Buhund is 168 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Greyhound

    Popularity of Greyhound

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Popularity of Norwegian Buhund

    Year Greyhound Popularity Rank Norwegian Buhund Popularity Rank
    2013 148 166
    2014 147 172
    2015 147 165
    2016 151 174
    2017 156 170
    2018 145 165
    2019 162 169
    2020 142 168

    Health Problems of Greyhound versus Health Problems of Norwegian Buhund

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Greyhound 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 Greyhound.

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

    2 health tests are recommended for Greyhound while 3 tests are recommended for the Norwegian Buhund.

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

    Greyhound Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • DNA Repository
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Greyhounds 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 Greyhounds 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 Greyhound Breed is Eyes problems.

    This is because the Greyhound ranks 76 out of 182 dog breeds for Eyes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 119 Greyhounds, 2 of them had Eyes problems.

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

  • Eyes problems: Rank 76 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 81 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 186 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 Greyhound and in Norwegian Buhund and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Greyhound and the Norwegian Buhund:

    Disease Greyhound Rank Norwegian Buhund Rank
    Eyes problems 76 out of 182 dog breeds 35 out of 182 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 81 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 186 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Greyhound versus Norwegian Buhund

    Greyhounds do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Greyhounds shed more than Norwegian Buhunds?

    Greyhounds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Norwegian Buhunds shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Greyhound or the Norwegian Buhund

    Greyhounds have a very high tendency to drool.

    Norwegian Buhunds do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Greyhounds are very easy to groom.

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

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

    Greyhounds 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 Greyhounds Bark and Howl? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Greyhounds 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 Greyhounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Cold Weather?

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

    Norwegian Buhunds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Greyhound vs. Norwegian Buhund

    Greyhounds 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 Greyhounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Norwegian Buhunds Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Greyhounds 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 Greyhound or the Norwegian Buhund?

    Greyhounds get along very well with other dogs.

    Norwegian Buhunds get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Are Greyhounds good family dogs? What about Norwegian Buhunds?

    Greyhounds 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 Greyhounds and Norwegian Buhunds?

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

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

    Is the Greyhound Easier to Train than the Norwegian Buhund?

    Greyhounds are very easy to train.

    Norwegian Buhunds are very easy to train.

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

    Greyhounds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Norwegian Buhunds adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

    Greyhounds are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Norwegian Buhunds are OK for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Greyhound

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

  • German Shorthaired Pointer (70 percent match with Greyhound). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • Bull Terrier (71 percent match with Greyhound). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Bull Terrier.
  • Weimaraner (69 percent match with Greyhound). Here is our comparison of the Norwegian Buhund vs Weimaraner.
  • 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 Greyhound vs Pyredoodle.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Greyhound Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Greyhound versus Hovawart     Greyhound versus Irish Water Spaniel     Greyhound versus Golden Retriever     Greyhound versus Chihuahua     Greyhound versus Saint Bernard     Greyhound versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Greyhound versus Border Collie     Greyhound versus Shichon     Greyhound versus Kai Ken     Greyhound versus Australian Cattle Dog     Greyhound versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Greyhound versus Bich Poo     Greyhound versus Canaan Dog     Greyhound versus Peek A Poo     Greyhound versus American Bulldog     Greyhound versus Irish Terrier     Greyhound versus Plott     Greyhound versus Plott     Greyhound versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Greyhound versus Cavachon     Greyhound versus Stabyhoun     Greyhound versus Pomeranian     Greyhound versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog     Greyhound versus Bull Terrier     Greyhound versus Pointer     

    Norwegian Buhund Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norwegian Buhund versus Australian Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Peek A Poo     Norwegian Buhund versus Australian Cattle Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Norwegian Buhund versus Chow Chow     Norwegian Buhund versus Bracco Italiano     Norwegian Buhund versus Scottish Deerhound     Norwegian Buhund versus Karelian Bear Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Chorkie     Norwegian Buhund versus Akita     Norwegian Buhund versus Maltipoo     Norwegian Buhund versus Brussels Griffon     Norwegian Buhund versus American Eskimo Dog     Norwegian Buhund versus Basenji     Norwegian Buhund versus Gordon Setter     Norwegian Buhund versus Irish Water Spaniel     Norwegian Buhund versus American Hairless Terrier     Norwegian Buhund versus Goldendoodle     Norwegian Buhund versus Tibetan Mastiff     Norwegian Buhund versus Lancashire Heeler     Norwegian Buhund versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Norwegian Buhund versus Afghan Hound     Norwegian Buhund versus German Pinscher     Norwegian Buhund versus Bolognese     Norwegian Buhund versus Saint Bernard     

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